Boundary County's annual Yule Love Traditional Craft Fair attracted a large number of vendors and shoppers seeking gifts for the holiday season as steady crowds of people sought both food and Christmas gifts. 

Held at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, the event saw high attendance on both days of the event, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6. 

Several merchants were present at other events, such as the farmers market or the Winter Craft Fair. However, among the vendors were two first-time participants, Tawnya Merrill and Rikki Martin. 

For Merrill, who works with wood, the fair marked the first time she sold her creations outside of loved ones. 

“I don’t think family members really count,” Merrill said. 

“It’s been really encouraging,” she said. “Everybody’s so nice and they’re all encouraging me.” 

Merrill said she initially doubted whether her work would be well received but it didn’t take long for those concerns to be put to rest. 

“I never thought this was very cool,” she said. “I was kind of pushed by friends and family to do it. It all went away when people were super nice and friendly.” 

She said she hopes to participate again. 

“It’s been a good experience, so fingers crossed, I’ll probably be back,” Merrill said. 

Martin, who makes several types of handcrafted items — including cup and bowl covers and flower bouquets — said the fair offered more community than she expected.

“It is such a warm experience,” Martin said. “There’s a sense of community that I wouldn’t have expected before.” 

She said that when crowds thinned, vendors visited with one another, creating what she called a “small-town craft fair” atmosphere. 

“The experience is unique and it’s special to be on the inside,” she said. 

Martin said she also noticed the energy of the vendors around her. 

“The place has a buzz and an energy of its own and I feel like I have a buzz and an energy that I did not know was there,” she said. 

    Tawnya Merrill, a first-time vendor at the Yule Love Traditional Craft Fair, shows off a piece of art she created.