Atrium vendor show benefits NAMI Havre

In time with the feeling spring is beginning to bud and the weather warming up, community members came out from their homes Saturday for a vendor event at Atrium Mall. The event was hosted by Craft Vendor with part of the proceeds to benefit NAMI Havre.

NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, is a mental health advocacy group. NAMI Havre is a non-profit organization run by a handful of local volunteers. It's goal is to provide advocacy, education, support and public awareness, so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

The proceeds of Saturday's vendor event donated to NAMI will go to educational classes, support groups, office materials and other forms of funding.

Among the many vendors, Stormy Oelke of Cactus Canyon Rabbitry really got festive for the upcoming Easter celebration and brought in her very own nearly 30 pound Flemish giant rabbit. She supplied a beautiful back drop for any parent wishing to photograph their child with the rabbit for that real Easter experience.

The happy hare was very photogenic and amongst several other bunnies looking for forever homes.

Oelke also raises her furry friends for shows and 4-H events. They range in weight from 1.5 pounds to 30 pounds. She can be contacted via Facebook, where people can observe posts of other bunnies she has, such as English Spots and Holland Lops. English Spots are energetic, mischievous and friendly, as well as fluff balls of fun. They are known and named for their multi-colored coat of spots. Some of these colors are lilac, blue, black, chocolate, gold, grey and tortoise. Bouncing bunnies such as these can weigh between 5-8 pounds, similar to that of a small dog. An average lifespan for this breed is nine years.

Holland Lops typically have a calm demeanor and tend to be smaller in nature. These carrot-munching cuties weigh no more than 5 pounds at most, living an average seven to 10 years. Soft droopy ears are one distinguishable feature that makes this critter so adorable.

Another vendor present was Kyra's Colorful Creations, where shoppers could find a diverse assortment of tumblers, cups, shirts, chap-stick keychains and more. Tumblers can best be described as a cup with no handles.

Kyra Baugh uses a sort of science behind her talent of decorating tumblers. The process of printing a pattern onto one of these handy travel cups is called sublimation. Special ink is printed on a specific type of paper and wrapped around the object. She then bakes them at 400 degrees to produce a smooth finished design, that can also be custom made to the customer's choosing. Through trial and error, this wife and mother perfected her technique and has stock piled her kitchen with her own assortment of drink ware.

Baugh supports other businesses on Etsy, and people can contact her via Facebook. She intends to have her products available for purchase during Saturday Markets as well.

The money she makes from her chap-stick key chains and raffle tickets for an Easter basket goes to Shellie and Gabriella Swinney. Shellie's daughter, Gabriella, has been diagnosed with F.I.R.E.S. disease and is currently in a medically-induced coma. Baugh has a GoFundMe account linked to her Facebook page set up for Shellie. It is open to anyone who wishes to donate to help the Swinney family.

Several other businesses were in attendance, with many items ranging from jewelry to house plants, and even microwavable bowl and plate-shaped pot holders. There were countless homemade crafts, and to end it sweetly, a vast variety of goodies and snacks.

As well as finding these businesses online, people can expect them to be present for the next two event days, which will be held Saturday, May 13, and Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Atrium Mall.

Donations for NAMI can be sent to PO Box 786 or 220 Third Ave. Suite 408.