Crafting enthusiasts made their way to the Newtown United Methodist Church (NUMC) Craft Fair, held in the Reed Intermediate School cafetorium, on Saturday, October 20. The annual event, run by volunteers, helps raise funds for the Sandy Hook church.

Dozens of vendors set up booths and displayed their items for sale as eager shoppers perused the selection, looking for gifts for themselves and holiday presents for loved ones.

In addition to the handmade crafts for sale, there were baked goods and raffle baskets available.

On the school’s stage were tables for AMBER Alert (which stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) registration, Megan Bernardi art, and TJ Designs.

This year marked TJ Design’s tenth year participating with the Craft Fair. The group is run by Linda Jones and was created by her son, the late Tyler Jones. It seeks to spread awareness about autism, and all its proceeds go to benefit Families United in Newtown (FUN).

While holding Tyler’s signature bracelet with “lucky eye beads” in hand, Ms Jones told The Newtown Bee how her son began beading when he was 15 years old and would make two bracelets a day. She recalled how Tyler was “so excited” at his first craft show and that they were able to raise $1,300.

After Tyler passed away in September 2009, at the age of 16, she continued to honor his legacy by returning to the Craft Fair each year. Along with bracelets, TJ Designs had an “earrings for autism” rack and a sun-catcher display decorated with butterflies to represent the butterfly effect of how one person can make a difference.

At the table next to TJ Design, Newtown resident Megan Bernardi also included butterflies in a painting for sale that was part of her collection titled “Autism Through My Eyes.”

She explained that she sees butterflies as representing autism in that these individuals can bloom from their cocoon and show their gifts to the world.