ROGERS (KFSM) - Thousands of people were in Benton County Saturday (Oct.18) for the 6lst annual War Eagle Fair. Many vendors come from all over the Midwest to showcase their unique arts and crafts.
"We make a lot of home decor out of refurbished barn tin," said vendor Amanda Fitzgerald. "We like to to use old things and make something new and beautiful out of it."
Ryan and Amanda Fitzgerald live in Tulsa. Amanda is a teacher and Ryan is a worship leader at their church. In the past year, the couple found a hobby that brought them back to their second year to the War Eagle craft fair.
"We saw a piece of barn tin that had love carved into it and with lights burnt out, "said Ryan Fitzgerald. "We got the idea that we could do it."
They do all kinds of custom orders whether its names, words, or scriptures. You'll see many different words and sayings in each piece of art work. " Words that inspire people," said Ryan. " Just pieces that people can call home, identify with and that is special to them."
Now the process to make this one of a kind decoration is to start out with barn tin. "We design everything ourselves and then from there just lining up on the grid and pressing," said Ryan.
"We have some LED illuminated lights so we cut all sorts of words out of them and stick LED lights inside," said Amanda.
There biggest seller this year is a mason jar tin piece. However, there is another tin craft that is closer to customer's hearts. "One of our special little things is a state then you can personalize it by putting the heart where you live," said Amanda.
Ryan and Amanda said they feel fulfilled when they see a customer walk away with one of their hand crafted pieces. "We think its really fulfulling to know that people from across the whole nation have bought one of our products," according to Ryan. "They have it hanging in their home, they walk by it every day and feel inspired by it."
The couple said it's something they find a lot of joy in. They plan to show case their items next month at the Affair of the Heart show in Tulsa.