When getting all of my Christmas decorations out each year, I reflect upon the old days of home Christmas bazaars and fairs. Years ago, people would queue up for hours to gain entrance into the homes of Christmas artists and crafters. The hostess would serve hot chocolate and coffee along with homemade cookies for the waiting customers. The home of Carol King in Western Springs was one of my favorite spots.

Many years later, I would hear the story of how her husband and sons moved all of the furniture out of their home and stored it in the garage for the weekend sale. King and partner Paula Buttel started crafting as a hobby, and it grew through the years. Through contacts with other artists, they had a Christmas show at the DuPage County Fair Grounds that ran from a Thursday night with a special dinner preview through Sunday. It was a coveted spot for an artist and a shoppers’ delight. Now part of Raz Imports of Arlington, Texas, they still are designing holiday decorations for hearth and home.

During the past few months, the economy has been noted as one of the things that most Americans are thinking about. We hear daily about the long-standing American industries of automobiles, steel and other manufacturing entities needing help both from the consumer and the government. Though we might desire to buy American products, in some instances it is impossible. There have been many editorials of late urging people to “buy American.”

Buying American is something that I try to do whenever possible. With the world becoming smaller, and trade becoming easier between countries, we find labels from all over the world on our products.

Last year, I bought a dozen ornaments to use to adorn presents for this year. Upon cutting off the tags, I noticed they were made in China. Not unusual, as most Christmas decorations are made in China. The ornaments are adorable jack-in-the-box clowns complete with a box beneath them and a pointed tufted hat on their heads. They are large, so they make a great addition to one’s Yule time tree.

When I turned over the tag, this is what I saw: Designed exclusively for Raz Imports by Carol King and Paula Buttel.

I was tickled to see the ladies’ names prominently displayed on the label. During their many years of crafting, Buttel and King were customers of Raz Imports. In talking with their representative one year, Buttel asked about seeing the president. As the women said, “Women love what we do.”

What followed that conversation was a great partnership between Raz Imports and Buttel and King. Now their designs are sold at gift marts internationally and so they have customers from around the world.

The two women also still have a warehouse in Westmont where they have two weekend sales per year. This year, they are having an after holiday half-price sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at the studio, 724 Vandustrial Drive in Westmont. The phone number is (630) 719-9799.

As Buttel says, it is really gratifying for so many people to come and talk with them about the years they have been with them.

One woman told Buttel, “For all of these years, we always started our holiday season with you, how could we not come?”

Though the product I bought last year locally was made in China, the design and the enterprise of American artisans prevails. It made my Christmas that much brighter. It also brought back being in King’s home — surrounded by lovely hand-crafted decorations in her cozy home on those cold November days in the days of “bazaaring.”

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!

Questions, comments, ideas? Please e-mail me at lifelgp@comcast.net.