F<$c$>or Noella Raynor and Diana Corday crafting isn’t a hobby, it is a passion and a way of life. “First thing in the morning, I get up and write down a design,” said Mrs. Raynor. “Sometimes I am working on it until 2 a.m. in the morning. I used to keep a book beside the bed to write down my thoughts when I woke up. I think the average crafter does that.”Many of Mrs. Raynor’s morning inspirations — from special drink coasters to cute rabbits, chickens and frogs to hide your bags in — have proved quite popular, and have been sold in various stores throughout the Island, or at Harbour Nights in Hamilton or Market Nights in St. George’s.

Mrs. Corday is a quilter, and some of her work recently appeared in the Bermuda Quilters Guild show.

The two are organising a Christmas crafts sale to be held this Saturday at St. Mary’s Church Hall from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. They will be selling their work alongside ten other Bermuda craft vendors.

The sale will feature stuffed animals, coasters, Santa baskets, quilted pieces and even little Christmas outfits for your wine bottles, among many other interesting items.

“I started doing the sale one year and it was so successful, I decided I would do it again,” said Mrs. Raynor. “I wanted to do it again and try with other people. We don’t raise money for charity, but the money that the vendors pay for the table is given to the church.”

Mrs. Corday said the sale was always great fun as well as a great place to find that special Christmas gift.

“Everyone likes home-made items,” she said, “but there isn’t much going on, in the way of getting crafts in Bermuda.”