New activity offered to adults in the area
By Barb Pert Templeton
When you have a talent it’s always nice to take some time out and share it with the community and that’s exactly what Algonac resident Sherry Appleton hopes to do.
Appleton appeared at a recent Algonac City Council meeting to share her plans, speaking during the public comments portion of the March 18 gathering.
“I’d like to do something fun that I’ve done for over 30 years because I’m a paper crafter which means I make greeting cards,” Appleton told the council.
She proposed a Sunday afternoon class for adults and it would be adults only because they will be doing a lot of technique-based projects. She said she creates scrapbook albums, greeting cards, shadow boxes and “anything you can think of out of paper.”
The cards are 3D and for those wanting to see some examples she refers people to her website, unfeignedtreasures.com.
Hosting events for the community is something she’d like to do quarterly and will begin with 50 participants but, if need be, can increase the number to 100.
Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey said she has a nearly 40-year-old daughter who is developmentally impaired and she would absolutely love the paper crafting.
“This is also for the elderly community too,” Appleton said. “Since COVID a lot of us have been locked down and locked in and afraid to get out and I think this would be a good opportunity for all of us to come together and do something fun.”
Davey characterized the business as being “so cool” and said she’d love to have Appleton do a class for her friends at the Arc of St. Clair County. Appleton said she was recently approached about teaching some home-schooled children about the art and she’s looking forward to it.
“The whole reason why I’m doing this it I’m trying to get people away from texting and sending emails and everyone loves to receive happy mail instead of receiving bills and junk all the time,” Appleton said. “Not only that, it’s something that’s handmade and unique and one-of-kind. I never make the same card twice.”
She said it’s a lot of fun and she’s gotten a good response when hosting classes in the past. Many people do enjoy it and they like that they walk away with three things they made themselves.
“I’m there as the instructor to tell you how to use the tools to create,” Appleton said.
She said while this is a cost for the class it’s just for materials and any money left over she will be donating the Vietnam Veterans. She’d also like to have participants bring canned goods to some of the gatherings to donate to local food pantries.
“It’s going to be more of a community outreach, kind of a non-profit arm to what my business is,” Appleton said, noting that while people will be aware of her website and work, her plan in this case is to promote a community event where people make the cards themselves, not her business.
Appleton scheduled the first event for Sunday, May 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Fred Quant VFW Hall 3901in Algonac. The hall is located at 1005 Pointe Tremble Road.
