Skies of Blue showcases local crafters, artisans

Residents can do some holiday shopping, enjoy some family time with young children and support local small businesses Saturday at Skies of Blue Holiday Shopping Boutique.

The shop-and-play event 1 to 4 p.m. will feature vendors selling handcrafted items and holiday treats. Children can play at the indoor facility.

Skies of Blue is a children’s play area and activities facility. Currently Skies of Blue hosts fitness classes for all ages ranging from yoga to karate.

Owner Holly Trafelet said the event will be a good opportunity to “get in touch with the client base we’ve developed, which is young families.”

At the shopping event, everything from hand-painted wine glasses, ornaments, purses and fudge will be on hand.

Angela Manzer, who bakes desserts and sews custom, reversible aprons for her business Angela’s Cakes and Things, said she is especially excited to be a vendor at the event.

“I get to showcase myself,” Manzer said. “The community will realize there’s a bona fide baker-seamstress in town. They don’t have to go to Chandler to get their birthday cake.”

Manzer is providing, among other items, hot chocolate made from real melted chocolate and milk

“It’s a dessert unto itself,” she said. She’ll also have mini-pies, miniature loaves of pumpkin bread and other treats.

“I can make a cake out of whatever you want,” Manzer said, listing gluten-free, diabetic-friendly and organic as just some of the varieties she makes.

For more information, visit SkiesofBlueMaricopa.com or call 520-329-7529. Skies of Blue is at 41600 W. Smith-Enke Road.