Staff photo Fritz Busch Shoppers admire the handcrafted pieces of Marktstrasse fair vendor Renae Ress of Gaylord. The booth displays a variety of colorful gnomes as part of Crazy Days Saturday on Minnesota Street. Ress says gnomes have been said to have magical powers to protect and reward with happiness.

NEW ULM — Sibley East Elementary School paraprofessional Renae Ress of Gaylord displayed a variety of colorful gnomes at the Marktstrasse hand-crafted artisan fair on Minnesota Street Saturday.

Ress said she felt shoppers tended to shop locally more after the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Her gnome collection included those for Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers fans.

“Gnomes are known as symbols of good luck and protection of family and belongings,” reads her business card.

“These little folks are said to have magical powers to protect and reward with happiness.” she said.

Katrina Mitchell of Gaylord, a preschool teacher, said she began making wine glasses and mugs after finding some online for sale and believing she could do a better job.

“I started making them, giving them as gifts for other teachers,” Mitchell said.

She said she’d like to see more people shop locally because she doesn’t see it happen that often.

Madelia jewelry artist Jean Martin said she was impressed with the number of small stores in New Ulm and believes they exist because people support them.

Kathy Bauer of Courtland created Bauer’s Baked Goods in 2016. She sells handmade bars, cookies, coffee cakes and candies at craft fairs and trade shows, delivering her goods within about 20 miles of Courtland.

“My passion for baking came from my mother,” Kathy said on her website. “I love trying new recipes and bringing joy through baking.”

“It’s every important to shop local,” she added. “I have some good regular customers around here.”

Julie Marthaler and Erica Wendlandt of Mankato brought their business, Tipsy Girls Jams and Jellies, which they said has lots of local followers. Options included syrups and sauces.

Carol Edwards of Cambria describes herself on Facebook as an artist who leads others in artistic, creative expression.

“Your place, your pals, your food, etc. I’ll bring all you need to create a masterpiece,” reads the Carol’s Paint Party Facebook site.

Edwards said she will bring a painting party for birthday parties, team-building, couples or ladies night out and children’s events. She can also host at her house near Cambria.

Earlier this year, she led a fundraising paint party at Grace Community Church in New Ulm to raise money to fill bags for local cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatment.

Edwards said her paintings of classic and muscle cars are popular.

“I painted my husband’s car on a piece of wood and it really turned out,” said Edwards.

She sells muscle car paintings at the Back to the 50s car show every June at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. Some of her other favorite paintings are of the northern lights.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.)