By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

NORTH SHELBY — A local church is offering a chance for shoppers to pick up handmade gifts for the holidays.

North Shelby Baptist will host its fourth annual Arts and Crafts Fair Nov. 16-17. The fair will be from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 16 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 17. Admission to the fair is free.

Event organizer Cassie Burchell said the fair will feature 50 vendors — fewer than it has had in the past. However, the lower number is due to a change of venue, she said.

“Because we’re not doing it outside this year, we dropped (the number) to 50,” said Burchell, who added that the church is no longer accepting vendor applicants.

The fair will be held inside the church building, she said.

Vendors include artisans selling hummingbird feeders, toys, jewelry, clothing, Christmas ornaments and decorations and imported gifts, among others.

A food vendor will also be available to sell lunch for anyone shopping during the lunch hour, Burchell said.

The church is raising money through the fair by charging vendors $40 apiece to sell their wares. The money raised will go to the church’s community outreach team, Burchell said.

Event organizers are hoping to bring 500-600 people to the fair over the two-day period, she said.

“We are very excited this year, and are anticipating attracting an even larger crowd from our neighboring Highway 280 corridor,” she said.

Burchell said while the fair is an opportunity for vendors to make money, it’s also an opportunity for non-church members to spend some time at North Shelby Baptist.

“They get to see the church and see what it’s all about,” she said.

The church is located at 4100 Belcher Drive, across U.S. 280 from the Sports Blast facility.