By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON/Community columnist

Sandra Annonio has always enjoyed working with her hands.

“I have always been crafty,” Annonio said. “I never considered myself an artist but loved working with my hands making crafts for my home and especially for my children.”

Annonio and husband Bill had moved to Chelsea from Florida in 2001 for a business opportunity. The couple chose Shelby County for the affordable housing and good schools. As their children got older, Annonio was looking for something to do and saw an ad for a pottery class at the Shelby County Arts Council on Mildred Street in Columbiana.

“I fell in love with pottery,” Annonio said. “It intrigued me to take a lump of clay and turn it into a functional piece. It is therapeutic, great stress reliever and something I do for me. I try to sell enough to support my habit.”

When the Annonios decided to build a home in Columbiana in 2011, Annonio wanted a pottery studio in her new home. Over the years, her Christmas and birthday presents were a potter’s wheel, kiln and others tools of her craft. Then, she wanted her space. Her new home has her pottery studio filled with her art.

To give back to the SCAC, which has given so much to her, Annonio and other artists will sell their art at reduced prices on items for the fashion show luncheon, A Celebration of the Shelby County Arts Council, to benefit the SCAC on Feb. 8 at the First Baptist Church of Columbiana. The luncheon is sponsored by the three Alabama General Federation of Women’s clubs of Shelby County: Culture, Novella and Vignette Clubs.

In addition, all centerpieces at the luncheon will be original pottery as vases, trays and bowls by SCAC current and former instructors and students. Most will be for sale with a request for a donation to the SCAC. Annonio, Stephanie Dikis, Candye Lundy, Phyllis French, Jan Smith and Amy Pickens are a few of the potters.

Tickets are $25.00, available at Busy Hands on Columbiana’s Main Street, SCAC, Shelbycountyartscouncil.com or call Diane Moore, 205-669-1450, diane@columnbiainn.com.