Plum craft show will benefit multiple sclerosis nonprofits

Alex Ley of Plum is no stranger to multiple sclerosis. Her mother, Tina, was diagnosed with MS more than two decades ago.

And she’s also no stranger to fundraising for several nonprofits that fund MS research and treatment.

Ley has organized craft show this Sunday, July 17 in Plum. Part of the proceeds will go to Walk MS Pittsburgh and some to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Many of the vendors also have a personal connection to the illness.

Photographer Erina Weidenbacher was diagnosed with MS five years ago.

“Doing photography and craft shows has been very healing,” said Weidenbacher, 38, of Turtle Creek. “There are good days and bad days. I actually started participating at craft shows a couple weeks before my first MRI. They kind of went hand-in-hand, and the shows are kind of a way to stay distracted from reality.”

Weidenbacher got into photography after taking a high school class.

“I got hooked on the dark room, the way you can totally change a photo just by shifting your eye a little bit,” she said. “I really love macro photography, something like an up-close shot of water droplets on flowers. I’m also very passionate about animals, and I love trying to capture their expressions.”

Submitted by Erina Weidenbacher

Kim Denne, 49, of Plum has been creating fiber art for the past four years through her business, Yinzpired.

“My sister, my sister-in-law, my cousin and several friends have been diagnosed with MS,” she said. “Shows like this are a great opportunity to talk with people. I like interacting with community members face-to-face.”

Plum artist Linda Wilkins found her niche painting on glass.

“I started in 2019 and picked it up a little more during covid,” Wilkins said. “I retired from teaching during that time as well, which gave me a lot more time to paint.”

Ley said she reached out to a wide variety of local, independent vendors and crafters.

“Something like this is also a really unique way of getting to know people,” Ley said. “I’ve sat outside the Shop’n Save on Golden Mile Highway raising money for things like Walk MS, and you always end up in interesting conversations and meeting new people.”

The craft show will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 17 at the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department, 415 Old Abers Creek Road in Plum. There will be two food vendors onsite, and 30 vendors overall. The afternoon will also include raffles for 35 baskets.

“I’m excited to see what the vendors will bring,” Ley said.