It's now in its 14th year, but still they are queuing up to take part and, no doubt, so will their customers.

This year marks the 14th annual Home Grown Alternatives craft fair, founded by old friends Mary Tatem and Christine Wellman.

There will be mouth-watering home-made chocolates and candy, Christmas ornaments, stained glass sun catchers, jewellery, wheel-thrown pottery with hand decoration and impressed designs, Bermuda books, original paintings, preserves, Christmas gift cards, precious metal clay, handcrafted Bermuda cedar creations, exotic plants, music CDs, blown glass and rum cakes to name a little of what's on offer.

"The vendors are ecstatic about participating in HGA, because they've recognised that the organisers are committed to a quality event, they work tirelessly to ensure that once they work hard to produce the items for sale, there will be more than enough people to snap them up at the annual shopping event," said Ms Tatem.

"During these times of economic downturn, it is important to support the arts. The artists invest increasingly large amounts of money purchasing materials and shipping them to Bermuda.

"Many artists create special edition work with a focus on selling these creations at HGA. The life of a creation is complete, not only when the artist says that 'it is finished', but when that work passes from the hand of the creator to the hand of the one who appreciates it so much that they pay the price to take it home."

Ms Tatem and Mrs. Wellman, were surprised about the reception of HGA from the start.

"The first HGA was held in the old ballroom on the grounds of Admiralty House in Spanish Point and the day was cold and windy," said Mrs. Wellman.

"I was still at home preparing to load the car for the drive in when I received an urgent call about people who were waiting outside the ballroom expecting to get in to shop and it wasn't even 8.30 a.m.

"There have been times when Mary and I have discussed the need to take a year off, but the general public and the artists won't permit it. So, the event has been running continuously.

"HGA is now larger than the two people who founded it and has become an event, which is looked forward to as a forerunner of the Bermuda Christmas season. The general public has realised from the start that they can shop for quality handmade items for gift giving to family and friends here at home or abroad."

Before HGA, artists were collectively difficult to find in December. "They were usually cocooned in their individual studios recovering from the routine of selling at seasonal venues Island-wide and planning for the next year," said Ms Tatem.

"With the introduction of HGA shoppers have been able to find all of Bermuda's best artists and craftspeople under one roof in December."

The event takes place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Paul's Christian Education Centre.

Although the thought of moving to a larger venue has come up over the years, Ms Tatem said: "We started out 14 years ago with about 18 vendors in a smaller space.

"Since then we've had roughly between 27 to 30 vendors. We enjoy the size of the event at St. Paul's though several years ago, conversation was focused about moving to a larger facility, but this venue allows access to the physically challenged and gives our customers the luxury of a centrally located venue coupled with stress free parking."

In the past, the two founders would be a "jack of all trades" and ended up fatigued even before the event.

"We've since enlisted the help of people who work as the organising committee completing the delegated tasks necessary to make HGA happen successfully," said Mrs. Wellman.

"This year that committee has whittled down to Mary and me along with two diehards: Terry Chapman and David Wellman."

Although the event has not grown much larger in the way of vendors, there are a few new ones this year.

New to HGA are Almuriel Simons-Busby, who participated with her daughter, Nicole Ratteray last year, but will be on her own with her Sweet Tease confections this year.

Also taking part for the first time are Beverly Harvey, of It's a Wrap handmade embellished note cards, Cindy Mitchell, of Gem Designs with semi-precious gemstones and beaded jewellery, Helen Gardner and Alexandra (Bisket) Myles with a variety of jewellery, June Pitt, of Generations with ready-mix soups and Johnny bread in jars, Christmas cross-stitch decorations, mats and satin angels and Susan Sousa with her handmade tote bags.

Other vendors include Ann Coakley, Burton Jones, Carla Marquardt, Carole Holding Studio, Carolyn Telford, Charmaine and Gerry, Friday, Christine Wellman, Dale Butler, Dan and Deanne DeSilva, Daron Lowe, Kelli and Roseclair Thompson, Loren and Ryan Cann, Marquarite and Judy Bardgett, Mary Tatem, Milton Hill, Robin Marirea, Sandra O'Brien, Terry Chapman and Gillian Ramsdale, and Wendy Avery.

Another highlight is the yearly presence of Wendell (Shine) Hayward, as he kicks off the Christmas season on his sax and flute. Veteran vendor Sandra Obrien's delicious home-made pies and baked goods are also available for to enjoy.

And everyone is invited to enjoy a slice of the now ever present HGA birthday cake, which is donated annually by Wendy of The Bermuda Rum Cake Company.

The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and finishes at 4 p.m.

Visit www.homegrownalternatives.com for further more information.