By Andrew Rivera and Marisel Maldonado
Staff Writers

California State University, Bakersfield held its annual Staff Forum Spring Craft Fair in the Runner Café Quad on May 5. Irene Monroy, a faculty member from the Social Work Department at CSUB, put on the event. The craft fair featured products sold from vendors who are staff members at CSUB along with other local vendors and artists. Proceeds from the craft fair would go to students. Wendy Johnson, a local artist who sold coasters at the craft fair, mentioned that the main thing she hoped to get out of the event was to support the students.

“It’s just really important to help students get through school because it isn’t easy,” said Johnson.

Johnson is a local artist and supports CSUB students. Johnson’s first event was in February for First Friday and she now participates in the Farmer’s Market on Haggin Oaks on a daily basis. Her favorite aspect of the coaster art is adding glow in the dark paint to her art.

Elisa Baca, faculty member from the CSUB Finance Department, was in charge of the Mary Kay booth. “I do Mary Kay as my second job because I like the product and because I am a business woman,” said Baca. With Mary Kay as her second job, it allows her to have an opportunity to capitalize on sales. She receives 50 percent commission on all sales. Baca’s products include skin care and make-up.

The CSUB Staff Forum Craft Fair wasn’t just faculty members selling products from their second jobs, it was also a place where other local business can aim for college students to be aware of their products, such as, Damsel in Defense, which sold self-defense weapons.

Damsel in Defense representative Patty Clark said the products were great for “just being aware of your surroundings and being protected.” Products sold by the company include pepper sprays, Tasers, striking tools, and personal alarms. A favorite of the self-defense products were the Tasers and pepper sprays. Students continued to ask about them throughout the event and kept asking Clark to show demonstrations. You can hear the Tasers ringing just by walking around the craft fair, so that captured the students’ attention.

Another faculty member who participated in the Staff Forum Craft Fair was Rocio Jones, who works in the financial aid office. Jones exhibited a jewelry booth featuring pieces she picked out herself. Selling jewelry is a personal hobby of Jones’, who says it is a “fun thing for her.” Jones chose to participate in the event because she thought it would be the “perfect venue” for her to publicize her business since there are a lot of students and staff.

The CSUB Staff Forum Craft Fair brought opportunities for both students and faculty members. The craft fair gave staff members an opportunity to gain a little extra cash and network with other local businesses, as well as interact with students. For the students, the craft fair was beneficial because it gave them an opportunity to interact with staff members outside a professional setting. It also gave them a chance to purchase knick-knacks and support local businesses and CSUB staff members.