Sylvia Michaelson spent more than 12 hours shopping on Black Friday, but it wasn't enough.

Saturday, the Helena woman had her pocketbook out again, at the 16th annual Christmas in the Country Arts & Crafts Show at the Helena Valley Community Center.

"Jewlery, and lots of it," she said of the contents of a recently filled sack. "Christmas gifts for my daughters."

Michaelson, strolling the aisles with her daughter Heidi and granddaughter Hannah, said the atmosphere in the community center was decidedly different than what she encountered while making the rounds on Friday.

"It's very pretty in here. It's festive," she said. "It's old-fashioned, and it's peaceful. It's not a bunch of confusion, and you can actually look around and enjoy what you're doing."

The craft show is organized every year by Bonnie Holman, who held the first one in her garage before moving to the center off Tizer Road.

Traditionally the bazaar has benefitted someone from the community in need of out-of-state medical care, but Holman said this year's event is slightly different. Proceeds from admissions and raffle tickets will help pay for the schooling of 12-year-old twin brothers Jacob and James Mayberry of East Helena.

"Their mother passed away rather unexpectedly in September," Holman said. "The boys attend Helena Christian Academy, and it was very important to their mom that her boys attend Christian school, so we decided we would honor her by helping with their education costs.

"We usually do something medical, but this came along and it seemed like the right thing," she added.

Among the 31 vendors who filled the cozy community center was Bob Christensen of Helena, a longtime hobby photographer who only recently began attending shows to sell framed prints of his images of Montana landscapes and wildlife.

"A lot of people have said they like my photographs, so I figured I'd try to sell some of them," he said.

Another first-time vendor, Joyce Fix of Hall, offered handmade leather picture frames and suede pillow cases, among other items she makes at her ranch.

"Bonnie brought me here," said Fix, who said she normally sets up at just a couple of shows a year. "She's asked me a couple of times, but this was the first year I was able to make it. It's nice to be able to help someone, that's the real reason I came.

Customers who didn't get enough sweets at Thanksgiving had plenty of baked goods to choose from. Brenda Spurlock, who has made snacks for several years for the benefit, said several items are on the menu every year, but her baklava was new this year.

"You need the variety, it brings people out," she said.

For more information on helping Jakob and James Mayberry, contact Bonnie Holman at 202-3184.

Reporter John Harrington: 447-4080 or john.harrington@helenair.com.