Church of the Cross bazaar is today

An arts festival will be added to The Crafters Guild of The Church of the Cross' annual Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Bluffton church.

In its 21st year, the bazaar will feature the arts festival where local artists will sell vintage linen angels, floral arrangements, jewelry and purses. Among the parish artists participating are private art class teacher Dawn Duff, artists Wendy Walmsley, Marty Siebers and Lynda Potter, photographer Al Whitley, crafter Roni Williams and embroiderer Barb Osler. Cross Schools will feature as many as 400 pieces of student art.

Seashell-covered crosses as well as Holy Honey, taken from the church's walls, are among the items offered.

The guild makes items using materials native to the Lowcountry, such as holiday ornaments made from oyster shells, okra and starfish. There will be painted Santa Claus gourds, as well as serving trays, wooden angels, shell boxes and hand-knitted baby sweaters.

Homemade baked goods will be sold including many varieties of jams, chutneys and relishes. The men of the church promise a chili and hot dog bar touted as "Big Dogs, Great Buns and a Chili you can Sink a Fork Into."