Ralston Arena hosted Huffman Productions, Inc.’s annual Autumn Festival from Nov. 5-9. The five-day event invited vendors from all across the country to participate.

According to its website, the Autumn Festival is “an arts and craft show that attracts hundreds of the nation’s finest exhibitors from all across the country. Since 1994, customers have enjoyed shopping for home décor, gifts personalized right at the shows, holiday furnishings, or special treasures for yourself or a loved one, while making a personal connection.”

Owner of Redstone Pottery, Gretchen Nothhouse, returned to the festival for the second year in a row for the event. 

Originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, Nothhouse learned the art of ceramics from her father, who was self-taught in the craft. 

“In a world where so little is truly created by hand, it feels wonderful to be connected to my craft from cradle to grave,” Nothhouse said. “Each piece is made with love, knowing that my dad’s creativity and passion will live on.” 

Nothhouse also mines and processes her own clay in the One Hundred and Two River valley in Savannah, Missouri.

Prices for products range anywhere from $9-$50, depending on the amount of clay used and the labor required for the product. 

Nothhouse designs a range of materials from plates to wine glasses, the most popular being coffee mugs. 

“All of the pieces are absolutely lead-free and nontoxic,” she added. “Can your coffee mug from China promise that?”

Peggy Finley, a representative for Nature’s Glow, which sells an all-natural Dead Sea salt scrub, offered free samples to patrons during the event.

“I really love this product,” Finley said. “It’s amazing and I love being here in Omaha. It’s great that we can share our brand with other individuals.”

A few Creighton students even turned up to enjoy the festivities.

“I was overwhelmed when I walked through the door,” Creighton College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Maria Beacom said. “There were so many people and I didn’t know where to start. I thought it was really cool that Omaha puts on this type of event.”

The event cost $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and children under 10 are free. 

Huffman’s Autumn Festival has estimated that more than four million patrons have come through their doors in the years since the festival first began.

The next stop for the festival is in Minnesota from Nov. 12-15. Although fall may be ending, there’s always next year.

The annual Autumn Festival of Arts & Crafts took place in Ralston Arena from Nov. 5-9 this year, just in time to send off the season. The festivities featured the talents of local artists ranging in a variety of crafting skillsets. Several local business owners also set up shop as vendors to display their handmade products. It’s estimated that more than four million patrons have attended the Autumn Festival since its beginning in 1994. 

Courtesy of Huffman Productions