Jenn King of Cary organized the first Christmas in July sale at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7383. The event was held earlier this month at the VFW in Cary.

King, 34, is a network engineer, artist and member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Cary Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter. Before the event, correspondent Marti Maguire spoke with her about the art show and her involvement in both the military and the arts.

Q: What made you decide to hold a Christmas in July event at the VFW?

I thought it would be really good for the VFW and local artists. It provides a chance to bring in artists and crafters to get some exposure and to bring people to the VFW and to support the VFW as well. It's just a nice way to get ahead on your Christmas shopping and find out about local artists. It's a good way to support local people and to bring everyone together.

Q: Who were the vendors at this year's event?

It was half and half artists and representatives [of local businesses]. Half of them brought handmade items, arts and crafts. We had all kinds of jewelry, like metal, beads and mixed media. We had pottery, books, wooden bowls, hand-painted work, baskets, candles. Then we had local companies or national companies with local representatives.

Q: Was everyone local?

We had one person from Virginia. Everyone else was from the area. I found a lot of them on Etsy.com [a popular website where artists and crafters sell handmade items]. I would go out there and look for people who are local and different and interesting, and ask them if they would like to participate. The majority of people are coming from Raleigh, Cary and Apex. A few are from Chapel Hill.

Q:How did you get involved with the VFW?

I joined the VFW because of my involvement with Soldiers' Angels. It's a nonprofit that supports deployed soldiers, veterans and their families. I have three soldiers that I've personally adopted, and I send them care packages and e-mails.

I had collected hundreds of cards once and I contacted the VFW because I wanted to set up a box for people to sign the cards. I went to the VFW and I found out that I'm eligible for the women's auxiliary because my two grandfathers were in World War II.

Q: How did you get involved with Soldiers' Angels?

I came across a link on one of those sites where people sell handmade things and send them around the world. Someone else was involved with it, and I saw it on her profile and thought, "I have to do that." It's nice to be able to do little things for them.

One of my soldiers, she and her husband are deployed together and are coming home in November. I sent her everything she needed to make cheesecake for Thanksgiving. One time I sent a female soldier a bunch of girly bath stuff and she loved it.

Q: What did you hope to accomplish with the Christmas in July event?

Part of it is to get some visibility for the VFW. That area on Reedy Creek is not high visibility, so one thing is for people to know we exist and who we are. All of the table fees will go to the VFW. There is a silent auction and some concession money that will go to the ladies auxiliary that we can put into supporting local troops who are deployed.

Q: Tell me a bit about your own artistic work.

I work full-time at a network management center, so I am an artist on the side. I do clay, pottery, and I like to use glass and other mixed media when I get a chance. It keeps me sane. I love doing it.

My parents have been doing craft shows since before I was born. My dad does woodworking and photography. My mom can paint, crochet; she does some folk art. We grew up encouraged to be like that.