Multiple vendors show their arts and crafts at the Azalea Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday. (Raquel Villatoro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Vendors gathered at Bergfeld Park in Tyler this past weekend for the two-day Azalea Arts and Crafts Fair, an annual event where small businesses and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to showcase products from wood crafts, crochet items, jewelry, pottery and more.

While fairgoers were able to enjoy the vendors’ various offerings, small business owners utilized the fair as a way to connect with people and find their target audience.

“I feel it gives us a bit of visibility for those who have small businesses. There are many small businesses that don’t know where to show their products, what they sell,” said Nadia Aragon, owner of Cora. “This helps us to be more public, to find our little niche. And it’s better to be together so that they can see that there is an entrepreneurial community in Tyler.”

Aragon started her business during COVID-19. At the time, she was pregnant with her first child and needed a way to make money while still being able to take care of her baby. She began learning how to make earrings from polymer clays. Through her business Cora, she sells handmade jewelry — including necklaces and earrings with various colors and shapes.

Some of her offerings Saturday included earrings in designs of frogs, butterflies, cows, carrots, bees, flowers and more. The jewelry ranges in colors from pastels to neutral colors.

At another vendor space, gems shined at a booth which featured jewelry and other creations. Husband and wife duo Lauren Siggelow and Karl Siggelow run Mountain Creek Minerals. On Saturday, they participated in the fair for the first time.

They started their business in 2020. After seeing Karl collect different rocks and minerals and polish them, Lauren realized she could create something with them.

“I just fell in love with it because it’s like art from nature and I was like I bet I could use this into something else,” Lauren said.

Lauren’s favorite minerals include the crystal quartz because each one is unique along with amethyst. Lauren loves working with minerals because it’s “like art coming out of the ground.”

At another booth, individually wrapped candy in white wrappers were labeled with their ingredients — including salted caramel, maple syrup candy and tortoiseshell. Whitehouse resident Kelli Todaro stood in front of the booth and offered samples to attendees on Saturday morning.

As a kid, Todaro learned how to make candy from her mom. Every Christmas her mom would have homemade candy. When Todaro’s mom announced she would no longer be making candy, Todaro realized she had to carry the tradition.

Now, she owns her own business called 248 Candy Co — a reference to the temperature the caramel has to be before pouring it out.

“If it wasn’t for my mom, I would have thought you buy candy, you don’t make it … I can make a cookie or something, but making candy just sounds complicated, but it’s really all about the temperature,” Todaro said.

To make her candy, she does it without machines. Instead, she uses a pot and wooden spoons.

“I like the slowness of it. There’s something just kind of old fashioned about it, you can’t do it in the microwave,” Todaro said. “There’s something nice that feels like people have been doing this forever and it feels kind of traditional, so I like that.”

At Tyler-based artist Jessika Wilson’s booth, plants and colorful art filled the space. Her business philosophy is inspired by her experiences. She encourages others to be themselves. This is why she named her business Bee Original.

“I spent a lot of time trying to fit in and it’s like, if you were just yourself, I could have been a lot further in art and stuff had I just believed in myself earlier on,” Wilson said.

The annual Azalea Arts and Crafts Fair is hosted by the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department. The event was held Saturday and Sunday at Bergfeld Park, 1510 S. College Ave., featuring more than 100 booths offering handcrafted items for sale and live entertainment.

The event was held during the city’s annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail, which is going on now through April 5. During the trail, residents and visitors can explore more than 10 miles of blooming azaleas and spring flowers, take part in community events, and enjoy one of Tyler’s most colorful traditions.

Since the homes in the Azalea District are private residences, visitors are encouraged to explore the area during daylight hours to fully appreciate the vibrant blooms while respecting homeowners’ privacy.

The trail also features a variety of events, including art shows, quilt displays, historic home tours, shopping events, and artisan and flower markets. The full schedule of events includes:

Now – April 5

Quilt Show at the Goodman Museum | Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 624 N. Broadway Ave.

The exhibit features more than 20 quilts from the 1830s to the 1940s, including an 1830s quilt and an 1880s Goodman-LeGrand family heirloom, displayed throughout the historic home.

Now – April 6

Art in Bloom – Rose City Art Gallery & Gifts | 328 S. College Ave.

Explore a variety of artwork and handcrafted items celebrating spring, including colorful paintings, sculptures and nature-inspired gifts.

Now – April 6

Carriage Rides | Wednesday – Sunday, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Bergfeld Park (1510 S. College Ave.)

Take a scenic ride through the Azalea District for $5 to $20. Groups of 6 or more can reserve by calling Mark at 903-681-2647 or messaging Cowboy Carriages on Facebook. Cash required. Carriages for 4, 6 and 12 available.

March 29 and April 5

Botanical Garden Tours with Smith County Master Gardeners | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Tyler Rose Garden (420 Rose Park Dr.)

Meet certified experts in the garden to learn about plants, landscaping and local history.

March 28

Candlelight Garden Party | 7 to 10 p.m. | 3117 Dinah Lane

Kick off Historic Tyler on Tour weekend with a tour of the Curtis’s 1955 International Ranch-style home, live music, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Ages 21+. Tickets: $150 (non-members), $125 (members).

March 29-30

Historic Tyler on Tour | Various Times

Tour four historic homes in Tyler, showcasing Mid-Century designs. Featured homes include International Ranch, Standard Ranch, Colonial Revival Ranch and Spanish Ranch styles, designed by architects E. Davis Wilcox and Carl Gregory. Ages 12+. Tickets: $25 (non-members), $15 (members).

March 29 — April 5

Antique & Collectibles Week | Various Locations

Explore unique treasures at local antique shops, enjoy exclusive deals and discover hidden gems. Complete a Bingo card for a chance to win exciting prizes. Participating locations in Tyler include Blue Bird Antique Mall & Treasure Shop, Ye Olde City Antiques, The Armory, The Loft Downtown Mall, The Royal Passage Antiques, The House of Wynne, Trading Post, Our Little Corner, plus Main Street Market Antique & Vintage Goods in Lindale and Southern Charms in Bullard.

March 29

East Texas Symphony — The Music of Queen | 7:30 p.m.| UT Tyler Cowan Center

Conductor: Richard Lee; Special guests from Jeans ‘n Classics with the Tyler Civic Choral. Experience the iconic music of Queen, including hits like Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, Somebody to Love and more. This dynamic performance blends rock band, chorus and full orchestra for a thrilling live experience.

April 4-5

Rose City Artisan & Flower Market | Goodman-LeGrand Museum (624 N. Broadway Ave.)

Explore artisan and plant vendors, gardening talks by experts and creative products for plant lovers at this vibrant market.

For more information about the trail, check out Visit Tyler’s website at www.visittyler.com/business/azalea–spring-flower-trail.