Molalla Pioneer Online

Colton Corner for Nov. 25, 2009: Colton crafter to host holiday bazaar

• By: Cindy Fama  
• Published: 11/25/2009 8:05:19 PM

Photo By: Cindy FamaLocal product
Michele Axmaker of Colton introduces a customer to her line of Soapy Elephant beauty products.

Colton artist and crafter series
Michele Axmaker is a home-style crafter. She makes soaps, lotions, bath salts and liquid soaps from scratch in her family’s farm-style kitchen.

“I’ve been making them for at least 10 years. At one time I had 70 varieties. Now I have it down to about 40 kinds,” Axmaker said.

She is a walking history book on soaps and bath products. It is not just a craft for Axmaker; she is an artisan who insists on using the highest quality oils, fragrances and lye in her products.

Her company, Soapy Elephant, sells through an online Etsy store at www.soapyelephant.com.  
“It is an inexpensive entity for hand-crafting artisans to sell their product,” she said. Axmaker also makes aprons and jewelry and grows lavender. These are offered at www.girllavender.com.  

Better yet, Axmaker is hosting the Colton Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. She will have her goods for sale and is excited about the 25 or so other crafters who will be joining her with merchandise for holiday shoppers.

“The proceeds from the space rentals will go to Colton Aid Network, to help with purchasing milk and produce for the Christmas baskets,” Axmaker said.

Table space is still available by calling 503-824-3550.

Next week, local jeweler Char Ouellette will be featured. She is making quite a name for herself with her glass and silver pieces, winning honors and renown as an artist.

The TIC is here
Colton Fire District has their new thermal imaging camera (TIC). The total cost of the newest fire protection tool was $10,768. A Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund grant of $10,000, which was awarded to the district, covered most of the cost.

“A TIC captures the heat from an object and translates into ‘heat pictures’ on the camera screen. Since all objects give off waves of energy called infrared radiation and hot objects give off more waves than cold, a thermal imager takes what is undetectable to the naked eye and transforms it into an image that can be seen. The camera is set to show the gradations of energy waves in colors or shades,” environmental engineer Robert Yeager said in an e-mail.

It is not just for nighttime situations; it can also “see” in the daylight, Colton Fire District Chief Gary Anderson said.

“It will be used in structure fires to find the seat of the fire and the location of victims; in wild land fires, to find the hotspots. In motor vehicle accidents, we can look at the seats to see how many people were in the car and make sure the same number of people are accounted for. Heat remains on an object for a period of time and the TIC will pick up the image on an empty car seat,” Anderson said.

The camera will also be utilized in search and rescue operations.

The Colton Volunteer Firefighters have been trained on the camera.

“It is a valuable asset to our equipment,” Volunteer Fire captain Randy Johnson said.

COM
Colton Elementary School has announced their Citizens of the Month for November.

One student from each class is recognized for his or her academic and behavioral success. Those meeting the criteria of being safe, being respectful and being responsible were: kindergarten, Laina Mathers and Olivia Edge; first/second grade blend, Gabe OeDell and Robby Skinner; second grade, Olivia Spitzer; third grade, Anna Wimsatt and Rachel Paul; fourth grade, Freddie Snegireff and Grace James and fifth grade, Adia Buchanan and Aaron Wimsatt.

  (log in to rate)