Step inside Oct. 10 and 11 to the International Gift Faire and you'll find earrings and necklaces made from snippets of Coca-Cola cans, as well as finely wrought sterling silver pieces, some set with semiprecious stones, and handbags embroidered with seashells. There are batik-printed napkins and tablecloths, as well as a variety of ceramic dishes, mugs, teapots and other home items. There are carved wooden bowls, trays and boxes, as well as baskets of every shape and size imaginable. Musical instruments, including drums and rattles, are plentiful. And there are usually a few one-of-a-kind folk art sculptures.

A whole portion of this annual fair is devoted to Christmas, with ornaments, garlands, nativity scenes and other holiday decor. There is even a stationery section. And more items are priced at $2, with only a few items costing more than $50.

"The first time I went through the fair, I felt like I'd been on a mini trip around the world because there was so much merchandise from everywhere," said Joanne Rafferty of Willow Glen, who has volunteered at the fair for 14 years.

"At first, it was a fun thing to volunteer, but now it's essential in light of what's happening in the world."

Rafferty is talking about the fact that the International Gift Faire is part of a nonprofit, alternative-trading organization called Ten Thousand Villages. The 57-year-old organization works with more than 60,000 craftspeople in more than 30 countries, marketing their handicrafts at fairs and through affiliated stores in the United States.

Their mission statement reads, "Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. This income helps pay for food, education, health care or housing."

While Ten Thousand Villages is affiliated with the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America, the fair is nondenominational. More than 200 volunteers pitch in to make it happen—some are members of the Lincoln Glen Church, others just want to help. This year, students studying world hunger at San José State University are also giving their time.

Rafferty sees it as "a connection. The person who made each thing touched it, now we're touching it. They're making a living and we'll enjoy it."

When local volunteers started the fair, Rafferty said they were told that it usually peaks after five years and to expect sales to remain steady from year to year.

That hasn't been the case in Willow Glen.

"Every year we've grown," Rafferty said. "We have the support of the community."

Last year, even in a poor economy, the group saw attendance increase to 2,000 and sales go up 35 percent, bringing in $78,000.

While fair trade is a key component of Ten Thousand Villages, education is also seen as integral. To encourage others to appreciate the cultural traditions and heritage of the Third World countries, the organization shares information on the artisans and their work through brochures and handouts.

For example, among the most inexpensive and popular items each year are the red, green, gold or multicolor garlands that sell for $2.95 each. At first glance, the item looks like a compact puzzle of some sort. But when freed from its ties, it stretches out into a garland 20 feet long. The garlands can be used on Christmas trees, woven in with evergreens or simply draped over doorways and fireplaces.

The literature that shares the history of these garlands says that "Rani Mani lives in a rural village near Vellore in southern India. Since 1974 she has been associated with SHARE (Self-Help Association for Rural Education and Employment). SHARE works with women in 37 villages to provide employment, skills training, community projects and child care."

More than a decade ago, Mani "perfected a garland woven from strips of palm leaves." They have proved so popular that more than 75,000 of the palm-leaf streamers are now sold each year.

As a result, "Over the years, sales of these festive streamers have enabled Mani and hundreds of women to educate their children and strengthen their communities. In October 2001, Mani was elected president of her village, giving her responsibility for the development and social activities of her community."

Long-time fair volunteers share tips on storing these popular fair items from year to year, because trying to retie them is almost impossible.

"Try a tennis-ball can or an empty Pringles potato chip can," advises Frances Schroeder, a Campbell resident who has been involved with the fair from its beginnings.

A retired teacher, Schroeder is the coordinating chairperson of the event. It's a task she defines simply as "I try to hold things together."

Working with a committee of 10 coordinators, Schroeder said she starts working on the fair in April.

"Each of my coordinators has served nearly as long as I have, and they know what to do," she said. "Everybody does their job and we come together once a month to report. They know their job and they do it; it's a good committee."

The volunteers are especially busy the week of the fair.

Tables are set up inside the Fellowship Hall the weekend before the fair and labeled according to what they will hold, such as brass, leather goods or Christmas items. At the beginning of the week, the volunteers start unpacking the boxes, taking the items to the appropriate tables.

Schroeder doesn't have an exact count of the number of items or boxes, but said last year they unpacked 12 pallets of boxes.

"On Tuesday and Wednesday, we have a team of 25 to 30 women who arrange the displays. On Thursday we go around and fine-tune and make sure everything is ready to go. Thursday night we have an orientation for volunteers, and on Friday and Saturday we have our sale," she said.

Schroeder's husband, Del, spends every night of the week at the hall to provide security.

Although popular items are sent year after year, until the boxes are unpacked, volunteers don't know exactly what's in them or how many of a particular item will be available for purchase. New this year are "equal-exchange coffees from South America. We want to help the coffee-bean farmers," Schroeder said.

Rubena Berg, a volunteer from the beginning, said, "What I've enjoyed through the years are the baskets. I have a wonderful collection of baskets, too many now. There are also the little wooden animals, zebras and elephants; my grandchildren have benefited from that."

For Rafferty, "It's the miniatures made in Peru. They make the cutest little animals. They are two to three inches and have such a unique appearance. I also like the Peruvian and Ecuadorian Christmas ornaments made of dough and painted so brightly."

She also buys wooden toys for her grandson, jewelry for her granddaughter and baskets and scarves for herself.

Schroeder said, "I'm very attached to the Peruvian craft items. I favor them and I shop for my grandkids and friends.

"I like the concept of people helping people. We're helping other people to help themselves. It's twofold. You get gift items for friends and family and, in doing so, you're helping someone have a better life."

The 15th annual International Gift Faire will be in the Lincoln Glen Church Fellowship Hall, 2700 Booksin Ave. Hours are
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 10 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11. The fair is free. For additional information visit http://www.internationalgiftfaire.com.