This year’s Employee Appreciation Day (EAD) will take place on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium. University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute and U of U Health faculty and staff (including student staff) are invited to attend, so be sure to mark your calendars!
The EAD planning team is pleased to announce the return and expansion of the Crafter’s Corner Market. This year, the market will feature U employees selling their various artistic wares, such as pottery, jewelry and paintings. Some crafters may even often a chance to create your own piece of artwork, so be sure to stop by their booths located on the southern end of the concourse to participate and get shopping.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of our EAD Crafter’s Corner artisans.
Lavok Creations by Gayla van Oudheusden
Gayla van Oudheusden works for University Print & Mail Services as an accounting supervisor. She and her husband, Jim Kalvelage (School of Medicine, General Surgery) have both worked for the U for 10 years.
“I have always loved to create beautiful things, especially for the holidays,” she says. “Homemade gifts are my language of love. So many people have requested the stockings I make that we decided to sell them. Our motto is ‘From Our Home to Yours.’ We create what we love and hope it finds love in your home too. In addition, we make an effort to use 100% sustainable materials in what we create; 100% cotton fabric, batting and thread.”
Check out lavokcreations.com to learn more.
The KraftsyTurtle by Katie Vance
Katie Vance has worked for the Department of Pediatrics since August 2023, having previously worked in the Office of Admissions since 2021.
Vance says, “I’m an eclectic crafter specializing in magical items and custom orders. I make knitted scarves/hats, wands, spell banners, wood-and-stone décor, among other things. Each item is unique, but I can go farther and customize almost everything I make so it’s super-special.”
Check out the KraftsyTurtle on Etsy to learn more.
Embroidery Designs by Allyson Rocks
Allyson Rocks has worked for the U for nine years, currently serving as an academic program manager for the Urban Institute for Teacher Education in the College of Education.
“In my embroidery, I draw inspiration from everything I hold dear—be it reptilian, the thrill of two-wheeled adventures, or the allure of both nearby and distant places,” Rocks says. “By seamlessly combining imaginative illustrations with a diverse mix of floss, sequins, and beads, I strive to craft unique hand-stitched illustrations that intentionally blur the lines between traditional art and craft. I am also passionate about sharing this meditative craft with others and encourage guests to learn a stitch or two while visiting my booth at EAD!”
Check out @gaikotsu_design on Instagram to learn more.
Children’s Books by Nathan Coombs
Nathan Coombs has worked at PBS Utah for 25+ years, and before that worked for KUER 90.1 as a University of Utah student. Basically, he came to the U in the fall of 1987 and has never really left.
“The No Monsters Spell” is a children’s book that positively guarantees to banish all types of monsters from your house, apartment, condo, cabin, castle, shack, barn, yurt, tent treehouse, lean-to, sidewalk, patch of earth, etc. Basically, anywhere you are that needs to be monster-free. Just cast the Spell and All Is Well.
Check out NoMonstersSpell.com or facebook.com/NathanCoombsAuthor to learn more.
Salt City Pearls by Tiffany Obonnon
Tiffany Obonnon has worked in the Department of Pharmacotherapy for six years.
“Freshwater pearls, bath bombs, jewelry and cutting boards, all the best gifts in one stop,” says Obonnon. “If you’re looking for a fun way to relax our hand-crafted bath bombs have a freshwater pearl inside. If you want a unique experience we have pearls in the shell and can shuck them right in front of you. If you’re feeling creative check out our Bath Sprinkle Bar where you can create your own personalized bath soak. And if you’re feeling hungry after all your relaxing check out one of our cutting boards.”
Check out facebook.com/scpearlbombs to learn more.
Custom Floral Artwork by Kyla Welch
Kyla Welch works in the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy and has been with the University of Utah for seven years.
Welch says, “The goal of my art is to capture the beauty of your special moments and turn them into one-of-a-kind artwork for your home. The core of my business focuses on preserving floral arrangements from special events (weddings, memorials, baby showers) and using those flowers to create a unique piece of art. Recently, I’ve branched out (pun intended) into creating art using wildflowers from all over Utah. At EAD, I’ll have various prints and a few original Utah Wildflower pieces available at my booth.”
Check out A Leaf in the Night on Etsy to learn more.
Lovely Quixote Art Prints & Stickers by Brett Gaffney
Brett Gaffney has worked for the Bennion Center as a community events program manager since 2021.
Gaffney makes witchy, nature-based stickers and art prints under the name Lovely Quixote, in honor of the power of imagination and chasing windmills. Her poetry chapbook, “Feeding the Dead,” has been described by its publisher Porkbelly Press as “the knife edge, the hot blood, the wolf’s howl, and the fang of the girl who hunts him down.”
Check out lovelyquixote.bigcartel.com/ or mbrettgaffneyblog.wordpress.com/ to learn more.