Connie Martens of Connie’s Curiosities found plenty to smile about Saturday with a strong demand for her baskets, wreaths and floral offerings during the annual Christmas Craft Show at the QCCA Expo Center, Rock Island. The show wraps up today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Many “kids at heart” paused and smiled as they watched her dancing Santa mannequin stirring up holiday spirits. Shoppers are hunting for items that light up and bring cheer to the room, and this year’s sales are even better than last year’s, she said.

“The crowds are tremendous and the people are in a very good mood,” said Martens. “I think we’ve heard so much gloom and doom, we just don’t listen any more.”

The weekend event wraps up today with 186 booths offering everything from baked goods and potpourri to pens, ornaments, doll and baby clothing and collectibles. Representatives from the U.S. Marines are gladly accepting new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots drive.

Marty Mirocha of Kewanee, Ill., isn’t noticing any dire signs of the economy at his Mirocha’s Metal Art and Signs booth. One of the popular items this year is a sign called the “Man Cave.”

“The guys have their little space in the house. The women come to the show and they buy something for their husbands,” he said. “And then it justifies them finding something for themselves.”

Other popular items in his booth are the sports team, hunting and fishing signs and a motorcyclist favorite that says “Loud pipes save lives.” The money earned at shows pays for his daughter’s college education, he said.

Certainly the economy is a concern for some people. Shopper Kathy Myers of Sterling, Ill., said she was looking for “the buy” as she browsed the aisles. Highlights of the show for her are seeing all the people, getting out and finding new ideas for her home.

Crafts person Jeff Johnson of Danville, Iowa, is having a good run at the QCCA show, but he admits sales of his custom-made deer antler products are down a little this year. If people have to make a choice between purchasing food and a pen, he understands the dilemma. The pens come in a variety of styles and the ivory writing instruments gleam after being polished to a 12,000 grit finish. His top seller this year is a gold pen made from a 30.06 caliber rifle casing.

“Nobody else is doing this at this level,” he said.

Friends Megan Cox, 10, of Moline and Tina Raines, 10, of Milan, Ill., admired the doll clothing for the American Girl collections and Barbie’s and sampled the snacks being offered by vendors. Getting to spend time with her family and friend was good, Megan said.

“I like the smell of the crystal (potpourri) rocks and I like how they made the homemade quilts and blankets,” Tina said.

Those crystal rocks are featured in the Crystal Scents booth. The scents come in a variety from “Home for the Holidays” to “Victorian Christmas” and “Pears & Berries.” Crafters Judy and Bob Dawson of Chillicothe, Ill., color and add scent to natural crystals. The result sweetens the house and can be refreshened with a special oil, said Tanya Fengel of Peoria, Ill. The economy impacts the business slightly, however, sales are still good.