Sunshine, laughter, and the hum of live music — that’s what guests found at Carboy Winery’s annual Summer Craft Fair in Palisade this past weekend. But behind the cheerful stalls and clinking wine glasses, a sneaky online scam reminded everyone just how fragile trust can be.

Artisans, Side Hustlers, and a Shared Purpose

Handcrafted jewelry, scented soaps, tie-dyed shirts, and homemade candles lined tables under fluttering tents. Barbie Graham, Carboy’s manager, looked proud as she watched neighbors greet each other between sips of rosé.

“A lot of these people are friends and neighbors,” she said. “Some have side gigs. Some do this full-time. We just want to give them a place to show their stuff.”

It’s the kind of thing that turns a winery courtyard into a mini festival — and folks came ready to browse and buy.

One woman held up a pottery mug like a trophy. A young couple argued playfully over which painting would fit above their couch. You couldn’t help but feel the sense of ‘homegrown’.

Twice a Year, Twice the Fun

Carboy Winery doesn’t stop at just one fair. They open their doors twice a year — once in the warmth of summer and again just after Thanksgiving.

Barbie beamed as she rattled off the numbers. “We’ve got about 20 vendors this time, all local. It’s just fun. We bring a ton of people out.”

It’s a big deal for small businesses that can’t afford big storefronts. One vendor said she made more here than she does online in a whole month. That’s saying something in an era of Amazon everything.

Just one short line: Small towns still know how to do it right.

The Scam Nobody Saw Coming

But not everything was sunny. Days before the fair, a scammer crept in through Facebook. They copied Carboy’s event post and reposted it on popular Call for Artists forums in Denver.

Here’s the catch:

• They asked vendors for a $70 “booth reservation fee.”

• The real event was free for vendors.

• Some people actually paid up, thinking they’d secured a spot.

Barbie shook her head. “It was crazy. These folks work so hard on their crafts, and someone just wanted to take advantage.”

It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to double-check every link before clicking.

Why Small Events Are Big Deals

Events like this aren’t just a nice Saturday outing. For local makers, they’re a lifeline. Selling candles on Etsy is one thing — but standing at a table, explaining your craft face-to-face? That’s priceless.

A quick look at what local crafters said they love most:

• Real conversations with customers

• No shipping costs or broken items in the mail

• Meeting other makers for future collabs

One woodworker said he’s booked three custom orders just from chatting with folks who stopped by his table. Can’t do that online quite the same way.

Watching Out for Neighbors

News of the scam spread fast. Other vendors shared posts warning each other. Some called the winery to double-check.

Barbie hopes this is a wake-up call — not a reason to give up. “We’re going to keep doing this,” she said. “We just have to be more careful.”

A local jewelry artist added, “It’s sad, but it brought us closer. Everyone looked out for each other.”

One sentence: Scammers don’t stand a chance when a small town sticks together.

Looking Ahead: More Craft, More Care

As the afternoon wound down, live music drifted across tables piled high with unsold treasures. People sipped the last of their wine.

Carboy’s team is already planning the next fair for Thanksgiving weekend. Expect more crafts, more food, and probably more vigilance.

Barbie summed it up, “We want people to feel safe. This is their space to shine. That’s not changing.”

For a few bucks, a bit of glue, and some trust — neighbors here prove they’ve got each other’s backs, one handmade candle at a time.