A lifelong artist, crafter and upcycler, Stacie Mincher of Rutland has earned her reputation as "the Zipper Lady" through her dedication to her quirky zipper jewelry business. On January 11, Mincher suffered a stroke caused by complications of pituitary tumor surgery. She is not expected to return to her craft for at least a year.

But artists and community members are coming together to support Mincher's recovery: Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center, which carries her work, will host a benefit event on Saturday, February 20. It will feature a live and silent auction of donated works — more than 50 artists have contributed so far. 

"This is really a remarkable story of community coming together to help someone," commented Frog Hollow director Rob Hunter. Josh Axelrod, a photographer who contributed a work valued at $550, said, "Something like this could happen to any one of us, and we need to watch each other's backs, particularly those of us that do this for a living."

A catalog of selected works up for auction is available here, and interested parties may bid by emailing [email protected] by noon on February 20. The event will continue during store hours, culminating in a live auction with weaving demonstrations, as well as beer and hard cider tastings courtesy of Bar Antidote andChamplain Orchards.