Funds from a weekend artisan fair benefited students studying health care.

Kishwaukee Hospital held its fourth annual Artisan Fair Friday, featuring 30 vendors of handmade goods. Volunteer Paula von Ende said proceeds from the fair benefit the Kishwaukee Hospital Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship fund.

“Our auxiliary board helps with the purchase of services or equipment,” von Ende said. “Our volunteers’ purpose is to provide services to Kishwaukee Hospital by improving the quality of patient care.”

Von Ende said there were 30 booths at the fair with artwork, food and crafts for sale. There were also 28 gift baskets donated by hospital departments, which raised $5,000 to $6,000. Last year, through booth rentals and raffles, von Ende said $7,500 was raised.

Judy Sprinkle was at the show for the first time. Sprinkle said she has been sewing since she was 9 and sold purses and quilts at her booth. Her bestseller is a purse with a belt made out of recycled tires.

“I try to upcycle whenever I can,” Sprinkle said. “The shows I like to do have benefits, like this one benefits healthcare.”

Another vendor at the show was Suzie Underwood, who decorated bottles with lights inside them. Underwood also upcycles.

“I save these bottles from going into the landfill,” Underwood said. “Clubs in the area like the Sycamore Vets and the Genoa Vets club save them for me.”