Valentine’s Gifts with a Kick

Organizers and vendors gear up for the third annual Valentine’s Day Arts and Crafts Show at the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum in Claremore.

Wayne McCombs, director of the J.M. Davis Arms & ­Historical Museum, and Holly Thompson, owner of Dorothy’s Flowers, show off a few of the items visitors will find at the ­Valentine’s Day Arts and Craft Show.

Mark your calendars for February 9 and 10 for the Valentine’s Day Arts and Craft Show at the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum in Claremore. The third annual event is a great place to pick up a unique gift for your valentine. Homemade jewelry, candles and other crafts will be available. When you are done browsing the rows of vendor booths, be sure to check out the great ­museum exhibits.

    “We really enjoy this event and have received a lot of ­positive feedback from our patrons,” said Wayne McCombs, J.M. Davis Museum director. “It is quite popular, has high ­attendance and is really just a lot of fun.”

    The venue hosts both a Christmas and Valentine’s Arts and Crafts Show each year. The museum makes $10 on each booth fee that goes back into promoting the event, but the real reward is the partnership ­developed between the vendors and the museum.

    “We see it as an opportunity to help the community while bringing people to the museum,” said McCombs. “It gives locals a chance to showcase their ­products at an opportune time while opening the gun collection up to an audience who may not otherwise visit the museum. It’s a win-win.”

    McCombs hopes those new to the museum will tell others about the collection or return with their kids or grandkids. Twenty-five vendors are scheduled to be at the event ­selling several different items. The event organizers limit the booth space to one or two ­vendors selling similar items to ensure variety for shoppers as well as help ensure that it is a profitable event for the vendors. The items available at this year’s show include a wide variety of handmade jewelry, towels, crafts and home décor. Vendors include Dorothy’s Flowers and Cowgirl Bling as well as direct sales items such as Scentsy, Mary Kay and Tupperware.  

    “This is a great opportunity for people looking for a unique Valentine’s gift,” said McCombs. “And it’s a bonus for gun ­enthusiasts who can check out the collection while their spouses shop the arts and crafts.”

    The J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum houses the largest private gun collection in the world. It also has saddles, spurs, local ranching brands, German beer steins, World War I posters, military weapons, John Rogers statuary, Native American artifacts and more. With over 50,000 items on ­display, there is something for everyone.

    Event hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The event has already sold max capacity for booth space, but a vendor who may be interested in being on this year’s waiting list or added for next year should contact the museum at (918) 341-5707.

For more information, contact

J.M. Davis Arms & ­Historical Museum

(918) 341-5707

www.thegunmuseum.com