The arts and crafts community in Pahrump continues to thrive, thanks in large part to the efforts of two dedicated women: Randi Case and Ashley Welch. Together, they’ve built and sustained some of the town’s most cherished arts and crafts events, fostering creativity while giving back to the community.
Randi Case’s journey into organizing arts and crafts events began long before she arrived in Pahrump. While in college, she helped her artistic friends, including musicians and clay artists, by organizing small fairs in local parks, splitting any money they made. As her organizational talents grew, Randi took on larger events, particularly while living in Reno, where she organized the vendors for local craft fairs sponsored and staffed by each school’s boosters. These joint efforts raised considerable funds for three Washoe County schools over a decade.
When Randi moved to Pahrump in 2012, she hoped to replicate her success by organizing craft fairs at Pahrump Valley High School. Despite initial setbacks with the school administration at the time, she wasn’t deterred. She brought her passion to the Bob Ruud Community Center in 2013, creating events that helped build Pahrump’s arts and crafts scene from the ground up.
One of her most beloved events is Spooky Jingles which she originally started in Reno and brought to Pahrump. Spooky Jingles is more than just a craft show—it’s a community event where local vendors showcase handmade goods ranging from Halloween or Christmas themed items to a slew of non-holiday related goods. This year, Spooky Jingles will take place on October 11, 12, and 13 at the Bob Ruud Community Center. Trying something new this year, each day will feature a different local baker offering treats like biscotti, cakes, cookies, candied apples and bread. In addition to supporting local artisans, Spooky Jingles also supports the charity No To Abuse, which helps victims of domestic violence. Each vendor is required to donate diapers or wipes, which are then given to the organization. In the past, members of the community who come to shop at the event have also brought diapers and wipes to support the cause, and Randi anticipates that generous support will continue this year. Randi considers Spooky Jingles her “baby” and has no plans to hand it off, even though she has retired from organizing some of the other shows.
In recent years, Randi decided it was time to step away from some of the craft fairs she had nurtured, handing them off one by one to Ashley Welch, a rising star in Pahrump’s arts and crafts community. Ashley, known for her business Art from the Heart by Ashley, was already making waves with her own smaller events. Randi noticed her potential and decided she was the perfect person to take over her larger events.
“I had watched Ashley organize her own pop-ups, and I thought she might be a great person to hand off to. I spoke with a few people about it and they readily agreed. We met at Starbucks to discuss it, and then I gave her one of the shows to see how she would do. She did a fantastic job,” Randi recalls. “After that, I handed her a second, and then a third.”
Now, Ashley is responsible for three of the town’s biggest arts and crafts events: Christmas in July, Hometown Holidays, and a spring show she is planning to rename. Under her leadership, these events have grown, and she’s added her own personal touch. Like Randi, Ashley ensures that her events also benefit the community. At each of her shows, vendors are required to donate dog food or other supplies, which are given to West Star Ranch, a local animal rescue. This charitable aspect continues the legacy Randi started, making sure that the fairs are not only about showcasing handmade items but also about supporting local causes.
Ashley’s passion for event organizing shines through in everything she does. Her shows have continued the tradition of offering a variety of unique, handcrafted items, giving both local artists and visitors an exciting and dynamic experience. Like Randi, Ashley rotates vendor placements to keep things fresh, ensuring that each event feels new and exciting. “We don’t want people to see the same setup every time,” Ashley says. “By mixing things up, we encourage attendees to explore more and discover new vendors.” And both ladies keep a limit on the number of vendors with similar products to avoid issues with competition in a small space.
For Ashley, organizing the fairs has been a natural extension of her artistic journey, and with Randi’s guidance, she has become a driving force behind Pahrump’s arts and crafts community. However, Randi’s influence is never far away. Though she has officially stepped back from organizing some of the events, she continues to offer advice and mentorship, ensuring Ashley has all the tools to succeed. “I will always be available to assist Ashley if she needed something but the truth is she’s doing a great job on her own,” Randi says.
Together, Randi and Ashley have created a vibrant, supportive environment for local artisans in Pahrump. While Randi may have retired from some of the fairs, her legacy remains strong, and under Ashley’s capable leadership, the community can look forward to many more years of successful, creative events. Whether it’s Spooky Jingles with its spooky charm or Ashley’s vibrant holiday fairs, the spirit of giving and creativity that Randi cultivated will continue to thrive, ensuring that Pahrump’s arts and crafts scene remains a cornerstone of the community.
