It’s only September but already Jenny Maii’s house is starting to resemble Santa’s workshop, as she and a group of crafty ladies prepare for their annual Holiday Shoppe, a home-based boutique sale she’s been hosting for the past 11 years.

Maii creates miniature Christmas trees, wine charms, sachets, holiday signs and more for the three-day affair, this year scheduled for Nov. 10-12. Putting up the tents, tagging items and creating a magical atmosphere in her home for the sale are all part of the process.

More than 60 decorated tables will be set up in the living room, sunroom and lawn of her quarter-acre property. Couches and chairs are turned upside down or on their side, with tabletops placed on top and covered with sheets to hold displays. Last year more than 9,000 items were sold.

Maii joined the loose-knit group about 15 years ago. Members were brought together by a mutual interest in crafting, many learning about the group through word of mouth. The seven women who form the core group meet a few times a year to plan the Holiday Shoppe and make crafts together. They also discuss ways to improve the event and seek out new vendors.

About 45 vendors participate; the youngest is in her 20s and the oldest is 96. They are allowed to participate in the Holiday Shoppe only if they aren’t regulars on the craft fair circuit. Maii said this ensures unique and hard-to-find merchandise, which is a big draw for shoppers.

Jewelry, hand-painted furniture, artwork, ceramics, Christmas wreaths and ornaments are among the featured items.

“All of the items must be handcrafted,” Maii said. “We find people who don’t do a lot of fairs and can provide unique items.”

Boxes are handed out to arriving shoppers to hold their items while browsing and carry them to a cashier when done. “We see familiar faces every year. Shoppers come from all parts of the island,” she said.

Susan Morton, of Waikiki, started participating in the Holiday Shoppe in the early 1980s.

“I grew up sewing and doing crafts,” she said. “I saw this as an outlet for my creative juices.”

Morton has made stuffed animals, children’s clothing, Christmas ornaments and wreaths, cranberry chutney and fudge sauce.

“I go with the trends over the years. I’m not a real artist, but what we make for the fair is beautiful and people appreciate it, so it’s satisfying,” she said.

People line up for the Holiday Shoppe on opening day, even if it’s raining. “People will stand out there with their umbrellas a couple hours early. We’ve had between 50 to 120 people waiting in line,” Morton said.

“It’s a beautiful undertaking and I’m proud to be a part of it. Neither Macy’s nor any of the stores at Ala Moana can compare with the quality and variety of handcrafted merchandise offered at our fair,” she added. “It’s a feast for the eyes and the senses.”