Evelyn Howell, Herald Staff Writer

Todd Wetherington | Daily Herald Marvette Vaughan gets some help from her sons Elijah, left, and Noah, right, and her daughter, Deja, as she works on her hand-crafted jewelry at her Valleyfest booth Saturday. Advertisement

ROANOKE RAPIDS - The Avenue was full of people shopping, eating, playing and listening to great music Saturday, and among the throng were dozens of crafters, cooks and others who brought their talents to display at Valleyfest 2008.

Marvette Marquez Vaughan was one of those folks. She is one busy lady. Vaughan is the mother of seven children - five boys and two girls ranging in age from 1 to 19.

Vayghan is a CPR instructor at Halifax Community College, as well as a part-time telecommunicator for the 911 center in Northampton County. She often works from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

You'd think she wouldn't have time for anything else.

You'd be wrong. On Saturday, Vaughan squeezed out enough time to come out and participate in the celebration of Valleyfest 2008.

With her handmade arts and crafts in tow, she headed to her booth to set up her creations in hopes of selling many of them to raise money for Greater Works, an arts and career development program she is beginning in Northampton County. Vaughan and her husband, Rodney, hope to establish the program to help the county's teenagers.

By later afternoon, Vaughan had sold close to $200 worth of jewelry. She was excited with the day's results and what it would do for her 10-year-old dream of helping at-risk teenagers.

“You have kids hanging out on the streets with nothing to do,” said Vaughan, who is director of the program. “Greater Works is geared toward teaching them different kinds of arts and crafts ... This way they can learn to earn money in an ethical way instead of illegally.”

Vaughan said she plans to participate in the Watermelon Festival in Murfreesboro Aug. 1-2, as well as the Crepe Myrtle Festival on Aug. 9, to raise money for her cause.

At another booth, Yolanda Draughan explained how she believes women should look and feel beautiful all the time no matter what circumstances they may encounter.

Draughan is owner of Permanent Makeup By Yogie, located in Roanoke Rapids, which she says is the only cosmetic tattoo company in the Roanoke Valley area.

Permanent makeup is implanting color in one's skin - called micropigmentation - by using a digital machine. The company offers permanent eyeliner, mascara and lipstick.

Draughan, who is married to Roanoke Rapids native Michael Draughan, is originally from the Philippines.

She said permanent makeup is becoming more and more popular, especially among women who have undergone chemotherapy. “”It feels good to help uplift someone's self esteem and enhance their beauty after they have lost their hair and eyebrows during treatment,” said Draughan, who is a registered nurse at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

Draughan said the purpose of permanent makeup - although one will need to freshen up about every two years - is to save time. She is trained in Derma-Tech and certified in aseptic technique.

She also owns a hair and nail salon in the Philippines and has spent time in Saudi Arabia as a surgical nurse.