NOT SO MANY years ago, Roger and Sharon Spangen- berg lived a lifestyle similar to thousands of Fredericksburg-area commuters.

They both worked as civilian Army employees, rising before dawn to fight 90-minute commutes from a home near Manassas to jobs near Washington.

At night, the same commute finished off days that left them emotionally drained and isolated. On weekends, they recharged batteries and ran errands missed during the week.

That went for years, until 1985 when they learned Sharon was pregnant.

"Something had to change if we were going to see and raise our child," said Roger. "We quit our jobs, bought property in the country, near Farmville, and went into the craft business."

Pointing to the couple's "Sweetwater Herbals" collection of scented candles, herbal soaps and decorative items at last weekend's Craftsmen's Christmas Classic in Richmond, he grinned and added, "Now we work twice the hours for half the money. But we're happy and know our girls."

The Spangenbergs and their daughters, 14-year-old Sara and 17-year-old Sally, were among hundreds of artists and crafters who sold their wares at the Richmond Raceway Complex.

I enjoy visiting shows like this because they're a microcosm of the small business world and are proof that the entry-level entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well.

A walk around the gaily decorated, heavily scented aisles turned up a little bit of everything for throngs of customers seeking artsy-craftsy Christmas presents.

From cowboy-boot birdhouses to pastel light plates, horseshoe wine racks to silver spoon bracelets, not to mention toys and Christmas ornaments made of everything from oak to old light bulbs, there was a cornucopia of arts and crafts commerce.

For many who attend these increasingly popular shows, the notion of starting a craft business seems romantic and novel.

The Spangenbergs and several others I spoke to couldn't help but smile at that.

"If you call working seven days a week, from early to late, spending 20 or more weekends a year on the road, and making about minimum wage by the time you figure in your hours, yes, it's very romantic," said Spangenberg.

Not that he'd change anything.