LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, November 8, 2010

I'll Miss the Craft Fairs

We recently went to a small outdoor craft fair.  It's likely the last of the outdoor fairs this year.  I do so enjoy them.  We will have plenty of indoor fairs, but they just aren't the same.  I love walking outside, mingling with the other customers and talking with the artists.  Some of the work shows great creativity while others are a bit mundane.  I stand in awe of some of them because they are so beautiful.  I stand in awe of others because they are so tacky.




Gourds are popular and we even have a guild of gourd artists in the area.




There's no end to what can be done with rebar.




Old shovels become works of art.  I liked this wolf and the other animal figures, but I must admit I didn't care too much for the Jesus on a shovel.




The slogan is, "What you see is what I saw"  Use of many different woods in different patterns.




A complex work looks at the forest.  It was a very large piece.




There's always lots of stained glass.  Stained glass panels, ornaments, even night lights.


Some of them are just lovely.



I continue to be amazed at the talent of these people.  At this craft fair, most of them cannot devote full time to their art.  They work regular jobs and do the crafts in spare time.  That makes it all the more amazing to me.

20 comments:

Karin said...

"I stand in awe of some of them because they are so beautiful. I stand in awe of others because they are so tacky." That's exactly how I feel about some of the craft sales I've been through.-- I used to make silk flower arrangements to sell in our Tuck Shop. When I started out I thought some of those first arrangements were t-a-c-k-y! My boss didn't allow me to change them, said they were lovely and put them up for sale. Go figure, they sold faster than the arrangements of which I was so proud! No accounting for taste! LOL!

Cicero Sings said...

So true about craft fairs. That woodland scene done in wood is really quite something. So much WORK!

Anonymous said...

I tend not to go to Craft Fairs, but I will definitely miss the Farmers Market for the reasons you mention. Walking around with our neighbors and talking to the growers. It's the best part of a small community.

SouthernSass said...

I agree with you - being outside makes it so much more enjoyable. Looks like it was a great one!

Jeannette StG said...

love to try the gourd art sometime -so colorful! The shovel...I must admit I saw a wolf on there:)

Pat said...

I'm terribly disappointed that you didn't post Jesus on a shovel. I'd love to see it. LOL.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

There are alot of creative people out there, aren't there??? Unfortunately, I am not one of them... I'd rather go hiking or blow leaves... (Gads--where did that come from???? ha ha )

We have lots of outdoor craft fairs up here during the Fall also---so like you, I will miss seeing them around...

Hugs
Betsy

Jill said...

I also enjoy on occasion going to craft/art fairs. Would much rather buy local well crafted items than order something out of a catalog. The variety of things that you see is always interesting..

Taradharma said...

We are lucky enough to have two artist's 'open houses' around the county each year. I am amazed and how many prolific artists and craftspeople there are. I purchased a beautiful engraved and painted gord from one in her very own studio. I also have a small, delicate gord carved by a man from Peru which I picked up in San Diego (the gord, not the man). I love them. They require such time to grow, cure, and work. The can be precious little vessels.

Folkways Note Book said...

I have to admit that I do not really enjoy craft fairs. Sorry to say. I used to attend them years ago and then began to feel that they produce the crafts like a production line. I like to see the personality of the artist in a piece and I found over time that this part of the craft was missing. But I do realize that there are crafts that border on folk art which might look tacky yet is true individualized art. I know that folk artists can be found at crafts fairs so that part is wonderful. -- barbara

Barb said...

I love strolling through these fairs. But - Jesus on a shovel?

carolina nana said...

Those are beautiful crafts,I love going to craft shows also.
Hope you have a blessed week

George said...

You certainly have many talented craftsmen attending the craft fairs in your area. Everything is just beautiful. I even like that old shovel.

Jayne said...

Such beautiful works of art!

Busy Bee Suz said...

So many pretty items, so many talented folks out there.
Jesus on a shovel? Really, you could not find an appropriate spot for that in your home? Shockers.

Vicki Lane said...

Dang -- now I really want a Jesus on a shovel.

Anonymous said...

The raccoon pic? Beautiful! And you're right - the outdoor craft shows are the best. When I think of indoor fairs I think "flea market" for some reason.

Ruth said...

I do admire the labours of these artists. I no longer want to buy and collect these types of things and I hesitate to buy them as gifts because art appreciation is such an individual thing. The woodland wood scene is lovely and would be a nice display in a large public building. I have never heard of shovel art!

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.
Karin - I think we all have a unique definition of tacky. You had a smart boss.

Robin - I love the markets as well. We have "trunk" markets where local farmers bring produce and use a large parking lot to sell produce along with flowers, honey, jams and jellies, and small crafts.


Pat, Barb, Vicki, Suz - I just couldn't bring myself to photograph the Jesus shovel. Although, it really was well done and clearly Jesus.

Anonymous said...

Jesus on a shovel? Christ on a crutch!