So much has happened over the past few weeks that I haven't had a chance to write about the delightful few hours spent at the American Craft Council's Baltimore Craft Show. It's an annual treat for me and my friend/publisher Peg Silloway. We both have spent part of our lives working in crafts, and this one day is a chance to recharge our creative batteries and see what's happening in the world of fine handcrafts.
There are some old favorites we always check in with, like glass artist Josh Simpson. His work is exquisite and Peg is a collector. This time while we were visiting his booth the cameraman from Channel 13 was there, and we had fun taking photos of the photographer as he worked and chatted with the artist.
Then are there are the new discoveries. This year we especially liked the familiar objects like old telephones, sneakers, and even a tricycle, that had been covered with colorful beads and turned into brilliant sculptures by Tom and Kathy Wegman. Never saw that before! And then there was Jeffrey Ohwho made the most ingenious and beautiful coffee table I've ever seen. The wooden end blocks each could move to change position and so change the shape of the table. Each of those end blocks was actually a storage cube, and the top was a seat with a pre-carved body shape " tush impression." And it was comfortable!
I was looking for a clock for the kitchen and spent time in this booth that had the shapes I love – squares – in wood, copper, and steel. Beautiful work by Leonie Lacouette.
Peg is a cat lover, of course, and liked the carved cat granite tile by Amy and Jeff Dallas, but took home a small porcelain jar with a miniature mother cat and kitten carving on the top. These were beautifully crafted by Barbara Sebastian and a good addition to her collection of small boxes and other containers. Peg had an extra copy of The Cat Lover's Book of Days with her and was able to barter with the artist toward the price of the jar. Good idea! Peg also bought a neat card holder from Carole Bowns' Buggy Whip Studio; it has a cat on it, of course.
Hanging around with Peg and Russel Ray on AR sure made me gravitate to all the feline art. Did you check out that potty seat above?
We stopped to watch a pottery demonstration (I was a ceramic artist in a former life) for a few minutes and then found some lunch before checking out more of the show. Even though we didn't get through all of it – it's immense! – it was a great day. And you can bet we'll be back again next February when the Baltimore Civic Center becomes a showplace for the best in American crafts again.
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Hi Margaret~ I love the old fashioned telephone and the tricycle! They are beautiful!
I love the telephone. Looks like an awesome festival. I love admiring art - i'll have to try to make it there next year.
Margaret...
Thanks for the photo tour of this colorful event. It makes me feel as if I've been there.
MAargaret - eye candy indeed! Wow. Thanks for sharing a wonderful Localism post for your area. I agree with Richard - I WAS there.
Jeff
Hi Margaret...I picked out my favorite, the jar with the ivory color cat on top.
I don't doubt how much fun you and the others had. I would have had a great time too seeing that much creativity.
Kate
Vickie, Just had to take a picture. Can you imagine the work...first stringing all the beads and then gluing..such patience...for such beauty.
Dr. Stacey, Every February, the ACC is here. Any chance you can come over Sunday for the open house?
Richard,I can just imagine what you and your camera could do with all this colorful art.
Jeff, Glad I could help you be there with us.
Kate, We haven't missed an ACC show in Baltimore for years. It is a must for both of always attend.
Hi Margaret - Beautiful photos! I love the tricycle. I am not artistic at all and am so in awe of people who are. It looks like like an amazing show.
Elyse, If you can only make one craft show, make it an ACC show.
Wow - this is some amazing art. Very neat. Thanks for sharing.
James, You are close enough to Baltimore to enjoy this show.
Margaret,
Nice pieces. I like the cat on the left in the browns, grays, and whites.. Very pretty. Thank you for sharing with us, especially those of us that are not close enough to attend.
Oh my.... I think my favorite is the telephone. Cant believe I missed such a fabulous show when I live so close. Next year....
Very cool..you would have to wrestle me for the phone...great eye candy !
Judi, My pleasure. Sooo much to see and then limit to only a few photos.
Martha, Take another look at the phone. It says " Ring Ring Pick Me Up" Maybe I will see you at the show next year.
Sally, I had to move the phone from the artist's display to get a better picture. Don't worry, I asked permission.
Just loved that phone and would love to have it too. I love art and I want to get back into soon. Thanks for sharing these beautiful pieces with us!
Lizette, I have placed a link to each of the artists above. All these pieces are for sale. You can see more by visiting the individual sites.
The potty seat is cracking me up! I love to go to stuff like this!
Ann, They had many more. I was just keeping with the cat theme.
Margaret,
Beautiful and unique crafts......reminds me of the One of a Kind Show we have here in the Toronto region.
Jo
Jo, When is that show? Would love to see some photos..please share.
Margaret-didn't know you were crafty! Love the toilet seat with the cat! Thanks for sharing these pictures-I also like going to craft shows just because I am NOT crafty!
Lisa, Being a former ceramic artist, craft shows are a real treat. Next one will be the Smithsonian in DC.