Sugarloaf Crafts Festival April 10, 2010

Lovers of fine crafts and art will find more than 250 top artisans displaying and selling their unique creations in pottery, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, home decor, furniture and home accessories, items for the garden, and photography. In addition to top national artists, the Festival will also introduce new and emerging artists showcasing the latest trends in handmade fashion and accessories, statement jewelry and fine art.The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Gaithersburg also features interactive demonstrations with master craftspeople. Many of the talented artists at the show will introduce visitors to how they create their art; demonstrations include wheel thrown pottery, wood turning and metal spinning.The show features live music by Ngu Mbandi, Bob Geresti, Don Thomas and Stan and LeeAnne. Middle Earths costume storytelling returns, providing popular childrens entertainment.The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival experience is enhanced with dozens of specialty gourmet foods available for sampling and purchasing. This show features German-style almonds, soup mixes, English toffee, fresh breads and so much more.Craft Demonstrations:Papermaking by Cyndi Mylynne, Double Vision Studio:Learn how to turn natural fibers into usable paper by watching Cyndis fascinating demonstration. Beat the fibers to a pulp, add colored pigments, immerse the fibers in water to disperse them, pick them back up in a screen, couch the newly formed paper, and lay it out to dry. Sound complicated? It is. Come watch Cyndi to see exactly what it is to create one the many items we take for granted in our everyday lives.Mobile Sulpting by Bud Scheffel:You'll find out that there's much more than artistic talent and a bit of wind involved when Metal Sculptor Bud Scheffel creates one of his fascinating metal wind sculptures. Learn how math and the laws of physics play a part, then watch as he takes copper sheets, stainless steel rods, brass wire and natural elements like stone and magically turns it all into a beautiful mobile in under 10 minutes!Copper Spinning by John Akkus":The only way to truly understand this intricate craft is to see a demonstration. John Akkus is one of a small number of hand spinners still plying what is one of the oldest trades in the world!Wheel-thrown Pottery by Alan Burslem:We use pottery on a daily basis. A vase, a plate, a bowl.... But have you ever actually seen this ancient art form comes to life? Together, a lump of clay, the spinning wheel, and the potters skillful hands create a classic piece of art. After being dried, fired, and glazed, the final product is a delightful object of hand-crafted pottery thats functional for your home.Wheel-thrown Pottery by Allen And Helen Weichman:Pottery is part of our history and something we use everyday. But have you ever actually seen how it is made. A beautiful, smooth pottery vase actually starts from a lump of clay. Watch as the potters skillful hands and the spinning wheel together create a timeless piece of art. The individual pieces are then carefully dried, fired and glazed to create beautiful, functional pottery for your home.Raku Pottery by Rod Meyer And Karen Benedict:Come watch Ron Meyer perform this ancient method of firing pottery, developed 400 years ago in Japan. The word Raku comes from a Chinese ideogram meaning enjoyment, pleasure and happiness. Using a special clay, a pot is made that can withstand the extreme thermal shock of Raku firing. The pot is glazed, heated to 1800(deg) F, then pulled hot from the kiln and thrust into a container where it is surrounded by combustible materials such as newspaper. The heat of the pot causes smoldering and smoke, which blackens the pot. Rapid cooling causes the metallic luster and black, spider cracks typical of Raku pottery. Its fascinating to watch the whole process. Raku is actually a collector pottery.Hand-Built Shaker Boxes by William Richardson:You'll be intrigued by the ability of wood to be bent into simple but elegant designs that not only have timeless beauty, but contemporary functionality when you watch Bill Richardson produce his museum quality Shaker Boxes. Using fine woods, Bill secures the hand cut swallow tail finger joints with copper tacks, just as was done in days of old.Fantasy Furniture by Barry Leader:Furniture of the moment for the not too tightly wound! Watch as Barry shows us how he creates whimsical furniture, mirror frames, clocks and other accessories using skills he's developed over a lifetime of working as a woodcarver.Hand-Carved Wooden Bowls And Spoons by Bob DeWitt:See a wooden spoon carved from a piece of wood when Bob demonstrates the entire process. Using wood from countries with sound environmental policies is just part of what makes each spoon special. Each one is carefully carved and shaped, no two are ever alike, Bob says he couldnt make them the same even if he wanted to. To create the smooth finish, they are soaked in water and sanded several times to reduce the surface grain. Then they are submersed in mineral oil and finally buffed with beeswax. Bob believes the spoon chooses the person, when you see this demonstration we think youll agree.Hand-Built Shaker Boxes by William Richardson:You'll be intrigued by the ability of wood to be bent into simple but elegant designs that not only have timeless beauty, but contemporary functionality when you watch Bill Richardson produce his museum quality Shaker Boxes. Using fine woods, Bill secures the hand cut swallow tail finger joints with copper tacks, just as was done in days of old.Woodturning by Don Jones:Using a lathe and his knowledge of the cellular structure of each species of wood, Don creates beautiful vases and bowls from blocks of wood. The lathe holds the individual piece of wood but the artist does the actual hand-carving himself using a curved chisel called a gouge.Entertainment:Bob Geresti Piano Hits:Performing your favorite standards and his original music, too, Bob Geresti is at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival to entertain you. Listen and youll hear Memory from Cats, Pachelbels Canon in D, Evergreen from A Star is Born, and others.... Stop by to say hello and browse Bobs collection of CDs, cassettes, player-piano discs, and sheet music Christmas music, too!Ongoing Friday, Saturday And SundayDon Thomas Musical Performances:Don Thomas, performs his original compositions on an acoustic guitar.Ongoing Friday, Saturday And SundayNgu Mbandi Musical Performances:From a world of loudness and aggression emerges an artist whose beautifully crafted piano melodies will let your mind wander into a place of perfect peace and tranquility.Ongoing Friday, Saturday And SundayChildrens Entertainment:Middle Earth Studio Costume Storytelling - Watch a fairy tale unfold before your eyes when you and your children participate in this special kind of theatre. Join the fun when audience members put on elaborate costumes and transform into actors and actresses as the storyteller weaves a story. Middle Earths story-telling is an unforgettable experience for both children and adults.Food at the Show:Specialty Foods:No matter what the occasion, specialty food is the perfect gift. At the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival, you can always find a festival within a festival The Festival of Foods!Berkshire Sweet Gold Maple - Pure maple syrup made in Heath, Massachusetts.Bittersweet Herb Farm - Delicious and unusual finishing sauces, vinegars, culinary cooking spices & award-winning jamsBrumbaughs DelightsDeedee Desserts - 5-minute creamy no bake cheesecake mixGourmet CreationsLake Enterprises - German-style almonds, pecans and chocolate pretzelsLancaster Gourmet BakeryLeonard Mountain - 3 Amigos enchilada stew, 4 Amigos tortilla soup, And Spuds N ChivesLoraina's Italian SpecialtiesMeadowcroft Farm - Old fashioned pickles, stuffed peppers, German pickles, And pickled garlicPretzelphoria - Classic salted pretzels, sweet pretzels, desert pretzels, hot and spicy pretzelsRandy's Candies - Fine old fashioned candies and snacksRon And Franks - Gourmet Beverage Mixes - hot chocolate, cappuccino, lemonadeSassy Sweets Admission:Under 12 And Parking Free