America's Top Artists and Craftmakers Take Center Stage at the Millbrae Art and Wine Festival, September 5-6!

One-of-a-kind jewelry designs, boutique-quality wearables, shimmering glass vessels, recycled metal work, whimsical sculptures, decorative and functional ceramics, hand-carved woodwork, handwoven quilts, dramatic photography, stunning fine art paintings –– you’ll find all of this and more at the Millbrae Art & Wine Festival, September 5-6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Broadway. It’s an art lovers delight with 250 of the west coast’s finest artists and craftsmakers setting up shop every Labor Day weekend for a fabulous al fresco show. Enjoy a lovely sun-splashed weekend browsing and strolling among colorful, well-stocked booths and meet the extraordinary artists who do the work.

Wearable Art

Jing Lou knits adorable hats for babies made from milk protein fiber. The soft fiber is PH balanced and extra gentle on the skin. Choose from monkeys, cows, Captain America, Batman and Hello Kitty. There are also a few hats for adults, including a San Francisco Giants Mohawk hat. After Dana Spanierman returned from a three-month trip to Thailand, she started her own jewelry company. She combines sterling silver with diverse shells from Thailand’s exotic waters. Spanierman’s ocean-inspired jewelry is a reflection of her love of Thailand’s unique culture, gorgeous landscapes and welcoming people. Jerry Limon’s Estilo Clothing line celebrates music, culture and an urban lifestyle. The talented graphic designer was inspired by the eclectic artists and musicians on Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue. Men, women and children from all over the United States enjoy his edgy, screen-printed fashions. Lori Vanderhurst notes that her jewelry line often has been described as “upscale hippy.” Her bohemian-chic jewelry features oxidized copper, sterling silver, sea glass, hand-blown glass and gemstones. The artist wraps, twists and hammers metals into unusual bolos, pendants, rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Sculpture and Mixed Media

Speaking of jewelry, it’s time to organize your treasures and prevent them from tangling! Micki Wong-Sislow’s Izzy Jewel Box was selected by Oprah Magazine for the “O LIST” in March of 2011. Her hanging wooden boxes come in three sizes and feature several different layouts. Sislow uses 15 background patterns of Japanese papers and raffia weave. A hinged glass door on each box keeps jewelry dust free. Virginia Jennings recycles old wood-framed windows and transforms them into mesmerizing hanging gardens. After painting the frames in marbled colors, she decorates the glass with pretty hydrangeas and garden scenes. Looking for a statement piece? Lance MacKensie makes incredible art from aluminum wire and recycled watch parts. Popular themes include motorcycles, hearts, animals and cars. Each mixed-media wall hanging is framed in glass. Visit Kerry Williams for shimmering glass pumpkins, home accessories and hanging vases. The artist uses a pulled-color technique and layers up to 13 transparent colors. Her beautiful pieces make excellent holiday gifts, and she uses a rich autumnal color palette.

Functional Art

Just in time for the upcoming holidays, Jan Selby combines her penchant for colorful fabrics with her exceptional sense of design. Her grandmother taught her to sew when she was a little girl, and she made most of her own clothes throughout her childhood. Today, Selby sews an array of elegant, vintage and modern aprons, table runners, napkins and kitchen accessories. Encourage your little one to take a break from TV and computer games with a soft fabric book by Arlyne and Richard Julao. Their colorful creations, which are made from original patterns, teach children 6 months to 6 years old the alphabet, colors, shapes, numbers, opposites, how to tie shoes and more. All books are machine washable, and they make excellent gifts. Pick up household clutter with a sturdy wooden coat rack by Martha Rogers. She sells all sorts of whimsical designs for children and adults. In addition to organizing coats and sweatshirts, the racks are strong enough to hold school backpacks and purses. Spark some intelligent conversation on your back patio with a fire pit by Patrick Moran. He and his family members have a passion for wine and outdoor living. They design rustic fire pits made from oak wine barrels, which are accented with glass and sturdy metals.

Fine Art

David Forster’s breathtaking photographs of majestic canyons, babbling brooks, icy glaciers, glorious sunsets and ominous skies are simply astounding. He travels all over the United States to capture nature’s most awe-inspiring scenery. Hunter Lower’s splashy, abstract-figurative paintings are reminiscent of his childhood love of science fiction, fantasy and mythology. He enjoys creating characters and capturing imaginary worlds through his application of acrylic paint. Lower drips and squeezes paint on the ground. He chooses colors of “vibrant splendor or subdued reverence” to bring his figures to life. Sunny Napa Valley vineyards, foggy San Francisco marinas, tranquil lakes and dusty Arizona canyons – Gene Gracey travels all over the West Coast to photograph stunning landscapes. In addition to West Coast landmarks, Gracey has knack for turning simple subjects – butterflies, birds and exotic flowers – into magnificent works of art. David P.H. Wong began painting at the age of 8 in China. He was one of the first Chinese artists to paint with oils in the traditional Western style. However, because the Chinese government controlled all artistic endeavors – including artists’ subjects – Wong fled to Hong Kong. He later moved to the United States, where he became known for his vivid watercolor paintings of koi ponds, people and water scenes. The artist uses a palette knife to apply bold colors.

WHAT: 45th Millbrae Art & Wine Festival, “Last Blast of Summer”

WHEN: September 5-6, 2015. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

WHERE: On Broadway (one block west of El Camino Real) between Victoria and Meadow Glen in Millbrae CA.

INFO-LINE: 650-697-7324

WEBSITE: http://millbrae.miramarevents.com

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/MillbraeArtWineFestival

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/miramarevents

YOU TUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1vGKOWMX1s