Arts and Crafts in Huron Valley

I have concluded that craft shows are big problems for me.

On November 5, my friend Denise and I went to Milford High School to attend the Keepsake Arts & Crafts show. Denise had originally suggested the craft show at Kettering High School in Waterford, but I countered with going to Milford to support our home school district. Plus, I explained to Denise, I’ve begun blogging for the White Lake Patch, and I was trying to find crafty, local things to blog about. 

It had been many years since either of us had been to a craft show. My memories of such events included lots of baskets, ducks, toll painting and gingham. You know, back when many of us were trying to give our homes that country flavor – the early 90’s maybe? Of course even then there were plenty of vendors with more traditional art forms such as pottery and paintings. Now the ducks have been replaced by jewelers with wonderful beaded bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Of the more than 100 booths at the show, there were only a couple with what I would call country crafts, and those were holiday themed rather than year-round decorations. It was so fun to see all these talented crafters and artists and their unique ideas and beautiful items (not to mention getting a bug to craft, maybe buy some beads and make some jewelry myself). When we were leaving the show, Denise asked if I found good material for blogging, and I had totally forgotten to keep the blog in mind as we browsed!

This morning, Saturday the 19th, I ventured off to Bogie Lake Greenhouse to see what was offered at the Huron Valley Council of the Arts Holiday Greens Holiday Artist Market. Oh, my! How easy it would have been to spend a whole lot of money there. My first seduction was the fiber artists with handspun yarn and felting kits.  Another vendor had gorgeous knit beaded evening bags, which I have always wanted to knit. I’ve even got halfway through one once, but never had the patience with the beading process to complete. There were also wonderful paintings, jewelry, holiday greenery, and I must mention the awesome blues band serenading in the background. After I had spent my self-promised budget, I had such a hard time resisting a water color painting that I swear was painted especially for my kitchen. The artist mentioned to me that she gives lessons, and I took her card. Oh, and there was a children’s book (autographed by the author) that made me yearn to have a three year old to cuddle with and read to.

Trouble. Arts and craft shows simply are dangerous, troublesome places for me.  Between the temptation to go over-budget on the wares of talented artists and crafters for whom I have a great appreciation, and the temptation to pick up a new hobby such as beading, spinning or water color painting (because I have all sorts of spare time on my hands – not!), I really need to stay way.  Somehow, though, I don’t think I’ll let another decade pass before my next show.