Children's Activity

Staton, Amy

Amy’s Wool Applique

Fiber

The artisan has been creating wool appliqué for almost 20 years. Baltimore album quilts and other antique quilt motifs provide her with an endless supply of inspiration. She also incorporates antique crewel designs and fraktur motifs into some of her pieces. In addition to her wall hangings, table runners, and throw pillows, she creates penny rugs, a form of folk art which dates to the early to mid-1800s.

She uses both new and recycled wool from clothing and blankets in her creations. But whether new or recycled, it’s always 100% wool. The artisan applies the blanket stitch to secure the appliqué pieces after adhering them with heat activated adhesive. She also employs other embroidery stitches in her pieces.

The artisan has been selected for Early American Life’s Directory of Traditional Crafts for the last five years. For the most part, she sells her work at traditional artisan shows.

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Botchlet, Heather

The Springerle House

Heritage Foods

My joy and goal in my work is to preserve and spread the knowledge and enjoyment of
traditional springerle cookies to others. I do this through making the cookies, cookie mold casting, handpainting ornaments made from the cookie molds, teaching cookie making classes, and lecturing on the history of springerle cookies.

The tradition of pressing painstakingly-carved designs into food goes back many centuries in the human story, and in nothing is it expressed so beautifully and deliciously as in springerle cookies. Enfolding life’s joys, setbacks, triumphs, and whimsies into intensely-flavored cake-like pillows, these little morsels are truly edible art and I am still – after 27 years – enamored of them

www.thespringerlehouse.com

Pittman, Jessica

Buddy Leather

Leather

Our work is a celebration of craftsmanship, sustainability, and timeless design. Using both new and vintage leather, we create timeless pieces of leather artistry that can be passed down to future generations.

The design process begins with an exploration of the materials at hand—vintage saddles, bridles, halters and reins. Each piece is carefully inspected to utilize the aspects with the most character. By repurposing these pieces of personal history, I believe that honors and commemorates the many memories created between horse and rider. Each saddle is a blank canvas, waiting to be reimagined. After design, it is then brought to life as a handbag to be used and loved for many years to come. We enjoy working to restore and repurpose tack into something fresh and beautiful, giving new life to items that might otherwise go to waste.

We also create unique items utilizing newly tanned leather. From wallets to belts, handbags to home decor, the utmost care is taken to produce the finest of accessories.

Our goal is not only to create accessories that are practical and durable but also to craft objects that carry an emotional connection and a sense of individuality. Each leather bag or accessory is a one-of-a-kind piece, meant to be cherished and appreciated for its artistry and sustainability. As we continue to experiment with textures, shapes, and techniques, our commitment remains to producing leather goods that transcend trends and endure through time.

buddyaprons.com/

Oliver, Amy

Monkeytown Pottery

Clay

I love to draw on pots. I throw pots on the wheel with emphasis on form and function and when these pots are leather hard, I mix up and apply, a variety of colored slips to the pots. Once I have done this, the pot becomes my canvas. I usually look at the pot and try to spot an image of something with my imagination, just like one can look at clouds and start imagining images. Once I spot something, whether it’s a turtle, a tree or a bird, or anything else I can imagine, then the picture usually fills itself in, and in a sense I just draw what I see. My pieces tell a story and have some recurring characters like owls and tortoises, they portray in essence, moments in time.

I have been a potter for 30 years now, beginning my journey at James Madison University with my first ceramics class when I was 21. I was lucky to Apprentice with Hawksbill Pottery, during and after College. I moved to Loudoun county in 2001 and officially opened Monkeytown Pottery in 2005, where I make pots and teach others how to do so.

All my pots are food safe and functional, I fire an oxidation to cone 7.

www.MonkeytownPottery.com

Lavorgne, Maureen

The Rams Horn Connection

Fiber/Textiles

As so many businesses begin they begin with our parents. And with that being said mine began with my mother. My mother and father raised sheep. Romneys to be exact. Romneys have beautiful wool. Perfect for spinning and weaving.

What a talented and amazing spinner and weaver she was. She made beautiful coats, sweaters, jackets and more. She named her company Rams Horn Wool. She sold them at art and craft shows and did very well.

One day she decided to make little sheep from wire and wool to display the wool. Oh what a hit they were! So much so that she employed my two sisters who lived nearby and even my father to make these little fellows. Since I lived too far away she she said to start my own company. And so was born The Rams Horn Connection and that was 40 years ago.

This has been a craft of love for me. I trained my daughters on how to make these and now I am training my granddaughters. So hopefully 4th generation will start up. There are no tools used to make these just our hands and wire and wool.

Whimsical Woolies

De May, Robert

De May Studios

Mixed Media

I’m Robert De May.

My dad loved to draw pictures and encouraged me to draw. When I was in high school, I took an art class as an elective, and loved it. I became interested in painting with watercolors. My teacher encouraged me. However, after graduating, my interests in painting were replaced by higher priorities like college, a degree in electronic engineering, a 35-year career in IT, a 15-year entrepreneurship in antique and high-end furniture restoration. As I grew very close to full retirement, in January of 2021, I tried watercolor again. A friend liked my first work so well, she purchased it. I’ve been told I have talent. I enrolled in an on-line watercolor academy and surprised myself by the successes of each of my assignments. My instructor praised my prints and I had become an artist.

My art business has been designated as a “Trusted Art Seller” with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.

My Inspiration

I found out that if it’s in a photograph, I can usually paint a picture of it. I am inspired by nature, wild life, pets, horses, and old run down barns. As an artist, I love painting landscapes in the country, old buildings, and farm animals. I grew up in the farm country of western Pennsylvania. I remember trekking through the woods, swimming in the Alleghany river, and, when I was only 10, driving farmer Thomson’s tractor while others loaded up hay bails on the wagon I was towing. I love dogs. I currently have two border collies, I have painted both of their portraits. I just love creating these images and continually surprising (and sometimes disappointing) myself by my creations.

My Medium

I love the challenge of a successful watercolor painting. I have tried pen and ink, charcoal, pastels, acrylic, and have settled on watercolor painting. I use the white of the paper as one of the colors in my color palette. Watercolor does not project perfection nor does it require perfection from the artist, but it does challenge the artist to strategize his work. Watercolor does not allow an artist to over paint, or to change colors.

www.DeMayStudios.com

Armistead, Jeff & Ben

Phoenix Hardwoods

Wood

We have been crafting timeless, quality woodcraft furniture and accessories for decades. Using local Virginia Hardwoods and a discerning eye for detail, each piece is thoughtfully designed and made in our Southwestern Virginia woodshop.

Phoenix-Hardwoods.com

Anderson, Maureen

Tasha’s Own

Heritage Foodways

Maureen Anderson, teacher, goatherd, beekeeper, shepherdess, soapmaker, mother of 8 and grandmother of 13 has had a lifelong interest in farming, homesteading and herbal medicine.

She began this journey of learning when she was a child, taught many of these skills by a grandmother who instilled a love of herbs, family life and wildcrafting.

Maureen hosts workshops and classes at her historic Home Farm on sustainable living, herbal medicine making, wild food foraging and cheese making.

In March of 2020 she created the Toano Open Air Market in response to the community’s need for a safe and reliable place to shop and local farmers’ and artisans’ need for an income during the Covid closings.

Maureen is the creator of The MotherVine radio program and owner of Tasha’s Own Goat’s Milk Soap and The Home Farm.