Children's Activity

Kauffman, Justin

Kauffman Fine Furniture

Furniture

As a period formal furniture maker, Kauffman’s intention is to build furniture inspired by the designs of authentic period pieces and to impart to those pieces a beauty that can be admired and enjoyed, and a functionality that can be appreciated for generations. Kauffman’s hope is that his furniture, having been built with time-tested, period joinery and embellished with period carving, inlay, veneer, and other decorations, will emulate the quality, lasting appeal, and value of furniture from the 1700s and early 1800s. Lastly, that his furniture craftsmanship, conscientiousness, humanity, and dignity will be easily recognizable to those who own it.

KauffmanFineFurniture.com

Foster, Jackson

J. Foster Historic Signs

Wood

Jackson Foster is a maker and painter of trade & tavern signs in the tradition of 18th and 19th-century artisans. His research of historic people and places is the rationale for the majority of his signs. His background in history, design, lettering, and woodworking provides the basis for creating authentic interpretations of early American signboards. He uses reclaimed wood–some boards date to the 1700s–and period-style hardware including
blacksmith-forged hanging irons, nails, and hinges—all making for unique signs in which no two are alike. He continues to refine his craft through research of early American artisans, typographic styles, painting practices, and joinery techniques. Each sign purchase comes with a framed, historic description providing research and background information.

jfosterhistoricsigns.com

Cantilo, Icka

Square of the Bone

Jewelry

I cut each design completely by hand using a traditional jeweler’s saw, then they are fabricated, formed, textured, and patinated. I also use the technique of Champlevé with vitreous glass enamel with sterling silver, rose gold, 14k yellow gold, and nickel free copper sourced from foundries specializing in recycled precious metals. I heavily reference biology and natural sciences such as entomology with textures, patterns and motifs. Because of my quirky sense of humor my work rides the line of peculiarity while also being dainty and precious. I create my jewelry to be highly expressive for a wide range of aesthetics.

SquareoftheBone.com

Yang, Mary Z. & Lee, Jon

Mary’s Designs

Jewelry

Professionally trained in jewelry design, enamel artists and goldsmiths with more than 30 years of experience, we design and handcraft one-of-a-kind enamel cloisonné jewelry pieces. With our unique expertise:

We have developed new techniques and processes for better cloisonné color results.
We roll our own 24k cloisonné wires to the thinnest .002” for our detailed work. There are no other enamellists who have done this before.
We have also developed our own techniques for double-sided cloisonné artwork on both sides of a fine silver sheet. Technically, it’s a big challenge and no one has ever done it before.

We set our cloisonné pieces in 14k or 18k yellow gold (old wax casting and hand fabrication) with precious stones. We own copyrights on our work. In addition, we have received awards each year from top art shows nationwide. We both hold Bachelor degrees in Architecture and Business and Masters in Education and Computer Science.

Savely, Clay

Tree of Life Potters

Clay

Honoring the vast botanical realms of the Appalachian bio-region, each platter, plate, vase, mug, bowl, or jewelry piece is handcrafted and as unique as the plants that were impressed into it. This technique has been passed down from a university level trained father to son, and is inspired by visionary art, indigenous mysticism and the powerful magic found in the lush forests of the Blue Ridge mountains.

This unique form of ceramics is created from hand-built stoneware clay slabs designed with tedious impressions of local plants set delicately into patterns and mandalas that are highlighted by iron-oxides and various glazes. Using refined hand building techniques, our pottery is created by impressing flowers, ferns, leaves and tree bark delicately into stoneware clay. After the piece is formed and plants are pulled out, it is bisque fired. After a thorough sanding process, an iron-oxide stain is applied and wiped off negative space tediously to leave the stain in the impressions. Occasionally glaze is painted into leaves to mimic natural color. After a final glaze firing, the piece is vivid and functional.

TreeofLifePotters.com

Rochford, Grace

Designs By Grace

Mixed Media

Rochford has always been interested in history and early American crafts. Through this interest, she became acquainted with the historical American floorcloths. She enjoys demonstrating and educating the public about this craft. During the last 13 years, she has made these canvas products for home as well as for sale. The first piece, a large 8ft. rug is still in her front hallway. Many of designs are inspired by the colonial canvases, although she creates original and contemporary designs. The products begin with natural heavy cotton canvas. This canvas is stretched and coated with primer, artwork done, then a protective coats applied. The final step involves creating a folded under and glued hem. In addition to participating in many shows, Rochford has produced many and varied custom pieces, including historical reproduction pieces. She also worked with interior designers and have taught numerous floorcloth production workshops.

DesignsByGrace.biz

Kara, John

Kara Wood Designs

Wood

Kara Wood Designs has been creating wonderful woodwork for over 20 years. All of the shapes and patterns are original designs done by John Kara. The business started in the early 1990’s and consisted strictly of collapsible baskets. Years later, John got the idea to angle-cut different shapes such as angels, trees and crosses. We work in an individual studio where we use hardwoods and laminations of hardwoods to make the artwork.

KaraWoodDesigns.com

Wolf, Susan

Gourds by Suzanna, LLC.

Mixed Media

My love for gourd art stems from my horticultural interests coupled with my desire to produce a functional as well as decorative product. To briefly describe my work, I pencil a design onto a gourd surface which is used as a template to carve or wood burn the design. To carve, I use woodworking tools, called gouges. By varying the size of the gouge and the position and length of the cut I achieve different designs. On occasion I relief carve with a power carver. After carving I embellish with dyes, acrylics, metallic rubs or patinas. I also use pine needles, sliced walnuts, brass knobs.

I am originally from Lancaster, PA. After receiving my Ph.D. in Biology from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, I moved to VA in 1988 to conduct research at the UVA, Charlottesville, VA and subsequently at a VA Tech Research Station in Winchester, VA. In 2004 I left research to start Gourds by Suzanna LLC . I am currently self-employed and work out of my home in Toms Brook, Virginia.