80th American Crafts & Historic Homes Tour
Refiners Forge
Metal
Jared Lanham is a blacksmith that focuses on using traditional techniques to shape and join metal. He makes tools, hardware, functional decorative items, and designs one of a kind commissioned pieces. Jared loves to share his knowledge of the craft with others.
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.
Having an interest in history and art, the Bognars have combined both decorative and utilitarian items from gourds-Folk Art Gourd Pottery. Throughout history there are many references to gourds. As the world’s oldest pottery, they have been used for their functionality as containers of all sorts worldwide. During the fair they will explain the background and historical use of gourds and the preparation of them through cutting and cleaning. A gourd that is planted one year, dries for months, and is ready for use the following year is a unique interest to the public.
The techniques used on their work includes: carving, watercolor, paint, pen & ink, dye work, and wood burning. Our line consists of bowls, baskets, jugs, vases, canisters, pockets, clocks, and pitchers. Designs are inspired by historical motifs, botanical/nature, graphics, and seasonal.
Bognars gourd work has been featured in magazines, television and part of other quality art events.
Proctor thinks of quilts as paintings made of fabric. The technique of quilting layers of fabric to produce bedding, clothing, and even armor can be traced back centuries. She is inspired by early quilt makers who produced functional pieces that were also truly beautiful, often made with scarce or repurposed textiles. The quilts are based on traditional quilt block designs. They may use a variety of fabrics and colors or may be simply two fabrics. Proctor want the quilts to be used. They are not intended to be stashed away and they are not just bed coverings. She uses machine piecing and machine quilting techniques. The fabrics are all cotton and battings are mostly cotton. Her hope is that the quilts are enjoyed by others and that this early American art form is carried forward in future generations.
Handmade, one at a time Carpetbags made in Woodstock VA. Made from upholstery fabric, with leather rope handles, fabric straps and brass or antique brass locking mechanisms. Wooden bottoms with brass stud feet. Inside pockets, some with zippers.
My carpetbags have been in movies like Tombstone, Bewitch, The Lone Ranger, Hell on Wheels (western), Last Man Standing and many more.
Stanik is a second generation woodworker, and learned most of his skills by working with his father. He has worked with his hands and built furniture most of his life. His passion is to take pieces of rough lumber and fashion it into a fine piece of furniture. About 15 years ago he began to enjoy building furniture using reclaimed American Wormy Chestnut. All of the wood used is reclaimed from structures that have outlived their usage. This sets Yesteryear apart from other craftsmen as they are able to build wonderful furniture that has an incredible history. Most of the pieces built are of Shaker style. They learn the history of how the Shakers built their furniture. During this time in history, metal was hard to obtain and expensive, so they were forced to come up with methods to construct their furniture that achieved the purpose and would last for years. Stanik utilizes as many of these methods as they feel it is still superior to modern methods.
