Old School Outside

Kulbeth, David

Columbus Cartography

Paper

David Kulbeth is a local Virginia cartographer with a background in geology, geography, and cartography. He is known for creating antique-inspired, copperplate etched maps that integrate modern geography, blending artistic tradition with contemporary perspectives. In 2023, he founded his own mapping business, quickly gaining recognition in the field. David has presented at national conferences and was featured on a leading map-making podcast, where he shared his unique approach to reimagining the craft of mapmaking.

columbuscartography.com

DeWald, John & Chandra

The Horn & Needle

Mixed Media

Living Historians Demonstrating Powder Horn Making & Needlework

John & Chandra are natives of Northeastern Pennsylvania and grew up on the other side of the Muncy Creek, outside of the historical town of Muncy, PA. John started shooting black powder 40 years ago with his father. He inspired him, at age 12, to start making simple powder horns and doing scrimshaw while working alongside him at Northeast Trade Company (a muzzleloading and trapping supplies store). John continued to pursue his love of art until leaving PA to serve his country in the Army. Upon returning home, he found work as a correctional officer for the state of Pennsylvania. Thereafter, he moved from state to federal service, where he retired after 26 years of service. In 1998, he met and eventually married the girl next door. They have been married for 25 years. They live on 11 acres in a historical house built in 1863. Their home is located outside a little village called Pennsdale.

Chandra attended Delaware Valley College for horticulture and landscaping and worked for several years in that field until she went to work alongside her mother in Occupational health which eventually turned into a position with the UPMC Work Center. She is Master Trainer with NDASA who are on the cutting edge of new techniques in the field or drug testing. Chandra began attending historical events with her husband soon after they were married and in the years that followed developed a renewed interest in needlework which she had learned growing up. The past few years this interest spawned into visiting historical museums such as the one at Williamsburg, VA where she has been able to study original works and develop the correct style of needlework and embroidery, to embody the 18th century styles, she incorporates into her fire screens and bellpulls.

They both have become completely consumed by these ancient crafts. They spend countless hours doing research and working away in their home to create both contemporary and historical wares. during the times they are not making wares, they enjoy attending various 18th century events with family and friends and taking trips to historical venues. John is a Past Guildmaster with the Honourable Company of Horners and the Current Event Director for the Gunmakers Fair at Kempton

The Horn & The Needle Website

Sareshwala, Khadija

Khadija Brand

Fiber/Textiles

My work explores the intersection of textile, painting, and surface design—merging tradition with contemporary expression. As a mixed media artist, I use fabric as my primary canvas, combining hand painting, wax resist, block printing, and layered dye processes to create richly textured, wearable pieces.

Rooted in my South Asian heritage and based in Northern Virginia, my practice honors traditional textile techniques while pushing their boundaries through experimentation and modern aesthetics. I view textiles not only as materials, but as living surfaces—capable of carrying emotion, memory, and cultural narrative.

Through each piece, I strive to reflect personal growth, lived experience, and a broader worldview shaped by navigating multiple cultures. My intention is to bring peace, joy, and tranquility to those who experience my work—while also celebrating diversity and encouraging a deeper appreciation for cultural inclusion.

Layered, tactile, and expressive, my work invites viewers to slow down, connect, and find beauty in both tradition and transformation.

khadijabrand.com

Hughes, Bob & Sally

River Rat Pottery

Clay

We are a husband and wife team who love living history and sharing our passion for traditional American crafts. We create redware pottery—both utilitarian and decorative—inspired by early American redware, using traditional materials and processes. Often, our inspiration comes from early American folk art created in other mediums such as wood or leather. Fraktur has been a great reference for decorative ideas.

Our work is used and sold at many museums and historic sites. We hope to keep traditional crafts relevant by adapting our work so it appeals to a changing market. For example, we create traditional Pennsylvania German feather trees that are displayed in wheel-thrown redware bases with impressed decoration created using leatherworking tools.

Often, my wife brings her antique box looms to shows and weaves linen tape using both historical and contemporary colors. This handwoven tape is sometimes used to embellish our pottery.

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Grotheer, Jacob

Georgia Colony Smiths

Metal

Jacob Grotheer

My trades-partner and I have both been participating in living history for over 20 years. He gravitated towards teaching himself blacksmithing, while I learned from a friend how to cast pewter. When big projects or ideas come about in either trade, we help each other to make the ideas reality. Due to the intensive labor it takes to smith steel, the majority of what we sell is pewter, including toy soldiers both painted and unpainted, musket ball dice, reproduction coins, historic necklace charms, salt cellars, chess sets, and spoons cast in original bronze molds or copies of original spoons of which I make molds.

georgiacolonysmiths.etsy.com

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.

https://buddyleather.net/

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.