Deutsch Country Days 2011

We were in a new spot this year!!

This is such a incredibly picturesque show!! The authentic buildings, delicious food, beautiful scenery, and artisans as friendly as they are talented all make for a wonderful weekend. We were in a new spot this year so we got to know a whole new group of craftspeople. We met some new customers as well. This one is REALLY new! :-) She especially enjoyed the smooth feel of the wood.

I enjoyed meeting the 2011 Missouri Honey Queen, Lillian-Grace Misko. This energetic young woman spent a day talking to the crowd about bees.

I'm hoping for some more photos to be sent to us soon!!

Midwest Old Threshers 2011

We always have lots of help from the family at the Midwest Old Threshers and Settlers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. This year temperatures near 100 degrees made for smaller crowds on Thursday and Friday and Saturday's brief but intense storm dampened the crowd's enthusiasm a bit. But Saturday, Sunday, and Monday saw lots of people enjoying the crafts, steam engines, steam trains, and electric trolleys.

The ArtFest Midwest

What more could you ask for? The Varied Industries Building at the State Fairgrounds is the setting for this show. You have shelter, air conditioning, State Fair concessions, and really outstanding artists!! There's lots of parking and door prizes. John is not only allowed to carve inside, he's rewarded for it by being one of the Iowa Demonstrating Artists.
Unfortunately my LCD screen is broken so I was only able to get a few photos, but isn't this a cute one of a customer purchasing her first rolling pin?

Snake Alley 2011

The Snake Alley Art Fair is on Father's Day. It's a family tradition for many and it's a family show for us as well. We're always glad to see family and friends, both old and new. Do you recognize the couple in the center photograph? :-)

Beaux Arts 2011

Beaux Arts has such a great setting. It's a unique opportunity for people to come to an art show and also be able to visit an art museum. With Sunday being Mother's Day, it's always fun to see all the family groups out for a pleasant day.
Our cutest customer this year had four legs.

Riverbank

It was good to be able to have this show outdoors again. April is iffy for an outdoor show but John appreciates being able to carve.

Winter Street Fair, Tucson

We had a wonderful time at the Winter Street Fair in Tucson. The opportunity to be with our youngest son and his wife and also our daughter's boyfriend made this a great show with which to end the year. Our son has, of course, been carving since he was about 3 years old but the others took a turn at carving a spoon with great success. We found the members of the committee to be hospitable and fun, coming by at different times of the day to encourage the fledgling woodcarvers.
We met lots of really friendly people who were fun to talk to and we truly enjoyed the fair!
In light of more recent tragic events--we're thinking of you Tucson! God bless!