Craftsmen draw a crowd

BY BRIAN BISHOP (Staff Writer)
Published: July 5, 2010

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DUSHORE ­- Handmade soaps, spoons and silver jewelry - all that and more was available to shoppers at the Crafstmen of the Endless Mountains craft show, held this weekend at the Dushore Railroad Station.

Things at the show were going "absolutely excellent" on Sunday, said Lorraine Lewis, president of the Craftsmen of the Endless Mountains. This was the 34th year for the July 4 show, she said.

The Craftsmen of the Endless Mountains, which today has 50 members, was founded in 1963 to promote and protect arts and crafts in the area, Lewis said. The show featured the products of members and other vendors as well, she said.

There is a jury selection process for entry into the group, Lewis said; the group sponsors four craft shows each year. They don't charge for parking or admission at their shows, she said, which creates a "family-friendly" atmosphere where people can "come and browse all day."

One of the vendors displaying their wares at the show was leather crafter Bob Nuss of State College. His leather-making business started out as a "hobby that mushroomed," he said; he started making his own bags and accessories for muzzleloader hunting around 30 years ago.

Over the years, he's improved on his designs, he said, and any extra pieces make good gifts for friends and family.

Lynda Hatches had a selection of handmade silver jewelry, made with both silver wire and metal clay. The metal clay is soft and can be formed, worked and molded into any shape, then is fired to produce a fine silver piece, she said. Hatches said her small horseshoe-shaped pendants are very popular. She's been working with metal for around four years, she said, and has been going to craft shows for two years.

For the southpaw with a pot to stir who can't find a tool made to fit the left hand, woodworker Craig Fowler has the solution - left-handed hardwood spatulas (he makes right-handed versions as well.) A leftie himself, he started angling the blades on his carved spatulas to work better in the left hand, and his left-handed customers appreciate the tools, he said. He started making kitchen spoons and spatulas when he found some interesting scraps of firewood under a friend's porch and decided the wood was too unique to burn. He uses predominately hardwoods like maple, cherry and walnut to make spoons and spatulas, he said, and has been taking his products to craft shows for about two years.

Sylvia Ellis of Standing Stone was in the Independence Day spirit - she dressed as Betsy Ross to teach children about the history of the flag and Betsy Ross. She had a 13-star American flag that she had found in her father's belongings when he passed away a few years ago.

Also at the show was Richard Brown, who said he had just started making and selling "rock candles." Brown attaches an oil reservoir and a wick to a natural stone, making an interesting outdoor lighting piece.

Mike Wysocke of Tunkhannock was on hand at the show with "Sassy Albert Soaps," a collection of soaps and lotions named after his two dogs - Sassy and Albert. Wysocke said he makes all the soaps and grows herbs to distill for them. He and his business partner, an herbalist, have taken herbalism courses to help them hone their craft, he said, and he's spent some time in France learning French soapmaking techniques. In addition to selling his products at craft shows, he operates a retail store in Tunkhannock.

Lewis said that usable craft items and eco-friendly items seem to be more prevalent this year. In addition to selling their products, many members were demonstrating their craft as well, she said.

Brian Bishop can be reached at (570) 888-9652; or e-mail: bbishop@thedailyreview.com.

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