Artisan Show in Lovell, ME

Jen posing for the camera at the show

It is finally summer in Northern New England.  Attending artisan shows is a great way for me to promote my creams, oils and soap.  I enjoy doing shows that benefit something, which is why I love the show in Lovell, ME.  Our booth fee goes directly  to the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library.  The day starts of with a fantastic book sale, lunch (including the famous cukes and cream cheese with dill) and of course, the beautiful arts and artisan show.

This time around, I ran into a ton of fellow artisans.  Many of my artisan friends attend this show because it is about 20 minutes from the Conway, NH area.

Donna and friends enjoying some Group Therapy

Donna and friends spend their ladies weekend at the Arts and Artisans Show in Lovell. They enjoy doing a little shopping then head back to their abode for some  Group Therapy (aka drinking wine) .  They stock up on Garden Dreams and share a laugh or two with me. I always enjoy the visit and  I am looking forward to seeing them next year.

Now for my artisan friends:

Janet Prescott is a talented handbag designer with a company called Sally Bags.

Janet showing off some new fabric on one of her wonderful bags.

Her latest design is called the Commuter.  It holds a small day planner with two pockets on the outside for keys, cell phone, sunglasses, etc. and two zipper pockets on the inside with two open pockets.  I am notorious for having a disorganized pocket book, but the Commuter has me organized.  She will be doing the Fryeburg Fair again this year.  Look for her in the Craft Center.  She is a blast to be around at shows. Look for more about her.  I have some many stories and fond moments of our travelling together to shows.

Barbara Boxer of Tribal Trills

Barbara Boxer of Tribal Trills has created beautiful clay animals that are one of a kind creations that are individually hand-sculpted from stoneware clay (you can microwave them… hahaha Barb) and decorated with non-toxic acrylic paints.

(I took some of the wording  above from Barb’s website.  She would have me for dinner if I described her wares wrong. She took a class on ocarinas while teaching art  and never went back.)  Each piece is painted differently and the whistles sound incredible.  This year Barb has added frig magnets to her collections, they are spectacular.  Oh yeah and her Loon whistle sounds just like the calls you would hear from a Loon off a lake in the middle of the lake, haunting and delighting.

Betsy is a hoot.  Betsy Brisbois, owner of Rutabaga, has been a weaver, dyer and clothing designer for what seems like forever.  It is rare to see her at a show because her upholstery business has taken off.  While I was trying to get a photo of her, she would not stop talking.  It was so funny.  Finally I told her to be quiet for a second so I could snap a shot. She was excitedly talking about her upcoming trip to Paris with her wonderful mom, Karen Brisbois.

Celia so happy at 7:30 am set-up!!!

Celia is the owner and creator of Pottery By Celia.  She and I have been doing shows together for over 1o years. I fell in love with what I call her relief pottery.  She used textures from nature to provide the designs on the outside of her plates, bowls, mugs, vases and more.  Many of my friends have receive the birch bark canoe.  Doing shows with folks, we become friends and watch families grow.  Celia’s daughter Sylvia is no execption, a delightful young woman.  During the Fryeburg Fair, Sylvie was around a bunch.  When she was little, she would bounce around to our booths visiting.  It was great when you needed a laugh or just the sweet smile from a little girl.  She has graduated from high school and is off to school this fall.

My next show is going to be in North Conway, NH over Labor Day Weekend.  The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce is putting on the show. It will be next to the Gibson Center in downtown North Conway Saturday and Sunday.  Come by and say hello.