Artisans

BOONSBORO -- Thirty-nine years ago, members of the newly founded Boonsboro Historical Society conceived of hosting an event that would highlight the legacy of area artisans. "We wanted to get people out here who were doing what people would have done in the early days of southern Washington County," Wanda Heuer said. Heuer was an original member of the historical society. Today, she is president of the group and coordinator of Boonesborough Days, the annual event that continues to celebrate local artisans.

BOONSBORO - Ken and Diane Putman will be minding their own beeswax at this year's Boonesborough Days. Every steaming pound of it. This weekend, the Putmans will be moving their handmade beeswax candle-making operation, Millhouse Candles, from their historic Keedysville home to Shafer Memorial Park, as part of Boonesborough Days. They plan to demonstrate the old art of candle making. The festival is the Boonsboro Historical Society's attempt at showcasing the breadth of the town's history, said Wanda Heuer, organizer and Historical Society president.

FAYETTEVILLE, Pa. -- Mother Nature held off the rain and offered cooler temperatures and a gentle breeze for crafters and shoppers Saturday morning at Caledonia State Park's 28th annual Arts and Crafts Festival. Close to 200 artisans and crafters shared their works and wares while several were creating more. Joli Miller of Abbottstown, Pa., turned her focus to a piece of delicate white paper and gently cut out an intricate design with an X-Acto knife. This was her first show and her first attempt to turn something she enjoys into a moneymaking venture.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - In its second year, the Heritage Craft Center of the Eastern Panhandle still hasn't found a home to call its own. Fortunately, that didn't keep the nonprofit arts group from opening its first show of local artisans' work this weekend, said board President Mellie Stabler. "We're starting on the other half of our concept," said Stabler, who said the group's goal is to create a learning and marketing center to preserve the craft skills of past generations.

For more than 35 years, the town of Williamsport has held a festival in late August that has been called by various names - first C&O Canal Days, then Williamsport Days.  This year, though, the festival has a new name, C&O Canal Days of Williamsport, and is new and improved, according to festival organizers. C&O Canal Days run today through Sunday, Aug. 26, with most activities Friday night through Sunday.  Joyce Kramer, co-chairwoman of the organizing committee, said it's a new day for the festival.

janeth@herald-mail.com With a log cabin as their backdrop, three local artisans draw inspiration for their craft from its historic walls. Known as Log Cabin Crafters, local textile artists Barb Twigg and Beth Rockwell, and potter Janeen Solberg create primitive wares - hooked and penny rugs, dolls, ornaments, pottery, small antiques and woodcrafts. Four years ago, Barb and Andy Twigg purchased the log cabin as an addition to their Keedysville home. The cabin was dismantled from the backyard of a residence on South Main Street in Boonsboro, which is believed to be the second time the cabin has been moved.

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- In a small studio on the western slope of South Mountain, Bill van Gilder spends hours in solitary pursuit of his craft. Using a slow momentum kick wheel and a wood-fired kiln, he turns chunks of clay into functional works of art. Van Gilder is a potter -- a profession he has pursued since the age of 15. Over the past 30 years, he has studied in England and Ireland, has participated in workshops around the world...

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Vendors for the second season of First Saturday in downtown Martinsburg are being sought. Vendors include artists, artisans, crafters and other vendors with high quality and unique items that will compliment the downtown businesses. This year First Saturday events will be theme-based. The season kicks-off in April with "The Great Martinsburg Scavenger Hunt" and continue each first Saturday through October, when the season will wrap up with the chili cookoff and scarecrow judging.

Owners: Michael and Alice Jensen. Address: 5 E. Main St., Thurmont. Opening date: Nov. 16. Products and services: Gifts including works by area artisans, decorating services and in-home decorating, custom-made furniture, shelves, tables, home decor, mantles, antiques, glassware and candles. Market area: Thurmont, Frederick, Hagerstown, Gettysburg, Waynesboro and Emmitsburg. How did you get into your business, or what motivated you to start it?

KEARNEYSVILLE, W.Va. - The Tri-State area boasts its share of craft shows, but the Over the Mountain Studio Tour provides more than a chance to see artisans show off their wares. The studio tour, in its 10th year, offers craft lovers an opportunity to see where the artisans create their work. "I like seeing people's studios, where they actually do the work," said Mariya Stokes, who helped her parents display their pottery at their shop on Paynes Ford Road on Saturday. "People actually get to see the kiln.

An advanced artisan bread baking class is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at  Washington County Rural Heritage Museum, 7313 Sharpsburg Pike, south of Hagerstown. This class is designed for participants to learn more about historic and artisan breads and methods of bread baking after taking the beginners' course offered at the museum. This is a hands- on class that includes sampling, tasting and understanding advanced bread types, styles and textures. Registration deadline is Monday, April 1. To register or for more information, call 240-420-1714, email eoverdorff@washco-md.net or go to www.ruralheritagemuseum.org.

For more than 35 years, the town of Williamsport has held a festival in late August that has been called by various names - first C&O Canal Days, then Williamsport Days.  This year, though, the festival has a new name, C&O Canal Days of Williamsport, and is new and improved, according to festival organizers. C&O Canal Days run today through Sunday, Aug. 26, with most activities Friday night through Sunday.  Joyce Kramer, co-chairwoman of the organizing committee, said it's a new day for the festival.

Four southern Franklin County, Pa., businesses will be partnering during the county's builders show to give away a "room makeover" to one prize winner. Olde Town Touch, Furniture Market, Waynesboro Floor Covering and An Artisan's Touch will accept registrations for the drawing starting March 7. The winner will be selected March 14. The 28th annual Franklin County Builders Show, scheduled for March 11 to 13, will be held this year in Waynesboro, instead of Chambersburg, Pa. The event had 18,000 people in attendance over its three days in Chambersburg last year.

BOONSBORO -- Thirty-nine years ago, members of the newly founded Boonsboro Historical Society conceived of hosting an event that would highlight the legacy of area artisans. "We wanted to get people out here who were doing what people would have done in the early days of southern Washington County," Wanda Heuer said. Heuer was an original member of the historical society. Today, she is president of the group and coordinator of Boonesborough Days, the annual event that continues to celebrate local artisans.

BOONSBORO - Ken and Diane Putman will be minding their own beeswax at this year's Boonesborough Days. Every steaming pound of it. This weekend, the Putmans will be moving their handmade beeswax candle-making operation, Millhouse Candles, from their historic Keedysville home to Shafer Memorial Park, as part of Boonesborough Days. They plan to demonstrate the old art of candle making. The festival is the Boonsboro Historical Society's attempt at showcasing the breadth of the town's history, said Wanda Heuer, organizer and Historical Society president.

FAYETTEVILLE, Pa. -- Mother Nature held off the rain and offered cooler temperatures and a gentle breeze for crafters and shoppers Saturday morning at Caledonia State Park's 28th annual Arts and Crafts Festival. Close to 200 artisans and crafters shared their works and wares while several were creating more. Joli Miller of Abbottstown, Pa., turned her focus to a piece of delicate white paper and gently cut out an intricate design with an X-Acto knife. This was her first show and her first attempt to turn something she enjoys into a moneymaking venture.

The third annual spring artisan sale at the Pottery at Searchwell, 18839 Manor Church Road, Boonsboro, will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Potters Allison Severance and Blair Meerfeld will celebrate spring with the new pots from their spring firings. And with spring comes a new line of kitchen pots, including bean pots, bakers, casseroles, butter and cheese keepers, honey pots and large centerpiece bowls. Other handcrafted items from artisans will be available.

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Original containers in various media are featured in "Out Of The Box," a curated art show opening at the Ice House Gallery in Berkeley Springs on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The opening follows an Artwalk that starts at Mountain Laurel Gallery at 5 p.m. Produced by the Morgan Arts Council (MAC), Out of the Box will be on display through Jan. 3. Curator Susan Feller of Hampshire County selected the work of more than a half-dozen artisans to feature in the show.

Ten Thousand Villages in Hagerstown will donate 15 percent of sales to Breast Cancer Awareness-Cumberland Valley on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. "The purchase of a unique handcrafted gift from Ten Thousand Villages will not only support local breast cancer early detection awareness and support, but will improve the livelihoods of women artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East," said Naomi Byler, Ten Thousand Villages...

Since 1946, David Lyles' family has been a well-established tradition in Hagerstown's business and building community. The firm specializes in building residential communities, commercial buildings and business parks, and has vast experience in land development projects. David Lyles and his team are recognized as successful leaders in the Cumberland Valley construction industry. Their extensive portfolio of residential communities includes St. James Village, St. James Village North, North Gate Townehomes, Summerland Manor, PinoakTowneshomes, Twinridge Townhomes and many private residences.