Now in its 38th year, one of the largest art and craft shows in the state will be held at the WV State Fairgrounds from Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 14. Enjoy peak fall foliage on the drive over to the “WV Art & Craft Show,” featuring high-quality handmade goods. Shoppers will find the best woodcrafts, Christmas ornaments, photography, furniture, pottery, candles, soaps, jewelry, needlecraft, home décor, baskets, primitives, decorative paintings, and one-of-a-kind curiosities – just in time for holiday shopping. There will also be lunch food, a bake sale, and homemade apple butter (while supplies last). Nearly 100 artisans and exhibitors will display their wares along with plenty of food vendors. You and about 4,000 locals and visitors alike will be flipping through beautiful handmade crafts, sponsored by the Edgewood Presbyterian Church. Doors are open from 9am-7pm Friday and Saturday, and 12pm-4pm on Sunday. There will also be door prizes every day and the Throttle Throbs Car Show on Saturday from 10am-3pm. Parking is free and handicapped parking is available along with curbside pickup of heavy purchases.

Some artists and exhibitors on the schedule this year include Somethin’ Different, WV Woodturners Association, Wild mountain Soap, Lloyd and Lens Photography, Lost Sheep Designs, C and E Gifts, Buffalo Ridge Creations, Mom’s Special Touch, Set in Stone, Kariann Pipkin, Touch of Grace, and KaylaJuku Jewelry.

The West Virginia Woodturner’s Association is a collaborative effort of artisans to advance the woodturner’s heritage and history. Based in Lewisburg, their mission is to educate both woodturners and the public, in the art and craft of woodturning. Their club always encourages new members (other turners) in order to enhance skills and share talents and interests in woodturning. They have a Turning Center at Lee Street Studios where they regularly hold classes. This center is also open to the general public on First Fridays and Second Saturdays. To learn more, visit wvwoodturners.com.

“Great group of very proficient woodturners, that are willing to share their experience with new turners… highly recommend anyone that even thinks they might be interested to come and visit a meeting, and you will probably be hooked just like  I was.” – Phil Parvin.

Launched in 2011, KaylaJuku Jewelry is handmade with love and imagination. Kayla is a stay-at-home “mountain mama” and uses her free time to create unique statement pieces. Her business started as a hobby and is now a full-time job with long hours and late nights. Follow Kayla on fb and insta @KaylajukuJewelry.

Carolyn Has is the artist behind C and E Gifts. She is from Rio, West Virginia and has been creating hand-made herbal heat packs and wooden theme signs for almost 20 years. Her clients love her herbal therapy pillows and tissue box covers. Nany Keller writes, “Purchased one of these at the Kris Kringle Craft Show 2 1/2 years ago and it has been a life saver these last few months! Need to order more! Cannot say enough about these heating pads!” @cnegifts on fb.

Pictured above: @EdgewoodPresbyterianChurch Sneak peak at some items by Smoke and Roses.

Traditionally, when we hear that we should support the arts, we think about donating money to local and regional art organizations.  However, there are many other ways we can support the arts and this is one of them. Event organizers encourage you to buy art from these local and regional artists. After your purchase, help them out and provide good reviews and share them on social media. If we truly love the arts, we will tailor what we do to support local artists.

Follow this event at facebook. Search “Annual Art and Craft Show.” For more information, call 304-392-6607. This special event benefits Greenbrier County and WSS EMS, Greenbrier Autism Community, EPC Sponsorship Fund and EPC Growth and Improvement Fund. See you there!

– HashtagWV #106. October 2018