"Creative Hands" newsletter for August 2002

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AUGUST ISSUE: UTILITARIAN OBJETS D'ART

Welcome to the August issue of Creative Hands! This issue
features Objets d'Art that are designed to serve a specific
function beyond aesthetics. As an example, both historically and
in present day, groups such as the Quakers are known for
designing and producing fine utilitarian pieces that are simple
yet beautiful, and served a key purpose in performing the tasks
of daily life. But they are only one example. Read on about
what various Ruby Lane artisans are doing these days. Enjoy!

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AUGUST FEATURED CRAFT: BASKETRY BY SARA'S SHOP

Basketry is one of the earliest known art forms and has appeared
in most cultures throughout history. Baskets can be both
utilitarian and ornamental in purpose. They have filled the
needs for gathering, carrying and storing foods for centuries.
Some cultures used them in religious ceremonies and took great
care to produce baskets beautiful in form, color and
craftsmanship. Few tools were required for basket-making and
materials indigenous to one's region such as cane, rush, reed,
sisal fiber or wood splint were used.

Basket types and styles, from simple to complex, are still very
much a part of our culture today. While they are not quite as
necessary as they once were, baskets remain among our favorite
utilitarian and decorative objects. The people of the Amish
communities in the Heartland, well-known for simple and
unpretentious lifestyles, are recognized for superior basketry.
Amish baskets are known for quality and durability as much as
for beauty and utility. For a variety of handmade Amish baskets,
visit Sara's Shop.

AUGUST SHOW SAMPLER: FINE ARTS AND ARTS & CRAFTS
SHOWS

Here's a list of upcoming shows around the U.S. featuring fine
art and handmade items:

Aug 31-Sep 2, 2002 Moss Oak Plantation Country Crafts Festival
Powers Crossroads Newnan, GA

Aug 31-Sep 1, 2002 Labor Day Craft Show Wildwood Convention
Center Wildwood, NJ

Aug 31-Sep 2, 2002 Meet the Artists & Artisans Olde Mistick
Village Mystic, CT

Aug 31-Sep 1, 2002 Art & Craft Show Dillard City Hall Grounds
Dillard, GA

Aug 31-Sep 2, 2002 Arts & Crafts Labor Day Weekend C.W. Post
College Brookville, NY

Sep 5-8, 2002 Yellow Daisy Festival Stone Mountain Park Stone
Mountain, GA

Sept. 7 & 8, 2002 Heart of the Ozarks Fall Arts & Crafts
Festival Ozark Empire Fairgrounds Springfield, MO

Sept. 7 & 8, 2002 Beaux Arts Fall Fair (downtown on Second St.
between Brady & Ripley) Davenport, Iowa

Sept. 21 & 22, 2002 Green County Cheese Days Arts & Crafts Show
Monroe Middle School Campus 1510 13th St. Monroe, Wisconsin

Sep 27-29, 2002 Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival Sam
Michaels' Park Harper's Ferry, WV  

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SHARE CREATIVE HANDS WITH A FRIEND

Did you enjoy this issue of Creative Hands? Do you know others
who would enjoy receiving it? We invite you to forward this
issue to those you know who also appreciate and enjoy arts &
crafts.

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ABOUT RUBY LANE

We are one of the largest Internet sites for collectors, with an
active community of hundreds of shops from all over the world
offering antiques, fine art, arts & crafts, and collectibles.
Ruby Lane displays quality inventory in over 2,000 categories.
Visit us at www.rubylane.com

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CONTACT US:

If you have a suggestion on how Ruby Lane can better serve you,
or if you have an article you would like to submit or a subject
you would like us to cover in an upcoming issue, contact us at
newsletter-artsncrafts@rubylane.com Creative Hands is a strictly
opt-in email newsletter with verified subscribers. Advertising
inquiries are welcome!

For previous newsletters, view the Creative Hands Archives.