"Creative Hands" newsletter for July 2002

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ARTS AND CRAFTS - THE JOURNEY

As the wheels of progress turn, the further removed we become
from the past, new ideas become old ideas and old ideas become
obsolete. Progress, even in all its glory, has taken its toll
on artists and craftsmen. The old ways have become obsolete and
artisans and craftsmen have all but disappeared. Machinery has
come to take their places. There are very few people today who
are willing to learn a specific craft or to toil for long hours
to create something with their hands. But, these individuals do
exist, people who still find wonder and satisfaction in
producing a thing of beauty. Their time is as precious as yours
and mine but the need to create is strong and so they continue
in spite of progress.

The industrial revolution of the 19th century had the same
effect on artists and crafters as it does today. Things were
changing at a rapid rate and not everyone was pleased with the
results of the new era of machines. Design and quality
workmanship had been replaced with cheap imitations. This was
not acceptable to many individuals and they joined together and
put voice to their feelings. The results were to become known
as the Arts and Crafts movement. It was an ideal, not just a
style. Groups of artists, designers and social reformers argued
that the industrial revolution took away the freedom to be
creative and turned workers into mere tools, they noted the
workers no longer found satisfaction in their work. They
claimed using men as machines stripped them of their dignity and
pride, and their lives suffered because of this. The reformers
wanted a more natural way of producing items of beauty. With
great tenacity and vision they were able to rally their
followers. Once again, artists and crafters turned to nature
and to the past for inspiration; and quality became as important
as ownership.

Today we look with awe upon a handmade object. We see its
beauty and know intuitively the item has special qualities.
Contained within is the soul of the artisan, the time and effort
taken is evident and we know its value. It is not like all the
others, it is one of a kind and an old idea has become new again.
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JULY 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 2-4, 2002 Southern Vermont Art & Craft Festival Hildene
Meadows, Manchester, VT

Aug 2-4, 2002 2002 Craftsmen's Classic Arts & Crafts Festival
Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, SC August 4, 2002
Valentown Peddlers Market Victor, NY

Aug 4-5, 2002 Park Ave Summer Art Festival Rochester, NY

Aug 9-11, 2002 Shadyside Art Festival Pittsburgh, PA

Aug 10-11, 2002 Art in the Park Summer Festival Main Street
Park, Rutland, VT

August 16-17, 2002 Elburn Days Craft Sale "Downtown" Elburn, IL

August 17-18, 2002 Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show Mt Gretna, PA
*2000 Top Ten Judges Choice Award

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

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
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offering antiques, fine art, arts & crafts, and collectibles.
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Visit us at www.rubylane.com

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