We have always included some hand-crafted items in our decorating scheme. We try to attend a number of art shows in various locations with some of our favorites being Art On The Square, around the Wisconsin capital in Madison, Lakefront Festival of Arts near the world-famous Calatrava Art Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
the Art Show in Spring Green, Wisconsin (home of Taliesin, built by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.) And while on vacation in Florida we love the shows in Sarasota, at St. Armand’s Key! Items purchased over the years include pottery pieces, glass, and of course hand-made jewelry – lots of it – because wifey just cannot resist! Over time we have witnessed the growth of these venues and the sophistication of the various items offered.
One event we have always wanted to visit happens at a historical site run by the Milwaukee County Historical Society – it’s called Trimborn Farms, in Greendale, Wisconsin. The farm is from the 1850’s and includes a quarry and lime kiln for making mortar. During the Depression, the farm was used by the Federal Government as a headquarters when the Village of Greendale was built as a WPA Work Project.
The show is called the Harvest of Arts & Crafts. This year 126 vendors representing all types of beautiful crafts and artwork enjoyed two days of great weather and huge crowds. This being Wisconsin, a TV was set up on the grounds for viewing the Packer game on Sunday!
Artists were situated on the beautiful grounds, in the historical threshing barn, in the stone horse barn, pump house, granary and several sheds.
Although it was quite busy, we were able to spend time visiting with several vendors who had interesting items. Antique Button Creations showed the unique use of fancy buttons as covers atop antique glass salt dips! They also strung them together as bracelets or hair decorations. Jeannie and Ralph are available at hawchill@aol.com
and are showing through the end of the year at locations in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Beautiful Glass Creations from Griffin Glass & Design Studio included these items. Check out this fantastic huge bowl!
Lamplighter Studio featured silver edged dress pins and pendants made from pottery and china plates that were broken into small pieces. Each piece is identified on the back of the display card, showing the source of the stone.
Al Lever from Fredricks Glass Creation had these fused glass plates and bowls. Many were in brilliant colors or with an iridescent quality. New to the show circuit, Al does not have his website up as yet but it is in the works. Look for him at fine glass and art shows throughout Wisconsin.
Getting wifey away from the jewelry booths was a chore and she found one dichroic glass pendant she could not do without. We both agreed on a wonderful hand-made glass plate from Al Lever, purchased some scented poupourri and a few other trinkets.
If you have not had the chance to visit one of these art shows in your area, I advise you to put one on your ‘to-do list.’ We have great memories of our collecting adventures, looking for just the right decorator items to enhance and complement our décor and fitting them in with all of our beloved antiques.
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