Craft festival in Ocean City

An array of the most talented artisans on the east coast will exhibit and sell their unique handwork at this resort’s Labor Day Arts and Crafts Extravaganza on Sat., Aug. 30. The huge event will be held under tents on the spacious grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle, 5th and Wesley Ave.
The Festival is produced by the Jersey Shore Artisans Guild whose previous shows here have set all time attendance records. Crafters from Vermont to Florida and Michigan will offer an array of unique specialties including fine art, photography, jewelry, decoys, fountains, bird and bat houses, wooden toys, stained glass, herbs, spices, soaps, lotions and gourmet treats.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A $3 contribution benefits local charities including the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, Ocean City Food Cupboard, The Atlantic Riding Center for Handicapped Children, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, Alex’s Lemonade Stand for childhood Cancer Research and the American Red Cross. There is no charge for youngsters under 12 and parking is free.
The shows are produced and directed by JoAnne and Norman Schaut of Ocean City. Norman is the retired founder of Atlantique City, the world’s largest indoor art, antique and collectibles extravaganza. For the past seven years, he and his wife JoAnne, have concentrated on presenting high quality, juried craft shows for the benefit of charities.
The Schaut’s events are the only craft fairs in the country that require every exhibitor to display a sign stating: “Every Offering in this Booth is Guaranteed to be Handcrafted by the Seller” thereby eliminating all imports and massed produced products, commonly referred to as buy-sell items.
A sampling of the crafters scheduled for the exhibition include Jane Auciello whose “No Yolk” egg shell art showcases Ostrich eggshell lamps and Ostrich egg shell jewelry, Suzy Gilbert of Gilbert and Friends with heirloom Teddy Bears fashioned from vintage fur coats, Ed Grafenstine from “Out of Your Gourd” with creative gourd art, Charlotte Himmel showing sterling silver beaded jewelry, personalized bracelets and bridal work and Don Nichols, a stained glass artisan, who blends glass and sea shells into mixed art.
Also exhibiting and selling will be Linda Ogg of Helen’s Hassock with painted furniture, upholstered pillows and quilts, Susan Pillay with children’s hand painted wearable art, Janice Watson of Always Summer featuring flower arrangements in acrylic water, Kathy Notaro with soaps, facial scrubs and lotions, Donna Clauer offering quilts, prints and holiday jewelry plus pottery ornaments and Diana Hydock who specializes in handmade paper and clay mixed media, collage, sculpture vases and mirrors.
Many of the crafters will be demonstrating their skills art during the show. For information contact the Jersey Shore Artisans Guild, 800-822-4112 or 609-399-9998.