Stroll the arts and crafts avenue at the Folk Festival

Sure, the American Folk Festival is all about the music, but for those who enjoy making things by hand, strolling the long avenue of arts and crafts vendors is a strong attraction. Here, I will find favorite vendors I’ve patronized at past festivals and discover new ones I hope will return to future festivals. During the stroll, with the beat of live music from around the world filling the air, I will gain a sense of the talent, dedication and artistry it takes to be a part of Maine’s creative economy.

This is the vendor lineup for the festival:

Fiber art

ApRi, handmade vegan accessories made from coffee bean sacks.
JustKim, reversible bags and accessories made by hand.
Moon Crazy Fiber Arts, handcrafted felted scraps, handspun and dyed yarn cat toys, wooden soap dishes made in Maine.
Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm of Unity, raw fiber, roving, yarn and apparel.
Rose Whitehead Fiber Fabrications, Handwoven hats, scarves, purses and slippers and nunofelted scarves, shawls and wall vases.
Simply Prudence Creations, hand-sewn fabric catcher bags.
True Blue Collections Inc., natural indigo-dyed fabric crafts.
Yo Momma’s Apron Strings, vintage-inspired aprons.
• Yarina Threads, handmade summer clothing, accessories and musical instruments.

Herbal-personal care

Common Folk Farm, herbal products.
Mountain Mama of Maine, herbal personal care products.
Naturally Bee-Ewe-tiful, natural skin care products for men, women, babies and dogs.
Fields of Dreams Soaps, handmade olive oil-based soaps.

Jewelry

Adornments by Lisa Bess, jewelry, magnetic eyeglasses and ID badge holders.
Affinity 2, metalsmith, lightweight, handcrafted Japanese rice paper jewelry.
• And the Bead Goes On, handcrafted guitar string bracelets.
Finesse, jewelry.
• Hand Knotted Linen Jewelry.
Molten Mama Lampwork Beads.
Seamack Design, jewelry.
YIKES! Studio, mixed media jewelry.

Woodworking

Gronlund Newcomb Guitars, handcrafted electric guitars.
• Maine Bird Carvings.
Maine Guide Snowshoes and Furniture Co.
• Norumbega Woodcarvers.
• Peterson Woodworking, bowls, rolling pins, etc.

Pottery

Down to Earth Pottery, for home and garden.
• S Designs, vases, platters and dip bowls.

Miscellaneous

• The Primitive Keeper, handcrafted soy candles and other home fragrance items.
Caricatures by PJ, cartoon portraits.
• Green Mountain Enamel Works, jewelry and dishes.
Maine Balsam Fir Products.
Remarkable Blackbird, natural henna body art.
Fish River Crafts, wooden marionettes.
Olivia’s Journee, handcrafted hair accessories and reading glass-badge holders.
• Micmac Indian Crafts, turtle clocks and bags, horn rattles and jewelry.
• Native Arts Gallery.
Timberstone Rustic Arts, natural stone products for home, office and garden.
• Leatherworkers, belts, bags, sheepskin slippers and hats.

The American Folk Festival will take place Friday through Sunday, Aug. 24-26, on the Bangor Waterfront. Don’t forget to give generously to the Bucket Brigade. It’s one way to make certain the festival will be back next year, giving talented arts and crafts vendors a place to market their work.

For information, visit americanfolkfestival.com.

Snippets

Artist Vicki Fox will lead a lampshade making workshop 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at Woodlawn in Ellsworth. Participants will make a lampshade from a choice of paper or fabric and trims that will be available. Participants also may bring their own paper or fabric or their own shade to be recovered. The cost for the workshop is $65 Woodlawn members, $75 others. Bring a lunch. Advance registration is required by calling Woodlawn at 667-8671.

The Hook and Yarn Stitcher shop, owned by Nina Tilander, opened for business Aug. 7 at 642 Maine Ave, in Farmingdale. For information go to hookyarn@myfairpoint.net or call 621-0344.

Former Dexter resident Jeanne Wright will host a quilt exhibit 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24, at the North Windham Union Church on Route 302, 723 Roosevelt Trail in Windham. Wright said the exhibit will feature antique family quilts dating back to 1835 and more than 80 quilts, very large to very small, she has made. Admission is by a $3 donation at the door. Proceeds will go to the church’s discretionary fund earmarked for those in need in times of emergency. For information, call Wright at 892-2809 or email nanajaw@roadrunner.com.

Call Ardeana Hamlin at 990-8153, or email ahamlin@bangordailynews.com. Don’t forget to visit her blog at byhand.bangordailynews.com.