By June Sullivan
Have you ever yearned for a hand blown cobalt, fused gold goblet or a large hand painted and "shibori" pleated silk shawl? Or how about a $6,200 one-of-a-kind designer clock of hand turned, carved, inlaid hardwood that has been painted and gilded?
From clothing and accessories to jewelry, and from the art of woodturning to stoneware and wheel thrown pottery, the Annual Autumn Crafts Festival (September 9, 10 and 16, 17), is the crown of craft shows.
Sheryl Okin of Bellmore is very happy to be one of its jewels. "The organizers of the Lincoln Center Craft Festivals only do juried shows," she says. It is not surprising, then, that Ms. Okin is pleased to participate. An artist who paints artistic scenes on children's furniture and accessories, her talents were validated when the show's panel of judges, who review slides and resumes of those applying for participation, offered her a coveted slot at the Autumn Crafts Festival.
"They [the jury of judges] decide if the applicants meet their criteria and standards and often limit the number in each class," says the artist.
Ms. Okin is an art teacher by profession and when she and her family moved to Long Island, she wanted to be able to "do something" and got involved in crafts. "That was 22 years ago. I've been painting these products for the past six years."
Her furniture painting is done with water based non-toxic paints and finishes, she explains. "They are very child-oriented. We have 12 different designs that we are currently working with but we can often customize them by varying the background colors."
"Normally an item might be personalized or have one characteristic painted on it, but mine are actually scenes, kind of like oil paintings."
Ms. Okin's husband, Irwin Okin, who supervises the cutting of the wood and assembles and primes, sands and prepares it before decorating, suggested the name for Ms. Okin's craft business - "On My Own." "He told me that the work was mine, that I was doing this on my own and so the name just stuck."
Lois and Jack Cohen of Lois Cohen Designs in Merrick, will be showcasing their hand-crafted jewelry and accessories. "Our 'Speck-Necks' are extremely popular," says Ms. Cohen. "We developed these necessities as deliberately whimsical for those whom eyeglass chains are a must. We use patina, anodized aluminum, colorful handmade glass beads and tri-colored metals so that women can express their individuality," says Ms. Cohen. "When not wearing your eyeglass chain, you can slip an adapter onto it and convert it to a necklace."
The Cohens will also be showcasing their newest line of earrings that marry metals - copper and brass - on a background of nickel-silver. Recently they have added matte sterling rings with brass and copper accents, set with semi-precious stones.
Joseph De Maio of Oceanside creates beautiful objects of art from blocks of wood through the process of woodturning. The wood is spun on a wood lathe and the craftsman uses turning tools to work the wood. "I create mostly bowls and vases, that are decorative," says Mr. De Maio. "I don't make that many that are serviceable as bowls or vases, but prefer creating objects that people can enjoy looking at."
This will be Mr. De Maio's fourth year at Lincoln Center. "I do their June and September shows. I love it. I really enjoy going. It is a great craft show. The work at the show is high quality so I am happy to be part of it."
Mr. De Maio has been "turning" for about 17 years. "It is a rare craft," he says. "The difficult part is creating a nice design. You have to have a good eye. It is experience that teaches you what will make a bowl beautiful and what isn't art. I suppose it is experience and patience that creates the art."
Joan Edelmann, owner of The Carogi Bag in Rockville Centre will also be participating at the Crafts Fair. She could not be reached by press time but organizers say she will be displaying her fiber bags.
According to the Craft Festival organizers, 250,000 visitors are expected to view the 50,000 fine craft objects over two weekends at Lincoln Center. "Craft objects," says a spokesperson, "will include works in porcelain, molded and dyed leather, precious jewelry, blown, stained and fused glass, hand-crafted designer fashions in silks, wool and other natural fibers, contemporary and traditional home furnishings, toys, musical instruments and more from 44 states, as well as craft displays from France, Bolivia, Nigeria, Canada, Mexico and Israel."
Admission is free which includes enjoying the outside entertainment and craft demonstrations which will be performed throughout the weekends. Natural and international food and dessert concessions will feature "reasonably priced" Autumn cuisine, say organizers, including Chinese, Mexican, Vegetarian, Middle Eastern and Italian specialties.
Weekend hours on September 9, 10 and 16, 17 will be 11 A.M. to 7 P.M. We're told there will be "plenty of parking at the Lincoln Center Complex." Information: (973) 746-0091 or www.craftsatlincoln.org.
