Crafts share billing with music at folk festival

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Maine’s craft heritage runs as old and deep as granite in the state’s history. Those seeking a feast for the eyes as well as the ears this weekend at The 2006 American Folk Festival will find plenty to delight the tactile and visual senses.

The ordinary but elegant designs of painted tinware and hand-hooked rugs will be featured at the Folk Arts Marketplace on the Bangor Waterfront.

The Page Farm and Home Museum at the University of Maine will offer an exhibit based on a collection of painted tinware at the museum.

The Page museum has two collections of painted tinware and stencils. One is from Ellen Jacobson Loring, who learned the art in the 1950s and practiced it until the 1980s. The other was donated by Emily Underhill, who began to study stenciling in 1945 under Esther Stevens Brazer, who revived the art form of painting tinware.

Tinware, produced by tinsmiths and sold by itinerant peddlers, was used for both decorative and utilitarian purposes in Colonial homes. Forms included candlesticks, tea caddies, lanterns, trays, boxes and coffeepots.

Toleware – painted tinplate – was painted with a black varnish to emulate oriental lacquerware, and decorations were painted or stenciled on pieces using oil-based pigments in bright yellows, greens, blues, reds and oranges.

Furniture, walls and floors often were decorated with stenciled designs. Popular motifs were flowers, leaves, fruit and domestic scenes.

Hooked rugs are indigenous to North America and were first made in Maine, New Hampshire, the Maritime Provinces, Labrador, Newfoundland and areas of French Quebec. By the end of the 19th century, the craft had spread throughout North America and into Europe.

A hooked rug is made by drawing thin strips of colored wool through burlap or other backing material. Women often used discarded clothing as a source of material for hooking rugs. Most women drew their own rug designs, typically flowers, fruit, geometric shapes or scenes from farm and village. After the Civil War, Edward Sands Frost, a Maine peddler, began making patterns on burlap using metal stencils to market to women.

At the folk festival Lois Tucker of North Berwick, Stacey Van Dyne of Orrington, Betty Larson of Bucksport, Chris Sherman of Verona Island and Julie Mattison of Verona Island will demonstrate the art of rug hooking.

As in years past, the Folk Arts Marketplace will feature an array of highly skilled artisans practicing a broad selection of handicrafts.

So much to see, sample and learn about – don’t forget the music! The American Folk Festival will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25-27, on the Bangor Waterfront.

Call Ardeana Hamlin at 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.

Folk Arts Marketplace

. Dorothy Lawrence, The Basket Tree, Stratton. She fashions traditional Maine Northwest Mountain work baskets.

. Paula Farrar, Done Roving Farm, Charlotte, knitted items made from her family’s sheep and from mohair, alpaca and llama wool.

. Beeuw van Kuijeren, Vermeer’s Lace and Fiber Studio, Stetson, knitted items.

. Mildred Crocker of Lee, tatting.

. Rosemarie DiLernia, hand-knotted linen fiber jewelry.

. Kathleen Koveleski, Sew’n Wild Oats, Ocean Park, fleece products.

. Gabriella D’Italia and Ginger Phelps, The Spring Street Co., Newport, quilting.

. John J. Halloran, Braided Works, Bangor.

. Mark Wren, Wrenovations, Robbinston, stained glass.

. Terrence Williamson, Appalachain Resources Inc., Hampden, gold and silver wire-wrapped jewelry.

. Lisa Bess, Adornments by Lisa Bess, Portland, jewelry from recycled and new materials.

. Robert Dickens, Leatherworkers, Ellsworth, bags, belts, slippers and other items.

. Kevin Shorey, Quoddy Trail Moccasin Co., Perry. Shoes, slippers and moccasins.

. Stanley Sayers. Micmac Indian Crafts, Jonesport, turtle clocks, horn rattles and jewelry.

. Jean Seronde, Native Arts Gallery, Bar Harbor, traditional Navaho-style jewelry.

. Edward Harrow, Norumbega Woodcarvers, Eddington, Maine duck and fish decoys.

. Ralph and Deen Hicks, Island Intarsia, Eastport, artwork inlays of birds, animals and scenes.

. Jim and Linda Leach, Fine Pine Designs, Bangor, hardwood furniture.

. Jeff Peterson, Peterson’s Woodworking, Harrison, Swedish woodcarving spoons, rolling pins and dough bowls.

. Gary Poisson, Maine Bird Carvings, Eddington, bird carvings.

. Rollin Thurlow, Northwoods Canoe Co., Atkinson, wooden canoe builder.

. Ed Croy, Art Designs from Moose Horn and Deer Antler Sheds, Oakfield, carvings from animal horn.

. Al Preston, Preston Farm, Greenville, Maine fir wreaths.

. John Kelley, Jack’s Gourmet Pickles, North Yarmouth.

. Wilma Stanchfield, Stanchfield Farm, Milo, home-canned vegetables and homemade seasonings.

. Janet Edwards, Mountain Mama of Maine, Anson, herbal personal care products.

. Alison Lewey, Lewey’s Eco-Blends, Corinna, all-natural insect repellent.

. Betsey-Ann and Dale Golon, Commonfolk Farm, Naples, herbal teas.

. Sandra Hare-Estabrook. Naturally Bee-Ewe-tiful, Linneus, beeswax and herbal soaps and lotions.

. Mary Mondello, Maine Coast Herbals, Milbridge and Corinth, herbal teas, tinctures, slaves and facial creams.

. Patrick Alvino and Dorothy Perry, Woodswoman’s Salves, Parkman.