American Craft Show 2008

This year, the American Craft Council (ACC) invited some 300 artists from what it called the "New Wave Craft Movement" to its 32nd annual show at the Baltimore Convention Center during the weeked of February 22-24. No wonder I liked it!

Here are some pix from a stroll through Sunday's showroom.

He's a Pinball Wizard

The Pinball Guy was my favorite.



That's Mike Maxwell of Maxwell Silverball. He makes mirrors and tables out of vintage pinball machines (especially ones from the '70s and specifically 1977, when he got his KISS pinball machine) and lamps out of old vacuum cleaners.





Halvsies Unite!


Ceramic artist Munemitsu Taguchi is half Japanese like me. His father is Japanese and his Mom Caucasian. He said people are usually surprised when they meet him because he looks so Western while his name is all Japanese - "But that's what you get when your Dad is the Japanese half; you take his last name."

Chain in Vain


I complimented the Chainmail Guy on his neckwear.

When I asked if it was hard to tie, he showed me this stylish wraparound:


As a Ren Fester, he must have sensed my attraction to the old ways, but alas chainmail is too expensive for this Law Enforcement Clerk's salary.

A Stained Expression


There was enough stained glass at the show to make me feel like I went to Church on Sunday. I liked the one vendor who used stained glass in a modern context, showing urban scenes like parking garage and traffic signs.

It's Alive!

The craft show is alive and well, as these pix of "New Wave Craftster" Chris Roberts-Antieu's sideshow-looking works attest:



Chris Roberts-Antieu's works can also be seen at Baltimore's American Visionary Art Museum.



Is There a Doctor in the House?


You don't have to be Dr. Sigmund Freud to appreciate the sexual imagery in Kathleen Dustin's work - but it doesn't hurt!

Tea Time



As 4 o'clock rolled around, this piece reminded us that it was time for afternoon tea and soon after we left.