Strafford Historical Society Hosts
Kaleidoscope of Colorful Crafts

A myriad of handcrafted items made by local artists will be featured at the Strafford Historical Society’s traditional handcrafts exhibit and open house Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Brick Store.

Throughout history, people have used the materials at hand to create necessary, useful, and beautiful objects. Strafford is blessed with a large number of talented individuals who continue the craft tradition using many of the same techniques and types of materials: wood, plant and animal fibers, metal, glass and the earth itself. In some cases, uniquely modern materials are utilized.

Among those crafts featured December 2 will be items made from split ash from trees Jeffrey Gale, a part-time resident of Strafford, cuts with a hand saw and splits himself; chair seats caned in the old manner by Dottie Dubey, wooden boxes carefully joined with dovetails by Russell Farley, 18^th century furniture constructed by Jim Nugent, Sandy Rossi’s hand-built furniture for dolls she also makes, and wooden birds artfully carved by Phyl Harmon.

The wool of local sheep, and linen from homegrown flax were spun and woven in Strafford in centuries past. Today, natural fibers are used by weaver Joan Wilson for the shawl, coat, and table runners she has on display. Brenda Billian smocks small dresses and knits children’s sweaters, which are in the exhibit, along with specialty textiles by Debra Willis. In 1800, Joel Hatchâ’s store sold imported silks and satins. Today, Rachel Kurland uses elegant fabrics for her custom-made wedding gowns. Velvets, silks, and satins grace the crazy quilts Roz Finn has created.

Other decorative textiles which reflect the artistry of a bygone era are the needlepoint pieces by Kendal Mix, fabric dolls handcrafted by Lyn Phelps and Dottie Dubey, and Teddy bears created by Dot Burden.

Strafford had a blacksmith in its earlier days, turning out items necessary for town residents. Metal crafts created today by Doc Bagley are part of the exhibit, as is stained glass by Dottie Dubey, hand blown glass by Janet Zug, and pottery by Anita Onofrio.

Materials unknown to early Strafford craftsmen, but available to us today, are used by Andersen Thorp with traditional techniques. Coiled pots of clay and coiled baskets of reed, were historically some of the earliest known containers. Thorp, however, uses plastic oxygen tubing and also substitutes strips of plastic grocery bags for raffia to crotchet attractive handbags. Recycling as an art form!

This exhibit will be on view at the open house, as well as every Wednesday and Saturday until December 27. Information will be available for those interested in purchasing crafts.

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