Our daily lives are too much filled with distractions. The current pandemic has focused our attention on narrow pursuits. We have retreated into our caves while we await better days. Meanwhile, the sun is still shining, and our well being deserves sunlight.
The fine artisans who live among us can show everyone the worlds that exist beyond our cave. Artists paint pictures, sculpt sculptures, take photographs, make jewelry, and create visions in glass, metal, wood, paper, fiber and film. Their visions await us.
Fine artisans are people, too. Lock downs are not new to them — they are accustomed to working alone in their studios. But the current pandemic has limited the number of artisan shows normally populating the days of spring and summer. Now, shows are returning.
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The Flemington Fine Artisans Show is back. This show is a semi-annual affair that attracts artisans working in a wide range of artistic endeavors.
The fall show is coming up — it’s set for Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Flemington’s Stangl Factory, 4 Stangl Road. Artisans from far and wide will be showing one-of-a-kind, handmade arts and crafts. Many of the creators will be on hand as well. It is a chance to get out there, meet the artists, and see the world from a new perspective.
This event is free and open to the public, and it will follow virus safety guidelines. Everyone entering the Stangl Factory building must wear a facial covering at all times. Hand sanitizers will be available throughout. Parking is free.
“We had to cancel our spring show,” says Inna Dzhanibekova. “I have a working studio, so I did more work.” And you thought the lock down was boring and nothing was happening.
Inna runs the Flemington Fine Artisans Show. She expects more than 20 artisans to be displaying their creations and meeting the public at this show. Artisans will be bringing works in jewelry, wood, ceramics, glass, home decor, fiber art, photography, painting and more.
This show is well attended. It is a nicely balanced show — offering a mix of fine art and craft pieces from a diversity of creators. For more information, visit FlemingtonFineArtisansShow.com or Facebook for a list of artisans attending.
“I’ve been developing a new collection myself,” Inna tells me. “I’ll be unveiling some of my mixed media art in addition to jewelry at this show.”
Inna is well-known for her jewelry. She designs and creates many pieces, using various techniques — carving, lost wax silver casting, and enameling among them. Her jewelry features birds, flowers, and microscopic life.
She creates in her Small Joys Studio LLC, located at 150 Main St. in Flemington. To visit, call 908-875-6223 and make an appointment. For more, visit SmallJoysStudio.com or go to Facebook or Instagram.
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Artists can be very serious in their creations. Sometimes, viewing their works, one wonders whether or not the artist laughed or smiled at the ironies of life.
It’s not the case with Jeanine Pennell.
“My sculptures are just sketches in clay,” she says.
Her modesty belies her creativity — and prodigious output. Her small sculptures are created working in kiln fired paperclay or porcelain. She turns mouths and eyes and noses into unusual facial expressions of delight, sadness, wonder, and more. These are loving depictions of life. They are marvelous caricatures. They are who we are behind the mask.
“For me it’s been kind of good,” Jeanine tells me, referring to the last six months of pandemic days. “I’m staying in my studio more. And I’ve gone on Zoom more.”
She will be bringing some 50 of her sculptures to the Flemington Fine Artisans Show.
“I’m working on some larger pieces,” she notes. “And I might bring some along.”
For more information, call 908-797-9356 and visit BonetownStudio.com; her website is an adventure. She’s located outside Stockton — to visit, call first and make an appointment.
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Bob Gherardi creates miniatures and full size paintings. His works are meticulous renderings of buildings, landscapes, seascapes and animals. They hang in museums, galleries and private collections all over the world. He lives and works in Stewartsville.
He will be bringing a selection of his works to the show. Visit Gherardi.com to see many of his exquisite paintings. Also Facebook and Instagram.
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Stephanie Baness works with glass, creating handmade wearables and accessories for the home. These include an array of multicolored pendants, as well as plates, bowls and trays.
“I use a kiln to melt sheets of art glass, along with pieces,” she says. “And I’m now doing ornaments in holiday colors and lots of different shapes.” She will be bringing these to the show.
For more information, call Stephanie at 347-860-4497, visit MoxieSorbetDesigns.com. or go to Facebook and Instagram. Her studio is in Passaic, and she holds workshops from time to time.
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Emma Tabachnick will be bringing a selection of her ceramics to the Flemington show. She will also be at the Winter Village, held at The Red Mill Museum, 35 Main St., Clinton, on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more, access her website at ETabachnick.Wixsite.com or go to Etsy.
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Marsha Sheriff creates jewelry — bracelets, earrings, necklaces and more.
“I work in copper — sometimes fire painted using a blow torch,” she explains. “Then I use etching to bring out the color and a hydraulic press to give dimension.”
The Sparta resident will bring jewelry to the show as well as ornaments for the season. See her work at BluePeacockJewelry.com or on Facebook, Instagram and Etsy.
Al Warr can be reached at 610-253-0432 or [email protected]
