Sugarloaf Crafts Fall Festival

Save To Your Calendar:

Outlook

|

|

Apple iCal

|

|

Lovers of fine crafts and art will find more than 350 top artisans displaying and selling their unique creations in pottery, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, home décor, furniture and home accessories, items for the garden, and photography. In addition to top national artists, the Festival will also introduce new and emerging artists showcasing the latest trends in handmade fashion and accessories, statement jewelry and fine art.

The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Gaithersburg also features interactive demonstrations with master craftspeople. Many of the talented artists at the show will introduce visitors to how they create their art; demonstrations include wheel thrown pottery, wood turning and metal spinning.

The show features speed painting by Splash Animals. It's an award winning experience that combines art, music, choreography. You’ll also find live music by Ngu Mbandi, Bob Geresti, Don Thomas and Stan and LeeAnne. Middle Earth’s costume storytelling returns, providing popular children’s entertainment.

The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival experience is enhanced with dozens of specialty gourmet foods available for sampling and purchasing. This show features German-style almonds, soup mixes, English toffee, fresh breads and so much more.

Craft Demonstrations:
Fantasy Furniture by Barry Leader:

Furniture of the moment for the not too tightly wound! Watch as Barry shows us how he creates whimsical furniture, mirror frames, clocks and other accessories using skills he's developed over a lifetime of working as a woodcarver.

Woodturning by Don Jones:

Using a lathe and his knowledge of the cellular structure of each species of wood, Don creates beautiful vases and bowls from blocks of wood. The lathe holds the individual piece of wood but the artist does the actual hand-carving himself using a curved chisel called a “gouge.”

Basketmaking by Jeffrey Gale:

To create the splints necessary for the making of baskets, Jeffrey uses a draw knife to shave freshly-split billets of wood into smaller pieces which he then pounds with a mallet. Only then can he sit down to make a basket.

Copper Spinning by John Akkus:

The only way to truly understand this intricate craft is to see a demonstration. John Akkus is one of a small number of hand spinners still plying what is one of the oldest trades in the world!

View John Akkus’ artist showcase page.

Furniture Making by Richard Gordon:

For Richard, furniture making is in his blood. Members of his family have been wood joiners for centuries. By applying traditional wood joining techniques Richard creates beautiful, classic furniture. For a more artsy look, his wife Ninika, hand carves and paints select furniture pieces, giving customers a choice of natural wood or painted finish. People enjoy watching something made by hand and knowing exactly what they are getting.

Ironforging by Nick Vincent:

It’s incredible to watch the artist bend, shape and twist steel heated to 2,000° F. Working with the same tools used for centuries by the blacksmith - a hammer and anvil - Nick Vincent creates unique metal works with intricate patterns.

Raku Pottery by Rod Meyer And Karen Benedict:

Come watch Ron Meyer perform this ancient method of firing pottery, developed 400 years ago in Japan. The word “Raku” comes from a Chinese ideogram meaning enjoyment, pleasure and happiness. Using a special clay, a pot is made that can withstand the extreme thermal shock of Raku firing. The pot is glazed, heated to 1800° F, then pulled hot from the kiln and thrust into a container where it is surrounded by combustible materials such as newspaper. The heat of the pot causes smoldering and smoke, which blackens the pot. Rapid cooling causes the metallic luster and black, spider cracks typical of Raku pottery. It’s fascinating to watch the whole process. Raku is actually a collector pottery.

Wheel-thrown Pottery by Helen Weichman:

Pottery is part of our history and something we use everyday. But have you ever actually seen how it is made. A beautiful, smooth pottery vase actually starts from a lump of clay. Watch as the potter’s skillful hands and the spinning wheel together create a timeless piece of art. The individual pieces are then carefully dried, fired and glazed to create beautiful, functional pottery for your home.

Hand-Built Shaker Boxes by William Richardson:

You'll be intrigued by the ability of wood to be bent into simple but elegant designs that not only have timeless beauty, but contemporary functionality when you watch Bill Richardson produce his museum quality Shaker Boxes. Using fine woods, Bill secures the hand cut swallow tail finger joints with copper tacks, just as was done in days of old.

Wheel-thrown Pottery by Alan Burslem:

We use pottery on a daily basis. A vase, a plate, a bowl. But have you ever actually seen this ancient art form comes to life? Together, a lump of clay, the spinning wheel, and the potter’s skillful hands create a classic piece of art. After being dried, fired, and glazed, the final product is a delightful object of hand-crafted pottery that’s functional for your home.

Entertainment:
Splash! Animals-Speed Painting

12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm: Splash! Animals is an award winning conservation-focused entertainment experience that combines art, music, choreography and features endangered species. The show always starts with a blank “canvas” painted black, and in just 8-9 minutes, beautiful portraits of endangered animals are revealed by the performing artists.

Bob Geresti - Piano Hits

Performing your favorite standards and his original music, too, Bob Geresti is at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival to entertain you. Listen and you’ll hear “Memory” from Cats, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, “Evergreen” from A Star is Born, and others.... Stop by to say hello and browse Bob’s collection of CDs, cassettes, player-piano discs, and sheet music - Christmas music, too!

Ongoing Friday, Saturday And Sunday

Don Thomas - Musical Performances

Don Thomas, performs his original compositions on an acoustic guitar.

Ongoing Friday, Saturday And Sunday

Ngu Mbandi - Musical Performances

From a world of loudness and aggression emerges an artist whose beautifully crafted piano melodies will let your mind wander into a place of perfect peace and tranquility.

Ongoing Friday, Saturday And Sunday

Children’s Entertainment:
Splash! Animals-Speed Painting:

12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm: Splash! Animals is an award winning conservation-focused entertainment experience that combines art, music, choreography and features endangered species. The show always starts with a blank “canvas” painted black, and in just 8-9 minutes, beautiful portraits of endangered animals are revealed by the performing artists.

Middle Earth Studio Costume Storytelling:

11:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm: Watch a fairy tale unfold before your eyes when you and your children participate in this special kind of theatre. Join the fun when audience members put on elaborate costumes and transform into actors and actresses as the storyteller weaves a story. Middle Earth’s story-telling is an unforgettable experience for both children and adults.

Admission:
Under 12 And Parking Free