Milton’s John Chandler strikes a casual pose between two of his decorative bird houses which will be on display at the annual Lewes Historical Society Craft Fair on Saturday Oct. 6. His reproduction antique furniture and popular bird house creations will be among the hand-made American crafts of some 80 professional crafters at the Society’s grounds at Second and Shipcarpenter Streets in Lewes from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is $3. Rain date is the following day

It’s the time of year when The Lewes Historical Society proudly hosts their juried, semi-annual craft fair, on Saturday, October 6 at the Historic complex, Second and Shipcarpenter streets in downtown Lewes. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Admission is $3; proceeds benefit the historical society.

According to the event’s chairperson, Christine Besche, the fall show is “a great opportunity for show-goers to do their holiday shopping early and to see some of the finest American Crafts on the eastern seaboard.” Besche said the Craft Fair shares one of Lewes’ busiest fall weekends along with Boast the Coast and Coast Day and is a nice addition to an event-filled weekend. “We’re very pleased with the fall event and how much it has grown and become part of the Lewes scene.”

“We are also proud to feature crafts hand made in America that represent both old and new techniques in craft-making,” Besche said.

In a nod our maritime past, expect to see David Burns, who crafts Nantucket style lightship baskets using traditional materials of cane and fine woods. Each basket is hand built on a mold in much the same fashion as the originals during the whaling days off the coast of Nantucket.

Newcomers include Jonathan Stout of Northeast Half Hulls features maritime art using classic scale models of wooden half models of ships. Margaret Johnson of a Peace of Paper displays handmade paper making using natural material in the pulp making process to form collages and large three dimensional vessels. Ann P. Taylor re-works vintage ceiling tiles into mirrors and frames, Janet Howard’s stained glass panels in custom shapes and sizes and Courtney Gillan’s jewelry made from sea glass and freshwater pearl using traditional silver- smithing techniques.

In addition to a feast for the eyes the fall show features live music by Bitter Creek Bluegrass band, fresh baked goods and gourmet food by Kupchicks Korner. For more information on the historical society, visit www.historiclewes.org or call 302-645-7670.

©2002-2005 The Lewes Historical Society