Visitors to Marine Park were absolutely dazzled by the wide array of handmade goods presented for sale at an “Arts & Crafts Showcase” hosted by the Marine Park Alliance on Saturday, May 10th, featuring the work of 30 local artisans who had set up shop at Marine Parkway and Fillmore Avenue, just beside the Carmine Carro Community Center.
Guests ambled around from table to table admiring the tremendous variety of creative items on display. One spectacular artist, whose inspiring work centered on nature, love and positivity, chatted with a customer who was completely enamored with his hand-painted rocks, featuring peace signs and vibrant ladybugs. The customer told the artist how much she loves rocks and that she couldn’t quite figure out why, and they agreed that there is something especially grounding about them. Others stopped to admire his canvas paintings of bright lemons, blooming hyacinths and majestic butterflies.
A very young artist and her proud father displayed her incredible hand-crocheted work for sale, which included adorable little bumblebees, giant strawberries and pocket-sized teddy bears of all colors. Inspired by YouTube videos and entirely self-taught, the young lady was an absolute marvel.
Just across from her table were two other artists who had crafted unbelievably accurate miniatures of pancakes with syrup, donuts with sprinkles and cheesy pizza pies that looked to have come straight out of the oven, with nothing but polymer clay and resin. When asked how long it took to create the mini food earrings and magnets on display, the artist explained that she did the work for the love of it, not for the money. She said that if she priced her work based on the amount of hours it took to create them, they would be far more expensive.
There was something for everyone: hand-painted wood chopping bowls, macramé wall hangings, crystal suncatchers, knitted hats, indie greeting cards, burl wood stools and home-baked treats, all in time for last minute Mother’s Day shoppers.
