I am so admiring of the wonderful arts and crafts I've had the pleasure of seeing over the past year at festivals and fairs throughout the state. I can barely sew on a button, I cook only the basics, and couldn't draw or paint a picture of anything you'd recognize without some explanation. The two 'crafts' I've been involved with the longest are writing and photography, so I'm using those this month to focus not on the crafts themselves, but on the people I've met who have the talent and desire to perfect their craft with wood, metal, liquids, even music.

Harry Clendenen fashions birdhouses and other handmade one-of-a-kind items from antique barn wood. I've often stopped to take pictures of old barns. There's something about the way the wood ages and weathers over time that makes it attractive, and I'm always looking for a great photo opportunity that features aged wood. I met Harry at the Festival of Folk Music and Appalachian Culture, held in June of each year in Glenville, WV.

At the Stonewall Jackson Heritage Arts & Crafts Jubilee, held in July at Jackson's Mill, near Weston, I met Fred Butler of Greenville, WV. Fred had his soap recipe displayed at Ethel's Lye Soap table, and I was intrigued by a note on the sign that said lye soap was good for acne.

Later, I researched the making of lye soap, and it's a long, careful process. Fred had an iron kettle of the soap cooking over an open wood fire, the smoke billowing reminding visitors to be cautious of the boiling mixture. I hope to meet Fred at another fair this year because I could use some more of his homemade soap.

I met Kay Huffman at the Mountain State Arts and Crafts Festival in Ripley, WV. This huge event, held each July, attracts hundreds of artisans, musicians, and craftsmen. I had the pleasure of watching Kay craft metal sculptures of delightful animal figures. Children, like the young boy pictured, stood for quite of long time, fascinated as the sparks flew. Kay and husband Bob have a studio and gallery in Ona, WV.

In December, I attended Christmas crafts exhibitions in Buckhannon, one in the National Guard Armory and one at the Middle School. I met Stephen Johnson of Flemington, WV, who fashions wonderful wooden baskets from hundreds of pieces of oak, walnut, cedar, and mahogany. I was amazed at these creations, primarily because of the patience it must have taken to create the baskets.

The sound of music is part of most of the fairs and festivals. Some musicians just play what they feel - no written music for these country and bluegrass players. Food is always a main ingredient of festivals as well, including old-fashioned favorites like apple butter and molasses. That great smell reminds me of my grandmother’s apple butter projects she started every fall. These, music and cooking, are perfected crafts as well, with each musician or cook developing their own style.

It was a joy traveling around West Virginia this past year, meeting crafters, artisans and musicians and tasting the wonderful culinary treats. I hope many of you join me in taking advantage of the great cultural and heritage events around West Virginia in 2009. I'll continue to feature artisans and plan to creating a web presence where you can view more photos and contact information for many of the featured craftsmen. See you at the fair!

Janet Thompson Davis grew up in Buckhannon and graduated from WV Wesleyan many years ago. She returned to Upshur County in 2005. Although retired from full-time work, she currently is a project management consultant for the federal government and is a part-time photographer in the Upshur County area.