2025 Annual Craftsmen Fair details are coming soon!
See Creativity in Action!
Part of what makes the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair experience so memorable are the daily craft demonstrations. Every day at the Fair, you can watch different master craftsmen and craft guilds transform raw materials into finished pieces of functional art before your eyes. You will receive first-hand insight into the creative process and the range of techniques craftsmen use.
Every day there will be engaging demonstrations including artistic blacksmithing, woodworking, stained glass, quilting, pewter casting, beaded jewelry making, pottery (stoneware and raku pots), needle felting, woodburning, cyanotypes, rug hooking and much more!
The schedule changes daily, click HERE to download a schedule of activities and demonstrations, or view the list of Daily Demonstrators at the bottom of this page.
Ongoing Demonstrations:
Traditional Blacksmithing Demonstration with Garry Kalajian: Tent C
Garry will demonstrate traditional blacksmithing techniques: heating iron and steel bars in a coal forge and hammering them into door latches, candle holders, letter openers, and other household objects. The Blacksmithing Demonstration is generously sponsored by the NH State Council on the Arts.
Woodworking Demonstrations with the Guild of NH Woodworkers: Tent F
Demonstrators include members from the Guild of NH Woodworkers, Granite State Woodcarvers, Granite State Woodturners and Granite State Luthiers. Enjoy the hum of the lathes and other equipment as the Guilds present varied demonstrations throughout each day of the Fair. Stop by and learn more about their scholarship programs as well.
Hands-on Activities at the Fair!
Express your creativity and try your own hand at craft at one of the Fair’s ongoing activities! Activities are free for all ages.
Pottery Tent: Tent N
Try out wheel throwing with the The New Hampshire Potters Guild! Learn and practice skills such as centering, opening, and pulling the clay into unique and beautiful shapes. Or try handbuilding with clay and create a cup, bowl, or sculpture of your own design. This is a unique opportunity to experience the exciting world of pottery! The Pottery Tent is generously sponsored by Supporting Strategies with volunteers from the New Hampshire Potters’ Guild.
Kids Create!: Tent S
Hands-on activities for kids of all ages to explore craft. Try out different craft techniques and materials to make some fun projects. Pop in anytime and stay as long as you want! Activities will vary throughout the week. The Kids Create! Tent is generously sponsored by Bev and Dan Wolf.
Craft Clues Scavenger Hunt for Kids:
Kids (up to 12 years) can follow a color-coded Fair map and answer questions about each special location to complete the activity. When they complete the hunt, they can choose a prize made by one of our craftsmen at the Kids Create tent. Each child who wishes to participate will be given a worksheet and participation button when they enter at the ticket gates. Materials at Ticket Gates/Prizes at the Kids Create! Tent
Community Loom: Near Tent S
Try weaving with a variety of materials while working on a collaborative tapestry!
Daily Demonstrations:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3
Rug Braiding and Rug Hooking by Dorr Mill Store: Tent D
Demonstrations of two types of traditional rug-making craft will take place throughout the day. Learn about the rug braiding process –wool preparation, braiding, butting, and lacing– as well as traditional rug hooking using strips of wool.
Sgraffito by Wendy Jackson: Tent H
Wendy will demonstrate her signature Sgraffito method of decorating pottery, in which she applies slip to wheel thrown pieces, lets it dry, then carves it to create relief imagery. The result is functional pottery that is also beautiful sculpture. Today Only: you can purchase Wendy’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
Wooden Inlay Box Making by Bill Taylor: Tent T
Bill crafts stunning solid wood boxes that include intricate inlay designs, worthy of being passed down for generations. He is one of only a few craftsmen skilled in these techniques. Sharing and teaching his craft is as important to Bill as the treasures that are ultimately stored in them. Aug 3 – 9: you can purchase Bill’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4
Quilting by the Soo Nippi Quilt Guild: Tent D
Enjoy examples of quilts made by members of this Newport, NH based guild and watch as they demonstrate binding and piecing techniques.
Wood Turning by Don Lowe and Bill Emerson: Tent H *
In addition to being juried members, Don and Bill are members of the NH Woodworkers Guild and will demonstrate small-item wood turning, creating things like apples, eggs, Christmas trees, tea lights and more. Every Day: you can purchase Don and Bill’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
Wooden Inlay Box Making by Bill Taylor: Tent T
Bill crafts stunning solid wood boxes that include intricate inlay designs, worthy of being passed down for generations. He is one of only a few craftsmen skilled in these techniques. Sharing and teaching his craft is as important to Bill as the treasures that are ultimately stored in them. Aug 3 – 9: you can purchase Bill’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
MONDAY, AUGUST 5
Rug Hooking by White Mountain Woolen Magic: Tent D
Guild members will not only demonstrate traditional rug hooking techniques, they will help you try your hand at it.
Stained Glass by Donna Solomon: Tent H
Learn about the stained glass process from beginning to end – including glass cutting, foiling, soldering, and assembly– as Donna creates small hinged boxes and suncatchers.
Wooden Inlay Box Making by Bill Taylor: Tent T
Bill crafts stunning solid wood boxes that include intricate inlay designs, worthy of being passed down for generations. He is one of only a few craftsmen skilled in these techniques. Sharing and teaching his craft is as important to Bill as the treasures that are ultimately stored in them. Aug 3 – 9: you can purchase Bill’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6
Spinning by the NH Spinners and Dyers Guild: Tent D
Learn about the mechanics of spinning, uses for spun and plied wool and the advantages of certain breeds for specific uses like knitting, weaving, rug making. Plus, see demonstrations of wool-spinning from various sources, including sheep, alpaca, and llama.
Woodburning by Sara Desjardins: Tent H
Pyrography (which means “writing with fire”) is the practice of creating free-hand woodburning art. See how Sara crafts a pencil drawing on a slab of wood into a beautiful and intricately detailed finished product. Today Only: you can purchase Sara’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
Wooden Inlay Box Making by Bill Taylor: Tent T
Bill crafts stunning solid wood boxes that include intricate inlay designs, worthy of being passed down for generations. He is one of only a few craftsmen skilled in these techniques. Sharing and teaching his craft is as important to Bill as the treasures that are ultimately stored in them. Aug 3 – 9: you can purchase Bill’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7
Basket Making by the Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum: Tent D
A demonstration in basket making, utilizing methods that incorporate traditional techniques with contemporary materials.
Needle Felting by Libby Mortensen: Tent H *
Over the course of the day, Libby will transform wool roving into a wildlife sculpture so realistic you might mistake it for the real thing. Various types of wool, tools and stages of the process will be on display.
Wooden Inlay Box Making by Bill Taylor: Tent T
Bill crafts stunning solid wood boxes that include intricate inlay designs, worthy of being passed down for generations. He is one of only a few craftsmen skilled in these techniques. Sharing and teaching his craft is as important to Bill as the treasures that are ultimately stored in them. Aug 3 – 9: you can purchase Bill’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8
Mixed Media by the Women’s Caucus for Art NH: Tent D
Experience a variety of Mixed Media techniques such as book making, flame-work bead embroidery, mosaics, and more.
Pewter Casting by Jon Gibson: Tent H
Get a close-up look at the process of pewter casting in antique 18th Century bronze molds from a League member named by Early American Life Magazine as being among the 200 finest traditional craftsmen in America.
Wooden Inlay Box Making by Bill Taylor: Tent T
Bill crafts stunning solid wood boxes that include intricate inlay designs, worthy of being passed down for generations. He is one of only a few craftsmen skilled in these techniques. Sharing and teaching his craft is as important to Bill as the treasures that are ultimately stored in them. Aug 3 – 9: you can purchase Bill’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9
Bobbin Lace by the New England Lace Guild: Tent D
The craft of bobbin lacemaking dates back to the 16th century. Learn about this intricate technique, which was the way most lace was made before the advent of machines.
Bead Embroidery by Thomasin Alyxander: Tent H
Alyx will demonstrate timeless techniques of off-loom bead-weaving – including applique, running stitches, and bezels– to transform simple materials into exquisite works of wearable art. Today Only: you can purchase Alyx’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
Wooden Inlay Box Making by Bill Taylor: Tent T
Bill crafts stunning solid wood boxes that include intricate inlay designs, worthy of being passed down for generations. He is one of only a few craftsmen skilled in these techniques. Sharing and teaching his craft is as important to Bill as the treasures that are ultimately stored in them. Aug 3 – 9: you can purchase Bill’s work in The Shop at the Fair.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10
Basket Making by the Northeast Basketmakers Guild: Tent D
Learn about basketry from demonstrators as they weave various types of baskets. You’ll even have the opportunity to try it out yourself.
Pinwheel Quilting by the Northern Lights Quilt Guild: Tent H
This demonstration focuses on a block called “Pinwheel.” Learn about the parts of a quilt and techniques for making this patchwork piece and design your own pinwheel piece if you like.
Rug Hooking by Grace Collette and Carol Murphy: Tent T
Grace and Carol are traditional hooking artists with decades of combined experience creating designs, dying fibers, producing craftwork, and teaching rug hooking. Get an up-close experience of this traditional craft with a rich New England history.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11
Weaving by the NH Weavers Guild: Tent D
Members will demonstrate handweaving on several kinds of large and small looms, including rigid heddle, inkle, tapestry, card, and 4- or 8-shaft floor looms. You can also investigate samples of weaving and patterns.
Cyanotypes by the NH Center For Photography: Tent H
The word photography means “drawing with light.” Cyanotypes use sunlight to create images. See how cyanotype prints are made, including a hands-on opportunity to make your own print.
Beading by the Bead Society of NH: Tent T
Interact with members of the bead society as they demonstrate their bead-working skills and participate in activities featuring several different beading stitches.
