The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
OLD AND NEW
Craft Days: 53rd annual event returns today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cottage Lawn
ONEIDA, N.Y. » From blacksmiths, jewelers, bakers and butchers, the Madison County Historical Society Craft Days brought together old and new.
Handmade works of art were made by experienced artisans for guests as they perused a broad selection of wares at the 53rd annual event on Saturday. One such artisan was Larry Obrist of Orwell, N.Y. A member of the New York State Designer Blacksmiths, Obrist stepped away from the heat of the forge and talked about his hobby and passion.
“I’ve been doing this for about six or seven years,” he said. “But back in my 20s I was a farrier; a horse shoer.”
A forge and anvils were set up in their tent and blacksmiths went about their work, hammering and shaping metal as people stopped and stared.
“The average public, all they think we do is make horseshoes,” Obrist said. “And blacksmiths made anything and everything out of metal in the 1800s or before. Everything from pots and pans to hardware, stoves and tools.
“Blacksmiths are the only crafters who can make their own tools of the trade,” he added. “Wood carvers, plumbers, they have to go to a blacksmith to get their tools.”
The New York State Designer Blacksmiths were more than happy to give membership applications, looking for all kinds, whether it be the new apprentice or experienced journeyman to join their modern day guild.
And while some people were
able to demonstrate to the people how they made their wares, others instead let their works speak for themselves.
“I started doing this in 1977 and it started out as a hobby.” Jody Janicki of Ilion said. “I took multiple classes in Herkimer County Community College and I took classes at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute.”
A number of women poured over Janicki’s handmade sterling silver while she spoke.
“I did it for myself at first; it was just for me and I was also teaching school at the time,” she said. “I taught second grade for 31 years. And when I would go to school, the ladies would say ‘If you make me one, I’ll pay you.’ Boom. A business. I started buying my own equipment and I have a shop now in the basement.”
Besides the hand made, the hand knitted, and the hand carved, there was also the hand cooked. People lined up for homemade fudge, fresh popcorn, cotton candy and honey.
Tim Hoda of Taberg was more than happy to talk about his passion: bees and beekeeping.
“This is my 18th year. I didn’t start selling until the last eight years. I was just into bees and taking care of them and fascinated by them,” he said. “For about 10 years, we just gave the honey away. My daughter gave them as presents, my wife at work gave it out. So I thought ‘what if I try and sell this?’ and I was just amazed by the demand for local honey.”
Honeys of all kind were on display, from amber wildflower honey to deep dark buckwheat honey, alongside honeycomb and products made from the wax.
“My wife and I don’t have any employees. It’s just a small operation and we try our best to keep up with the demand,” Hoda said. “I like the social aspects of it. You feel like you’re providing a wholesome product for a reasonable price.”
“Getting to know and work with the artists, I feel like this is an extended family,” said Sydney Loftus, executive director of the Madison County Historical Society.
Sydney emphasized the juried crafters and artisans and the quality of their work and how the Craft Days are expanding.
“I think we’re building on our event,” she said. “We’ve added more free kids activities. We’ve always touted this event as a family friendly activity and we’re looking to make this into a family outing.”
Among the attractions advertised were the Utica Zoo’s Zoomobile, a magic show by CNY Magic Shows and a martial arts demonstration by Owens Martial Arts
Live music acts were also on display, including local favorite Showtime. Double Chase returns today to the Craft Days with their contemporary and classic country songs.
“I feel that this adds to the quality of life here in Oneida,” Sydney said. “But it’s not just Oneida. We’re the county historical society, Craft Days is not just for the citizens of Oneida. It’s a quality of life event for Madison County. And not just Madison County. It can be an Oneida County event, it can be an Onondaga County event. We want the people outside to come in and enjoy what we do here.”
Craft Days will run today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Madison County Historical Society grounds, 435 Main St., Oneida.