Boomeresque:Definition
1. Adj.: Describing a person born between 1 Jan. 1946 and 31 Dec. 1964
2. Adj.: Description of a person, place or thing possessing Baby Boomer je ne sais quoi
3. See also, Boomer, Esq.: A Baby Boomer who is also a licensed attorney (See, e.g., About).

Boomeresque Visits the Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair on Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square

by Suzanne Fluhr on October 14, 2013 · 26 comments

Quilt Exhibit at Pennsylvania Guild Fine Crafts Fair, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia

2017 update: The Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair will take place on Friday, October 13th – Sunday, May 15th, 2017 (i.e. this weekend!) on Rittenhouse Square in Center City Philadelphia. Come on down!

Here’s my review of the fair from 2013.

On Sunday, the approximately 140 exhibitors at the Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair must have breathed a sigh of relief when they did not awaken to the sound of driving rain. The weather gods certainly didn’t cooperate on Friday when heavy rain squalls had them scurrying to arrange their canvas booths to keep their work dry and discouraged people from strolling around Philadelphia’s venerable Rittenhouse Square to admire and purchase their creations. However, at least one “glass half full” crafter maintained that the poor weather on Friday did have a silver lining in that the folks who braved the elements to walk around the booths at the fair were truly committed craft enthusiasts.

Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Show in Philadelphia brochure Peter Saenger of Saenger Porcelain, a craft show veteran, described the fine craft fair on Rittenhouse Square as “The best venue, just not the easiest”. Still, he preferred the conditions during this show to those during the May event earlier this year he when he spent one day “holding the booth down” in the blustery winds. High winds and porcelain are not a good combination.

display at the Saenger Porcelain booth.

Part of the display at the Saenger Porcelain booth.

Quilt Exhibit at Pennsylvania Guild Fine Crafts Fair, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia

Carol Heisler’s machine sewn patchwork quilt.  (Lorac Designs)

Crafts from ten different media are represented at the Fine Craft Fair. If your inner craftsperson is inspired by the Fair and you live in or near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, check the Guild’s website for a list of craft classes they sponsor. There are classes for rank beginners and for the more advanced.

People anticipating winter were intrigued by the felt hats by Miriam Carter, a feltmaker from Dublin, New Hampshire.

People anticipating winter were intrigued by the felt hats by Miriam Carter, a feltmaker from Dublin, New Hampshire.

 

Woodcarving booth. A. Briscoe Woodcarving, Maryland.

Woodcarving booth. A. Briscoe Woodcarving, Maryland.

Coloratura by Alan Resnick, Annville, PA

Coloratura “wearable art” by Alan Resnick, Annville, PA

 

photography craft fair

Tanzy and the artist’s husband, Mark, “work” at Sharon Merkel’s “Images” Photography booth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can spend a little or a lot at the Fine Crafts Fair.

Earthfire Greenware displayed Handmade Tile and Serving Ware.

Jeremy Keller and Mary Ennis’ Earthfire Greenware booth of Lewisville, Ohio displayed Handmade Tile and Serving Ware.

Rickard's Studio wall clocks.

 

Karen and Geoffrey Caldwell's Sunflower Glass Studio, Stockton, NJ

Karen and Geoffrey Caldwell’s Sunflower Glass Studio, Stockton, NJ

"Scherenschnitte" (paper scissor cutting) by Marie-Helene Grabman of Alexandria, VA.

“Scherenschnitte” (paper scissor cutting) by Marie-Helene Grabman of Alexandria, VA. (c)

This was the third time the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen has sponsored the fine craft fair in conjunction with the Friends of Rittenhouse Square and the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department. The plan is for the fair to continue to be a semi-annual event; so, it is not too soon to arrange a visit to the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection) to coincide with one (or both!) of the next fine craft fairs. The next one is scheduled for October 9-11, 2015. This free event can serve as an anchor around which to plan a weekend — or better yet, a long weekend, visit. There are hotels and restaurants at all price points within walking distance of Rittenhouse Square as are the museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Reading Terminal Market and the historic sites in the Independence Hall area.

Do/did you engage in any crafts? Do you think you would enjoy visiting the Fine Craft Fair on Rittenhouse Square?

{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }

Jacqueline Gum (Jacquie) October 15, 2013 at 10:21 am

Looks like fun and some great stuff! Sure I would attend, if I lived nearby 🙂

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Mike October 15, 2013 at 11:41 am

I’m always fascinated by what people can make by hand, Suzanne. It can take so much time and patience and of course just having a natural gift for it. I used to tole paint and that was a lot of fun. Great pic with the Great Pyrenees in there btw.

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Suzanne Fluhr (Boomeresque) October 15, 2013 at 12:19 pm

As always, thanks for stopping by, Mike. I’m always happy to find a canine to include in my blog posts. The post I did about the last show in May had one of a bull dog in a “baby” carriage:

http://www.boomeresque.com/philadelphia-phriday-pennsylvania-guild-fine-craft-fair-rittenhouse-square/

On a nice day, it really is enjoyable to walk around and check out all the crafts on display. Most of the booths are manned/womanned by the artists themselves, so they are available to answer any questions.

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Patti October 15, 2013 at 2:35 pm

I love roaming and browsing through craft fairs but we rarely buy anything, especially at this stage of life as I seem to be all about the “less is more” philosophy of life. When it comes time for us to “retire” I want to be as free as possible to just go where the road takes us – even to roam through craft fairs!

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Suzanne Fluhr October 15, 2013 at 6:00 pm

Patti, I totally “get” where you’re coming from. That’s why I limit myself to collecting refrigerator magnets on our travels. We’ve already downsized twice. We don’t need more stuff–even nice, creative stuff. Fortunately, other people are still collecting crafts. In May, some of the artists told me they sold everything.

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Roz Warren October 15, 2013 at 2:55 pm

You do get around! And I don’t, so I’m glad I read Boomeresque.

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Suzanne Fluhr October 15, 2013 at 6:03 pm

Roz — you get around in a different way—The Today Show, HuffPo, even the Gray Lady herself (the NY Times). Boomeresquers, my friend, Roz, is an accomplished essayist. You should check out her work—well worth a read.

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Neva October 15, 2013 at 3:53 pm

What an amazing fair with so many different crafts. I just love how the porcelain cups fit into the pot. I love all the ideas of the creative people that don’t mind sitting in their booths all weekend.

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Suzanne Fluhr October 15, 2013 at 8:43 pm

Thanks, Neva. Some of them told me they go to many shows with their crafts.

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Leslie in Portland, Oregon October 15, 2013 at 5:47 pm

Having no craft talents or skills myself, I very much admire and enjoy using what others have made with their hands. Yes, I would come (i.e., arrange a trip to come) to the Fine Craft Fair on Rittenhouse Square: there are some intriguing items in your photographs (and a gorgeous dog)! Thanks for the tip!

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Suzanne Fluhr October 15, 2013 at 8:50 pm

Leslie, if you ever make the trip, by all means, let me know.

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Alice October 15, 2013 at 9:02 pm

Loved the vicarious trip to the craft fair!

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Nick October 16, 2013 at 10:26 am

Thanks for visiting our event again. We’re very thankful for everyone who came out and loved reading your post. We’ll see you next year.

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Suzanne Fluhr October 16, 2013 at 6:01 pm

You’re most welcome. I think the Fine Craft Fair is one of our best Rittenhouse Square events. I hope the first day’s rain did not overly depress attendance.

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Debra Yearwood October 20, 2013 at 7:15 am

So of course I have to ask, did you buy anything? The pieces pictured here look just about irresistible. 🙂

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Suzanne Fluhr October 23, 2013 at 11:20 pm

With memories of having downsized twice in the last two years, I was able to resist. My new policy is to “try” to buy only refrigerator magnets!

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Krystle Cook October 21, 2013 at 7:08 pm

I love craft fairs. They are so fun to shop at. I love seeing what people can create.

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Carol Colborn October 5, 2015 at 1:28 am

I love craft fairs. The trouble is, for the last 6 years, we have been traveling full time in an RV! There is no space for the works of art I find in them! And this fair looks like it is even a grander afFAIR than we run across in our travels.

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Suzanne Fluhr October 5, 2015 at 1:48 am

We don’t live in an RV, but we already downsized to an apartment. On our travels, my rule is that we can only bring back refrigerator magnets. I’m at the stage in my life when I need to be de-accumulating, not adding. However, this fair is fun to walk around even without any intention of buying—although I did find a refrigerator magnet to add to our collection.

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Lyn (aka) The Travelling Lindfields October 5, 2015 at 5:32 am

I love craft fairs. I wish I could go, but I suppose it is a bit far from Australia. Pity it isn’t being held in May next year, we’ll be there then.

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jenny@atasteoftravel October 5, 2015 at 9:17 am

Some people are so creative! The porcelain looks interesting too. Unfortunately I’m in the same position as Lyn…a bit far to go!

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Irene S. Levine October 5, 2015 at 4:27 pm

Looks like a great show…I would be so tempted to buy some of these beautiful crafts.

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Patti October 5, 2015 at 8:36 pm

That’s so funny… I scrolled down to leave this comment and I saw my name and comment and I thought, “WTH? When did I read this?” And then I saw the date. 🙂 I was a little worried I was losing my mind, which would not be that big of a surprise by the way. Still a fun post!

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Marilyn Jones October 5, 2015 at 9:34 pm

I love craft fairs! The Pennsylvania Guild Fine Arts Fair looks like one I would enjoy!!

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Kristin Henning October 6, 2015 at 11:15 pm

Looks tres chic! BTW, the more I travel, the more I meet people from Philadelphia! I feel a repeat visit coming on. Hope we cross paths soon.

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Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru October 7, 2015 at 12:32 am

I love the simple, colorful tile magnets. It’s so enjoyable to visit these events to see homespun creativity. The Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair would be a fine reason to plan a repeat visit to Philadelphia!

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