By Dicy McCullough
What a fun day was had by all who attended the Summer Antique Craft fair at Carolina Lily on Kern Carlton Road a couple of weeks ago. Located north of Salisbury on a little winding road that turns in front of the Miller Ferry Fire Department, Carolina Lily is a special place where one can shop, picnic, have a tea party or enjoy events such as the Antique Craft Fair.
Crafters set up early, on the first day of fall this year, to a beautiful sunrise as a slight breeze blew through the trees. The beautiful country setting was the perfect spot to browse and enjoy a catered meal outside.
I enjoyed seeing old friends and met a few new ones as I shopped and browsed. One of the first vendors I saw that morning was Neta Monroe, a friend and owner of Re-cycled for Re-purpose. Neta takes an item that might be thrown away and makes something new. For example, her aprons are made from old clothes, and some of her bags are made from feed sacks. As I was talking to Neta, a friend of ours and also a vendor, Jean Barlow, walked up to chat. Jean is a crafter who displays her artistic abilities through painting on glassware. Some of her most popular designs have been roosters, sunflowers and beach scenes. The name of her business is Painted Glass Design.
Browsing later in the afternoon, I noticed an interesting display of plates and saucers held together by a bolt on the end of a 3-foot stick. Intended to be displayed in a yard or flower garden, this “novelty yard art” can also be used on a porch or entry way. I liked everything I saw, but finally decided on a butterfly and bird painted on a rose-colored plate. When I brought it home and showed it to my husband, he said, “What’s that for? What’s its purpose?” I said, “To look at.” He shook his head. He still doesn’t get it, but that’s OK, I do. Now my “yard art” is in my flower garden to enjoy every time I look out my living room window.
The two ladies who made these are neighbors of each other and happened upon this craft quite by accident. Vicki Biland was more than willing to share how she started what she calls “Blossom and Bloom Garden Art.” Vicki said it was because of a close friend, Terry, who lives in California. As luck would have it, Terry got sick and couldn’t work full time as a nurse, at the same time her husband lost his job.
Looking for a way to bring in extra money, Terry happened to see yard art at a craft fair and thought she could make it, too. She experimented with different designs and patterns, and before long, people began requesting her to make yard art for them. When Vicki went for a visit to California, she bought several and brought them home. Her husband had the right kind of drill, so her new “hobby” began.
Seeing Vicki’s “garden art,” a neighbor, Sharon Miller, began bringing plates and saucers from her kitchen to be used in the creations. Vicki saw how much Sharon enjoyed helping, so it wasn’t long before they began creating together, experimenting with different designs as well as adding embellishments. Carolina Lily, where I met them, was their first craft fair. They both said it was a lot of fun and look forward to many more.
As I look out my living room window at my flower garden, my yard art is a reminder that even if life brings you lemons, find a way to make lemonade. Vicki’s friend found a way to get through a rough economic time in spite of the odds against her. For you, it may be something different. I’m glad I went to the Summer Antique and Craft Fair at Carolina Lily. I came away with much more than I ever expected.
Dicy McCullough’s books are available at local bookstores, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Contact her at 704-278-4377.