Why buy handmade?
When you buy handmade items from your local shop you support local artist in your community.
Now more then ever skillfully crafted objects are appreciated for their enduring quality as pieces to be handed down and for everyday use.
Your purchases help to promote continued growth of the craft sector for years to come.
Now more then ever skillfully crafted objects are appreciated for their enduring quality as pieces to be handed down and for everyday use.
Your purchases help to promote continued growth of the craft sector for years to come.
We would like to introduce you to all the Artisans in our co-op...
Judy Cox Dillon
Judy has been a member since 1976.
The store had been opened for a few months, when she took her crafts in to be judged. She was excepted and has been making several different crafts over the years to sell in the store, which was then called The Christmas Country Store, located within Cecil's General Store in Great Mills. Over the years she has held most offices and is now the President of the Guild. She speaks of changes in crafting over the years, it's still the basic craft with new modern techniques and mediums. She has lived in St. Mary's County for 41 years, raised four children and has three grandchildren. When son Nathan married a few years ago, he added three step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild. During this time, Judy also opened a Craft and Tandy Leather supply store where she taught many different classes, but sadly it had to end when bigger wholesalers moved into the county. So life goes on, as Judy continues to create new projects, mostly using her sewing machine and beautiful fabrics.
Her wide variety of hand and machine sewn items make wonderful gifts and are very useful. Judy makes everything from tea cozies to baby bibs. Her other talents include baking, making candies and prize winning jams.
The store had been opened for a few months, when she took her crafts in to be judged. She was excepted and has been making several different crafts over the years to sell in the store, which was then called The Christmas Country Store, located within Cecil's General Store in Great Mills. Over the years she has held most offices and is now the President of the Guild. She speaks of changes in crafting over the years, it's still the basic craft with new modern techniques and mediums. She has lived in St. Mary's County for 41 years, raised four children and has three grandchildren. When son Nathan married a few years ago, he added three step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild. During this time, Judy also opened a Craft and Tandy Leather supply store where she taught many different classes, but sadly it had to end when bigger wholesalers moved into the county. So life goes on, as Judy continues to create new projects, mostly using her sewing machine and beautiful fabrics.
Her wide variety of hand and machine sewn items make wonderful gifts and are very useful. Judy makes everything from tea cozies to baby bibs. Her other talents include baking, making candies and prize winning jams.
Kathy Major
Katherine Major has been with our Guild since 1980. Over the years, her children has worked in the store with her, as some still do. She is known for her crocheting of baby items and hand towels, but also has some sewing projects. She has been a baker for the store since way back when. She has held several offices in the guild through out the years.
Ray Hanback
Ray Hanback, not our longest member, but our oldest member of the Guild. Turning 92 last November 2012, he is still very active. His famous rocking horse toy has been bought by MANY. Ray makes other small wood toys, step stools, shelves, miscellaneous household items. Every Friday morning he comes in with a smile and says "What can I do". He drives and keeps up a household and has a well organized woodworking area to create his projects. He joined the Guild in 1983.
Mary Lou Troutman
Mary Lou Troutman was born in 1957 and grew up in the countryside of Southern Maryland. From an early age she began expressing her talents and upon graduation from St. Mary's Academy (where she won the senior art achievement award) she attended Md. College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland.
From her woodland studio she kept close company with the abundance of nature which surrounded her. St. Marys County, with it's creeks, marches, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay, provided a never ending and unique mix of subject matter.
Mary Lou has developed a personal feeling of nostalgia for the "way it was" way of life along the Chesapeake. Her detailed acrylic painting reflect a strong sense of light with a realistic touch. Through the years of recognition, numerous awards and artistic achievements, her work has become a part of both private an corporate collections that span from coast to coast.
Mary Lou was chosen for Maryland's 1994 Ducks Unlimited sponsor Artist.
From her woodland studio she kept close company with the abundance of nature which surrounded her. St. Marys County, with it's creeks, marches, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay, provided a never ending and unique mix of subject matter.
Mary Lou has developed a personal feeling of nostalgia for the "way it was" way of life along the Chesapeake. Her detailed acrylic painting reflect a strong sense of light with a realistic touch. Through the years of recognition, numerous awards and artistic achievements, her work has become a part of both private an corporate collections that span from coast to coast.
Mary Lou was chosen for Maryland's 1994 Ducks Unlimited sponsor Artist.
Sylvia Gibson
Sylvia Gibson joined the Craft Guild in 1990. Plastic Canvas projects was her craft, but soon took up Counted Cross Stitch, then Knitting, so you will see it all displayed on her shelves. Sylvia makes scarf's, card holders, tooth fairy holders, and other useful projects along with cross stitched pieces of historical buildings and county maps. She is currently our correspondence secretary.
Toni & Dave Hockenbrought
Toni and Dave Hockenbrought came into the Guild in 2004. Floral and small wood signs are Dave's projects, and Crocheted baby blankets to bed size spreads for Toni.
from this crafting couple you'll fine crocheted toys, hats and scarf's, crafted nautical pictures and wall hangings, and so many ornaments, new every year. Toni's scrubbers and dish rags are a hit as well as Dave's beautiful wreaths will make your door a delight.
from this crafting couple you'll fine crocheted toys, hats and scarf's, crafted nautical pictures and wall hangings, and so many ornaments, new every year. Toni's scrubbers and dish rags are a hit as well as Dave's beautiful wreaths will make your door a delight.
Kathleen Bryan
One would see this beautiful center piece, or this beautiful wall hanging, so unusual, and it would be made by Kathleen Bryan. She came through our door in 2007, saying "I would like my floral designs to be judged please, what do I have to do?" Not only is she creative in floral, she has lighted blocks that are very popular. Kathleen is also the Craft Guilds bookkeeper. She is always working on the next Holiday, but Christmas is her love.
Joan Heath
Joan Heath, known for her NFL sewing projects came to us in 2007. We call her the bag lady. Besides purses, she makes bags for groceries or other carry/all items.
she also turns fabric into pot holders, placemats, casserole holders, and much more. Joan is active in the Craft Guild and is learning how to crochet.
she also turns fabric into pot holders, placemats, casserole holders, and much more. Joan is active in the Craft Guild and is learning how to crochet.
Ardith Young
Ardith Young brought her beautiful glass items into the Guild in 2000. Ardith took some time off and returned to the guild in 2011 taking a room within our shop to teach stain glass and display her many boats, window creations and glass jewelry. Special orders are in the making on her craft table for all to watch.
Special orders and repairs are welcome in Ardy's shop, you'll usually find Ardy in the store Wednesday thur Friday.
Special orders and repairs are welcome in Ardy's shop, you'll usually find Ardy in the store Wednesday thur Friday.
Nancy Wiehe
Nancy Wiehe joined the Craft Guild in 2007. Her creative jewelry lined her shelves along with beaded wine glasses or serving spoons. Her husband Bill's beautiful wood turned lamps light up the room. Nancy helps with planning the events that we have.
Tori Hosier
Tori Hosier returned to the Craft Guild in 2011. Tori is the owner of the Black Hat Society. She's always brewing up some kind of potion, you have to check out her soaps she uses Organic oils and herbs to make some of the best soaps you ever want to use.
Pat Anderson
Pat Anderson has returned to the guild in 2011 still doing her photographs. She has framed pictures and card pictures. Catching a certain country side or animal is the inspiration of Pats eye. Pat also makes jewelry, some using what nature brings us using her special talent.
John Moulds
A woodworker of many clocks, John Moulds came into the Craft Guild in 2009. Along with his creative clocks of all sizes, he makes bird houses, wood trays, toys, and varies other items. His crab clocks have been a hit for years.
Hans Boecher
Hans joined the guild in 2009 his talent for working with wood started out with making furniture for his mother. After serving 24 years in the military and retiring in 1992 Hans started working with wood again. While reading a magazine he came across an article about Intarsia. Intarsia is a thirteenth century Italian art form consisting of mosaic pictures in wood. Hans decided to try his hand at this this art form and and before long he was hooked.
Hans uses hard and soft wood (i.e. walnut, mahogany, cherry, pine, beech, holly, ash – to name a few) and exotic wood from Africa and South America. Some pictures have over 300 pieces. Each piece is carefully cut with a scroll saw and then sanded which gives the item a 3 dimensional affect. An outline of the project is cut using plywood and the various pieces are glued together and then sprayed with 3 coats of polyurethane. Hans also makes backs for the kids to save their money in and now has a line of military plaques that he cuts with his scroll saw. Hans is our "Jack of all Trades" he helps out around the shop with everything from changing light tubes to hanging art work for the other artists in the shop.
He likes to stay busy. He also welcomes special orders. TheWeekendWoodshop@yahoo.com.
Hans uses hard and soft wood (i.e. walnut, mahogany, cherry, pine, beech, holly, ash – to name a few) and exotic wood from Africa and South America. Some pictures have over 300 pieces. Each piece is carefully cut with a scroll saw and then sanded which gives the item a 3 dimensional affect. An outline of the project is cut using plywood and the various pieces are glued together and then sprayed with 3 coats of polyurethane. Hans also makes backs for the kids to save their money in and now has a line of military plaques that he cuts with his scroll saw. Hans is our "Jack of all Trades" he helps out around the shop with everything from changing light tubes to hanging art work for the other artists in the shop.
He likes to stay busy. He also welcomes special orders. TheWeekendWoodshop@yahoo.com.
Kathleen Arban
Kathleen Arban and her mother Kitty Sullivan, brought dolls and stuffed animal into the Craft Guild in 2011. Crocheted baby blankets or animal can also be found. Kathleen does some wood crafts with just the right touch to catch the eye.
Joyce Owen
Joyce, That's me, I joined the Guild the summer of 2011.
I'm a decorative painter - Tole painter.
My medium of choice is acrylics on most ant surface also pen & ink with oils on canvas. My favorite thing to paint is anything with a Christmas theme and each year I paint ornaments for months gearing up for the season.
Lately I've included hand painted personalized signs and the word blocks that have become popular.
I'm enjoying my time at the Craft Guild, my side job here is handling social media and this web site. I take pictures of all the members art work and at most of the special events and post about what's happening on Facebook & Twitter, it's been fun learning about all the members of the guild while working on this web site with of course some help from Judy. I also try to keep up with a blog, granted sometimes months go by where the blog doesn't get my attention. But when I have some quite time or just have something on my mind about what's happening in the world I turn to my blog. Mostly I blog about painting or encouraging people to paint and I just say whats on my mind. So if you are interested in painting go to my blog where you will see what I'm working on.
You'll find out what's happening at the shop on Facebook, don't forget to go to our page and click "Like" and share our page with your friends.
I'm a decorative painter - Tole painter.
My medium of choice is acrylics on most ant surface also pen & ink with oils on canvas. My favorite thing to paint is anything with a Christmas theme and each year I paint ornaments for months gearing up for the season.
Lately I've included hand painted personalized signs and the word blocks that have become popular.
I'm enjoying my time at the Craft Guild, my side job here is handling social media and this web site. I take pictures of all the members art work and at most of the special events and post about what's happening on Facebook & Twitter, it's been fun learning about all the members of the guild while working on this web site with of course some help from Judy. I also try to keep up with a blog, granted sometimes months go by where the blog doesn't get my attention. But when I have some quite time or just have something on my mind about what's happening in the world I turn to my blog. Mostly I blog about painting or encouraging people to paint and I just say whats on my mind. So if you are interested in painting go to my blog where you will see what I'm working on.
You'll find out what's happening at the shop on Facebook, don't forget to go to our page and click "Like" and share our page with your friends.
Darlene Wilson
Darlene Wilson has lived in the county for several years, but found us in 2011. She came into the store with her beautiful quilts and bright and colorful aprons. You may see quilted pillows or nautical ornaments. She brings several lovely sewn items, a must to see.
Pat Willet
Pat joined the guild in 2011.
In 1978 Pat started going to a ceramic shop at the urging of a former co-worker where she found that she really enjoyed painting on ceramics . In 1988 Pat became a certified Ceramichrome teacher. After all these years Pat still enjoys her craft and is currently assisting with classes at a local ceramic shop. Pat still attends six to ten craft shows a year, and has a loyal clientele that's always ready to buy the latest ceramic pieces.
In 1978 Pat started going to a ceramic shop at the urging of a former co-worker where she found that she really enjoyed painting on ceramics . In 1988 Pat became a certified Ceramichrome teacher. After all these years Pat still enjoys her craft and is currently assisting with classes at a local ceramic shop. Pat still attends six to ten craft shows a year, and has a loyal clientele that's always ready to buy the latest ceramic pieces.
Sandra Webb
I grew up in Pennsylvania where my grandmother taught me to make my first dress at the age of seven. I sewed clothing for myself and my family for years and then started quilting about twelve years ago. After three years of making large and small quilts, I purchased an embroidery machine. I sew almost every day and it seems there is always a project going on in my head. My career in that other life (before retirement) was nursing for over forty years. Most of those years were spent nursing children and most of my embroidery projects have to do with children. I have found no greater joy in life than children, both my own and those I have spent time with over the years. My husband and I have lived in southern Maryland for almost forty years and have one son who teaches music at Dynard Elementary. I am honored to be a member in the Craft Guild of Southern Maryland and hope you will enjoy the pieces I have made. 2012
Beverly Weaver
I moved from Newport, RI, in August 2012 to Hughesville, MD. I have been married for over 32 years and have 4 children. I learned the art of hand smocking in Charleston, SC, and have been hand smocking children's clothes and accessories for about 30 years. Items range from baby bonnets to bridal garters. Special orders can be done. I learned cake decorating as a teenager from my mother and have been decorating cakes and candies for almost 35 years (wedding cakes for about 15 years). I enjoy sewing, crafting and baking, which is why I am thrilled to have become a member of the Crafters Guild. 2013
