Thank you to all our patrons for visiting the website and checking on our show schedule. As you may note if you are a long term patron, we have again made some changes in our show schedule. We have decreased our shows but have also added two shows. The first new one was at Blue Hill which was in July and did not make it onto the website... but which will be on our schedule for next ye. The second new addition is a show in Portland at the Portland East End School and Community Center. See the listing in this section for more information on that.

The other major change in the company is that we are no longer running the shop as a full time sales room from June to September. In the past, the shop represented 30 area artists and artisans, but this year we made a decision to only represent ourselves in the showroom, and to not have regular shop hours. WE now see customers by appointment, though you are always welcome to stop in if we are working. It is wise to call first so you wont waste a trip. The phone number is 1-877-56-bones.

Our work is also being sold this summer at the Edgecomb Pottery stores in both Freeport (on School St) and in the main Edgecomb Pottery store in Edgecomb. Thank you again to all our patrons who have continued to support us in these changing times.

This is the most charming show we participate in. Located on a 1600 acre salt water farm in Wells, Maine, this event features 75 top quality artists and artisans. Annual jurying gives preference to people whose medium focuses on nature. We are now fortunate to have been designated 'tenured artists' for this show.

With live music, a light luncheon, a raffle of items donated by the participating craftspeople, and well maintained nature trails that lead down to the Webhannet River Estuary there is always plenty to do. The craft market itself is set in and around the historic Laudholm Farm. This show is a relaxing way to spend an early fall day.

This new show will be a very different experience for our patrons. Gerry has long been committed to the creation of larger pieces of sculpture. For many years, we have displayed only the bone carvings at the shows. But this year, Gerry decided to finally do a show with just his sculptural pieces.

The bone carving will still be part of each work, and many of them will have a smaller piece of carved bone jewelry worked into the design of a larger piece.

We have always said that the bone carvings are small sculptural pieces. Now their form and intent will be interpreted on a larger scale in many mediums. Picture the pieces you have come to love being enlarged and done in stone or wood. And the carving will still be there, nestled into the larger image. I cannot do justice to explaining what you will see when you come to this show. It must be seen to be understood. See you there.

The Common Ground Fair is a truly amazing experience for anyone of any age. It is the annual celebration of all things relating to organic farming but until you check out the website you could never imagine how far reaching this could be. (See below for website info). The food is great. The sites and smells are a journey back to the 60's and the crafts are products produced in Maine and are all top quality.

The website also gives you a map to the fair with several alternate routes. This is because so many thousands of people go to it that traffic can be a problem. Parking has always been a dilemma but there are several entrances and the volunteer staff do a remarkable job of keeping things flowing.

Be advised that the fair does not sell coffee so if you want some, bring your own thermos. And if your legs get tired, find our booth. We usually have a couple lawn chairs outside the tent near our booth and don't mind sharing with tired folks.

Entrance fee to the fair has been $8 or $6 for senior citizens and free to children under 12, Mofga members and handicapped. We have not received our show information yet so check the Mofga site for updates on the fee.

For more information, go to http://www.mofga.org and then scroll to the Common Ground Country Fair section.

WE are pleased to be involved in the 13th Annual Maine State Museum Show This year the show has taken on a new focus. We are calling it "A Show of Hands" because we are working with the Maine State Museum to give the public a real sampling of the history of 'hand made' in Maine. The Museum is filled with wonderful examples of the long history of objects that were made by hand by Mainers of the past, with some artifacts dating back 10,000 years. The Museum has decided to offer the public a 'self guided tour' to help them with their exploration of the exhibits. Be sure to see the new exhibit called, "Uncommon Threads: Wabanaki Textiles, Clothing and Costumes."

This year the museum is staying open on both Saturday and Sunday for the same hours (10-4) as "A Show of Hands". And best of all, both the museum and the craft show will be free. "A Show of Hands" will,of course, have the same high quality of work as our patrons have come to expect of this event. Experience the impact of hand work both in our history and in contemporary work. This is an excellent opportunity to see the work of a wide range of excellent Guild artists and artisans in the pre-Christmas period.

There will as usual be food by Bagel Mainea and live music. This will be the last opportunity this year that our own patrons will have to see the bone carvings on exhibit.