Sandpiper Art Fest vendors offer plethora of unique wares
TANA BURKE shows Stephanie Costello her semi-precious gemstones during the Sandpiper Art Festival last Saturday on the courthouse lawn in Polson.
GITTI MILLER watches as Brinlee Reum weave a caribou basket at Miller’s booth during the Sandpiper Art Festival on the Lake County Courthouse lawn last Saturday. Brinlee’s sister Anna is next to do some weaving. (Joe Sova photos/Lake County Leader)
Mark and Kristi Reichman, know as The Wildflowers, entertain people attending the Sandpiper Art Festival last Saturday in Polson.
Whenever you browse through booths at an arts and crafts show, there is always something new and unique to see. And some exceptional values.
Such was the case at the 47th annual Sandpiper Art Festival last Saturday on the Lake County Courthouse lawn in Polson. It was sponsored by the Sandpiper Art and Gift Gallery, based in Polson.
Founded in 1971, the Sandpiper Art Festival is a popular one-day juried outdoor event that features fine art and artisan crafts. The festival provided live entertainment in the courthouse square during festival hours. There were also nearby food vendors.
Two of the arts and crafts vendors were Gitti Miller, whose booth was billed as Antler Baskets and Sports Wear by Gitti., and Tana Burke’s Gem Girl Studio and Jewelry Designs by Tana.
A STOP AT Miller’s booth early Saturday afternoon allowed festival visitors to watch her weave a large caribou basket.
Miller’s business card says, “Beautiful, One of a Kind Antler Baskets.
“I do all kinds of weird shapes,” Miller said of her handiwork. “That’s why I like them.”
She has been weaving products for 10 years, celebrating her first decade in business.
Miller holds weaving classes at Jette Lake, northwest of Polson. One of her former students, Candyce Brevik of Polson, stopped by for a visit with Miller.
Learn more about Miller’s baskets online at www.antlerbasketcase.com
BURKE MADE her third appearance at the Sandpiper Art Festival, coming to the Mission Valley from Missoula.
With her Gem Girl Studio business, Burke offers a large variety of semi-precious gemstones. She makes necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Her most popular items are handmade with moonstone, citrine, opal, turquoise and lavender amethyst. Necklaces can feature several delicate layers of gems, with up to five layers.
Burke indicated she is pleased to be a member of the Sandpiper Art Gallery group.
Her website is GemGirlStudio.com.
SANDPIPER ART and Gift Gallery offers four types of annual membership: active, associate, patron and student. For more information, go online to sandpiperartgallery.com.