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Lewes Historical Society to host Outdoor Summer Craft Fair July 12

June 22, 2014

July in Lewes means the Summer Craft Fair hosted by The Lewes Historical Society from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 12, at the Historic Complex at Second and Shipcarpenter streets in downtown Lewes. Admission will be $5 per person, with children under 12 free. Proceeds from this event will benefit educational and preservation programs at The Lewes Historical Society.

With its wealth of historical sites, museums, unique shops, restaurants and pristine beaches, Lewes is an exciting destination for craft buyers and visitors alike. The Historic Complex consists of numerous historic buildings that will be open to the public. These houses and museums, surrounded by shade trees and gardens, provide a beautiful backdrop for the craft fair. Listen to festive live music from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by New & Used Bluegrass Band, sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty. Enjoy delicious food by Casa Amici, along with cold treats by Vitale's Italian Ice. Over 4,000 visitors are expected to enjoy the Lewes Summer Craft Fair this year.

The Lewes Summer Craft Fair is well known for the exceptional quality of the craftspeople including new and returning artists from across Delmarva and the Eastern Shore. This year, there will be over 70 talented artisans exhibiting a variety of media ranging from metalwork to woodworking, and this summer’s featured artist, jeweler Susan Bartley.

Bartley works with sterling silver, fine silver, 14k gold, 18k gold, rose gold and hand-selected gemstones. “All of my jewelry designs are original and start out as a sketch,” says Bartley. “From there I hand-fabricate each piece in my studio.” Bartley’s jewelry lines consist of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings, which she says are “strongly influenced by the natural beauty of the beaches along the East Coast as well as my own gardens.”

Since childhood, Bartley has been involved in the arts. She started with oil painting and later traded her brushes for a torch. “I now express my creativity by working with precious metals. Classroom and workshop experience along with self-taught techniques are used to create each piece,” says Bartley.

Bartley’s jewelry has been in several wearable art shows and galleries. She participates in juried fine arts and crafts shows on the East Coast. Some of her pieces have found homes as far away as Africa and Japan. “Creativity is a part of who I am,” says Bartley. “I never travel without a project in hand; it gives me inner peace and tranquility.”

For more details about the Summer Craft Fair or more information on The Lewes Historical Society, call 302-645-7670 or visit www.HistoricLewes.org.

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