The Town of Kiefer sponsored an Arts and Crafts Show Saturday, April 1st from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kiefer City Hall. The show featured a number of talented artisans displaying an eclectic variety of hand-made crafts.
Perhaps the most intriguing works of art were the items crafted from pianos or parts of pianos. Stan Rutherford, who owns and operates Pianos Reimagined, discussed his creations. “I take older pianos that are about a hundred years old or more, and those that have already outlived their playability and I will repurpose them into items like bookcases, wine racks, aquariums, and all kinds of different things I use the shell of the piano for.
“The parts of the piano, the wood, keys, actions, I will turn those into keepsakes. Especially people who have an old piano that has been in their family forever, they don’t want to get rid of it, but they don’t want a piano anymore, so I do something with that.”
Rutherford, a retired pilot who flew for the OHP, and was Governor Keating’s personal pilot, said he has been repurposing pianos for three years. “It has been a lot of fun, we mainly do a lot of craft shows.”
Melanoy Rector, Untie the Ribbons, had many lovely gift items, ranging from rustic to romantic. The drawings were superbly detailed and would look good on any shelf or mantle.
Callie Covey, Callie’s Creations, had a wide assortment of keychains with beautifully decorated fabric straps.
Kendra Parnell, Parnell Statuary, had on display, brightly colored ornate concrete statues, ornaments, planters and a finely detailed crucifix.
Dickie Parnell, Pastor Community Freewill Baptist Church, Kiefer, has created stunningly beautiful ink pens crafted from acrylic and wood. Parnell said he takes the block of acrylic or wood and places it in a lathe, then decorates it. He has pens that are made from wood that comes from Bethlehem and includes a letter certifying that the wood indeed comes from Bethlehem. He also has pens crafted from Roman wood. These exquisite writing instruments are truly works of art.
The Anna Mae Gifts table featured, of all things, goat’s milk soap. According to the website goatsmilkstuff.com: “Goat’s milk soaps are for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema, acne, or psoriasis. And for anyone undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, these soaps will gently care for your skin during treatment.
“Unscented Goat Soaps contain no essential oils or added scents of any kind, and smell like a plain soap. But they do have lots of fresh goat milk! Goat milk fills your Unscented Goat Soaps with vitamins, alpha hydroxy acids, and minerals. Not only that, goat soap helps to gently yet thoroughly clean your skin while leaving it soft & moisturized.”
The collection of goat’s milk soap being sold came in all sizes, shapes, and colors.
Jason Melton, Fiddlin J’s Yard Art had possibly the most unique yard art in the area. The works of art are crafted from a variety of repurposed items.
The magnificent pop art rooster is made from such items as clippers, a rake, and a bicycle fork.
Cheryl Hill-Yates, PAHA Creations, had beautifully designed and crafted Native American jewelry and coins. The earrings were particularly magnificently decorated.
Even the Town Administrator got into the act and had a plethora of brightly colored repurposed objects.
Overall, the Arts and Craft show was aesthetically pleasing and definitely worth the visit.
