(Jan. 16, 2015) The annual Nautical & Wildlife Art Festival and Craft Show will take place this weekend at the Ocean City convention center on 40th Street.
This year’s event will feature original handmade pieces and products from 75 vendors. Jewelry, paintings, honey, handcrafted wooden pieces, clay and glassware among many other items that have a nautical and wildlife theme will be on display.
Vendors generally contact organizer, Ami Hastings to be in the show and she has a mailing list of contacts who attend every year.
“The products must be handmade and I take a close look. If I think they are a good fit, I will accept the application and the vendor is invited to the festival,” Hastings said.
Bees by the Bay, out of Baltimore is a new vendor at this year’s show. It is a family operated business owned by James and Patricia Roberts.
The Roberts started beekeeping in 1996 in order to grow better quality vegetables and fruits. The business started with two hives and has grown to more than 200 hives today.
Local and regional honey is produced and sold, candles, soap and a line of skin care products will all be available at their booth this weekend. In addition, they sell packaged bees and starter hives for those interested in the bee business.
“I am a watermen’s daughter who grew up on the Western Shore canning our own fruits and vegetables,” Patricia Roberts said. “This is a hobby turned into a family business for our children and grandchildren.”
Their jars of honey have a lighthouse on the front, which makes attending the Nautical and Wildlife Festival fitting for the couple.
The Olde Wye Pen Company, out of Preston, Md. features pens, pencils, key rings, money clips, wine bottle stoppers and many other products made from various types of woods.
Most notably, owner and artisan Donald Schultz, makes some of his products from the extinct “mighty” Wye Oak tree, which lived in Talbot County for 450 years. It was the largest white oak tree in the United States before dying of old age in 2002 during a severe thunderstorm.
Each of the items is individually turned and finished by Schultz and no two will be exactly alike. The wood is mostly taken from the branches and limbs of the tree since the main part is being preserved.
Schultz has attended the Nautical and Wildlife Art Festival several times during his almost 15 years in business.
“There are only a few winter shows out there and this one is local to me,” Schultz said. “I think I have a very unique product of pens and pencils made from the Wye Oak.”
Festival tickets cost $5 at the door, with children 12 and under admitted free. The show will take place at the Ocean City convention center on 40th Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. For a complete list of vendors and more information, visit www.ocshow.com.
“It is a nice diversion for people on a three-day weekend. There is an overlap of interest with the Watermen’s Expo taking place as well,” Hastings said. “It’s a nice place for outdoor enthusiasts and people interested in a full day of activities in one building.”
