Kentucky Crafted: The Market
The annual Kentucky crafts market continues to grow in popularity

Phillip Payne of Brodhead combines rustic charm and Victorian taste to build handmade furniture that will complement almost any decor. Laura Hallock of Lexington makes elegant, classic stained-glass designs ranging from lamps to suncatchers to jewelry. Annie Brown of Mt. Sterling creates wool rugs and throws made from wool clipped from her own sheep.

All these artisans are creative and talented, designing original patterns for their work. But they also share another common trait, one much more important to the success of their businesses: they are all part of Kentucky Crafted.

Kentucky Crafted, the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program is a state agency that works to promote and develop Kentucky's craft industry through marketing opportunities. The program's mission is to expand the state's craft industry, create an economically viable environment for craft entrepreneurs and preserve the state's craft traditions. When you see the "Kentucky Crafted" logo tag on a craft item, you know the work was created by a juried participant of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program.

While participants in the program can be found throughout the Commonwealth, a few days each year many gather together for Kentucky Crafted: The Market. The Market is an event that the general public can enjoy as a shopper or browser, but it also makes good business sense for Kentucky. The products on sale are available to the retail or wholesale buyer.

The 18th annual Kentucky Crafted: The Market will take place Feb. 18-21. Wholesale buyers can visit The Market 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19. The Market opens to the public 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21. The cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free.

Due to The Market's growth in size and popularity, it has moved to a new, larger location at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, South Wing B, in Louisville.

Kentucky Crafted: The Market provides the general public a rare opportunity to enjoy the same outstanding selection of traditional and contemporary handcrafted items offered to top national buyers. Visitors can buy direct from the makers of the finest Kentucky handcrafted jewelry, fashion and home accessories, gifts, decorative items, wearable art, furniture, specialty foods, books and recorded music. New to The Market in 1999 are categories of two-dimensional visual art and wood products.

"With over 450 participants in the Craft Marketing Program, The Market offers a variety of Kentucky-made crafts and products, and plays a significant role in supporting Kentucky's craft industry," said program director Fran Redmon. "The Market captures the spirit of our state and offers unique flavors for buyers of diverse tastes."

Deanna Mascle is a staff writer for The Lane Report.

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