Former St. Ignace resident George Styes (right) of Findlay, Ohio, along with Masa Tanaka, make tables, cutting boards, and coasters using granite and marble. This is the first time they have exhibited their work at Arts Dockside. Crowds strolled through Arts Dockside this weekend near the St. Ignace Marina, shopping for gifts or handmade items for the home. On the waterfront, performances by musicians, dancers, and popular juggler, Crazy Richard, complimented the informality.

A variety of creations, from walking sticks to birdhouses and jewelry to artwork, were sold from 70 booths. The 31st annual openair craft show drew hundreds of visitors Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31.

"We won't miss this one," vendor Jim Mager of Ishpeming said of the show. He and his wife, Julie, attend only those shows they enjoy, about six each year.

Mr. Mager said they particularly enjoy working with show organizers Jennifer Joseph and Jeanette O'Rourke.

A wood carver, he crafts walking sticks and canes using about 50 types of wood. He travels to Kentucky to get sassafras, a unique, twisted wood that offers a striking appearance to the canes and walking sticks. He creates a variety of designs, sometimes adding beading and leather.

Declaring himself "The world's best juggler in St. Ignace — today," juggler and comedian Crazy Richard drew a crowd Saturday as he began his routine. He later juggled with fire and offered this prayer before successfully catching the fire-tipped clubs: "Please grant my one desire, don't let me catch on fire." Crazy Richard's performances have been a highlight of Arts Dockside for many years. St. Ignace Arts Dockside veterans Marge and George Nagy, owners of Country Gate Collectibles of Marion, have been coming to St. Ignace for about 29 years.

The couple make birdhouses and bird feeders of their own design. As the show got underway Saturday, Mr. Nagy put the finishing touches on a bird feeder made of old wood salad bowls attached to the handle of a tall shovel. He named the feeder Garden Cafe and it soon sold.

"We try to make stuff they don't have at Wal-Mart; something out of the ordinary, whatever comes to mind," he said.

At right: Marquette Folk Dancers Louise Anderson and Bob Railey entertain the Arts Dockside crowd as they enjoy a dance at the outdoor venue near the St. Ignace marina. They like to recycle items and search flea markets and garage sales for pieces to use. On display are birdhouses constructed from an antique oil can and sections of an old toboggan.

They attend shows from March until December in Michigan, Indiana, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, said Mrs. Nagy.

"We meet a lot of people," she said, "and we camp."

High gas prices have curtailed their participation at some shows in the western Upper Peninsula and out of state.

"When the price goes down,' she said, "we'll be back."

This year's show is the second for Chip Harrer of Sault Ste. Marie, although for many years his wife, Shirley, has been attending craft shows and making stuffed bears.

"She's been doing this for 14 years," he said, "and she finally found something for me to do, too."

At left: George Nagy of Country Gate Collectibles of Marion adds a grapevine to his Garden Cafe bird feeder Saturday, August 30, during Arts Dockside in St. Ignace. Mr. Nagy and his wife, Marge, have been coming to the St. Ignace craft show for about 29 years. Last year, he turned old silverplated silverware into wind chimes. This year, he is turning the silverware into bracelets and necklaces.

A retired master electrician, Mr. Harrer said he enjoys his craft and strives to make a long-lasting piece of jewelry. Through the winter, he will be making rings to add to his jewelry line.

Mrs. Harrer, a legal advocate at the Diane Peppler Resource Center in Sault Ste. Marie, said she is glad her husband is joining her in craft projects, except that his craft is affecting their home life.

"It's kept him so busy," she said, "he's not doing the housework now."

Former St. Ignace resident George Styes of Findlay, Ohio, and his partner, Masa Tanaka, make tables, cutting boards, and coasters from granite and marble. Their company, called Hard Rock Designs, has been in business two years and this is the fourth show they have attended.

Exhibitor Chip Harrer (from left) of Sault Ste. Marie shows the bracelets and necklaces he has crafted to Jerry Soorus of Dafter, and Larry and Becky Stillwell of Cheboygan, who attended Arts Dockside. Mr. Harrer creates the jewelry from old silverware. "We're just getting going," said Mr. Styes. "It's a big learning experience for us right now.

"We had to do St. Ignace," he added. "It's a good show, [and] it's hometown."

Mr. Styes is a consultant to granite fabricators and works on granite and marble restoration projects.

"I paint on anything," said exhibitor and artist Bonnie Besteman of Besteman Creations of Rudyard. "I just love to do it."

This is the third year she has attended the St. Ignace show.

Her husband, Paul, got the special education para-professional into painting professionally when he encouraged her to take a painting class.

She likes folk art and her garden scenes are impressionistic in style. She paints on glass, wood, canvas, and linoleum.

She began by painting for herself and by giving artwork to friends.

"Then, people started requesting things they wanted to give to others," she said.

Now she attends six summer craft shows and five winter events.

"You've got to zoom in on this booth right away," said Ted Tamlyn of St. Ignace, who along with his wife, Andrea, enjoys Mrs. Besteman's creations.

Speaking from experience, he said, "If you wait too long, it's gone."