About 100 vendors will display and sell their work at the Fine Arts and Crafts Show in Mackinaw City Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30, at Conkling Park. The show will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

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show in June enjoyed a large turnout of 89 vendors, she said, an increase from June 2008's 48 vendors. This year, the August show is expected to be double the number from August 2008, which saw 52 vendors.

Several factors are involved in the increase in booths, Events Coordinator Courtney Kolatski said. The economy is definitely a factor.

"People are looking for ways to make money," she said.

The craft show in June received a favorable response from the public, which may be why many vendors from June will return to the August show, she said. Many vendors were happy with sales in June.

Jeff Hammond of McBain, in particular, enjoyed a moderate level of success.

"Sales were pretty good considering the state of the economy," he said.

Mr. Hammond will return this weekend. A welder, Mr. Hammond creates rustic and nautical scenes out of metal using a plasma cutter.

"Whatever comes to mind, I cut," he said.

The cutter was originally purchased for his own use. As an agricultural fabricator, Mr. Hammond creates cattle flow and restraint products.

"The art stuff is just a hobby that's gone out of control," he said.

When he began creating metal works for himself, a friend who frequented various art shows suggested he go to one and become a vendor.

He has visited the Mackinaw City Fine Arts and Crafts Show for four years.

In addition to creating original art, Mr. Hammond performs custom works. He is able to take a picture that someone likes, he said, and convert it to a cut path and cut it out on metal.

Roy LaCourse of Oscoda will perform demonstrations of chainsaw carvings while visitors watch. He performed at the show in June.

"I'm getting a bear [from Mr. LaCourse] this time," Mrs. Kolatski said.

The show, which has been hosted in Mackinaw City for about 13 years, will feature a bounty of handmade items that cannot be found in stores, a stipulation that vendors must meet before they can register.

Unusual items will be featured such as cheese plates made from melted bottles and unique jewelry.

People who visit the show will see the imagination vendors put into their works, Mrs. Kolatski said.