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The crafters will be at Rockome creating from 10 until 6 every Wednesday thru Sunday, from May 7 thru September 30. Stop by and see them at the crafter's hall, they are happy to answer questions.
Barbara Alberts, soap and wirework: Barbara uses the same recipes to make soap that her grandmother did. Using spices and other natural ingredients, she can make a variety of fragrances. It takes her around 3 hours to make a batch of soap on the open fire. Some of our older visitors might remember their family making soap like this. See some examples of her work! Barbara also does wirework art. It’s an interesting craft that Barbara hopes to expand on this summer. With wire she can make animal feeders, wine racks, mobiles and do custom work as well.
John Gettinger, glass artist: John has been working in glass for some 30 years. He originally began in college and his interest has grown since then. It takes him a good hour to do an average size piece. Although glass blowing is the best know form of glass art, John uses many other processes too. The glass he uses has to be heated in excess of 1000 degrees in order to soften it enough to work with it.
Mike Jean has been a blacksmith since 1990. My Grandfather was a blacksmith in Alabama and so was my great uncle Vic. 
Uncle Vic's tools are still on display at the Barney Mining Museum in Walker Co. Alabama.
I was the smithy for Billie Creek Village, Rockville, IN for six years and was voted by the visiting school teachers as the best children exhibitor 5 years running. I have smithed for the Van Wert, OH Historical Society; the Paulding, OH Steam and Tractor Show; The Ohio Folk Festival (Good Will Organization), Dayton OH; Wind River Reservation in Riverton, WY and from 1996 to 1999 Six Flags over Mid-America's County Fair at St. Louis, MO. I regularly demonstrate my skills and love for blacksmithing at the annual bridge festival in Parke County, IN. I have done several school demonstrations in Sullivan, IN, Attica, IN, and elsewhere. One of my big draws at these events is stamping children's names on horseshoes. I am basically self taught but have had help from other smithing friends when a problem has been too tough for me to figure out on my own. I mainly concentrate on keeping the craft alive and demonstrating it for the public. Entertaining the children and "older" children is more important than making a large profit. I try to make a majority of my products right on site during my shows, giving the public a greater feel of what I do as a blacksmith. This allows me to make custom made items as they watch. One favorite demonstration is making a wizard face. The most important thing to me at an event is that everyone goes home with memories of good times. We practice the new 3R's; Respect yourself, Respect others and take Responsibility for your actions. We also offer for sale new iron kettles like grandma's in capacities of 2.5 to 19.5 gallons plus other interesting merchandise. For more info contact Mike Jean at
765-397-3887, or e-mail at mklbjean@k-inc.com.
Click HERE for further information on Mike Jean!
Thomas Makosky, wood carver: The process Tom uses is called chip carving. He cuts decorative geometric shapes into the wood. Tom has been carving for over 10 years. It takes 3-4 hours for an average piece up to a week for the truly complex pieces. Tom designs the decorations himself, making each piece unique. Learn More!
Tom Ward, coppersmith: When he was young Tom learned his trade from his father. He still uses the tools his father purchased from a retired metal smith in 1942. Tom enjoys hand making pieces from solid sheets of copper. Learn More!