Fiber

In 1965 Duane Bell founded a small steel manufacturing business, Bell Manufacturing, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Using centuries-old blacksmithing techniques the company made radiator covers and security gates. Then in 1990, the furniture company Room and Board approached Bell's children, Jim and Judy, who had taken over the business, and asked if they were interested in creating an entirely different product-furniture. Looking for a new challenge, the pair accepted and began creating hand-welded steel beds, coffee tables and other household items.

Day two and after a dose of rest I hurried back to the convention center, thanks in part to a stiff wind carrying me along, for another look at the fantastic work on display at the American Craft Council's show. After 33 years, word gets around and once again, the crowds showed up, keen to see more high-end craft. The weekend seemed to draw more people so it was a bit of a challenge to navigate through the aisles but the anticipation of meeting and speaking with the artists spurred me on.

Textile artist Annica Leah Cuppetelli shows off her intriguing sculpture work as part of the Searchlight Artist exhibition at this year’s American Craft Council Show in Baltimore.

Today marked the first day of the American Craft Council's Baltimore Show -three public days dedicated to craft-based art. For the past 33 years, this enormous show has been humming along at the city's convention center, engaging an enthusiastic crowd with a cornucopia of talent from across the country. I arrived prior to show time and despite dire pronouncements about the economy, an eager crowd had already gathered to see their favorites, lift their spirits and get first dibs on the goods.