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Designer Alice LaPorte examines wall hanging at Living With Craft exhibit.

Alice LaPorte is the Designer for the Living With Craft exhibit in the Lodge building at the main entrance. Of the 300 crafts and accessories submitted by juried members for the exhibit, 200 will be on display. 

Rather than present furniture and other crafts in a traditional museum format, the exhibit consists of "rooms" complete with furniture, wall art, table cloths, bed quilts, eating utensils, serving dishes and other craft and art pieces that comprise a complete environment. 

Alice applied her professional interior design background to create a floor plan of the entire exhibit, including furniture and other large pieces to-scale. She said that the movable walls are painted with a different color scheme every year to set a "distinctive style." This year's "soft pallette brings attention to the art pieces and crafts, and makes them stronger."  Each display "has a dominating piece that sets the tone." 

Most display tents are installed and ready for exhibitors' booths for the 76th Annual Crafts Fair, Aug. 1 through 9, 10 am to 5 pm, at Mount Sunapee Resort, rain or shine.

The Craft Fair has been at Mount Sunapee since 1964.

Fair Director Terri Wiltse said that "Tent Captains" are in continual contact with the fair office in case of problems such as "a moose or bear nosing around," threatening weather, accidents and health emergencies. EMT, rescue and fire fighters are immediately available. "Being a ski facility, Mount Sunapee Resort has their own weather radar and continuous monitoring, as well as emergency medical facilities."

Terri said that New Hamshire farmers always had been making crafts as part of their everyday life, and often sold or traded their work. The Great Depression made farm life even more difficult, and in 1932, craftsmen in the Lakes Region founded the League of NH Craftsmen through which they educated and built an audience and a market for their handmade crafts. The first fair was in 1934, and was a great success.

Volunteers are always needed at the fair, and perform a variety of services to guests and exhibitors. Call Bonnie Nieves, the Volunteer Coordinator, at 603-224-3375, or visit the Website at http://www.nhcrafts.org.

You can buy tickets online at a $2 discount through July 31; adults $8, seniors and students $6. Children younger than 13 enter for free. (Regular price is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students.) Parking is free.