Lehman’s Country Life

By Allison Ervin, writer, age 10

So you’re in Amish country, looking for something fun to do. Here are some of the great things that I enjoyed when I visited Wayne and Holmes County recently. A good way to start your day in Amish country is by visiting the store Lehman’s, in Kidron. There’s lots of unique and fun things you can buy there that are sure to brighten up any day. If you are a child, or have children with you, there’s a huge toy selection and there are toys you can play with. Lots of their products are non-electric and eco-friendly like their wood burning stoves. The store is very big, which means there is a lot you can look at. You will see many things you thought weren’t made any more.

After you leave Lehman’s, head up the road to the store P. Graham Dunn in Dalton, where they make
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Weaving during a recent Fiber Arts Demo

 I thought I would share with you some photos of recent Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild demos taking place at Lehman’s in the Buggy Barn.  You can see whats on the schedule for upcoming demos here: 

 We’ve been getting together a talented group of local artists to share with you the work of their hands and knowledge of their craft during these demos or to just share ideas to inspire each other.   From participating in  demos the last couple years at Lehmans I think the most pleasant part about it is to hear from visitors to the store what they make or create.  You are a creative bunch so thank you for your interest and appreciation.     I’ll be in this Friday to add to the farm animal murals so stop in and say hi!           

Pottery Demo

Hand Tools from Fiber Arts Demo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equine Art and Farm Animal Mural by Sue Steiner

Wool Rug Hooking Demo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pottery Demonstration at Lehman's

The store was all a buzz with activity this morning as everyone was gearing up for the busy Memorial Day weekend.  This weekend is the Dutch Oven Cook Off so there is alot cookin’ inside and out!

Mary Ruth Kamp, a local potter set up her potter’s wheel in the Buggy Barn and got busy throwing clay for visitors to the store.   Before she even got a chance to set up people were anxious to see her work.  There are so many things appealing about pottery!  No wonder it is a favorite item in the store.  Lehman’s carries a wide variety of Pottery in their pottery room so its a natural fit for Mary Ruth to demonstrate how it is made.  Mary Ruth will be a regular demonstrator so if you missed her demo today you can check the Events Calendar on this page to see when she will be back.

I have been helping Lehman’s bring in local artists and crafters from the Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild to do educational and entertaining demos on a regular basis.  Last week Dennis Lipp, a Kidron/Dalton resident brought his easle and oil paints to share his beautiful rural landscapes by doing a painting demo.   One of the many treats of a visit to Lehman’s begin during the drive here as you veiw the beautiful farmland in Wayne Co.   As a local resident and artist myself the rolling farmland is a continual source of inspiration. Lehman’s is known for selling unique, locally made products so to bring in local artistic talent is just an extention of their philosopy to support the local and USA workforce.   Thank you Lehman’s for providing this opportunity for us and by the happy faces in the Buggy Barn I  think I can say thank you on behalf of the visitors too!

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daffodil wood carving and carving tools

I am sure many of you have been enjoying the spring flowers.  I know I have!  In Kidron, Ohio the lilacs are in bloom and we are still seeing the last of the beautiful daffodils.  The delicate daffodils and flowers in the photo above though are made from wood, believe it or not.  The photo does not convey the paper thin realism that I got to see in person.  I was quite impressed!  Rod Hardy shared with us his woodcarving skills during a demo on Sat. May 2 in the Buggy Barn at Lehman’s and brought a whole assortment of floral and wildlife carvings for us to enjoy.   Included in the photos above are some of the woodcarving tools that Lehman’s carries and that Rod uses to create these beautiful pieces.   You can see he also has some beautiful  bird wood carvings.  I especially enjoyed a tiny hummingbird eating nector from a flower Rod carved.

Floral and Wildlife Wood Carving Demo

I am helping Lehman’s schedule area artists and crafters to line up  interesting demos for the whole year.  We certainly want to invite Rod back along with a wide assortment of other talented artists and crafters.  We know from experience that visitors to Lehman’s are a creative, hands on kind of person so it is our pleasure to share this with you!  One of the perks of doing this is then we get to hear about what you do with the ‘work of your hands’!  That is so refreshing in todays busy world.  Thank you!

Floral and Wildlife Wood Carving by Rod Hardy

To see the schedule for upcoming demos please visit the Events tab at the top of this page.  To read more about the Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild demonstrators visit the OACG web site here.

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Young Colt Mural in the Buggy Barn

My name is Sue Steiner and I am the artist painting the farm animal murals in the Buggy Barn.   A couple years ago I painted the outside farm animal murals and now I am working on adding to the murals in the Buggy Barn,  an authentic century old post and beam structure used by the Amish to store buggies and house animals.  The buggy barn in the store was dismantled on the farm and reconstructed in the store.  My job has been to add the ’animal’ element to the barn.   Jay Lehman has been busy adding antique farm implements and tools in the buggy barn just as you’d expect to see in the real thing.   It is becoming quite an interesting place!  I particularly enjoy seeing the young kids faces when they see the animals.

On many Fridays from 10-2:00 you can find me working on the latest mural.  As I am nearing completion of the young colt painting (pictured above) I have begun to tally votes for the next farm animal to go in the Buggy Barn.  I’ve been asking people to leave comments here or to give me their vote when I am in the store painting.  Some of the suggestions I’ve recieved have been barn cats, piglets, goats, calf, mouse, oxen and llama.  Popular vote has been the sheep goes in next.  You can see my rough sketch with chalk below the roosting chickens as I am beginning to plan out what I will paint.

rough sketch of ewe

I am letting you determine what goes in after I complete the sheep so if you want to register your vote now is your chance!  Feel free to say any of the animals already mentioned or one of your own choosing.   I am game for what you all decide- provided it makes sense that it would be seen in an Amish Buggy Barn!

To see when I am scheduled to paint again click on the Events tab on the top of this page.

Thank you!

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This week visitors to Lehman’s will be treated to some fun, free and informative demos in the Buggy Barn.  In keeping with the start of the growing season the demos will have a gardening theme as people  gear up to plant gardens and take advantage of the newly expanded garden room at the Kidron store.

Friday’s Demo 10:00am - 2:00 pm

Feline Garden Fantasies by Contemporary Folk Artist BZTAT

Artist Vicki Boatright, known as “BZTAT” (pronounced bee-zee-tat), specializes in whimsical drawings, paintings and prints of cats, dogs and other companion animals.  BZTAT will create a painting of a cat frolicking in the garden in her unique, contemporary style as part of her demo.   Her use of bright colors and uplifting themes are a hit with all ages so be sure to stop by! 
Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT
Vicki Boatright
Art Adventures Studios

Saturday’s Demo 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Ron Hardy will share some of his garden themed art as he carves daffodils and other spring flowers in wood.  As many of you know Lehman’s carries a wide assortment of wood carving tools so if inspiration hits after you watch Ron you can find the right tools to try this on  your own!

To see upcoming demos and special events please click on the Events tab on the top of this page.

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Original Oil Painting By Sue Steiner

Check out the Events Calendar on this page to see the schedule of local artisans sharing their knowledge and skills in Lehman’s Buggy Barn as demos.   We are fortunate to have a wide variety of local, talented folks from the Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild who welcome the chance to talk with visitors to the store on topics of interest such as environmentally ‘green’  activities, farm related arts and crafts,  pottery, wood carving, farm animal art, rural landscape oil paintings and gardening.

This week Devona of Clevernesting will be back with her garden themed crafts using recycled items normally thrown away.  Last week she shared with us seed catalog art, plastic grocery bag woven baskets and coffee bag seed starter pots.  You’ll enjoy her enthusiam as she shares her wealth of ideas and tutorials on how to make the most with the least using commonly found items!
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We are gearing up to begin another round of arts and crafts demos at the store in Kidron in the Buggy Barn from now until the end of the year.  The founder’s of Clever Nesting along with other Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild members will take turns doing demos in which they share with you their skills, knowledge and crafts.   Colleen and Devonna have a refreshing way to get people enthused about recycling.  Read on to get a glimpse as to what they do….

“Colleen and Devona are passionate about conservation and creativity. They enthusiastically want to share this lifestyle with others, hence, the Clever Nesting website was developed in early 2009. At Clever Nesting you’ll find posts about crafting techniques, full craft tutorials, and links to other great crafting resources. There are design ideas for the home and techniques for the garden, many of which reuse and repurpose items often thrown away.  Plus, read artist interviews who also share the Clever Nesting vision…a world where people do more with less.

Off the web Clever Nesting is active in the Greater Akron, Ohio community spreading the creative and repurposing spirit by hosting local events and teaching craft classes and demonstrations.”

To see dates for demos please click on the Event Calendar on this web site.  Clever Nestings demo this Saturday  they will be doing ‘Recycling Crafts using a Gardening Theme’.  You can expect to see seed catalogue paper crafts, plastic grocery bag basket weaving, and recycled coffee bean bags seed starter pots.

For more Artists Profiles go to: http://www.oacg.blogspot.com

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Beginning April 17, 2009 I will be back in the Buggy Barn most Fridays working on the farm animal murals.  My name is Sue Steiner and I am a local equine and animal artist.  I have this wonderful opportunity to do what I love best- paint animals in an authentic Amish Buggy Barn.  My job has been to add atmosphere and interest.  You’ll find old farm implements, garden tools and other farm related items and a barn full of farm animal murals!   I am inviting input as to what animal needs to go in next.  (There are still blank spots– can’t have that!!)  There is something in every farmer that knows you MUST fill your barn all the way!

I have a young colt mural I need to put some finishing touches to but after that I am ready to move to another spot.  In the Buggy Barn  in addition to the young colt we have a flock of  roosting hens, Bess; the family milk cow, a couple buggy horses and the team of Amish work horses Rex and Roy at the hitching post.   So we are fairly heavily slanted in the horse department but want to be an equal opportunity farm so lets hear it from you as to what is your favorite farm animal?  You are welcome to comment here.  I also will have a suggestion box in the Buggy Barn so if you are in the store please stop in, see the murals and give us your opinion!

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