FINAL DAY: A shopper’s paradise at the Craftsmen’s Spring Classic

The Craftsmen’s Spring Classic arrives at the State Fairgrounds Friday for its annual three-day extravaganza of all things handmade.

There will be more than 300 artisans on hand, selling everything from wreaths and bird feeders to fused glass, fine art, textiles, soaps, lotions, jewelry, specialty foods, garden tools, outdoor art – literally anything a person can think of and make.

It might be tempting to look for the items online but photographer Walter Arnold, who shoots haunting images of abandoned buildings and other sites, said that would be a mistake.

“I’ve found that people like to meet the artist, learn about what makes them tick, and hear the stories behind the artwork they are purchasing,” he said.

“It’s much more rewarding for someone who is going to hang a piece of art in their home to be able to have that personal touch that can only come with interacting directly with an artist. Simply put, exhibiting my work at fine art shows across the country adds value and meaning to my images that you could not achieve simply by displaying the images on a website.”

The Craftsmen’s Spring Classic will be held in both the Cantey and Goodman Buildings.

For more information, including hours and discount tickets, visit craftshow.com.

Katie McElveen, Special to The State

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 3:05 PM with the headline "FINAL DAY: A shopper’s paradise at the Craftsmen’s Spring Classic."