ARTS & CRAFTS: BIG PLUS FOR ECONOMY

Mac Neilson used a scroll saw to cut fret work patterns out of six layers of wood during the craft show at West Park Mall.

Sunflowers are in full bloom, and so is the arts and crafts business, in all their forms -- from T-shirts to teapots.

Sunflowers are one of the most popular items sought by arts and crafts aficionados. Close behind are scores of other craft pieces -- bunnies, bears, Noah and his animal pals, country (anything), chubby, whimsical angels and scarecrows who masquerade as bird feeders.

The Untied States got its start as a country whose people made things by hand, by necessity.

Today, crafts are an addendum to our way of life -- a way of taking time to appreciate art created in the heart and crafted at best for the most part, in the home.

Mac Neilson, after a career in municipal government, turned to woodworking as a diversion from idle retirement.

"I've always enjoyed working with wood," said Neilson of Carrolton, Miss. Over the past five years he has operated his "Wood Shack" business, preparing his arts and crafts at home and on the road.

Neilson was in Cape Girardeau recently, demonstrating and selling his crafts during a show at West Park Mall.

"I travel to a lot of shows, from Florida to Iowa, and throughout the Midwest," said Neilson, who provides his wooden fret work, featuring animals, birds, clowns, sports and various religious scenes.

He also prepares bird houses, 3-D plaques and weather stations in the form of farm tractors, featuring a thermometer on the large wheels and a rain gauge as the tractor's smoke stack.

Arts and crafts, which can provide a big boost to any area's economy, can be found in every community.

It's hard to drive far without coming across shops and galleries selling a variety of hand-made products such as ceramics, jewelry, embroidery and needlework, wood carvings and art.

It's difficult to pin down a total figure of what arts and crafts mean to an area's economy.

"It brings a lot of people into the area," say Omer and Brinda Luttrull, who own and operate Country Shade Crafts Mall Inc. in Cape Girardeau. "We have really been surprised at the activity."

It provides an opportunity for crafters to add to their annual income, said Mrs. Luttrull. "Some do it full time, others do it for fun and hobby."

More than 200 dealers display their products at Country Shade, including a lot of local crafters. This setting provides an opportunity for customers to shop for crafts year-round.

The Luttrulls opened the craft mall in a 6,000-square-foot space at 8 Plaza Way four years ago. Since then, they have added an additional 4,000 square feet.

Arts and crafts led to a full-time business for the Luttrull.

"We were former crafters," she said. "We specialized in ceramics, and traveled throughout the Midwest. The mall is a full-time business now. We put in about 90 hours a week in our mall business."

The Briar Patch, an arts and crafts shop that has grown from seven crafters in 1991 to more than 300, attracts consumers and dealers to its West Park Mall site.

"We have craft malls in the Alton, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo., area," said Amy McClarney, manager of the local store. "Most of our exhibitors have booths in all three locations."

Karen Lofton is owner of the Briar Patch, which is located in the Famous Barr corridor.

During a two-day period each winter, Cape Girardeau turns into an arts and crafts hub that attracts 15,000 to 20,000 people, when shows are held in four locations.

More than 400 booths are established at the annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Bazaar at the Show Me Center, sponsored by the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts.

Another 400 booths are at the 18th annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Show, sponsored by the River Valley Crafters, and displayed at two sites -- Arena Park and the Holiday Inn Convention Center. A fourth site has been added to the weekend's activity, the "Christmas at the Armory" show at the National Guard Armory.

"Visitors travel here from throughout the region for these shows, which are held on the same weekend," said an Arts Council spokesman. "We usually have wall-to-wall people at the shows."

The dates for this year's shows have already been established. They will be held Nov. 23 and 24.

A year ago, more than 1,000 people were waiting in lines for the opening of shows throughout the city.

Crafters work throughout the year in preparation for shows and displaying of products at various malls and consignment shops.

One of the most popular arts and crafts spots in Southern Illinois is a state-owned and operated market at the Rend Lake Recreational Area along Interstate 57.

The Southern Illinois Arts and Crafts Market Place features more than 17,000 square feet, with crafters from 27 Southern Illinois counties.

"Crafters and artists from anywhere in Illinois are eligible to display their goods," said Leo Packard, director of the center. "But 75 to 80 percent of the crafts here are from the lower 27 counties."

Packard said that more than 800 crafters had displays at the facility. "We have a list of about 800 people who have products here at one time or another," he said.

Funds for the $2 million facility at Rend Lake were state appropriated. Although it is owned by the state, the operation is being administered by the Illinois State Museum Society and sponsored by the Illinois State Museum.

Packard cites another plus for the economy.

"We have visitors here from a wide area, and many of them will spend a half-day or so browsing, then stay overnight," he said. "They buy gasoline and eat at nearby restaurants, adding to tourism dollars."

Many of the exhibitors depend on outlets like this for their livelihood. "They work at their craft full-time, and place their products in several outlets," Packard said.

More than a quarter-million dollars in sales were reported at the center last year.

An art gallery was added to the center two years ago.

Another feature of the center is its traveling exhibits.

"We have an exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute now," said Packard.

"Full Deck, Art Quilts," provides an appeal to crafters and artists, said Packard. The exhibit features 54 small art quilts.

The center is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.