ELK RAPIDS -- Ron Lindgren's weathered hands carefully wove rough corn fibers under a bright white tent on River Street.
The Gaylord resident sat surrounded by dozens of handcrafted brooms and brushes of all shapes and sizes. He learned the trade after retiring from the Navy in 1996, and hits several craft shows a year to sell his rustic products.
The centuries-old tradition he keeps alive reminds many of days gone by. It reminds people of other things, too.
"I get the typical associations with witches and Harry Potter," Lindgren, 56, said with a grin. "A lot of husbands will hand a broom to their wives and say 'Here's your ride home.' "
Lindgren joined dozens of other craftsmen and women for Elk Rapids' annual craft show Saturday. Hordes of visitors walked up and down the village's main drag under mostly sunny skies, a welcome change from the clouds and downpour that hampered last year's show.
Allan Shepard, of East Jordan, offered a huge variety of trains, planes and automobiles he handcrafted from wood. Shepard, a retiree who spends his free time perfecting his craft, is typical of most vendors who offer their wares on the area's summer craft show circuit.
"I like to make (the toys), but I like doing the shows, too, because of the people I meet," he said. "Someone once asked me, 'Do you really need the money that bad?' I said 'No, but if I didn't sell them, I'd have to quit making them.'"
Many, like Sault Ste. Marie resident Donna Jarvis, offer something unique. Jarvis weaves elaborate baskets out of long-leaf yellow pine needles. She began making them a few years ago to give to relatives, and now goes to several craft shows a year.
"This happens to hit my fancy," she said. "It's kind of nice when you find your niche ... I love the reaction of people, and having an item that no one else has."
Vendors, especially if they've been in the game awhile, see return customers. That's one of Traverse City resident Pam Taylor's favorite things about the show circuit. Taylor, who makes "Pocket Cards" -- colorful, accordion-like greeting cards that contain five smaller cards with emotional sentiments -- likes seeing old friends.
"People remember you; they look for you," she said. "I like to see the familiar faces."
Dorie Selvius, of Grand Rapids, makes clothing for the popular "American Girl" line of dolls. Her work serves as a creative outlet.
"I just like creating," she said. "It kind of fulfills the artistic part in me, I guess ... I try to design things of my own."
Elk Rapids resident Jennifer Cosier, who had a table filled with colorful children's sweaters, could knit with her eyes closed. But then again, the English-born Cosier, 69, has had time to practice.
"My grandmother in England taught me when I was 4," she said.
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