St. Charles Folk art sale continues Sunday

"Not the usual stuff" is why Teresa Simon of Channahon returns year after year to the Country Folk Art Festival sale in St. Charles.

It isn't a craft sale; there isn't a crocheted toilet-paper cover in sight. Instead, buyers can get high-quality reproductions of Early Americana items, such as the pine bucket and small wooden vegetable-masher she bought from one dealer to help decorate her new house.

But it keeps up with the times, too, featuring vendors who make contemporary folk art, such as the stylized painting of a Holstein cow Simon picked up at another booth.

Kathleen Taylor of Alpharetta, Ga., specializes in paintings of pets and women. One whimsical piece called "Bikini Dream" featured a plump matron in a bathing cap and one-piece swimsuit, with the musing "Here is a lesson I learned recently: I should have worn a bikini more often when I could."

She explained that while her subjects and colors may be contemporary, the "rustic presentation" in weathered frames is the "traditional" part.

Artisans worked on paintings, built chairs and explained their wares while waiting on customers in an exhibition hall at the Kane County Fairgrounds. They came from as near as Crystal Lake, Lombard and Elgin and from as far as across the nation.

"It's been a really cool and fun concept for the public," said Lee Marks, sale organizer, explaining why it focused on Early Americana reproduction when it started 28 years ago (genuine antiques were getting too expensive) and came to incorporate folk art.

Quilts, signs, Shaker-style wooden baskets, pewterware, Christmas ornaments, Halloween decorations, painted furniture and more were available.

The show continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5. The hall is on the south side of the fairgrounds, Randall Road between routes 38 and 64.