It appears that Arts Fest is not a touch-friendly environment. Everywhere I went, I saw parents warning their children to look but not touch, and signs on many of the booths warned patrons to "under no circumstances even think of touching!!!!"
One booth, however, was different. A sign across the front screamed "PLEASE TOUCH", a far cry from the regular dire warnings against handling the wares.
"Most people have to touch these pieces because they don't believe they're wood, so we say 'okay'," said Al Vinsant, owner of Iron Petal designs, a company that creates and designs wooden bowls, baskets, trays and vases.
Vinsant said the wooden home accessories are all done in a process where the wood is actually stretched, which makes the accessories look more like ceramic or metal than wood. The pieces are all food safe.
Vinsant, from Birmingham, Ala., said that he encourages people to touch the wooden accessories.
"People are very welcome here...we're Southerners," he said.
- Margaret
Thursday