Spoons and Such

The Utah Arts Festival this year was late June (actually I think it might always be), and it showcases phenomenal down-to-earth artists and artisans. It was hot, and our beers got warm, fast. But it was where I found something amazing (unfortunately, the website is still under construction). I found a tent, the walls of which were lined with wooden cooking utensils, spaced about every six inches. The personal healing (oh how we each have our issues) I found in the artistry of the attention with which each utensil was carved, polished, and named something quirky and specific, like "cranberry almond butter knife" not withstanding, I was overwhelmed by the experience. One man from Wyoming? Montana? (somewhere actually more desolate than Utah, at least in my imagination) imports wood from all over the world, and crafts each item himself, and he knew exactly where each was placed in his tent, and what wood it was made from. I asked for a pancake (he said "flapjack") spatula. He knew that he'd already just sold it earlier that day, but helped me find something that felt right in my hand. Anyway, without being hokey, check him out, if he finishes his website.