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By Betty Oehler Featured Crafter: JOAN GUILLET Many of you may own something made by Joan Guillet, because she has been a regular exhibitor at our Craft Fairs from the time she and her husband, Art, moved to The Colony in 1997. Joan's niche in arts and crafts came about somewhat by serendipity. After years involved with PTA and school activities, she was looking for something new to do. To encourage her, Art loaned her $150 (emphasizing loan) to find that special something that would pay for itself. Shortly thereafter, she signed up for a tole painting class (oil painting on tin). That led to a rosemaling art class (a style of Norwegian decorative painting on wood), and it surprised her to discover she could paint freehand, without a stencil. Soon Joan was asked to teach others, and while developing her own skills, her work began to sell. She had found her niche. Joan has sold her work independently, at art shows and through galleries. Barns were a favorite for a while, and her largest art piece, a rural scene painted on a chest, won first place and The Governor's Award at the Orange County Fair. Her ideas seem boundless: e.g., snowmen characters, framed jeweled animals, decorated walking sticks, oil paintings, shopping bags with floral insets, finger puppets, jewelry, glass creations, hanging garden DVD animals, peacocks. Sadly for us, Joan said last November's craft fair was her last -- though that's not to say she's shelving her creative work; lately she's been thinking about Indian art. I believe it could be safely said that long ago she repaid her loan from Art. 26 | THE COLONY NEWS | APRIL 2021 | CLUB NEWS Craer's Corner