Folk artists add flair to State Fair as they share talents

Martinez Dee said the tradition of making flowers started in a dry Mexican desert that had few flowers for funerals, so people began making the flowers to lay on graves. Now artists mostly make the flowers for weddings and fiestas.

She enjoys making the flowers, as well as teaching other people how to make them. She said boys and girls alike enjoy creating the vibrant blooms. And each flower has its own personality that reflects the creator.

"I have a theory that you can't make a bad flower," she said.

Another folk artist at the fair was Dennis Manning, a blacksmith by trade. He said he got into blacksmithing through a seemingly small event.

"I inherited my grandfather's anvil," he said, and that started over 30 years of work in the business.

He held a piece of steel in a blacksmith's furnace until the end was red-hot. He then put the steel on the anvil. His son drove a steel wedge into the glowing mass. The wedge, after furious pounding and many tries, went through the steel.

Manning said he was making a hammer, and the hole the wedge made was where the wood handle would go. He said his hammers are stronger because they are forged, and he has customers who will only use his tools.

He said he has a following. He traveled to Japan, Australia, Great Britain, Canada and all over the United States to showcase how to be a blacksmith.

If you go

What: Utah State Fair

Where: Utah State Fairpark, 155 N. 1000 West

When: Daily through Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

How much: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and children 6-12, children under 5 free

Info: utahstatefairpark.com or call 538-FAIR

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E-mail: lwilde@desnews.com