Live demonstrations and talks about various crafts will be part of the event when over 100 dedicated professional craftspeople gather on Thanksgiving weekend for the 2008 Annual Carolina Designer Craftsmen Fine Craft and Design Show in Raleigh. Members of the Guild will give actual demonstrations or talks about their craft at the top of each hour on Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30.

Among the artists participating in this educational aspect of the show are Marina Bosetti demonstrating tile-making, Robert Vengoechea discussing carved opal jewelry, Kathrin Weber Scott on weaving, and Tim Britton will talk about knife making.

The fall craft festival and sale, long considered to be the premier crafts showcase in the Triangle area, will be held at the Exposition Center at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Craft media will include pottery, clay, sculpture, fiber arts, wearables, stained and blown glass, jewelry, metalwork, wood-turning, furniture making, photography, printmaking and mixed media. All exhibitors are juried, all work must be entirely original, and all work must be made by hand. Each piece is individually crafted.

Craft show dates and hours are Friday evening, Nov. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $6 daily, $8 weekend pass.

Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild launched the Masterworks program in 2006 to give members the opportunity to push the edges in craft. In a special exhibit area 28 artists will show what can be done when a craftsman dares to go past the easily attainable and makes that exciting piece. These masterpieces will each be a one-of-a-kind piece that is on the cutting edge of craft first shown at the 2008 Carolina Designer Craftsmen Show.

The Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild serves the crafts community by recognizing the importance of preserving high standards, inspiring fellow crafters and promoting public appreciation of fine crafts.