Creatives prepping for Arts and Crafts Center event Published March 18, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Erica Crossen 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs 3/19/2015 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- -- Crafters from a variety of backgrounds will gather at the Arts and Crafts Center Open House March 21 to share their craft with Scott Airmen and their families. People can learn about nearly two dozen different crafts that will be demonstrated or displayed by artisans that oftentimes teach classes at the center. These artists, who are behind the intricate work on a bracelet or the smudges baked into a kiln-fired bowl, bring a collective experience of crafting, and one thing they can agree on is that creating itself is an opportunity for expression. Norman Wiggins, the Arts and Crafts Center Pottery Teacher, said it's fun to demonstrate the pottery wheel to an audience, and sees teaching as a way to give back and connect with the Scott community. He sees himself as more of a craftsman than an artist, because there is a methodology to pottery to get the effect that you want. "Everyone starts out making ashtrays and Yahtzee cups, but developing the skills just takes time," Wiggins said. "I do appreciate that there is a difficulty involved, and the only way to overcome that is to practice." Interested individuals can try the pottery wheel at the open house, and may even grow into the craft just as Wiggins did when he started a few years ago. Becky McDaniel is another artisan that will be sharing her skills at the open house. McDaniel, who works at the 932nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, creates jewelry and beadwork in her spare time--for her own enjoyment as well as creating gifts for others. "When I make jewelry, I do it not only for my own satisfaction, but for the people who enjoy having a handmade piece of jewelry, and something that is not mass produced," said McDaniel. "There is something for a jewelry lover in that they understand the hard work that goes into each piece and the care and attention to detail." She initially started creating jewelry because she wanted to repair the jewelry she already had, rather than just throwing it away. She expanded the various materials she would use, took on more challenging patterns, and got creative with new projects. "The process of acquiring the material, sitting down, and designing the item can be the most demanding part, although still enjoyable," McDaniel said. "You find the beads and material, and let it speak to you when you pull them out of your stash. The process of assembling it is just relaxing." McDaniel said the sense of accomplishment when she completes a project is a wonderful feeling, and it is one of the rewards for taking the time to work through the process of her craft. "Showcasing and demonstrating my jewelry is important because it will introduce and educate people to the art of jewelry making," she said. The open house is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Arts and Crafts Center.