Handcarved wooden pumpkin bowls, gorgeous jewelry, superior leather handbags, belts and sandals, shimmering ceramic pieces, vibrant paintings, exquisite art papers, stunning photographs, wood-carved brooms, handpainted clothing, and dramatic sculptures are some of the one-of-a-kind items you’ll find at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, October 17-18. Stroll and browse well-stocked booths and meet 250 of America’s top artists and craftmakers showing original work in sculpture, paintings, photography, glass, ceramics, textiles, leather, wood, metal, and mixed media in the autumn splendor of the San Mateo coast.

Jill Bornemann "Wave" hobo bag Jacqueline Ryan "Batz Hatz"

Wearable Art
Marty Bobroskie of Santa Cruz has been crafting her distinctive fantasy jewelry for the last 30 years. Each piece is personally sculpted by the artist in wax, then cast into gold, sterling silver or bronze. Her designs are inspired by fantasy, fairy tales and the magic of nature, including cats, bats, dragons, butterflies, pirates, gnomes and fairies. Many pieces are also adorned with semiprecious stones and gems. Jill Bornemann’s hip collections of purses and bags are a smart addition to any wardrobe. Bornemann combines simple design and unique fabrics to create bags that compliment the traditional urban uniform of jeans, khakis and anything black. Much appreciated details like cell phone pockets, reinforced and adjustable straps, key rings, vinyl lining and waterproof bases make these bags as functional as they are fashionable. Let Jacqueline Ryan top off your outfit with a stylish hat from Jax Hatz. Whether you want a sun visor, a feathered pillbox or even a fancy red hat, Ryan has that perfect something for your head that is sure to turn heads.

Doug and Bobbie Gold "Noah's Ark" Monique Hodgkinson bath soaps Randal Moore and Kevin O'Hare pewter and glass goblet

Functional Art
Ken Foster has spent the last three decades creating hand painted utilitarian stoneware and porcelain in a wide range of forms and styles.  Foster has been a professional potter since the 1970s, and owns and operates Oakhurst Pottery, a small community pottery studio in the California foothills just south of Yosemite National Park.  Ken's utilitarian ceramics are inspired by his desire to create works of art that are both beautiful and functional. Visit the Woodsman and you will find an array of simple, wooden toys that spark a child’s creativity. Doug Gold and his wife Bobbie have been handcrafting their toys for more than 18 years and have a wide variety of designs –– planes, trains, automobiles and much more. Each toy is created from durable wood that can withstand a toddler’s rough play, sanded smooth, and finished with completely non-toxic water-based stains in a rainbow of colors. Monique Hodgkinson of Pescadero has found a fun way to combine her passions for horses, homemade products, and business with her line of handmade, equestrian-themed soaps. Each bar is made from high-quality, food grade coconut, palm, safflower, and olive oils, mildly scented with essential oils and fragrances, and imprinted with a beautifully detailed equestrian scene. Hodgkinson has a soap for every horse lover, from dressage riders to barrel racers. Since 1978, Master Pewtersmith Randal Moore and artist Kevin O’Hare have been combining their talents to create outstanding pewterware. Dramatic dragon goblets are a specialty, but the pair also makes intricate pendants, wedding cake toppers, flasks, cups, keychains, spoons and sculptures.

Paul Nzalamba African batik Scott Price photography

Fine Art
Paul Nzalamba’s beautiful batiks bring home scenes of Africa with an exotic and rhythmic use of vibrant color and form. A native of Uganda, the artist chooses images that express both his cultural heritage and his personal experiences. Many pieces depict men and women draped in colorful clothing, dancing, working, or playing with their children. Though the clothing and location may be exotic, the artwork has strong universal themes of family, relationships, celebration, and learning. Artist Gary Poon uses the ancient techniques of Chinese calligraphy to create his tranquil watercolors painted on silk. Each piece, whether it’s a sweeping landscape or a portrait of a lonely kingfisher, exudes a quiet drama that speaks to the viewer. The subject matter is forceful, yet filled with hope and expectancy. A naturalist photographer for over thirty years, Scott Price is known worldwide for his dramatic ocean wildlife photography and wave portraiture. Price strives to capture the natural color and texture of breaking ocean swells and takes most of his shots from the water using specially designed lightweight, high impact underwater camera housings. He is probably best known for his photograph of seven dolphins surfing an incoming breaker, and he has the most extensive collection of surfing dolphin photographs in the world. Take home a piece of your favorite Hollywood hero with a charcoal portrait by Gary Saderup. After 30 years as a professional artist, Saderup has mastered the ability to truly capture his subjects through details like the textures of the hair, skin tones and, most importantly, the eyes. The artist’s collection spans the decades, from Hollywood legends like Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne to current stars like Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.

Lorinda Bechtel hand-sculpted hippo Anne Klocko's sculpted wall hangings Melody and Jim Cole mailboxes Diane Cull handmade dolls Thurman Scheumack handmade brooms

Sculpture and Mixed Media
Lorinda Bechtel’s whimsical, hand-sculpted animals are sure to bring joy to any home. Bechtel worked side by side with her mother, Lila Stuart, for thirty years to create their extensive menagerie of unique animal sculptures. Each piece exudes a warm, friendly feeling as they seem to come alive with a character all their own. JoAnne Hunot turns old utensils, cake pans, spoons and graters into beautiful hanging angels sure to bring charm to any kitchen. “I can't help but think about the women who used these things as I collect them,” says the artist. “I wonder how many times a single spoon must have been used, washed, and put away before it ended up in a box of junk. When I look at an old dented cookie cutter, I see mounds of cookies for snacks, school, and holidays. A deep commitment can be felt in these simple things.”  Silly starfish, splashing kids, bright tulips and buzzing bees adorn Anne Klocko’s delightful artwork. The figures in her fun and funny wallhangings are hand sculpted from colorful vinyl clay, then baked until hard, assembled with glue, and carefully framed and matted. These happy scenes look great in your bathroom, nursery, office, beach house … just about anywhere! Bring some magic into your home with a delicate fairy sculpture by Sarah Magnuson. Each piece is carefully cut from a copper sheet, and many are decorated with crystal prisms and precious stones.  Most of the sculptures are designed to hold a small birthday candle which serves as a reminder to make blessings and wishes. When the sculptures are placed between a lit candle and the wall, they produce wonderful dancing shadows.

Seasonal Art
Besides their usual wares, many artists will be bringing seasonal treats to share at this special time of year. Melody and Jim Cole of Belmont will be supplementing their booth of custom home-designed mailboxes with handmade scarecrows. These charming fall decorations are made the old fashioned way out of old fence posts and most are decorated with classics like flannel shirts, farmers’ hats, and overalls. Diane Cull will have a number of sophisticated witches in her collection of handmade dolls. These classy ladies are proof that one does not have to sacrifice fashion to master the dark arts. Each one is dressed to the nines, with long, pointed toes, a tall, pointed hat and flaming orange hair. A fun addition to any fall décor. Get your very own, hand-made witches’ broom by Thurman Scheumack’s Broom Magic Broom Company. Scheumack uses materials, tools and techniques that date back hundreds of years. The brushes of these beautiful and functional pieces of art are made of 100 percent broomcorn, with handles of kiln-dried hardwood from the Ozark Mountains. And what Pumpkin Festival would be complete without artistic tribute to our favorite squash? Many artists will be tipping their hats to the festival namesake, including woodworker Tim Earling of Redondo Beach. Each year, the artist takes a break from working with amboyna burl to create his beautiful, narra wood pumpkin bowls especially for a select few fall festivals. These wooden pumpkins come in three sizes and have so many uses for the autumn season, from Halloween candy bowls to Thanksgiving centerpieces.