Eggs. We eat them for breakfast and dye them at Easter but most people don't think about eggs as art.

Brookfield artist Ruth Jennings does see the art in an egg, and each year for the past four years she has organized the Eastern Ohio Egg Artistry Show & Sale at the Holiday Inn Metroplex in Liberty Township, Ohio.

Egg artists from all over the United States and the world gathered Saturday and Sunday to display their creations on 122 tables that filled the grand ballroom of the hotel. Artists came to the show from as far away as England, The Netherlands and Hong Kong and as close as North Royalton, Ohio.

Mrs. Jennings, owner of Alcraft Egg Artistry, said she feels safe to say the show is the largest in the United States.

"It's the only one like it for many miles in many directions," said Ken Jennings, Mrs. Jennings' son.

"It's more of an art than a craft," Mrs. Jennings said of egg creations. "It's just that it's fascinating. It's creative. It's different. It just seems to open up a whole new world in people's lives."
She said she owned her own craft store for years but after she took an egg class and seminar, she became enthralled with the art. She said she got rid of her craft business and focuses strictly on the art of eggs and is an international distributor of egg supplies.

"The egg is a symbol of life or a new beginning," Mrs. Jennings said, noting a handcrafted egg makes a unique gift for any occasion.

The eggs are crafted into jewelry, jewelry boxes and music boxes. Some eggs have doors that open up to reveal scenes. Some eggs are mechanical and have lights. One can find eggs depicting Christmas scenes, Disney characters and Harry Potter.

The eggs are cut and carved using an air drill like a dentist uses, Mrs. Jennings said. The smallest egg Mrs. Jennings uses is the bobwhite quail egg and the largest is the ostrich egg. Other commonly used eggs are duck, goose, rhea and emu eggs, she said.

In addition to the egg show there were classes Wednesday through today. Mrs. Jennings said people can sign up for classes in advance for the 2004 show, which will be Sept. 25 and 26 at the same location.

There was an egg raffle and a 50/50 drawing to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House, Mrs. Jennings said.

For more information about Alcraft Egg Artistry visit their Web site at www.alcrafteggartistry.com or call 330-448-1573.

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