It turns out there just may have been a good reason for collecting all those wooden spoons, antique poodle figurines or any other tchotchke gathering dust in the basement.

And those who head out to the 76th annual League of N.H. Craftsmen's Fair may be able to glean just what that special purpose is.

Among the new attractions at this year's fair, which runs Saturday-Aug. 9 at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, will be the seminar Building a Collection: a passion for spoons.

Norman Stevens, who has a spectacular collection of wooden spoons, will be on hand to teach casual gatherers of the eclectic how to put together a bona fide collection.

"Most people have collections and don't even realize it," said Susie Lowe-Stockwell, executive director of the League of NH Craftsmen.

"They are continually drawn to a certain thing and they get them here and there and before they know it they have a collection. The seminar will teach them what to do with the collection, what to look for, how to really take care of it and even how to insure it if the collection rises to that level."

After 76 years, it might be hard to keep the fair fresh, but Lowe-Stockwell said, there will be several new attractions this year to keep visitors on their toes.

One of the new features, a woodworking tent, is geared toward keeping the kids entertained. Juried wood worker Dave Emerson will be on hand to teach the little ones how to carve and work with wood.

"In addition to enjoying the fair,

we love for people to do as much learning as they can while they are there," Lowe-Stockwell said.

In that spirit, there will also be tours with a master available daily at 3 p.m. Each day, people can take a walk with an artist who will show them around the fair, giving them an inside look as to how the pieces in their chosen field come together.

Visitors will also have a chance to join in on some workshops, which includes a glass blowing class with Harry Besett, a master glass blower. For a $75 fee participants will be able to blow their own piece with Besett's help.

More than anything, Lowe-Stockwell said she hopes that people leave the fair with an understanding of the work that goes into the art and what it means to the artists.

For one such artist, potter Andy Hampton, the fair is his whole year.

"I do have a studio in Concord that's more or less a working studio," Hampton said. "But when I set up my booth, it is my gallery. I spend all year just getting ready to show my work at this fair."

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