When Angela Shope paints, it inspires her creativity in another art form — ceramics.

The 33-year-old artist displayed paintings and porcelain pieces Sunday at the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen's Holiday Fine Craft Fair at Franklin & Marshall College's Alumni Sports & Fitness Center.

This is second year that Shope, of Lancaster, has participated in the fair. She said business had been steady.

"It's what I expected," Shope said. "It's been good."

But Shope said that's not always the case.

"When you start out you have really good shows and really bad shows," she said. "You just have to take everything in stride."

Shope is among 140 artisans who participated in the two-day event, which began Saturday and ended Sunday afternoon.

Guild programming director Nick Mohler said the show draws about 5,000 visitors each day.

Mohler said the event typically attracts people who want to put some extra thought into their holiday shopping.

"There's more to it here than going to a store and picking something off the shelf," Mohler said. "There's a difference between buying a shirt for 20 bucks at a big-box store and buying something from an artist who is looking at longevity. This (event) is a chance for the public to interact with artists and artists to interact with the public."

That's why Melissa Cochran and Jennifer Wike strolled the various booths. Wike, of Lititz, said she was searching for original gifts.

"I'm looking for unique Christmas gifts," Wike said. "Something I can't buy at the mall. I think that's more meaningful."

Cochran, of Lancaster, said she was browsing art to purchase for her home.

"I'm looking around for paintings. Oh, and I love black-and-white photography," she said. "I like a lot of the stuff here."

This is the last year the Guild will host its craft show in the fitness complex, Mohler said. Next year, the show will be held in the new gym at Manheim Township High School.

Mohler said the biggest reason for changing the venue was timing. He said the Guild wanted to move the date of the event to a weekend earlier in November because of Black Friday, but there was a scheduling conflict with the college.

"Students are still on site and using the facility, and there were parking issues," Mohler said.

Artists specializing in woodworking, jewelry, printmaking, glassblowing and crafting wearable art such as hand-knit sweaters were among exhibitors.

Sculptor John Jackson, of Jefferson, N.Y., showcased his "Whimsical Music Sculpture" at the show.

For the past 30 years Jackson has been making modern art out of scraps of metal — and in some cases junk — he finds at flea markets and garage sales.

Half of what Jackson creates consist of musical figures.

"Music is a great universal theme," Jackson said. "I can't play music so this is how I express myself."

For example, Jackson sculpted a trombonist out of part of a motorcycle.

"A motorcycle gas tank makes a great torso," he said,

Another piece on Jackson's table was a hockey player with its face made out of an ice-skating toe plate and a leadlight.

"If you look at the pile long enough, you get ideas," he said.

Longtime leather craftsman Clay Rosenbarker, of East Petersburg, said that he attends about 40 craft shows each year.

"Craft people become your extended family," Rosenbarker said. "This show has high standards, I really appreciate that. It's all top-notch."

Rosenbarker, who crafts leather goods including purses, wallets, hats, belts, briefcases and binders, said he especially enjoys the Guild show.

"This is my hometown show," he said. "I get to sleep in my own bed and have my wife's good cooking."

E-mail: mpennino@lnpnews.com