The Lehigh Valley has much to offer art lovers as the 18th annual "Hidden Treasures Artisans Studio Tour" will prove once again when it returns, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Nov. 10 and 11.

The "Hidden Treasures Tour" presents the richness of local talent represented in handcrafted items.

"Hidden Treasures" is a self-guided tour of six area art studios featuring 24 artists demonstrating their processes.

The first studio is the residence of artist David Stehly, 4500 Hanoverville Road, Bethlehem. Stehly's studio of handcrafted wooden walking sticks, canes and depictions of animal life is in his home's basement.

Stehly has carved more than 2,100 walking sticks, many of which have received international awards, blue ribbons and recognition. Stehly often carves snakes slithering around the walking stick or cane, and his focus on detail is remarkable. Stehly works mostly with fruit woods such as pear, apple and tulip poplar. Stehly is a self-taught artist when it comes to woodcarving and has been at the craft for 35 years. He teaches the art to others, holding sessions at his home studio.

Also at the first studio are artists Bill Fisher, hand-tooled leather; Kathleen Hooper-Milositz, decorative pottery; Jim Fazio, wood turnings; and Kisha Stehly, glass window panels.

Fisher's been crafting hand-tooled leather for 30 years. The process of the leather-making can take up to 22 hours for one piece.

"[Hand tooling leather] is an age-old art. I just enjoy doing it," says Fisher, who's working with a 4-H group interested in learning how to craft leather.

Hooper-Milositz's pieces of pottery are functional for use around the home. She creates pottery, often with nature-themed drawings, on high-fired porcelain clay.

Hooper-Milositz enjoys being involved with other artists on the "Hidden Treasures Tour," saying, "We enjoy getting together and sharing what is going on with our work."

The second studio, 3134 Prescott Road, Bethlehem, presents artists Tom Buchner, wood-turned hollow forms and bowls; Alice Gillespie, hand-knitting and weaving; Kim Monteverde, wheel-thrown functional pottery; and Patricia Frankenfield, jewelry in silver and semi-precious stones.

Monteverde's ceramic pottery often represents items of nature molded from leaves found outside.

"I like to explore other forms of pottery," Monteverde says.

Horsehair pieces are burnished and fired at 1,500 degrees fahrenheit. Designs are created directly from horsehair, leaves and other materials found in nature. The process is quick, as the design must be applied at just the right temperature in order to have the effect present in the piece.

"I hand-pick the leaves. They must have very prominent veins" to show up on the pottery, the artist explains.

The third studio, 526 Tenth Avenue, Bethlehem, features artists Barbara Kozero, textured mixed media mosaics and sculpture; Sue Shelly, weavings; Dale Inlander, felted purses knitted with woolen yarns; and Carlene Morrow, kiln-formed glass, tile creations and mosaics.

The fourth studio, 2329 Tilghman St., Allentown, features artists Jon Roylance, decorative Raku pottery; Johanna Forte, floral tapestry bags; and Gloria Leight, beaded jewelry with gemstones and Egyptian motifs.

Leight has travelled to Egypt for pieces to craft into jewelry with her bead-weaving.

"I got addicted when I lived in Arizona," Leight says. "I've been doing it over 20 years. I can't stop."

Leight's beadwork is created using traditional style stitches. The delicate process can take two weeks to create a set of earrings or a necklace. The bead-weaved pieces are very delicate, being made from seed beads, gemstone, metallic accents and thread.

The fifth studio, 6001 Woodview Lane, Zionsville, features artists Roy and Krisann Bachert, functional and hand-thrown pottery; Fran Kohlbrenner, handcrafted jewelry; Ken and Sue Berkenstock, stained glass and mosaics; and Dennis Wildnauer, cornerstone forge hand-hammered aluminum giftware and jewelry.

The sixth studio, Topton Glass Works, 129 N. Cherry St., Topton, features artists Daniel Gaumer, functional and sculptural blown glass; Barbara Tiberio, hand-painted silk; Svetlana Howell, sterling silver jewelry inspired by nature and Asian themes; and Richard Summons, bronze sculpture, bonded metals and stone and ceramic tiles.

Every studio offers free admission, refreshments, demonstrations on creating the art, pieces by the artists for sale and opportunities to ask questions of the artists.

"It's great to be surrounded with artists from our area," stays Monteverde of "The Hidden Treasures Tour."

Information on artists, locations and directions to studios: hiddentreasurestour.com