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"It seemed like the right thing to do at that particular time," Wayne said. "I enjoy it. I like working with my hands."
Wayne is one of about 50 crafters displaying their wares at the 54th annual Beaufort Water Festival this week. About 15 of the participating artists are local.
"It's always a treat to sit here and watch the boats," Wayne said Saturday during the festival's Art and Craft Market, held on the promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
Stephanie Baird of Beaufort agreed.
"I could sell nothing and still work out here in this setting all day long," she said. Baird is selling slate oil candles in the craft market.
She began making the candles in her backyard about three years ago and eventually quit her job as a car salesperson to work on the craft full-time.
"At first it was just for extra money," she said. "Now, it's how I make my living."
Baird, who also builds slate vases and wine racks, travels to about 30 craft shows a year.
Gini Steele, who owns Steele Studio with her husband, sold historic photographs of Beaufort at the festival. Some of the restored photos date back to the 1880s, she said.
A photo taken near the intersection of Boundary Street and Ribaut Road before 1900 shows nothing but palm trees lining a dirt road. Steele pointed out where Kmart and the Beaufort County government offices are now located.
"Beaufort has a lot of history," Steele said. "(The photos) show people what it used to look like."
The Steeles have a store in Fordham Market, but Gini Steele said she's enjoyed speaking with residents about the history of the area at the festival this weekend.
"Water Festival brings all sorts of Beaufortonians downtown," she said. "You get the new ones and the ones that have been coming here for years and years."
The Festival Art and Craft Market is open daily through July 19.
