Folk art is defined as “art by untrained artisans.”

This unique craft takes center stage Saturday when the Octagon Shop hosts a book signing by former Ames resident Jacqueline Andre Schmeal from 2 to 4 p.m.

Schmeal is promoting her book “Iowa Folk Artists,” which was released on Aug. 1 and focuses on the lives and talents of 16 Iowa folk artists, including work by award-winning photographer Charles Brill.

Although she is not an artist herself, Schmeal said she has “a great appreciation for the hard work that goes into art, such as quilts and corn husk dolls,” and considers barns an important part of Iowa’s folk art.

Schmeal said her book is in not meant to be a how-to book, but rather a focus on the artists’ lives and all of their hard work.

“There is a common thread that goes through these artists,” Schmeal explained. “They live off the land and continue to look back to the way Iowa was.”

She points out the story of one woman who constructs rag rugs, remembering the way her grandmother used to make them.

Schmeal said folk artists are “special people with special stories to tell.” The unique traditions of groups including Scandinavian, Quaker and Amana are worked into each piece of folk art.

Her book tells one story of an Amish quilt-maker named Suzie Hostetler who travels to many different Amish communities in order to continue living in the old way.

Schmeal also mentions former Ames resident Bob Anderson as “a hard worker who lives humbly,” sculpting pots into unique creations which include paintings of barnyard animals, pumpkins and corn.

“I realize I wrote this book to get to know these close-to-the-earth artists and learn more about my roots, my heritage,” she said. “I left Iowa 30 years ago, but I keep coming back again and again to this special land.”

Currently living in Houston, Texas, the author has roots in Iowa. Schmeal was not born in the state but spent part of her childhood growing up in what is now known as the Farm House Museum on the Iowa State campus, and she currently owns farms in Iowa.

Schmeal said she is continually looking for new folk artists each time she returns to Iowa.

Before writing this book, Schmeal was already an accomplished journalist who graduated from Iowa State and obtained a masters degree from Northwestern University. Her pieces have been published in The Minneapolis Tribune, Time Magazine and The Christian Science Monitor.

She currently owns a Houston folk art store called “Iowa,” where she sells work not only from Iowa but from various other Midwestern states as well.

After 15 years as store owner of “Iowa,” Schmeal has no plans to make the store into a chain, but claims she would love to write more books spotlighting folk artists.

The Octagon Shop is located at 427 Douglas Ave. in downtown Ames.