HELLO, MS. SUN SPOTS, Hopefully you can help me or direct me to a good source. My husband and I are the proud owners of two wood, laser-engraved Red Sox World Series baseballs.

These baseballs came from a company called Grid Works Inc. in Iowa. Since we got the second ball in 2007, it seems the company has gone out of business, as I can’t find them on the Internet and their toll free number seems to be some sort of survey number.

I was wondering if there is any business in the nearby area that makes laser-engraved wood sports memorabilia. I am not sure where to start my search since my only source is no longer available. I am hoping you can help. — Mary Jane Peaco, Durham, [email protected]

ANSWER: Sun Spots had no luck online — it does appear Grid Works closed — so she tried searching locally. She talked to an engraver in Augusta (Hannah Manufacturing, 460 Cony Road, Chelsa, 207-622-0005), who explained that engraving a ball is much more difficult than doing a flat surface.

The reason is that the laser is directed at a certain point at a certain height. To “write” on the surface it must maintain that same distance, which is difficult on a curved surface.

He said that he has a tool that allows him to work on a cylindrical shape, say a bottle, but a ball is much trickier, which may be why these keepsakes aren’t more common.

Tim at Maine Engraving in Auburn (207-212-4978) said much the same thing and also noted the difficulty of finding the plain wooden ball to work on.

He suggested that Sun Spots check with Dan, the owner of Republic Jewelry and Coin (212 Center St., Auburn, 207-784-4444), as he is very knowledgeable about collectibles. Dan is out of the store until next Wednesday, but the man who answered the phone said he hadn’t seen the kind of wooden ball you describe in the store.

Sun Spots did come up with another option if you’re willing to deviate a bit. How about a miniature wooden bat engraved with the Red Sox World Series information? Both engravers said they could tackle that task, and the miniature wooden bats are readily available.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for the great service you do for all of us. Would you publish a list of upcoming craft fairs?

I have gone online and only found a few. Perhaps there is a website that has more listings? I googled “Maine craft fairs 2013.” — Michelle, Rumford

ANSWER: Sun Spots has been asked this before. Unfortunately, she knows of no source for this specific listing. There are several community calendars, including the Sun Journal’s Check It Out, usually on Page B3, that you can review by date.

Or you can go online to sunjournal.com/events/ and search the calendar (note the “craft” category under “fairs”). You can also limit your search by date and location.

The Maine Public Broadcasting Network’s community calendar (http://events.publicbroadcasting.net/mpbc/events.eventsmain#) also has a search function if you are interested in looking statewide.

Sun Spots does not publish event notices, but she does have craft fairs in the column when they are searching for donations or people to rent tables. So keep your eye on this column as well.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: in answer to the vintage clothing stores (Oct. 28, Nov. 5), you might not have Outskirts on your list. It’s located in downtown Farmington at the old movie theater. — Margaret White, [email protected]

ANSWER: Google says that Outskirts Vintage Clothing is at 227 Broadway, Farmington, 207-778-9200. Thanks for writing!

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].