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        Mountain Artisans presents : 36th Annual

"HARD CANDY CHRISTMAS '

            ART- CRAFT SHOW

          NOV.  24-25  2023

          A Mountain Christmas Tradition  

 Always the Fri-Sat after Thanksgiving

                           (WCU) RAMSEY CENTER

            92 CATAMOUNT RD,   CULLOWHEE, NC 28723

                                    

                     Regenia Ford 'Mountain Memories 'of  Hartford ,Tnn. is the

2023 'Featured Artist ". She hand paints her favorite subjects of our  beautiful

mountains  on rustic barn boards and antique windows . She will have original 

 Christmas ornaments . 

 
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   Where is Cullowhee??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

EXHIBITORS: OUR NEW WEB SITE IS NOT READY YET . IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR YOUR PICTURE ,BE PATIENT .IT MAY BE ANOTHER WEEK OR SO .

 

 

 

 

 

Small Beginnings :
 
     The Mountain Artisans Art & Craft Shows started in  Macon County in 1987.  Only 8 artisans
exhibited at the first Christmas show in Franklin, NC. 
We never imagined that, down the road, we were headed to the wonderful Ramsey Center on the
 Western Carolina University campus in Cullowhee,  North Carolina!
     (92 Catamount Dr. ,Cullowhee, NC 28723 )
 
     It is a dream come true.  As the years have flown by, more and more artisans wanted a good place
 to sell their handwork and  joined us.    The southern craftsman are alive and well in this area.  Many of us are
 descendants of the first settlers in this area. We grew up using  heritage crafts and sleeping under
 quilts our Mothers made .
The older generation inspired us with the sewing , pine needle baskets, clay art, and primitive furniture .
We are hoping to preserve and  share with you these vanishing crafts .
If you are visiting this magical area, we have an amazing
 Jackson County Chamber  www.mountainlovers.com . They will promptly guide your plans to visit us.

 You will find Original Art /Craft here .

     Mountain Artisans Art and Crafts Shows provide a marketplace for customers

and artisans to meet.  It is an amazing collection under one roof.  You would have to visit dozens of  shows to find what I have gathered at one place.

     Cullowhee, North Carolina is home to the Western Carolina University. 

On the campus is the Ramsey Regional Activity Center arena that boasts 18,000 square feet of climate

controlled comfort for everyone.  It is home to the Catamount's basketball games

 but two times each year, they move over for our craft shows. 

A great set up crew makes it all look easy for me. 

     Quaint Cullowhee Valley nestles off Highway 107 that runs up to Cashiers, North Carolina

  from Sylva.  It is a stop off the Southern Highroads Trail  Highway.

 All around are big, soft mountains. A foot bridge crosses the Cullowhee Creek

 to get to the show from the parking lot.  It is peaceful to your soul just  to be here.

 Click on the map to see how to get to Cullowhee NC from Asheville, Cherokee, and Atlanta.

     

Notes from the Show Promoter - contact  me :Doris Hunter (828 ) 524 3405 .

                                                                                                       (828)  421-8181    

Outside Artists: The sidewalk and surrounding area leading up to the big Catamount door entrance has a sample of the quality artisans inside.  Look for the following exhibitors:      

   

  • Master woodcraftsman, Jerry Stanley NC Mountains Outdoor Furniture with
  •  Adirondack chairs and  swings, .  All constructed with Western Red Cedar,
  • stainless steel nails and blue ribbon quality; made one at a time
  •                                                      click   to enlarge
  •                                            e

 

                        A.W. Ruff :  Mountain Crafts  I am so sad to report  the passing of AW Ruff.

              He was  popular for his mountain toys ,cutting boards and Bird Houses .

        He has been " A 'Mountain Artisans " since 2006     Our condolences go to his family .                   

          In Memory of AW Ruff .      

                            A fine craftsman and a Christian Brother .

 

                 Pam Price : Pumpkin Center Pottery

                www.pumpkincenterpottery.com

                 Jim Price : 3D Woodworking

                    

                         www.mcclain-co.com  

  

           Gregory Newson : Original Art

                        

             Allyson Gernandt www.allysongernandtsilversmith.com

             will be back for 'summertime " 2024

 

                      Janette Kleinrath  will be back for Christmas show

                

                     www.jansallthingscanvas.com 

 

           Chris Daymude Fine Woodwork                     

 

                       Michele Schwartz www.mydivinelandscapes.com

               Mountain Photography will be back for Christmas

     

             Autumn Wilkins : Fused Glass Artist

 

                         

      

 

 

Come inside. The  entrance tunnel has some exciting exhibitors

       Andrew Hunter : Rustic Mountain Furniture  

          and Rebekah

                                      click to enlarge

                               Andrew is a rising Senior at Toccoa Falls College

.He is studying Pre Med but has found a love for turning mountain hardwoods into tables . He is helping work his way through school /

The Mountain laurel turns into table legs and the fine Black Walnut is perfect for tops . Many trees he cuts and cures himself .

His fascination with nature may have come honestly as he is the Grandson of show producer Doris Hunter .

 

                   

       Side Table/Cedar slab / Mountain Laurel             Black Walnut Table /Bench

 

 

      The Good Idea Gift Shop  

      Ceramic Christmas Trees

              

    

 Sandy DeNiear: Originals by Sandy Winter & Christmas Originals     

 

       

        .Bill Prather :Ole Man Hickory Rustic Wood Furniture extraordinaire .

                   WILL BE BACK FOR "SUMMERTIME" 2024

 

                     

                                       CLICK TO ENLARGE Bench  (Black Walnut-Mountain Ash Trim )                          

                                    

 

                Ronnie Evans :  There will be  live 

 guitar music floating from the fingers of Macon County's own

         .   He will be selling his CD's to enjoy all year 

 and signing copies of his latest historical book of his Macon County NC. family.

                                           

This is the nonfiction story of 5 generations of the Peek-Evans clan that

includes the legend of cousin , William Comer Peek, aka 'Panther Bill Peek" .

(He killed the panther with an ax to save his dogs)

 

 Wife, Jean Gregory Evans will be selling  her latest signed  Children's book

"Who Knew the Llama Knew"?  

         

                                

        

                     

      

  • Tom Livingston's Piece by Piece Intarsia takes many kinds of wood and shapes them into
  •  amazing  pictures. He will be back for Christmas giving and dressing up your home. 
  •                                                                                               Click to enlarge  
  •                           
  •                 
  •                   www.piecebypieceintarsia.com  
  •  
  • Joe Livingston: Wooden Toys, Pens and Boards
  •        

    Arena :

The pottery section includes

                 Presenting : Jean Mitchell   :Clay Art

                     Coiled Frost Weed

                                     

                        

 

        Jessica Henderson UNTIL EDEN POTTERY  

                         

 

 

      Christie Walker WOODLAND FARMS POTTERY

 

    

 

   Amanda Janes     Dogwood Bowl   

                        

                using Mountain Botanicals as patterns

                         www.HomecookedPottery.com 

 

                                       Cory Plott  POTTERY         

                       

  •        
  •        
  •                                 www.plottwarepottery.com
  •   
  •       Wendy Converse :Coverse Creations

     

    Dogwood Crafters will be selling samples from their unique store and

             demonstrating vanishing arts .

             They feature quality mountain  handcrafts from  their shop in Dillsboro, NC.

               Diane Ellis is making Rag Rugs  click to enlarge for)  Deborah Freedman :Barn Quilts

                     

                    /                     

                                                     .www.dogwoodcrafters.com    

                                BRENDA ANDERS      info@dogwoodcrafters.com                    

 

      Specialty foods and  sweets:

 

 Kathy Crook : Sweet Barn ; Fudge , old fashioned Candy

 

 Kris Blalock Smoky Mountains Sweet Treats  Freeze Dried Candy  

 

 Kathy Cirka : The Backwoods Bakery organic Bread and Goodies

                                            www.backwoodsbakery.com

  

  Rose Massengill :JacksonCounty Beekeeper

   Sourwood honey , soaps, candy and cookies

 

   GW Watts :SauceBoss Handcrafted Gourmet Sauce and Seasonings 

                                  

       James E. Mills  is a Fly rod maker master . And will be treating us to scrumptious

       candy he makes himself . Back in ''the day ' he was famous for many varieties for Christmas

       office parties . 

       :                                

  • Terri Cook's Delightful Dips is a perennial favorite  with her homemade dips,
  •  mixes and southern  meat rubs.

       Chuck and Amy Ney :Homemade in Haywood 

Canned goods and Mountain  Toys FOR CHRISTMAS                  

              FB Homemade in Haywood

 

      PLACEMATS click to enlarge    Puzzles   click to enlarge

    

:         

Heritage Soap:

Favorite Laura Craig ShadeTreeFarms goatmilk soaps and acc

is taking a sabbatical and will return in 2024

Better than ever .

 

  •    Bill Reed Freedom Farms
  •  He will be back for Christmas with his popular goat milk soap
  •  and his personal grooming accessories.

       Kelli Hubbs MountainSoap Box

         www.mountainsoapbox.com make cold pressed

       soap in delicious flavors . 

      Joanna Ormond: Goat milk Handsoap /Kids toy soap /luxury lotion

 

       Kaiti Blythe  Turquoise Tortuga  Pure Soy Candles -Crafts

                                   click to enlarge

                     

                           www.theturquoisetortuga.com

       Other special crafts :

     Kathy Murray Kathy Murray Designs  Lighted Glass Pieces   

       Susan  Gasperson with Diamond Dot Painting               

                 :

     

  • Bonnie and Denny Wallace Greasy Creek Crafts
  •   presenting their CHRISTMAS  decorations for your home .
  •   Denny has wood turnings, too.
  •  
  •                  Click to enlarge  both pics     This is Denny's rustic chair
  •                                                                           for your deck and your flowers !

                  

 

  • Fran LeRoy: handcrafted wreath collection
  •             click to enlarge sunflower  LOOK FOR HER CHRISTMAS collection

                 .

 

        Lin and J.L. Stepp Mountain Hill Press : Regional Novels and Guidebooks

          www.linstepp.com Are coming for Christmas

        Roy Owenby:

                      local author  Books www.csabooks.com    

 

     

     Tommy Hill  quality leatherwork

  • .
  • He has made the perfect  gift for someone special.

 

  •   David Pruitt Another Place In Time will  present his Christmas 2023 collection.
  •    Wife, Silvia Pruitt will have  her hanging kitchen towels, coasters and  star ornaments.
  •                   

 

  • Heather Seaman Pine Needle Basket Weaving  and  Demonstration
  • click pic to enlarge
  •                       

      

 

               Roberta Wehle - Bill Medford SnowflakesbyDesign

                                 Click to enlarge snowflake

                                             

                                       www.snowflakesbydesignco.etsy.com

         The ornaments are all original designs. Wire, various beads, and glass pearls combine

              to make a sturdy but lightweight ,heirloom treasure.

..

 ..     We have some wonderful, fine artists

 

       NEW  !     Presenting : Kathy Cooper  Mountain Watercolors 

 :

         

           Jeanne Mack JeanneMack Originals

  • Always has new customers for her southern paintings and charming feline art. 

                          

 

 

  •  Linda Mathias :Bloomscapes Acrylic Paintings .From her
  • studio in beautiful Otto, NC, she is working on a Bloomscapes painting
  • "Sunflower" for your home !
  •                  

 

     The fabric and Fiber art category :

 

 Brenda Banach  Hand Stitched Cards -Hand towels www.fibreBee.com   soon

                             

 

        Welcome Back Sharon Blaine Turner :ART DOLLS

 

    Mark and Susan Kennedy :Susan's Hand Quilted Purses

      and Mark's Photography

 

     Bev Bordchardt

       presents her Christmas collections of Quilts,

        Wall hangings and Hand towels .

                        Click to enlarge quilt

                            

 

 

       Lisa Hudgins :Decorative Pillows and more

 

      Candy Martin : Gnomes, Snowmen and more

 

       Olivia Perkins: DeForest Designs  

 

      Cheryl Hyatt :Favorite Blankets -Throws

 

 

        Nicki Russo  : Mountain Life Coasters, Trivets, Bowl Cozies and more

                        CLICK TO ENLARGE 

                                

 

             Rita Barnwell Sugar Falls Designs :Vegan Leather Hair bows  

 

                         

      Olivia Mc Fadden Cuddlie Duddlie soft creatures

                       .

  •  

       The wood craftsmen :

 

   David S. Hedrick  Wooden Toys

             

     Noah Alicca   carving/woodwork 

 

       Betty Rickman    Kitchen Boards by Betty

                                    

                                                                                                                              

 

      We have some of the most skilled jewelers and glass artists from our area                 

  •                                                                             

    :

   Jean Whisnant   Hand Blown Glass

 

  •                            
  • Janet Anderson Wild Fired Glass  is a favorite artist in glass,
  • Breaking news : Janet is getting a new knee and will be aol for awhile .
  •                          
  •                               www.wildfiredglass.com
  •  Faye Jackson Henry: CH CREATIONS : Earrings, Bracelets, Necklaces
  • Angel Hudgins Hudgins Designs will be  back for Christmas with unique, cool designs for the 20something crowd.
  •  Jacolyn Campbell,  master wire wrapper .She will have chain styles, also.
  • Karen Smryl PolyClay Jewelry
  •   Mary Miller Themed Charm Bracelets  -Snowmen Jewelry 
  •         
  •   Frank and Judy Scott Unicorn Fused  Jewelry and Glass 

                    :

 

 Dates for the 2023 'Hard Candy Christmas "are  Nov 24-25 .

Thank you for making it your first stop for original arts and crafts at great prices!

Our area American artists and craftsmen are still making  beautiful things

with our hands and our hearts just for you! Come, have a mountain apple, a

piece of hard candy and shop from the best area artisans .

You are sure to catch the Christmas Spirit.

In October, I will  make my way over the mountain to visit Barber's Orchard

in Waynesville, NC .

 I will reserve  bushels of mixed apples.

They will rest  in the cooler until the week of the  show .My favorite  Cameos,

 Delicious and Galas will  be piled into the big basket on the ticket table to share

with our customers.

Peppermint pieces and mixed sweets will be in the antique candy jar to enjoy, too.

 It is  my way of preserving and sharing  our mountain Christmas tradition.

 

MEMORIES :The smell of freshly cut evergreens brings me back home

when I was small .

Then, my big sister led the way to bring home the family  Christmas tree.

It was always  a cedar scrub tree, picked from a neighbor's sagebrush field.

 She and I struggled through the briars and over the creek with our treasure.

 (I remember the year my brother came home from the War and brought 

bubble lights!  Wow!) Decorating that annual tree 

 was unforgettable.  No matter how lean the year had been, we got a stocking

with an apple, orange, and, of course, Hard Candy . The name of my show

is centered around the tradition of our mountain Christmas  of celebrating

Jesus' birth. Truly, the most wonderful time of the year .

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