Promoting an Exclusive Selection of Handcrafted Creations

Mountain Artisans Presents :
Regenia Ford from Hartford Tn is this year's featured Artist. She wi

Christmas Show 2023 Featured Artist was Regenia Ford, 'Mountain Memories 'of Hartford, TN

She hand-paints her favorite subjects of our beautiful mountains: rustic barn boards and

antique windows. She has original Christmas ornaments.

Her Father had a medical crisis that she had to attend and could not be at this year's show .

We are planning for her being featured at the 2024 'Hard Candy Christmas " with more original paintings and ornaments . Stay Tuned

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 would be headed to the wonderful Ramsey Center on the Western Carolina University campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina!

(92 Catamount Rd, 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 is 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 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 in one place.

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

On the campus is the Liston B. 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 setup 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 of the Southern Highroads Trail Highway.

All around are big, soft mountains. A footbridge crosses 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

2023 'HARD CANDY CHRISTMAS " EXHIBITORS

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 wood craftsman Jerry Stanley, NC Mountains Outdoor Furniture, with Adirondack chairs and swings. All are constructed with Western Red Cedar, stainless steel nails, and blue ribbon quality, made one at a time

Gregory Newson Original Paintings and Books

Pam Price: Pumpkin Center Pottery

www.pumpkincenterpottery.com

Jim Price: 3D Woodworking

www.mcclain-co.com

Allyson Gerrnandt

www.allysongernandtsilversmith.com

will be back for "summertime" 2024

Janette Kleinrath Canvas Hats

www.jansallthingscanvas.com

Chris Daymude Peaceful Valley Woodworking

Autumn Wilkins Glass Art

Margaret Suddereth and family

Snowman Wreaths and more

Welcome Back Jim Gunter

Stone dreamer with his Stone Carvings

Come Inside. The Entrance Tunnel Has Some Exciting Exhibitors

Andrew Hunter: Rustic Mountain Furniture and elf Rebekah Smith

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. www.huntershandicrafts.com

The Good Idea Gift Shop Ceramic Christmas Trees

Sandy DeNiear: Originals by Sandy

Winter & Christmas Paintings

Bill Prather: Ole Man, Hickory Rustic Wood Furniture extraordinaire

WILL BE BACK FOR "SUMMERTIME" OF 2024

Tom Livingston's Piece by Piece Intarsia takes many kinds of woods and shapes them into amazing pictures. He will be back for Christmas giving and dressing up your home.www.piecebypieceintarsia.com

Joe Livingston: Wooden Toys, Pens, and Boards

Ronnie Evans:

There will be live guitar music floating from the fingers of Macon County's own.

He will be selling his CDs to enjoy all year and signing copies of his latest historical book from 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"?

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.

www.dogwoodcrafters.com

BRENDA ANDERS info@dogwoodcrafters.com

Arena :

The pottery section includes

Bob & Jean Mitchell Clay Art ( Will return for 'Hard Candy Christmas " 2024 )

Jessica Henderson UNTIL EDEN POTTERY

Christie Walker, WOODLAND FARMS POTTERY

Amanda Janes Home Cooked Pottery

using Mountain Botanicals as patterns

www.HomecookedPottery.com

Cory Plott POTTERY

www.plottwarepottery.com

Wendy Converse Converse Creation Pottery

Elain Hyatt Nature / Plaster Casting

Mallory Hartman Handmade Pottery /Jewelry

Specialty Foods and Sweets

Kris Blalock Smoky Mountains Sweet Treats Freeze Dried Candy

Kathy Cirka: The Backwoods Bakery Organic Bread and Goodies

www.backwoodsbakery.com

Rose Massengill: Jackson County Beekeeper

Sourwood honey, soaps, candy, and cookies

GW Watts: Sauce Boss Handcrafted Gourmet Sauce and Seasonings

www.GW.Watts.com

James E. Mills master Fly rod maker . And will be treating us to scrumptious holiday candy he makes himself. Back in ''the day'' he was famous for many varieties at Christmas office parties.

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

www.delightfuldipsandmore.com

Chuck and Amy Ney: Homemade in Haywood Canned goods and Mountain Toys FOR CHRISTMAS

FB Homemade in Haywood

Heritage Soap:

Favorite Laura Craig ShadeTreeFarms goat milk soaps and accessories are taking a sabbatical and will return in 2024

Better than ever.

Bill Reed Freedom Farms :goat milk soap ( had sickness)

Kelli Hubbs Soap Box cold pressed soap in delicious flavors.( Had a family crisis )

www.mountainsoapbox.com

Joanna Ormond Goat milk Hand soap / Kids toy soap /luxury lotion ( Had sickness )

Kaiti Blythe Turquoise Tortuga Pure Soy Candles -Crafts

www.theturquoisetortuga.com

Other Special Crafts

Bonnie and Denny Wallace, Greasy Creek Crafts presenting their CHRISTMAS decorations for your home.

Denny has wood turnings, too.

Fran LeRoy: handcrafted wreath collection

Kathryn Jamir Wreaths, Arrangements ,Swags

www.creeksideflorist.etsy.com

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

www.linstepp.com

Pamela L..Valpert

Author MY BOOK

'THE TRIBES of the LITTLES

Kathy Murray Kathy Murray Designs Lighted Glass Pieces
Susan Gasperson with Diamond Dot Painting

Sherri Pendleton Soy Candles

Junetta Pell/Charles Paine111/Andrew Beck

Baskets ,Chairs Bottoms, Fine Art

www.andrewbeckdesigns.com

Tommy Hill, quality leather work

He has made the perfect gift for someone special.

Joy Young Pirate Industries

Fun Jewelry ,teas, Ornaments

David Pruitt, Another Place In Time, will present his Christmas 2023 collection.

His wife, Silvia Pruitt, will have her hanging kitchen towels, coasters, and star ornaments.

Glenn and Donnie Helter

Glenn's Handcrafted Knives and Donnie's Bags and crafts

Heather Seaman, Pine Needle Basket Weaving, and Demonstration

Roberta Wehle - Bill Medford SnowflakesbyDesign

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.

Fine Artists

Jeanne Mack JeanneMack Originals will not beat this show .

Southern Paintings always has new customers for her southern paintings and charming feline art.

New! Kathy Cooper Mountain Watercolors

instagram@saltcreekstudioarts

April Lizzy Animal Art /Photography

www.unbridledvisionphotography.com

Linda Mathias: Bloomscape Acrylic Paintings from her studio in beautiful Otto, NC. She is working on a Bloomscape painting, "Sunflower," for your home!

Regenia Ford ' Mountain Memories '

Featured Artist

The Fabric and Fiber Art Category

GInger Rutland Gingerbread Themed Quilts, Holiday Decor

www.gingerbreadland.wordpress.com

Brenda Banach Handstitched Cards -Hand towels

www.fibreBee.com soon

Welcome Back Sharon Blaine Turner Art Dolls

www.sharonsimagination.com

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.

Lisa Hudgins :Decorative Pillows and more

Olivia Perkins: DeForest Designs

Nicki Russo: Mountain Life( Will be back at 'Summertime ")

Rita Barnwell Sugar Falls Designs: Vegan Leather Hair bows

Candy Martin; Gnomes ,Snowmen

Cheryl Hyatt; Knots of Love WNC; Soft Cuddly Blankets

Katie Stovall Crocheted Stuffed Animals

Darla Friedrich (Cold Mountain Crafts ) Winter Accessories .( Had medical emergency )

Judy Tobias Housekeeping Accessories ( Had medical emergency )

Randy Tobias Pottery Face Jugs

Santa will be at this booth

Christina Grubbs Face Book Two Sisters Fiber Art

Member of Toe River Arts Council

Margaret Downs Downs Sisters

Magical Fairies and other special Things

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 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 fondly 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, it is truly the most wonderful time of the year, sincerely, Doris Cruse Hunter, your show producer

The Mountain Artisans shows are famous for featuring just the biggest selection of authentic handcrafted art and craft in this area.

Mountain Artisans promotes two events each year. The "Summertime" show is held the last week of June The "Hard Candy Christmas," a Mountain Christmas Tradition, is always the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Both events are held inside the Western Carolina University Ramsey Center in scenic Cullowhee, North Carolina.

It is centrally located only 45 miles southwest of Asheville, just minutes from The Great Smoky Mountains.

Each exhibitor at these shows is carefully screened to be the best in their field.

You can purchase original art and meet the artist who made it!

There is a wide selection of heritage crafts. Several of the old-time quilters still make them one at a time just for you. Goat milk soap

pine needle baskets and skilled woodworkers are here every show.

Some of the most skilled doll craft, leather craft, and master jewelers around exhibit with us. Many of the gourd artists have won awards in competitions.

Shoppers love Folk Art, one-of-a-kind birdhouses, and designer fabric purses. We have just the best artists in pottery and clay art.

Ronnie Evans is our live guitar strummer. He plays the songs we remember courting to. At Christmas, he brings good memories with carols that we do not hear much anymore.

It is worth the drive to get here.

You will understand why everyone who attends our shows just says: "Wow" when they attend and plan to come back next year!

Handmade Wonders, Crafted With Passion

Handmade Wonders, Crafted With Passion

Thank you for making the "Hard Candy Christmas "a hit.