Carolina Crafting

Summer time is not for just sitting around sipping lemonade. For most of us it’s tending the garden, putting up food for the coming year, doing craft shows, making more product for up coming Fall shows.

Try as I might, I could not find a craft show to talk about in our area this weekend.  BUT….there are Farmer’s Markets in almost every little town and village. Murphy, NC has a great one, Bryson City, NC just started a new one. I heard it was great. If you are in the Asheville,NC area, there are MANY. Even in Anchorage, Alaska there is an awesome one in the downtown. (if you go back in my old shows you will find a video from that one)

Remember there are small craft shops in lots of little towns or in restored downtowns. Check them out.

Sipping lemonade is good but doing while looking at neat crafts is even more fun.

New episode is due up Monday morning. Linda Metcalf, a local blacksmith will showcase her skills.

You can now follow me on facebook (Carolina Crafting) and twitter (carolinacraft)

Just Jackie

Just uploaded the latest episode beginning our fourth season here on Carolina Crafting. In this show Jackie shows off her new (bigger) shop. We visit other shops in Brasstown NC and see some of what’s ahead for this season.
Just click on “Watch Latest Videos” in the sidebar. To see any of our older shows select “Watch More Videos”.

I love the 4th of July. It’s the one holiday that we all just relax, eat and enjoy the freedoms that we are so lucky to have.

There is a craft show in almost every town in the country, check your local paper. We are bless with so many you can probably visit 2 or 3 in one day. Most of the celebrations will be held on Saturday, the 3rd. (at least where I am) Murphy, NC will have their Hometown Celebration in Kontehate Park, don’t forget the great farmer’s market downtown before heading to the park.

Brasstown,NC  is have a mini celebration Saturday and Sunday. A little food, some music, antique cars and LOTS of art and crafts.

Saturday is Freedom Fest in downtown Bryson City. A day of fun featuring music, food, crafters, kids’ area and lots more. Last year there were lots of good crafters and the music was awesome! The day is concluded with one of the largest fireworks shows in the Smokies! The shops and restaurants will be open, too. Come …by and see one of my favorite, Back Creek Pottery. They will be located on Main Street on the bridge.

Hope your day is filled with good food, lots of friends and tons of fun.

Just Jackie

I can hardly wait. I love when new shows are up. When we tape we do a whole season of www.carolinacrafting.com, www.greenasyoucanbe.org, and www.gityerqontheroad.com. Two weeks of intense work. Love every second of it. This season I threw in a visit to the hospital just to make things exciting.

So if you are interested in art, living green or eating BBQ check out the new shows.

Just Jackie

Where does time go???  The weeks are flying by. Lots of folks from out of state are visiting. Great to see new faces and a few “old” friends.

Craft shows are lined up all summer, just drive to any small town (or large, for that matter) and you will find something going on. The Farmer’s Market in Murphy, NC is a happening place. Lots of good produce and crafts. This weekend is a good craft show in Dillsboro, NC.  Not only is the show a good one but the little shops are so cute, too.

Traffic has picked up in Brasstown. It’s so nice to see new people and chat with some “old” friends.  I love being in the larger shop. I can get more than 2 people in it at once. If you haven’t been by for awhile, come on by. I have so many new artists.

You can check me out now on Facebook and twitter.  Facebook is Carolina Crafting and twitter is carolinacraft.

Just Jackie

Two things I love most is a craft show and good BBQ. This weekend there is a chance for both within 15 miles of each other. The first is the annual Arts in the Park in Blue Ridge, GA. It’s a great show. If you’re coming to Arts in the Park this weekend, remember to go to the Art Center (old Fannin County Court House) to see the Southern Appalachian Artists Guild member show! Lots of neat art!

North Georgia Mountain’s Horsin’ Around BBQ Showdown in Young Harris, GA.  (www.brasstownvalley.com ) If you check this one out be sure to stop by Blind Pig and the Acorn and say hi to my friend Tipper. Next to her is another friend Pat Siler. She has some neat and unique pottery. (have you ever seen a salt pig?)

My shop in Brasstown has two new artist. One does excellent gourd art and the other lady paints on rocks.  Come on by !!!

Have a crafty weekend.

Just Jackie

I’ve taken a little time off from the craft world to recover from some simple surgery.  Thought I would bounce back faster but this getting old “thing” slowed me down. I tried to go back to work at my little shop yesterday but only lasted half of the day. Next week I should be back up to speed.

Tomorrow night in Andrews NC is a class about using social media to grow your business. You can contact mwilliams@handmadeinamerica.org to sign up. Hope to see you there.

Overlook Martinscreek is still looking for craft vendors, I have applications if you need one. Cost is $25 or donation of equal value.

Mountain Morning in Andrews, NC is looking for a bowl turner. Their shop is really nice. Lots of talented people there.

Craft season is in full swing, check you local paper, chamber of commerce, etc. Get out and shop local. Even local farmers markets have some great crafters.

Just Jackie

This week has been filled with meeting new crafters, visiting with lots of “green” people and taping the BBQ show with lots of yummy food. I even threw in time to spend a day in the hospital. I have 4 more tapings and then we are done for this season. I love when I get to visit other crafters in their homes. So much talent !!!  I know you will enjoy the up coming shows.

Below is a message from Pat Siler. Her pottery is really striking. Check her out in Cherokee, NC  this Saturday.

Come see us in Cherokee Saturday for the first Mountainside Art & Music Festival, “A Celebration of Appalachia”. It is at the Oconaluftee Village area. This juried event is hosted by the Cherokee Historical Society and features “art reflective of the rich history and heritage of the Appalachian Region”. 9:00 am – 6:30 pm. Can’t wait to show off my “Cherokee Hills” glaze pattern!

Just Jackie

Today is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. We have come a long way since the first one. I have found in traveling around interviewing crafters that they are very green.  So many have gardens, chickens, compost heaps, etc. But all of them seem to have a closer relationship and respect to the environment.

There’s an artist in Brasstown, Kim Jouris, that makes wonderful art pieces from reclaimed items. She is teaching this in the schools around the area. What a great thing to pass on to the younger generation. Graham White and his wife, Sue, use every part of the tree to make different art. Graham turns bowls and other objects, Sue uses the smaller pieces for plaques, fan pulls, bottle stoppers, etc. What saw dust is left is put out in the chicken coop or the compost heap. Nothing goes to waste. They never fell a tree for their work. I really admire their dedication. Tipper from Blind Pig and the Acorn is another really green artist. Her art work is made on canvases found at yard sales, flea markets or donated, same with all the frames she uses. She has passed this on the her daughters.

So….hats off to green crafters. Keep up the good work. Thanks for being an inspiration to the rest of us.

Just Jackie