Carolina Crafting

Busy, busy, busy !!!! I have spent the best part of the new year moving into my new shop. It’s been worth every second. I have so much more space. You can actually see what I have to sell. When I moved everything from the tiny shop, I was amazed just how much was in there.

Most of my crafters have brought in new items and I’ve added a line of gourmet foods. (All the foods are from NC or other Southern states) The salsa is to die for.( I hope not to eat up the profit on that.) I also have a small selection of antiques for sale.

Craft show season is fast approching. Please be sure to check your entry dead lines.

Just Jackie

I grew up in Florida. I rarely saw snow. One year I rented a cabin in the woods so my kids could see snow. (they were 11 &13) That was fun but they weren’t that impressed.  The third week we lived in NC we were snowed in for six days. I loved it but my Danish husband thought is was a nuisance.

This year has been cold. This morning it was 1 degree.  Now I haven’t set foot outside in two days and I’m not going to check to see what 1 feels like. I had a bowl of chili for breakfast. (tastes better than oatmeal) LOL

BUT…..it is so wonderfully pretty out side. The snow sparkles, icicles hang from the eaves, all the leaves we didn’t get around to raking are covered with a pure white blanket, it’s just beautiful. The deer family that lives in our woods show up every evening to graze in the yard.  I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Just Jackie

One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to blog more. Here it is January 3 and I’m just now posting something new. LOL  So far the new year has been wonderful. The night of the Possum Drop brought lots of old and new friends into my shop. I met a family from PA that had driven 13 hours just for the “drop”  The artist that paints my possum ornaments was in town. Nancy and her friend dropped by. Nancy brought more ornaments which sold right away. Ron (camera guy/friend) was in town to tape the whole festivities. It should be up as an episode sometime in the near future.  I had the privilege of meeting last year’s Miss Possum.  Brasstown has some “beauties”.

My most thrilling moment of the year, craft wise, is that I got the keys to a bigger shop. I have been in the smallest space and can now expand into two rooms. Yea !!!!! I love my little shop but I’m looking forward to having more crafters and even bigger selection of local crafts to choose from.

Happy New Year

Just Jackie

Here in the most western tip of North Carolina there aren’t too many places to celebrate the new year. The first year we were here we heard about the Possum Drop in Brasstown. Now, I have to admit, I was intrigued. “Drop a possum??” WHY ??? I heard thousands of people came to this town  (Pop. 1500) every New Year’s Eve to watch a possum drop.  After research I found out that there was a womanless beauty contest, a New Year’s Blessing, a canon shot off and fire works to go along with the dropping of the possum. (a well fed, well cared for possum)

Last year was the first year I attended. My little shop is located right across the street form Clay’s Corner where the possum is dropped. Thousand of people did show up. It was amazing. I met some really cool folks. There was a couple (middle aged) who had met at the Possum Drop and married. They come every year to commemorate that meeting. I met an artist from Virginia who now paints possum ornaments to sell in my shop. At one point I had 9 people in my shop (realize that my shop has only 180 Sq. ft and my shop is crammed with crafts) Even though is was about 12 degrees, everyone was having a great time.

This year Clay has added a Hillbilly Rodeo. I asked Clay what did that entail and he said “a lot of bull, Jackie”  So your guess is as good as mine.

I thought this would make a great episode for Carolina Crafting so Ron is on his way up from warm Florida to tape the whole thing. We’ll have interviews, all the sights and sounds of a good time, family friendly, New year’s Celebration. I can’t wait !!!!!!!

The Barker Brothers start off the festivities at 8:45 PM. For more info check out www.clayscorner.com. Come by and see me.

Happy New Year

Just Jackie

I am a known procrastinator. All of the Janes’ are. Always have been. I’m still Christmas shopping. I am almost out of time. I had a great idea for gifts for your crafting friends. BOOKS!!!! I love a good mystery and what better way to include a craft in the story line. My favorite so far is Earlene Fowler and her books set to the theme of quilting. Laura Childs has come out with a series about scrapbooking. (She also has a series surrounding a tea shop) Donna Andrews writes about a blacksmith. Her mysteries take her to craft shows sometimes. It’s funny to read about the woes of setting up, manning your booth and all the other fun things we do. At least I’ve never had to solve a murder mystery.

So if you still have a crfty friend in need of a gift…the perfect one is just a trip to your local bookstore or amazon.com.

In light of the Holiday Season and mystery books that I love, I will be having my first give away. It’s a much loved book from Earlene Fowler, Sunshine and Shadows. I have read it, so it’s not brand new. I am actually parting with one of my books. So leave me a comment between now and New Year’s Eve to be in the drawing.

Check out my book links, some of my favorite will be listed. But I’m sure the list will not be up today….I have cookies to bake.

Happy Holidays.

Just Jackie

We’ve just uploaded our 2009 holiday video from all of us here at Carolina Crafting, Cutter Media and the folks at Brasstown, NC.

Just click on “Watch Videos” in the sidebar to see all our 32 episodes of Carolina Crafting.

We will be taking a break over the next few weeks to tape more shows and celebrate the season with friends and family. Hope you all are doing the same.

Happy Holidays!

Carolina Crafting, Frog and the Dragon and Silva Gallery are hosting a Christmas open house December 11, 12, and 13.  Friday, Dec. 11, we will extend our hours until 8 pm for your shopping convenience. Complimentary wine and cheese will be offered on Friday evening. Saturday we will be open 11am to 5 pm and Sunday 12 to 5 pm.

The shops are located at the Shops of Brasstown Village, 10956 Old Highway 64 in Brasstown, NC.

Morning Song Studio’s open house is continuing until Christmas but will not be open late on this Friday.

Carolina CraftingSilva Gallery

Frog and the Dragon

See you out there.

Just Jackie

I forgot to mention the Fireside Sale at the John C. Campbell Folk School. This is a wonderful place to do some serious Christmas shopping.

Warm yourself by the fire in the Keith House Community Room at the Folk School’s annual Fireside Sale on Sunday, December 6th from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Approximately 50 artists will be selling great gift selections including ironwork, jewelry, pottery, fiber arts, woodworking items and much more.

All of these artists have donated to our benefit craft auctions earlier this year, and we are grateful to them for their contributions. We hope you’ll come out and support them – it’s a great opportunity to shop for locally and regionally produced items that make one-of-a-kind gifts for the holiday season.

After you’re done there, drop by the shops of Brasstown Village for even more great art.

Just Jackie

Even before I had my little shop in Brasstown, I shopped there. Shops have came and went but Morning Song Studio has been an anchor in the little town. Pam Parrish has done a wonderful job of gathering some really talented artists. My little shop is just across the sidewalk from her and I have learned a lot from her over the past year.

Pam usually has a fun Christmas Open House the first weekend in December but she has decided to celebrate all month long this year.
All of the Artists of Morning Song Studio have been busy creating beautiful items to help you fill your Christmas shopping gift list.  Morning Song will be celebrating the entire month of December with weekly door prize drawings, gift certificates and surprise gifts from Santa.  Morning Song Studios is located at 10950 Old Hwy 64 West in Brasstown.

Next weekend Silva Gallery, Frog and the Dragon and me ( Carolina Crafting) will have an open house. We kick off the weekend with extended hours on Friday, December 11, with wine and cheese from 4 PM until 8 PM. Hours on Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 12 to 5PM.

So, come on out to the Shops of Brasstown Village and do some Christmas shopping. We are an “artful destination”

Just Jackie

In this episode we learn how to make rustic furniture out of willow branches from craftsman Jo Kilmer. Jo also demonstrates how she makes jewelry from willow bark and stones at her workshop in Murphy, N.C. Jo is featured in the book called  ”Making Willow Furniture; Three Women Share Their Art”. You can buy this book and other related books in our BOOK STORE.

Click on “Watch Videos” in the sidebar to see all our episodes. (The background noise you will hear is rain on Jo’s workshop roof. It rained most of the day during the interview.)