Small Beginnings

The Mountain Artisans Art & Craft Shows started in Macon County, N.C. in 1987.

Only 8 artisans exhibited at the first Christmas show in Franklin, NC .in the Slagle Memorial Building .

We never imagined that, down the road, we would be headed to the wonderful Liston B. Ramsey Activities Center on the Western Carolina University campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina! "

In 2006 the door opened to move the shows to WCU The

For 20 years ,the Mountain Artisans 'Summertime " Show and the 'Hard Candy Christmas " presented the area's best exhibitors of fine art and crafts at this location .

As the years flew by more and more artisans wanted a good place to sell their handwork and joined us. The southern craftsmen 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 sewing, pine needle baskets, clay art, and primitive furniture.

Meanwhile, back in Franklin, the Community Building was renovated and became the Robert Carpenter Activities Center .

I thought more and more of going home with this amazing event.

In 2026 , it is going to happen .

Look for the 'Summertime show , June 12-13 (Friday and Saturday ) and the 'Hard Candy Christmas " at the usual Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving .

Stay tuned and see you there..sincerelly, Doris Hunter

NOTES FROM THE PROMOTER: You will find Original Art /Craft here.

Notes from the Show Promoter - contact me: Doris Hunter (828) 524 3405. (828) 421-8181

FRESH MOUUNTAIN WREATHS AND SWAGS will be returning to 'Hard Candy Christmas" show in FRanklin,NC (November 27-28 2026)

Robert Martin Cabe (Marty) is a 6th generation of the first settlers in the Macon County ,Cartoogechay area. He has been creating fresh wreaths from mountain greenery for some time. (He held the Guinness Record in 2005 for making the most wreaths in 24 hours).

He will be bringing his Christmas collection of swags, sprays and new this year :"Heart of my Heart "wreaths Each wreath will have local 'findings' like Frasier Fir, Boxwood, Holly, and native cones.

You can watch as he makes a special size and shape for your house.

An assortment of hard to find mistletoe will be there too. (The boys shoot it out of high limbs with a .22 rifle).

I welcome him as he is my cousin on the Cruse /Waldroop side of the family.

My Grandfather was a brother to his great Grandmother; "Aunt "Doc" Cruse Waldroop . She was famous and admired as an herbalist, doctor and true, mountain woman.

Bobby Bearden

OUTSIDE EXHIBITORS :

Bobby Bearden: Yard Art

Jerry Stanley : : www.ncmtnsoutdoorfurniture.com

Homer Franklin Combat Veteran Wood Working

www.combatveteranwoodworking.com

INSIDE EXHIBITORS :

Tom Livingston's Piece by Piece Intarsia takes many kinds of woods and shapes them into amazing pictures. .

Joe Livingston: Wooden Toys, Pens, and Boards rtist.

Sandy De Niear: Original Christmas Painting will return 2027 ,
Tammy Owen will be exhibiting her Holiday Deco Mesh Wreaths ..

Homer Franklin:

www.combatveteranwoodworking .com

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
Contact BRENDA ANDERS info@dogwoodcrafters.com

Elaine Hyatt: Nature / Plaster Casting Nature Creations Plaster Castings FB

HAND CRAFTED SOAP

Kelli Hubbs Mountain Soap Box Soap Box cold press www.mountainsoapbox.com
Laura Craig Shade Tree Goat Milk Soap

www.shadetreefarmsnc.com

Pottery

Cory Plott: Colonial Pottery

www.plottwarepottery.com

Kristin Krebs Pottery

www.kodamakobo.com

Kay Wolf and Jolynn Matthews Local, Handmade Pottery

Specialty Foods and Sweets

Fresh SOURWOOD HONEY and Gift Bags by Katie Wall

Terry Cook Delightful Dips A perennial favorite with her homemade dips, mixes, and southern meat rubs.

https//:www.delightfuldipsandmore.com
'
Sweet Barn Kathy Crook
Carmel Corn. Fudge and old fashioned Candy
Kenneth & Janet Koppi
KJ Mini Donuts Mini Donuts and Soft Pretzels

Fine Artists : Craig Spoonseller

Pointillism & Watercolor Paintings and Prints . Also Note Cards
www.laurelcreekstudio.com

Terry Ratchford : Artwork Watercolor and Colored Pencils

Other Special Crafts

David Pruitt,' Another Place In Time,' .will be back with his collecton of Little White Churches and Buildings .
Susan Davis "Susie Q' Gourds /pine needle weaving demonstrations"
Junetta Pell/Charles Paine111/Andrew Beck Baskets ,Chair Bottoms, Fine Art www.andrewbeckdesigns.com 'Junetta will demonstrate Basket Weaving
-
Heather Seaman, Pine Needle Basket Weaving, and Demonstration

Isabella Lawson : Art and Design White , Stuffed Animals

Tammy Owen : Deco Mesh Wreaths/ Holiday Decorations

Tommy Hill, quality leather work.

The Fabric and Fiber Art Category

Sophie Geiger: Crochet Items
Heather Seaman , Pineneedle Baskets demonstrationg (Shown)

Sharon Blaine Turner Art Dolls www.sharonsimagination.com Sharon will be back in 2026 .
Bev Bordchardt presents her 'Christmas " collections of Quilts, Wall hangings and Hand towels

Cheyenne Hall : Dreamcatchers ; accessories

Isabella Lawson: Art and Design

Dates for the 2026 "Hard Candy Christmas" are Nov 27-28.

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 best selection of authentic handcrafted art and craft in this area.

Mountain Artisans promotes two events each year. The "Summertime" show is held in June.

The "Hard Candy Christmas," a Mountain Christmas Tradition, is always the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Both events are going hom e to Franklin ,NC 's Carpenter Community Center on 441-South .

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.

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

Promoting an Exclusive, Selection of Handcrafted Creations

Small Beginnings

NOTES FROM THE PROMOTER: You will find Original Art /Craft here.

Bobby Bearden

Specialty Foods and Sweets

Fine Artists : Craig Spoonseller

Other Special Crafts

The Fabric and Fiber Art Category

The Wood craftsmen

We Have Some of the most skilled Jewelers and Glass Artists in Our Area.

Handmade Wonders, Crafted With Passion

Promoting an Exclusive, Selection of Handcrafted Creations

Small Beginnings

NOTES FROM THE PROMOTER: You will find Original Art /Craft here.

Bobby Bearden

Specialty Foods and Sweets

Fine Artists : Craig Spoonseller

Other Special Crafts

The Fabric and Fiber Art Category

The Wood craftsmen

We Have Some of the most skilled Jewelers and Glass Artists in Our Area.

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