Mountain Artisans "Summertime" update.

Worlds Largest Hand Carved Bowl

Experience the awe-inspiring craftsmanship of Bobby Moore, who created the world's largest hand carved bowl from a neighbors downed Pin Oak tree. This record-breaking masterpiece will be showcased at the upcoming Mountain Artisans "Summertime" Art and Craft Show. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to see this incredible work of art up close, along with Bobby’s smaller bowls designed for collectors. The event promises a celebration of fine craftsmanship and artistry, highlighting the skill and dedication involved in creating such extraordinary pieces.

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.

For 20 years the Mountain Artisans "Summertime" Show and the "Hard Candy Christmas" has 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 the mountains. 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 C. Carpenter Activities Center on 441 south ..

I thought more and more of going home with these two amazing events.

With the help of many people working behind the scenes, in 2026 it is going to happen.

Look for the "Summertime" show, June 12-13 (Friday and Saturday ) and the "Hard Candy Christmas" . Nov .27-28) at the usual Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.

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

Friend of the show :

Michael M. Rogers, local watercolorist, and nature lover: Go hiking up trails full of wildflowers, waterfalls, and nature's glory.

www.michaelmrogersfineart.com

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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.

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 artist.

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 will be participating in "Summertime" show in June as well as for "Hard Candy Christmas "

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

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

2025 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 .
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.

Susan Mick Tippecanoe Tree Bark Frames The Arts of Design Wall Pieces

Denny and Bonnie Wallace Florals and Wood Crafts

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

Neal Hearn is almost famous for his Glass Boxes . He is returning with his 'Fun Creations " and maybe a few boxes for "first come, First serve" customers. www.boxesbyneal.com

Janet Anderson, Wild Fired Glass, is a favorite artist in fused glass, and Jewelry www.wildfiredglass.com

Jackie Case: SHOWN "MAjESTIC MOUNTAINS "Sugar Cove Designs Stained Glass and Jewelry coming soon www.sugarcovedesigns.net

Julie Boisseau Craig (Wild Poney Studio) Glass Blowing demonstration Funchional, Sculptured, Wearable, glass and clay Art

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 home 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

Mountain Artisans "Summertime" update.

Worlds Largest Hand Carved Bowl

Promoting an Exclusive, Selection of Handcrafted Creations

Small Beginnings

.

Outside Exhibitors

Ronnie Evans - local books

Specialty Foods and Sweets

2025 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

Mountain Artisans "Summertime" update.

Worlds Largest Hand Carved Bowl

Promoting an Exclusive, Selection of Handcrafted Creations

Small Beginnings

.

Outside Exhibitors

Ronnie Evans - local books

Specialty Foods and Sweets

2025 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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