Meet Our Artisans

Our interest in ceramics developed while touring the traditional potteries in North Carolina in the late '60s while in graduate school. Over the years we both took up ceramics and, although at times frustrating, it has provided endless avenues for refinement of craftsmanship and development of style. Currently, Ron's work consists of functional stoneware and porcelain vessels. Susan's work focuses on decorative items for the home and garden.

Basket Weaving: I use flat and oval reed along with oak frames and hoops to weave traditional baskets for everyday use or decoration.

I have been involved in the art of woodcarving since 1970 for a total of 38 years. My goal is to share the beauty of wood sculpture with the public and encourage individuals to participate in this exciting art form. I specialize in realistic Bird and Animal carvings but also enjoy carving the traditional Busts of Indians and Trappers. My other interest is creating traditional Mountain Dulcimers.

Native to Appalachia, Journel was born into a family that valued hard work, self-sufficiency and hand skills. Both his father and grandfather made tools and furniture for personal use and sale or trade. After many years as a skilled carpenter and contractor, in the 1980’s he turned an enduring interest in woodworking into a second trade. He draws on and takes pride in his heritage then adds his own contemporary spin to his bowls. His “food-friendly” exquisitely carved and decorated turned salad bowls start with hand-picked woods native to the southern Appalachian Mountains. Sustainable practices guide his work and the unique north-south range of the mountains he lives in results in a wide assortment of rare, unusual and beautiful woods. His bowls are turned on the lathe and embellished with unique, hand-carved designs.

Custom iron work, modern and historically correct period work, including 17th century through present time.

I am involved in two different crafts. I do charcoal and pencil drawings as well as Intarsia. I became interested in drawing at a very young age. My natural ability was discovered while in elementary school, however, my artistic talent was not fully developed until later in life. My interest in the ancient art of Intarsia led me back into drawing because of the desire to create my own Intarsia patterns. In my Intarsia pieces I use all natural wood indigenous to Southwest Virginia.

Why bother looking for the handmade object when the world is full of cheap goods produced by exploited workers or clever machines? Precisely because the handmade is unique, and to buy a piece of careful craftsmanship is to make a friend in that parallel universe of deeper values. I have sewn and knitted for decades, but weaving is my new obsession. I love the process of seeing colorful thread and yarn turn magically on my needles or my loom into scarves, shawls, and table linens.

Mac Traynham of Floyd County became interested in handmade instruments in 1975 when he commissioned a friend build him a Gibson RB-100 copy on which to play a three finger style of Bluegrass and other experimental music . He became even more interested after commissioning Wayne Henderson to build him a Martin D-28 style guitar in 1976. Being attracted to beautiful woods and a serious player of Southwest Virginia style clawhammer banjo music, Mac built his first banjo in 1978 using recycled birdseye maple flooring that had been previously made into a door. During the late 70's and early 80's, he continued to make banjos and was part of an instrument makers seminar at the 1981 National Folk Festival. Being interested in all aspects of instrument making and playing, he visited the shops of and got tips from many of the area's renown instrument makers including Olen Gardner, Kyle Creed, Arthur Conner, Albert Hash, and Wayne Henderson. Over the years, he has experimented with classic tone designs and today is known for making beautiful banjos that have a superior tone. He most recently was a master banjo maker in the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities' 2009 Apprenticeship program.

He has been a professional custom cabinet maker since 1987. He prefers to use
local woods in a blend of traditional Shaker and modern European styles.

Mac's latest interest in raising grass-finished beef has resulted in a barter for
6 cow-calf pairs to be rotationally grazed on his grassland in Floyd County.

Robert Tuckwiller is one of Virginia's favorite landscape artists. His realistic paintings capture the beauty of Southwest Virginia. Proficient in both oils and acrylics, Robert has a masters degree from Hollins University. His thesis was a well received study on the artists of the Hudson River School. He is a popular speaker and workshop instructor. Robert has also written and produced two outdoor dramas. His annual Open House at his studio in Newport, Virginia has become an annual tradition for many collectors.

I have always been interested in decorative painting and using objects that others might throw away. I've been involved in Farmers' Markets in Bristol since it opened. I'm originally from eastern NC. A graduate of UNC, Greensboro. I've lived in Bristol since 1957 and sell some crafts from my home.

I began turning wood as a hobby making gifts for family and friends. Eventually my shop was full and I began selling some items in order to expand my shop and purchase tools. I did this in order to make new and different items and cover overhead. I attend as many demonstrations and workshops as I can to improve my technique. My work has been well accepted and I now make items by request.

My business is called The Uncommon Granny because I use traditional granny square patterned with the beautiful uncommon different yarns from Turkey. These yarns are incredibly soft and have varied interesting textures and colors making for a contemporary twist on a traditional design.

Wood carvings of Native Americans, Mountain Men, Woodspirits, Wood Friends, Whimsical Houses as well as commissioned pieces, i.e., bears, squirrels, and other works.

Marrying an artist’s sense with grounded sensibility, Anne can best be described as a collage artist.
Vintage finds, water color acrylic, semi-precious gemstones, hand selected turquoise and other unique components are combined with fine and vintage metals to create one of a kind pieces to be cherished. Anne creates jewelry that is described as organic… yet it remains simple and elegant in form and function.
Anne’s pieces are created with a timeless appeal that crosses generational lines.

Joanne Macrae Villers grew up in the Bristol/Abingdon area. She and her husband, Steven Villers, were married in Abingdon and 11 years later opened Blacksnake Meadery in Dugspur, VA. Steve and Jo are beekeepers and use their honey as well as other local honey to make 7 different meads. (Tupelo mead is a mead made with honey from Florida.) Blacksnake Meadery offers 8 varieties of mead ranging from dry to sweet. Mead is not wine nor is it beer, but its own unique alcoholic beverage made from honey rather than grape juice or malt.

I am an artist living in Abingdon, Va. working in a variety of media including botanical designs using pressed plants, botanical designs in watercolor,and landscape and still life in acrylic and oil. My style is somewhat eclectic but best described as realism/impressionism.

Contemporary freeform metal sculpture, constructed out of steel. powder coated or rusted finish.

Contemporary Furniture, Mission-Style Chairs & Tables, Lathe-Turned Lamps, Lathe-Turned Mirrors & Clocks
Photography can be viewed at http://www.thunderstruckphotography.com