Meet Our Artisans

I've spent most of my life living near or on mountains. I grew up in the embrace of the Catskill Mountains in NY, and I spent 12 years studying the rain forest in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. I have always felt most at home in the mountains. I can remember when I first started coming to this piece of paradise two decades ago. Once or twice a year I'd drive down Rt 77 and marvel at the layers of majestic mountain ridges stretching into infinity. I was inspired by them then, and 8 years into making the Blue Ridge my home, I'm more inspired by them than ever. The attachment grows ever deeper. With the mountains comes the culture they nurture. Mountain music emanates from living rooms and front porches and from free for all jam sessions at the local restaurant or grocer after hours. The songs very often pay homage to these mountains where our communities nestle.
I would venture that the hearts of the people here, so big and so welcoming to this displaced yankee, are at least in part inspired by their surroundings. I know mine has grown a bit. And I've been inspired by the way art is integral to everyones life here. There is little division between artist and patron. As with the music, the artists and the audience are often the same. Whether you quilt or carve or paint, you don't need a fancy degree to show up and share your passion. Sharing is the point. Being in this environment is truly nurturing. It has helped me to explore and develop my own creativity. I find so much joy in creating and sharing my work in a community that genuinely values the creative journey. I feel so fortunate to be sharing my journey in the Blue Ridge!

Flame gives my copper a simmering, iridescent patina that changes throughout the day. Detailed hand tooling twinkles over harmonious shapes and paint highlights the design. My goal is lively experience for both passing glance and leisurely perusal. I also work and design in stone, clay, fabric, neon and fiber optics and write, speak and give workshops on these art forms and on healing through making art.

Watercolor local landscapes.

My work is high temperature salt-fired stoneware and porcelain. Most of the work is functional. At present my goal is to integrate pottery form with its surface decoration using geometric oriented designs. Whether intended for the kitchen, the table or the mantel, it is my hope that the pots will enrich the user's life.

Handcrafted writing instruments made from topical, exotic, common woods and acrylics. Made in styles from a small twist that is the right size for checkbook or shirt pocket to a capped Rollerball or Fountain pen. Pens can be made from wood salvaged from old barn, front porch from old home place or dad's old hammer. Alot of things can be made into a handcrafted pen for every day use or special keepsake.

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.

My inspiration and vision comes from the inner and outer beauty of the simple view of life. My work goes beyond physical likeness to paint personality, spirit and faith. Painting and photography are my first loves; however, I have begun to work with a multimedia process, incorporating technology and digital art.

After making my first piece of jewelry, I knew I had found a craft about which I was passionate! That was four years ago, and I've enjoyed every minute of becoming an "artisan." My style varies, depending on how the metal or bead speaks to me. I enjoy metal and wire work especially, as well as playing with color and texture. I live in Chilhowie, VA with my husband and two boys.

Handmade soaps using the cold and hot process methods, lotions, scrubs, hand poured soy candles that are made in small batches. My products are vegan based and I love to use Goats Milk in my body lotions and soap bars. Resourcing local ingredients when available to do so. Create my very own fragrance oil blends, tinctures and infused oils for majority of my handmade goodies.

Donna Polseno has shown her work in museums and galleries all across America for 35 years. Her work is featured in dozens of books and publications and is acclaimed for its unique use of color and form. Her sculptures are likewise found published in many books and have been featured in museums in America and Italy.

Associate Professor of arts and crafts for thirty-three years at Southwest Virginia Community College. It is difficult for me to separate myself the teacher, from the artist craftsman because I feel dedicated in both categories. I like to work in all aspects of clay and leather being functional and non-functional while combining the two in some projects.

DSF Ceramics is operated out of a small home studio in beautiful Blacksburg, VA. Each piece, whether functional (mugs, platters, bowls) or decorative (small sculptures), is hand built with special attention to detail. For more information & photos visit DSF Ceramics on Facebook.

Artistic blacksmithing, traditional and contemporary, functional and sculptural, architectural and small items.

Commissions accepted. In situ design preferred.

Joyce Rouse songs and recordings are used on 6 continents for lively, musical artistry in promoting sustainable living, peace and environmental integrity.
Her commission compositions have promoted national and historic events and are featured in a wide array of media. Much of her current writing highlights the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States.
Joyce also performs globally as Earth Mama®
Helping Heal the Planet One Song at a Time!
http://www.virginiabeauty.org and http://earthmama.org

My mom and I live in Whitetop, Va located in Grayson Co, very close to the North Carolina line. We work together to create different crafts. We raise chickens and use their eggs to dye, using the Ukrainian Psanky dye style. Because we have different breeds of chickens, our eggs vary greatly in size and color. Often we have tiny little bantam eggs and big eggs from Giant Black hens. The eggs come in all shades of white, tan, brown and even blue green. These variations effect the colors of the dyes so no egg is ever the same. We also make trees using folded fabric squares as well as Christmas ornaments and faux topiaries. These are usually set on candle sticks or flower pots and decorated with ribbons, beads, buttons and other knick knacks. When We have time we also get in the occassional small quilting project, usually small table toppers, candle mats, or dolls quilts.