Meet Our Artisans

Historical novels include “The Starched Apron,” set in Russell County VA years 1792-1830; “Up the Water Spout” set primarily in the Abingdon - Meadowview, VA area 1918-1942 period and “Come Saturday” The latter book is set in depression years and tells of a true tragic event in the mountainous area of Southwest VA. Added are a mystery "First Ten Chapters," a collection of short stories "ZENITHS & ZEPHYRS" Mountain Peaks and Soft Breezes, and a "ghost" story called "HANOVER HOUSE, A Haunting Tale."

Born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, Historian Thomas D. "Tom" Perry, grew up in Ararat, Virginia, near Civil War General J. E. B. Stuart. A Virginia Tech graduate, where he studied under well know Civil War Historian James I. Robertson, Jr., Perry is the author, editor or publisher of over thirty books on regional history in southwest Virginia and northwest North Carolina.

Fred First gathers images--in words and light--from northeastern Floyd County. His creative work centers on relationship--to nature, to place and to community. His personal essays and stories are aired on WVTF and in print in several local newspapers. His public writing started on his blog, Fragments from Floyd, in 2002 at age 54. His books, Slow Road Home ~ a Blue Ridge Book of Days (2006) and What We Hold In Our Hands: a Slow Road Reader (2009) are non-fictional narratives of place.

My book is a comic strip style book I made up called “Kit Fox is on the Prowl.” Kit fox is a six-year-old American Indian boy. My book is not just a children's book but is for all ages who can read and understand it.

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 work primarily with fine silver and fused and/or flameworked glass. My jewelry relates deeply to natural forms, incorporating actual textures from leaves, shells, etc. to enhance my pieces, many of which also reflect my faith. I also use textures that I have developed myself to expand my designs. Besides a limited production line of earrings, I also work one-of-a-kind and in limited series.

Stony Fork Workshop features birds and other creatures welded together from recycled tools and other farm parts. Wind chimes made from used coffee pots, roller skates, horse shoes and more. High fired, wheelthrown, functional pottery. Hiking sticks made from homgrown bamboo.

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.

Cindy coal forges iron into decorative and functional art for the home and garden. Using traditional methods of heating, hammering, bending, and twisting steel, the pieces she creates include candle holders, towel bars, plant hangers, fire pokers, and of course ... HOOKS! of every shape and size.

Otis Mullins, a native of Wise County, handcrafts railroad spike knives and knives with antler handles and blades of stainless steel and sawmill blades.

The spike knives are made of spikes found along railways in Wise and Dickenson counties in Virginia. They are hard carbon steel and no two knives come out exactly the same.

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

Commissions accepted. In situ design preferred.

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

Handmade fine silver jewelry reflecting contemporary and natural themes.

My studio is located at my home in the beautiful mountain town of Blacksburg, Virginia; where I live with my husband and dog.

Each necklace, earring or bracelet is an unique design; inspired by beautiful gemstones found in nature, such as Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Lapis, Jade, Turquoise....
And by the ocean ....with freshwater pearls, coral ,and sea glass collected along the beaches of Maine, North Carolina and Florida....

All the findings are of fine copper, sterling silver or 14k gold-filled....many of the clasps have been designed to be worn as the focal point of the piece.... including original designs in PMC or Precious Metal Clay, a clay-like substance that when fired in a kiln becomes .999 silver.
...my copper, including shawl pins, are hand-etched.

My jewelry can be created for any special occasion, especially weddings. For the bride, the mother-of -the-bride, or bridesmaid...a necklace, bracelet or earrings can be custom designed to match the style of your gown and your personality...and, is the perfect gift to remember this day

Handcrafted, Celtic inspired jewelry using sterling silver, lead-free pewter, gemstone beads and Czech glass beads. In business over 10 years, Gaelic Creations grew out of a “Mother-Daughter” bonding experience.

Living in the town of Copper Hill was an influence in Maureen Hearn's decision to choose copper as the primary metal for her stunning jewelry creations. Maureen creates her own unique style of jewelry and constantly works on new styles that combines her copper creations with glass and stone as well as using silver and gold accents. While copper tends to tarnish quickly, Maureen takes the time to lacquer all her pieces so they remain as beautiful as the day you made your purchase.

I began my first jewelry business when I was 14. Following that early love, I studied Metal and Jewelry Design at Savannah College of Art and Design and have been evolving as a jewelry artist throughout my adult life. In 2010, I inherited a box of vintage feed sack fabric and began making jewelry out of it. That box of fabric, has led me to create, a mostly repurposed jewelry line. In my jewelry, you will find items such as; copper electrical wire, vintage clothing scraps, book pages and found objects. These one of kind items, help make my jewelry unique and are what makes my jewelry stand out from others.