Handmade in America last Minute Donations

a message from Handmade in America:

HandMade in America is close to the end of our Annual Fund campaign, and we are ALMOST at our $5,000 goal! There are only a few days left, and every dollar donated helps us get that much closer. You could make the difference - if 20 generous people gave $100, we would reach our goal in no time!

It is a scary, complex economic reality out there, with the recession, shifts in the economy, charged political environment, and increasing budget cuts. Government programs and funding are slashed every day. This shifting landscape affects us all; it impacts the availability of jobs, the businesses we interact with every day, and the towns we call home. We all want healthy, thriving, and exciting places to call home, but our region needs organizations that work to make this happen!
 
This is what HandMade does; we are in the business of you! We know what is good for the region is good for us all. Today we need your help. Your investment, through a year-end gift, will ensure our work continues to work for the good of all our lives. I ask you to donate today – and right now a matching gift means your donation doubles its impact!
 

DONATE TODAY 

 
Donating is easy: click the above link, visit our website at handmadeinamerica.org, or send in your donation to our office at 125 S. Lexington Ave., Suite 101, Asheville, NC 28801. For questions or to donate over the phone, contact our Manager of Engagement Helene Herbert at hherbert@handmadeinamerica.org or (828) 252-0121 x306. You may also contact me at glenncox@handmadeinamerica.org or (828) 252-0121 x308. 

 

Thank you for your support of our work – it an investment in our region that is definitely worthwhile!

Glenn Cox

Penland School of Crafts Annual Donations

A Message from Gay  Smith

My experience of Penland is about connection: life, creativity, hands, heart, materials, mentors, students, colleagues, community, and friends, all connected in a beautiful web like the warps and wefts on Penland's looms.


I first came to Penland in 1985 with a studio assistant scholarship. It was a life-changing experience made possible by the generosity of others. Since then I have been a resident artist, an instructor, a community member, and a trustee, and I know that any amount we contribute to Penland's annual fund makes a difference. Our donations support everything from the not-so-glamorous water system to the priceless experiences of new scholarship students. They help create the fabric of Penland, and they strengthen our connection with this special place.

I invite you to join me this year as a donor to the Penland annual fund, and my deep thanks go to those who have already made a gift.

Sincerely, 

Gay Smith

LEARN HOW TO MAKE A DONATION HERE

Heartwood Gallery Holiday Hours

Heartwood Gallery, 21 East Main Street in downtown Historic Saluda NC - Holiday Hours:
Friday and Saturday, December 20 - 21 from 10 AM to 7 PM
Sunday, December 22 from 12 - 4 PM
Monday, December 23 from 10 AM to 5 PM
Tuesday, December 24 from 10 AM to 4 PM

Heartwood will be open regular hours through Monday, December 23. Christmas Eve Day, December 24 from  10 AM to 4 PM. They will offer coffee, cookies and refreshments with extra hands ready to make pretty packages for you.

Please remember their Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry fundraiser. This year they are offering a handmade "Be Joyful, Share Joy" pewter angel ornament - great for gifts and stocking stuffers. Every bit of the $14 price goes to  Polk County residents who need assistance.

Learn more about local attractions, lodging and events on the Saluda NC Visitor Guide. 

 

John C Campbell Folk School 2014 Catalog now Available

Explore your creative, adventurous side in the New Year. Experience the Folk School hands-on, non-competitive learning environment through a craft, music, or dance class. From basketry to writing, choose from over 800 week-long and weekend classes in 47 different disciplines. Settle down with a warm cup of tea, and take pleasure in browsing classes that will help enrich your life in 2014.

CLICK HERE to request a printed Catalog or view the Catalog Online

Pricing for tuition and lodging and meals remains the same for 2014. Also new for 2014, stay in one of our "Economy" priced houses and save. Stay in Bidstrup or Mill House and save on your housing and meals costs. View the Lodging and Meals Rates online or in the catalog.

Cherokee Visitor Center Hosts Holiday Homecoming

December 21   Holiday Homecoming   at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee NC.  This annual holiday event is an old-fashioned Christmas celebration in the Smokies with traditional music, holiday crafts, and cider and cookies. The event takes place from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Brevard Gallery Walk this Weekend

December 20   4th Friday Gallery Walk   Enjoy an evening of Art, Wine and Food in Downtown Brevard. Every 4th Friday of the month, from May through December. 5-9 PM. The December walk is a great opportunity for last minute Christmas Shopping.

Rediscovering Christmas at The Black Mountain Center for the Arts

December 19 at The Black Mountain Center for the Arts – Rediscovering Christmas Jim and Carol Anderson return to the Arts Center with their popular show, "Rediscovering Christmas." The show presents a series of original vignettes that range from the comedic tale of two blue-collar shepherds who are in the right place at the right time on Christmas Eve, to a piece about dealing with in-laws at Christmas, to a scene with an irrepressible Jamaican Wiseman who retells the Christmas story like you've never heard it before, and a comedy called “Minnesota Ice Fishing.”

Handmade Holiday Exhibit and Sale at Desert Moon Designs

December 3 – January 7 annual Handmade Holiday exhibition at Desert Moon Designs, 372 Depot Street in Asheville NC celebrates a season of giving handmade. From jewelers to ceramicists, clothing to handmade soaps, you will experience local hand-crafted artisan works that are unique and affordable.

With some amazing one-of-a-kind gifts, Desert Moon Designs Studios is a great place for holiday shopping and connecting with our local community. The gallery supports non-profits all year with each sale. 

Find links for more NC Christmas Shows and Sales on the NC Mountain Craft and Galleries. 

River Arts District Second Saturday this Weekend in Asheville

December 14   River Arts District Second Saturday Asheville’s River Arts District Artists open their studios for a day of family friendly fun, educational experiences, live demonstrations and to share their creations. Visit dozens of artists working in all types of media, available for viewing or purchase.

Get links for the River Arts District Second Saturday and other art and craft events in the mountains this weekend on the NC Mountain Craft Gallery Guide.

Holiday Arts and Crafts Show at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center

December  14    Indoor Holiday Arts and Crafts Show   Held at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center Gallery from 10 AM to 5 PM, just in time to finish  your Christmas gift shopping. The Center's cafe will be open all day.  Have breakfast with Santa for 9 - 11 AM and enjoy Pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee for only $5.

The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road in Robbinsville (Stecoah Valley) NC.

Random Arts Celebrates the Season at Saluda's Hometown Christmas Stroll

December 13 - Stop by Random Arts from 5 PM - 8 PM during Saluda's Hometown Christmas Stroll this Friday. Enjoy seasonal refreshments along with festive munchies. Take this opportunity to see what Random Arts is all about and meet old friends or make new ones in this friendly and artistic space at Louisiana and Ozone in Saluda NC.

Random Arts is a unique workshop - studio - shoppe and creative space, opened in 1996 as a rubber stamp store. It has evolved into a special place, now called "random arts" for artists of all kinds to enjoy workshops for creating art books, traditional books, altered books, jewelry, decorative gourds, art dolls, artist trading cards, PMC jewelry, simple cards, exquisite art and more. The newly remodeled space is even more inviting than before. Supplies are also available for purchase online. 

Learn more about nearby lodging and attractions on the Saluda NC Visitor Guide.  

Cool Craft Market: Holiday Edition 2013 this Weekend in Asheville

December 13 - 16 Buy Handmade for the Holidays at the Cool Craft Market: Holiday Edition 2013.  You'll find variety of craft artists, artisan food, and natural product makers represented at this year's market. Come and support local artisans as well as Western North Carolina's economy.


Along with Blue Ridge Food Ventures, HandMade in America is partnering with Arts for Life, who will provide fun craft activities for kids while parents shop on Saturday and Sunday, and Smoky Mountain Living Magazine, who will be doing a subscription drive. For every subscription sold they will donate almost 50% of the proceeds to HandMade in America. 

The event is held at Handmade in America, 125 Lexington Avenue, Suite 101 in Asheville NC. Market hours are:  Friday 5pm-8pm;  Saturday  10am-6pm;  Sunday 10am-4pm. Free parking is available.

Holiday Tour of Artists’ Studios in Transylvania County and Brevard NC

December 14   Holiday Tour of Artists’ Studios   The Transylvania Community Arts Council will host its Holiday fundraiser with a Holiday Tour of Artists’ Studios from 10 AM - 5 PM. Tickets are on sale now at the TC Arts Council located at 349 S. Caldwell Street in downtown Brevard. Tickets are $20 and will also be on sale at the TC Arts Council on the day of the tour.

Proceeds will benefit the TC Arts Council youth programs including Arts In Schools, scholarships to Summer Art Camp and Pottery Camp and Kids Art Day. Find local art and crafts just in time for holiday gift giving. 

Final Guild Artist Holiday Sale this Saturday

December 14   Guild Artist Holiday Sale   Held on two consecutive Saturdays at The Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 on The Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. There will be a different group of craftspeople participating each Saturday. Find handcrafted jewelry, pottery, glass, fiber, wood and more by members of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild with 10 - 50% off regular retail prices.

Don't miss this final opportunity to find some of the best art and crafts in the mountains on sale at the year's best prices.

Heartwood Gallery Announces Christmas Fundraiser

Heartwood Gallery,  located at 21 East Main Street in historic downtown Saluda NC, is offering a Pewter Joyful Angel Ornament to raise funds for Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry. This second annual fund raiser is under way with the "Be Joyful, Share Joy" pewter angel.

Angels are $14 and the entire amount will go to Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry for the much needed assistance they provide those for the county. The ornaments are attached to a card that has information about the artist and the fund raiser. They fit nicely in a Christmas card and make a great gift.

Help Heartwood Gallery help those in need.

Blowing Rock Art and History Museum Hosts Angel Tree

Now until December 16 - The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) in partnership with the Grandfather Home for Children, is hosting an Angel Tree in the atrium. Participants select a paper ornament, shop for items the children of Grandfather Home have requested on the ornament, and return the gifts unwrapped to the Museum.


Many of the children have requested art supplies but there is also have a list of basic necessities needed at Grandfather Home. You can help each of these deserving children receive a special gift this holiday season.

The deadline is December 16. So stop by the Museum to pick out an ornament or call 828-295-9099 for more information.

Learn more about NC Art Museums on the NC Mountain Crafts and Galleries Guide.

Guild Artist Holiday Craft Sale at The Folk Art Center

 December  7 and 14    Guild Artist Holiday Sale    Held on two consecutive Saturdays at The Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 on The Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. There will be a different group of craftspeople participating each Saturday. Find handcrafted jewelry, pottery, glass, fiber, wood and more by members of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild with 10 - 50% off regular retail prices.

Over 50 artists will be participating over the course of the two sales, with a different group of artists each weekend. The annual holiday sale is an opportunity for artists to liquidate overstocks and 2013 items, try out new techniques, and sell studio seconds. And it provides buyers with exceptional Christmas and holiday gifts at the best prices of the year.

Art After Dark in Waynesville this Friday

December 6   Art After Dark   Downtown Waynesville transforms into into "an exquisite visual, culinary and performing arts center" with local galleries and studios remaining open until 9 PM. The evening features special openings, demonstrations, artist receptions, and music. 

Get links for complete visitor information on the Waynesville NC Guide. 

Asheville Art Walk this Weekend for Christmas Crafts and Gifts

December 6   Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk   Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running.

25 downtown venues participate with a complete Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.