Handcrafted in the Blue Ridge: Discovering the Crafts, Artisans, and Studios of Western North Carolina [Paperback]

Andrea Gross (Author), Irv Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

Western North Carolina is fast becoming known as the Santa Fe of the east coast. Here, tucked into the hills and at the end of dirt roads, skilled American artists and artisans are producing crafts of rare beauty and striking originality. Come visit the studios and galleries of over 150 weavers, jewelers, glass blowers, potters and wood carvers. The book includes practical information about each studio, including directions, address and phone number, hours of operation, and LISTPRICE range, as well as information about local lodging.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Husband and wife Irv Green and Andrea Gross are writers and photographers whose work has appeared in numerous magazines and in the travel sections of newspapers across the country. Andrea, a contributing editor at Ladies Home Journal, is also the co-author of GOOD BOOKS FOR THE CURIOUS TRAVELER and the author of SHIFTING GEARS. Irv and Andrea live in Asheville, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers; 1st edition (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561451452
• ISBN-13: 978-1561451456
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,565,770 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guide to A Haven for Artists; Heaven for Seekers, October 13, 2009

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Rev. Dr. Helen R. Betenbaugh "HBWheels" (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Handcrafted in the Blue Ridge: Discovering the Crafts, Artisans, and Studios of Western North Carolina (Paperback)

With critics calling Asheville, NC and environs the home of the largest community of THE most diverse,prolific, and eclectic artists other than Santa Fe, a guide book is helpful for even the vacationing or casual seeker/shopper. Given the numerous small mountain villages in which many of these artists and craftspersons have their workshops, studios, and showrooms or galleries, such a guide is mandatory.

One must acknowledge that, much like a phone directory, a guide like this which includes names, addresses, websites, opening hours, price ranges, products or styles represented by the artist, etc., is out of date before it is even printed. A caveat, then, for someone who doesn't have an abundance of time in which to drive the hairpin-turn mountain roads only to find a "MOVED" sign on the door they seek, call ahead, check the website, or otherwise confirm that your journey won't end in frustration.

That, aside, this is an invaluable resource, if only to whet one's appetite by its photos and descriptions. As the list above makes clear, there is an obvious attempt to both "promote" these artists/craftspersons and their wares, and that it does indeed. Even if all the details about each artist's workshop are no longer current, with name, phone number, and email/website details provided, it should be a simple matter to verify the information before setting out.

Even if you don't live in the area and have no imminent trip planned, browsing this book whets one's appetite. For me it has also served to alert me to many more areas of artistic endeavor: old, revived, and/or new means and styles of creating art. It also puts on proud display the expertise, talent, and skill of these creative folk and adds to a general understanding of the rich culture of the western North Carolina area.