• To promote awareness of the artisans residing and working in Graham County.
  
• To build a sense of community among the artisans themselves and with the residents of the county.
  
• To encourage the activity of creative handwork as a satisfying endeavor and potential means of livelihood.
  

"When we first considered the idea, we thought of a studio tour. However, that would have excluded many other artisans in the county, so we also included the retail shops that sell their work. Many of us already work together toward common goals, and this endeavor widens the circle." Crim Bassett

"To fulfill our mission of building community, we asked each participant for a donation of $20.00 to cover the expense of producing the flyers. The remainder will be used to promote arts and crafts in the community, either through direct donation or educational programs. In the future, I'd like to see us set aside a percentage of sales from the weekend. We are fortunate to live and work in an area of unspoiled natural beauty and spend our time in creative activity. To me, the educational aspect of our project is an important part of our mission. " Karen Mickler

The group is comprised of a diverse group of individuals, some born in the county and others not. Visitors will find a wide variety of handmade items and have the opportunity to watch demonstrations. The group includes members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild; Cherokee 7 Clans Art Guild; studios and shops featured in The Craft Heritage Trails and Farms, Gardens, & Countryside Trails published by HandMade In America; traditional Cherokee artists; former teachers, and many artisans who have studios in their homes.

A flyer with a map and directions will be available at each location. Flyers are also available at lodges, motels, inns and restaurants in the county. There are also signs along the roads.

CLICK HERE FOR MAP

The tour takes place along Hwy 28, Hwy 129 and Snowbird Road.

• Heading north on Hwy 129 from Topton, the first stop is Country Thyme Gifts.
  
• Driving south on Hwy 129 from Tapoca Lodge, the first stop is Buffalo Creek Studio.
  
• Traveling north on NC 28 from Almond, the first stop is Bee Global Studio in the Stecoah Valley Center.
  
• Traveling south on NC 28 from Fontana Village, the first stop is Yellow Branch Pottery and Cheese.
  
• From Snowbird Lodge heading east on NC 143, the first stop is Snowbird Indian Trading Post on Cornsilk Branch.
  

For those who plan to spend Friday night in the area, local musicians play at Tootie's Café in the Stecoah community every Friday evening. On Saturday nights, there is music making and dancing at the Snowbird Indian Trading Post. Other interesting places to visit are the Junaluska Memorial Site and Museum, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Taylor's Greenhouse, Stoney Hollow Farm (u-pick), Lewellyn Cove Walk and Fontana Dam. More information about these sites, lodging and a map of the Drive=About can be found at www.grahamchamber.com.

Participants:

Bee Global Studio
Stecoah Valley Center, NC 28, Stecoah Community
www.beeglow.com
Beeswax candles and lanterns

Mountain Memories and Bloomin' Baskets
NC 28, Tuskeegee Community
www.brwm.org/mountainmemories; www.brwm.org/bloominbaskets
Handmade baskets, natural wreaths, birdhouses, local handmade crafts, gifts and antiques

Beckie's Country Corner
NC 28, 1 mile north of Tuskeegee Community
Homemade goodies, honey, boiled peanuts, gifts, and souvenirs

Yellow Branch Pottery Studio & Farmstead Cheese
NC 28, Yellow Branch Road just beyond Beckie's Country Corner
www.yellowbranch.com
Handthrown pottery and farmstead cheeses made from the milk of the farm's small herd of jersey cows

The Rosebud
Village Shopping Center, Robbinsville
Local crafts, gifts, ceramics

Snowbird Indian Trading Post
Cornsilk Branch, Snowbird Community
www.snowbirdindian.com
Handcrafted Cherokee art, instruments, Woodland Indian clothing, carvings, weavings, beadwork, original paintings, gourd art, masks, leatherwork.

Indian Springs Crafts
Snowbird Road, next to Buffalo Church
Cherokee crafts, baskets, beadwork, gourd carvings, blow guns

Mill Creek Pottery Studio
Hwy 129 south of Robbinsville, Mill Creek Community
www.millcreekpottery.com
Dinnerware, home accessories, smoke fired porcelain

Country Thyme Gifts
Hwy 129 South, Sweetgum Community
A collection of hand crafted gifts made by more than 35 local artisans

Buffalo Creek Studio
East Buffalo Road, off of 129 north of Robbinsville
www.buffalo-creek-designs.com
rustic furniture, pottery