Brasstown – The small community was abuzz with crafts and artistry over the weekend, despite the cancelation of John C. Campbell Folk School’s annual Fall Festival.
Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, the folk school called off the annual event several months ago. However, local volunteers wanted to continue the atmosphere by hosting several local artists and crafters who displayed their work and provided live demonstrations at the first Brasstown Community Center Fall Festival.
Organizer Carolyn Anderson said the event would help raise funds for the Brasstown Community Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The building is a venue for community events and meetings as well as housing the Scroggs Family Museum.
Artists like pottery by Mike Lalone and chair caning by Barbara Tucker Kroeplin of Murphy did live demonstrations of their crafts. Kroeplin weaves intricate patterns to make sturdy chairs out of things like men’s ties and rattan, a type of vine from the Philippines.
Lalone and his grandson, Devin Weeks of Murphy, did live demonstrations on throwing pots and sculpting from clay. While Lalone uses a pottery wheel to throw his pieces, Weeks molds the clay by hand to create different animals or busts.
About 20 crafters and vendors were set up inside and outside of the Brasstown Community Center on Saturday, with one being Dave Galloway of Waynesville. Galloway carves detailed trucks, planes and ships from wood to make collectibles and children’s toys.
“My mother and father were sick and I was helping to take care of them,” Galloway said about the origins of his craft. “My daughter bought me a subscription to wood magazine. It had a pattern for a tractor and trailer, and I started making them from there.”
Another crafter was Mike Wilson of Hayesville, crafter for Wilson’s Custom Knives. Wilson has been making knives since 1985 and began doing so full time in the 90s.
“I use Damascus, stainless and carbon steel for the blades,” he said of his custom knives. “I use antlers, mammoth ivory or tooth and even pinecone sometimes for the handles. I use a little bit of everything as long as it is sturdy.”
Along with the festival, a donated quilt is being raffled to raise funds for the Brasstown Community Center. The quilt is being raffled for $1 per ticket or 6 for $5 and will be housed at Carolina Crafting in Murphy later this week. The drawing for the raffle will be held at the Thanksgiving Potluck.
The Shops of Brasstown and local artisans also opened their galleries Saturday for visitors to stop in and browse the local talent. Several artists and vendors were set up at the corner of Settawig Road and old U.S. 64.
For details about the Brasstown Community Center, check out the Facebook page or visit brasstowncommunitycenter.org.