Woodworking and furniture artisans' works have always had a place inside of any home, no matter how small or how large. We humans are a sensual species and nothing feels or looks as "real" and "authentic" to our senses as genuine wood carvings, furniture or tabletop accents.

Often using native hardwoods and other types of local species or reclaimed wood along with a vast skill and knowledge, each piece is handcrafted by local artisans to enhance the natural qualities and beauty of each type of wood.

Joseph Blazina topton NCAfter Joseph retired from the construction industry in 1994, he began to pursue his interest in design and construction of country and rustic furniture. His greatest joy is finding a special slab of wood to create a one-of-a-kind piece. His unique twig and lodge style pieces are constructed from natural woods he has collected from the nearby Western NC forests. They are lovely additions to home or office decor in the cottage, cabin and rustic styles that are so popular in mountain communities.
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Brandy Clements Asheville NCBrandy comes from a long line of chair caners. The craft was passed down by the women in her family, beginning with her great grandmother in the 1800's. Brandy started out doing chair repair work in different cane, rush, and splint weaves and then began restoring antiques. In 2008, Brandy began making original “contemporary antiques” by refurbishing, painting, and weaving old chairs. Colorful and unique, her cane chairs make exquisite home furnishings and accents.
Website: gochairrepair.com

Ronno Cooke Woodworks Studio, morganton NCRonno makes furniture the old-fashioned way: one piece at a time using mortise, tenon and dowel joinery. Each piece is hand-rubbed using natural finishes. Strength, function and beauty blend together to make heirloom furniture pieces which can be passed down for generations. His work embraces the "neo-primitive" style - handcrafted one at time as a unique work of art. Website: www.ronnocooke.com

Monroe Drake canton NCMonroe makes both plain and carved walking sticks with a wise “mountain man” face. He also does walking sticks and brooms using antique tobacco sticks which were all made by hand by local farmers. These sticks were originally used to hang the “number one crop” of North Carolina. He finds his tobacco sticks in local shops and in tobacco old curing barns. Website: n/a

Phoebe Gibbs Asheville NCPhoebe is a graduate of Haywood Community College’s Professional Woodcraft Program. Using local woods, she designs and creates wonderful furniture and accessories for the home employing both traditional Appalachian and modern techniques and tools. Her line of handcrafted wooden kitchen accessories make excellent gifts. Website: n/a

Robert C. Gunther Asheville NCBob’s woodwork is the result of his long interest in native woods. He attempts to maintain all the variances of nature whether subtle or dramatic - producing sophisticated pieces with intricate patterns and color variations that are recognizable as a signature style. Each piece he creates is totally different and unique - turned on lathe, hand sanded and polished. Functional and decorative, Bob's handcrafted home accessories are a blend of his expert craftsmanship with an abiding love of nature.
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Bob Kytta fairview NCBob Kytta is an artist and master craftsman who has been creating various types of wood crafts for over 20 years. His line of hand-tied brooms are propular rustic home accessories. Every broom is hand made from unprocessed broomcorn. All of his handles are made from driftwood, storm damaged trees or branches culled from selective prunings. Natural and functional, each one of Bob's handcrafted brooms is a one-of-a-kind piece. Website: n/a

Christopher Perryman Domus Aurea Woodworking Studio, Asheville NCCiting the rich cultural traditions of woodworking in the Appalachian region, his own family’s tradition, and the unique creative environment of Asheville, Chris dedicates his energy to finding ways to express new perspectives in the ancient medium of wood. Born in the Piedmont, he was preceded by three generations of North Carolina woodworkers and showed a propensity for making things very early on. His superbly-made furniture pieces for home and life are often designed with just a touch of eccentric extravagance. Website: www.goldsplinter.com

Cameron Proctor Marion NCCameron comes from a family of wood workers and is proud to be the third generation contributing to this tradition. He started carving at age 12 and never stopped. He has a special talent for carving detailed caricatures and has produced handcarved statues of many notable characters. His wooden walking sticks are both functional (a nice thing to have while walking in these mountains) and touched with a bit of humor and whimsy as well.
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Brian Shope hendersonville NCFor Brian it is all about the wood! Cherry, maple, walnut or oak -- the beauty of the wood makes Brian's hand crafted lamp shades, bases and cross cut table-tops such wonderful one-of-a-kind creations. His handcrafted lamps add rustic elegance to any home or office environment. Website: n/a

Andrew Stockman Mountain Wood Turnings, hendersonville NCAndrew has been working with wood all his life and has recently returned to wood turning full time. He prefers using locally grown hardwoods and his art emphasizes the wood’s natural beauty. He hand-turns wooden bowls, vessels, platters -- utilitarian and artful. His handcrafted wood pieces for home and kitchen use have a food-safe finish. Website: n/a

Bill Wanezek Burnsville NCBill's woodworking career started as a youngster working side by side with his dad. He often starts out with a concept and then changes it as the beauty of the wood reveals itself. He currently has about 30 different kinds of domestic and exotic hardwoods from which he makes a wide variety of functional and decorative woodcraft products including tableware, candlesticks, pen sets, clocks and his popular free-form "otter" letter openers. Website: n/a.