American Craft Week on Busbee Road

Seagrove, NC - The shops of the Busbee Road stretch of the Seagrove pottery area will this year be hosting events in celebration of American Craft Week, held October 7-16. Potters and other craftspeople along Busbee Road will offer special opportunities for the week.

American Craft Week is held each year to celebrate the place of handmade objects in our lives today. It is a nationwide recognition of crafts and craft makers, with organized events by participants across the country. North Carolina, with its numerous fine craftspeople and a public that has always been enthusiastic and supportive of the handmade work of North Carolina artists, is a natural fit for American Craft Week. More information about American Craft Week can be found at www.americancraftweek.com.

Seven businesses along Busbee Road have planned special events for various days during American Craft Week, and other Busbee Road potters will be open as well. Some may even add extra spur-of-the-moment events.

On both Friday, October 7th and Saturday, October 8th, Ben Owen Pottery, a third generation pottery studio making decorative and functional work, will have a special wood kiln opening along with wheel demonstrations by Ben and refreshments. Each day's events will run from 10 am to 5 pm.

Chris Luther Pottery will have extended hours on the Friday and Saturday of both weekends. Kiln building can be seen on the Fridays, October 7th and 14th, and demos are offered for the public on both Saturdays, October 8th and 15th. Wine sampling will also be available from 4 pm to 7 pm on October 7th and 8th only.

Demos will be given by Westmoore Pottery on Saturday, October 8th, showing the making of unusual shapes from past clay traditions - flasks, ring bottles, candlesticks, double-chambered inkwells, and more. The demos will draw from the research and hands-on experience of Westmoore's potters since 1977. Westmoore Pottery will be open from 9 am to 5 pm that day.

From 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, October 8th, working blacksmith shop Mill Creek Forge will feature demonstrations by several blacksmiths. Owner and fine blacksmith Jerry Darnell will be working at the forge, as will a couple of his apprentice blacksmiths. Weather permitting, a visiting spinner will be spinning wool outside Mill Creek Forge as well.

On both October 7th and 8th Hickory Hill Pottery will celebrate American Craft Week with a kiln opening featuring utilitarian shapes for cooking and serving in refreshing fall colors. Extended hours will be offered by Hickory Hill Pottery on both those days, from 9 am to 8 pm, and refreshments will be served.

Jugtown Pottery will celebrate American Craft Week with extended hours from 8:30 am until 8 pm on Friday, October 7. Festivities will include pottery for serving and enjoying food, refreshments, and new American Craft items.

JLK Jewelry at Jugtown will celebrate American Craft Week with Jugtown Pottery on the 7th, featuring handmade sterling silver jewelry set with hand made, multi-fired pottery cabochons. Also available will be some of JLK's handmade bags and copper creations.

Busbee Road is located off Highway 705, halfway between the small towns of Seagrove and Robbins, in North Carolina. Feel free to call (910-464-3700), email ([email protected]) or check the Pottery of Busbee Road website (www.potteryofbusbeeroad.com) for additional information.

There is no charge to the public for these events.

###

Archives