I travel a lot for a living, and I love it. But sometimes, it doesn’t need to be about work. Sometimes you need a road trip to a new adventure with time to do a bit of exploring and check out lots of hidden gems you know you’re going to love. If you are in the mood for such a trip, I have just the thing. I invite you to follow along and then head up to the Blue Ridge Mountains and explore the Blue Ridge Craft Trail.
These trails, celebrating the art and craft of artisans in Western North Carolina and the history they share, run from far Western North Carolina to the Foothills, over The Central Mountain area and up to the High Country as far as the Yadkin Valley. With so much to see and learn there are many Blue Ridge Craft Trail adventures to be had.
You can zero in on the area you’d like to explore along the trails at the Blue Ridge Heritage interactive website. So many choices to explore, but I suggest you take my lead and do what I did, exploring Burnsville NC.
Three Day Blue Ridge Trail Getaway to Burnsville NC
My three-day-getaway took my to Burnsville NC in the heart of Yancey County. Yancey County boasts more artists per capita than another county in the US, so there is a lot of exploring and studio hopping to do. We planned for three days, but we could have used one more!
We stayed in the carriage house at the the very newly renovated NuWray Hotel on the square in Burnsville, as the hotel itself was still under construction during our July 2024 visit.
But now, after a nearly three years, taking the historic building down to its bones, the hotel is now open again for reservations and I can’t wait to go back. Lots of local artists and craftspeople on the Blue Ridge Craft Trail have been involved in the restoration process. I particularly love that there is a spirit of community which runs throughout the NuWray story. Excited to share it all with you on these pages soon.
There is much to share about this trip discovering many hidden gems along the way. So much in fact, that I’m making this a trio of posts. This one on a group of craftspeople and artisans on the trail. The next on the renovations, story and history of the NuWray and the third on all the good eats we enjoyed along the way.
On the trip with me for this adventure, discovering the craft along the Blue Ridge Trail, and all Burnsville and Yancey County had to offer, my bestie for the past 40 years, Pat Walker. It was a long overdue girl’s trip, that’s for sure. We enjoyed it all, and started the trip with a toast at dinner at the NuWray Carriage House Restaurant to this girl’s weekend away and all the fun and adventure to come.
Kicking off Our Blue Ridge Craft Trail Tour at Page Pottery
Part the fun of going to visit the studios at Page Pottery was the lovely drive up the winding road to their property. Located just off US 19E , west of Burnsville at 138 Dandelion Road. Before you get to the studios, you’ll drive past the home to their miniature donkeys, Peggy Sue and Curious George. While the donkeys were a bit camera shy, this is the sign to look for at the top of their lovely winding drive.
Meet Kristen and J.R. Page of Page Pottery
This husband and wife team went into business together in 2007 and were married in 2008. They met at the Haywood Community College Professional Craft School.
J.R. is from the area and remembers his mom Peggy Page was often fond of saying, “You can’t swing a cat around here without hitting a potter!”
True. The area is a mecca for potters and craftspeople and so the Pages found it a great place to settle in and call home. The Pages (and their sweet rescue pup, Foxie) not only live on the property, they have their studio there and a small farm as well.
They also have a wonderful website and encourage people to shop with them online as well as in person at the studio; or in Burnsville at the Toe River Arts Gallery, located at 113 West Main Street.
Pat and I both loved the Pages and their pottery. Each of us headed home with several pieces. Their style is inspired by the clay and the land and the techniques of ancient potters before them.
A Sense of Community
One of the reasons the couple settled here was the area’s sense of community. This couple gives back at every turn.
When they are not working their well honed craft,this couple spends their time gardening, playing pickle ball and giving back to their community. They lend a hand to Dig In! A Yancey County community gardening initiative to grow fresh fruits and vegetables everyone in the community has access to food that supports their health and well being. And in the fall, J.R. makes bowls that he contributes to the annual Burnsville Empty Bowl event in October.
The Toe River Arts Bi-Annual Studio Tour
You’ll not only find Kristen and J.R.’s work at the Toe River Arts Gallery, I mentioned earlier; but also as a part of the Toe River Arts bi-annual studio tour each year. Held in July and again in November, this is one of the nation’s oldest studio tours, attracting visitors to the area from across the Southeast.
This self-guided, driving tour features around 100 different Toe River artists and craftsmen each year. The 2024 Fall tour takes place November 8 to 10, from 10:30 am to 5 pm each day. Appointments are not needed and studios on the tour are open and welcome visitors to learn, watch and buy. Find out more here and make plans now to travel in November – it will be one of the best gallery crawls you’ve ever explored.
Now, from pottery to glass….
Harvey Littleton’s Legacy & Connection to the Blue Ridge Craft Trail
Did you know that this part of the Old North State has the highest concentration of glass blowing artists in the United States, outside of Seattle Washington?
True. All in Yancey County. Part of the reason is that The Penland School of Craft, located a stone’s throw away from Burnsville, has served as a landing spot for many of these glass artisans.
The other part of the equation is Harvey K. Littleton, the creator of the Studio Glass Movement in the United States. Harvey’s father, was the department of research and development at Corning Glass Works back in the day, and is credited as the inventor of Pyrex cookware.
Inspired by his father’s work Littleton was driven to take glass our of the factory and into the hands of artists. The story and influence of Harvey Littleton could be an article all on its own. But, for the purposes of this Blue Ridge Crafts Trail post, it is enough to say that today his legacy more than lives on in Burnsville and Yancey County.
Littleton’s son, Thomas Littleton lives in nearby Spruce Pine, Littleton’s home at the time of his death. Barbara is a family practice physician; while Thomas owns Spruce Pine Batch Company, which supplies pelleted glass to artist studios and glass programs nationwide. “Batch” is the compound, from which glass is made.
Glass Blowing & Classes at Hearth Glass and Gallery
Littleton’s granddaughter, Keikichi Littleton, opened a glass blowing studio and gallery in Burnsville in 2022. Keikichi is not a glass blower or artist herself, but she has a knack for running a business and wants to help build the community. With Keikichi’s vision and direction and the support of her mom, Spruce Pine Family practitioner, Barbara Stagg; her dad Thomas and her family, Hearth has become, not only a place for local artists to gather; but a place for visitors to shop and to try their hand at learning the craft. The studio and gallery is called Hearth and is located in Burnsville at 410 W. Main Street. Learn more here.
More on Hearth soon…
But First, a note on the Yancey County Farmers Market
If you know me, you already knew I was going to sneak a food story in here somewhere. This seems like the perfect opportunity.
If you visit Hearth on any given Saturday, take time to stroll through the Yancey County Farmers Market, located right next door. And enjoy a meal at the Root Down Farm Food Truck. Root Down features locally baked sourdough bread; and creates breakfast and lunch options from a host of local products.
Now, back to Hearth….
A Glass Blowing Glass is a MUST-DO when you visit Burnsville NC
One of the stops on our three-day-getaway was at Hearth Glass & Gallery, not just to meet Keikichi, which we did; and not just to shop, which we did. But also to take a glass blowing glass. I was excited and honestly a bit apprehensive, but I can tell you, don’t sleep on the opportunity to take a class yourself when you go to visit Burnsville. Its a ton of fun and just look at what I made!!!
My instructor for the day, glass artisan Kevin Doerner, and the team at Hearth let a glass blowing class with them be as hands-on as you would like.
It’s a no-fail experience.
Yes You Can Blow Glass, too!
It’s hot, that’s for sure – that big kiln full of molten glass weighs in at over 2000 degrees! And, there are lots of important steps along the way, but instructors are right there beside you and help to make it all seem really easy.
It’s not, its hard, and it’s complicated and you need to listen and pay attention. But, you are going to love it. Such is the beauty and benefit of a talented teacher. They make your adventure into glass-blowing a success. And you will want to do it again. I know I do.
If you are interested in taking a class of your own, you must make a reservation. You can do that on the Hearth Website here, or call 828-678-1809 – #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Thanks to Pat, I’ve got tons of video of my class and am putting it into a reel for my instagram, Facebook and TikTok feeds – follow along there to see all the fun. But first, take a look at what I made… as you might suspect, its pink!!
Back on the Blue Ridge Craft Trail to Visit Pieper Glass
Our next stop on the Blue Ridge Craft Trail took us through the little community of Celo and up and around the Toe River, back into Burnsville. The drive was another charming adventure.
Pro Tip, here, go slow around those mountain curves – local deer cross the road all the time and it is their understanding that they have the right of way.
Kenny Pieper (pronounced Peeper) of Pieper Glass Studio is an another amazing Blue Ridge Craft Trail glass artist. His work makes my first time little pink vase look – well, like a first time little pink vase.
But, had it not been for my experience at Hearth, it would have been hard to understand the Kenny’s talent, his technique and all he does. His work is nationally renowned and his glass is in museums across the county. This list includes the Corning Museum of Glass, the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, the New Bedford Museum of Glass and the Asheville Art Museum, just to name drop a few.
His studio, located at 2778 Halls Chapel Road, is also on the annual Toe River Arts Tour. Plan your visit now.
Taking Glass Blowing to the Next Level
Kenny was raised in Burnsville. Growing up he put himself in a position to learn and hone his craft at studios across the country, including Penland. His glass is hand-blown and his colors are all his own, hand blended for each particular piece. He wasn’t working the day we were there, but we toured his studio above the gallery. His work is amazing.
It’s hard to explain the technique he has quietly developed to achieve his glass blowing style. Many of his pieces are all so big he can’t do it without an assistant and a lot of space, but the results are amazing.
To get an idea of the full scope of Kenny’s talent, watch this video, created by fiddler Casey Dreeson. You’ll really get a feel for how Kenny Pieper and this day, Jamie Campbell do what they do at Pieper Glass Studio in Burnsville.
Click on this link to watch, just in case the video doesn’t immediately appear here
While Kenny’s larger pieces are incredible, I very quickly fell hard for his delicate and intricate stemware. I can only imagine a table set with this mix of glasses and goblets. A mixed and matched set of these gorgeous art pieces is on my wish list for sure. Take a look… For more info, custom orders or to order online, reach out to Kenny here
One More Stop for this Trip on the Blue Ridge Craft Trail
Today, I’ll leave you with our last stop on this wonderful tour of potters and glass artisans, McWhirter Pottery, located at 139 Red Clay Road in Burnsville.
Look for the work of Pete and Kim McWhirter in the Toe River Arts Gallery on the Toe River Studio Tour and in their own gallery, open Monday – Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.
McWhirter Pottery on the Blue Ridge Craft Trail
McWhirter Pottery has the distinction of being the oldest pottery studio in Yancey County.
Carrying in the family business Pete’s parents, Jim and Kore started in 1963, and continuing on with many of the same hand drawn designs the McWhirter name is so well-known for, both Pete and Kim craft functional art and traditional tableware.
For much of their work they use the method of carving into clay or a slip glaze is called “sgraffito” and it’s a technique visitors will see on pieces throughout the McWhirter studio. These mugs and tableware are first dipped in slip glaze and the Pete scratches in his traditional designs.
Kim does much of the same in her own line of popular bowls and plates. These chicks are a new design for Kim, but still done in that same unmistakeable McWhirter style.
Find more from the MCWhirters on their website ; or call 828-675-4559 to ask about special or custom orders. If you are looking for some of their collectable older designs, try a quick Google search on Ebay.
All for now, but more to come
Next stop, along the trail, is my next post all about the NuWray Hotel in Burnsville. So many local artists had a hand in renovations, I can’t wait to tell you all about them.
Then, I’ll wind up this trilogy with a post about all you should be eating and drinking in the area. That list includes food trucks like Hot Mess to burgers and beer at Homeplace Beer Company and BBQ topped Mac and Cheese at Pig and Grits. From to coffee at Appalachian Java, to smoked dawgs at Rolands and cocktails at the Carriage House Sundries, both at the NuWray Hotel. Stay tuned….
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