Larry Walther, artist
From its humble beginnings when a small group met at the library in 1976 to discuss the idea of a craft shop, Dogwood Crafters has grown to a thriving business with 100 artisan members displaying a range of handcrafted goods in a cozy building comprising three historic tourist cabins.
“Stained glass, baskets, brooms, quilts, pillows, original art, prints, photographs, sewn items as well as knitted and crocheted can be found within these walls,” says Brenda Anders, a member who discovered the co-op when she moved to the area in 1978. “I have worked as a room coordinator, officer, board member and groundskeeper, but my favorite job is the cheerleader for Dogwood and Dillsboro. I look for new members all the time. There is gold in these mountains by way of crafters all eager to produce but not knowing how to offer their talents for sale.”
The store offers a large selection of creatively crafted items—from nature-inspired Christmas decorations to paintings colored with earth pigments. Throughout the shop, visitors can purchase innovative mountain crafts that preserve traditional skills—and sometimes pieces of the past as well. “We had to cut down great big trees in front of Dogwood, and a crafter made beautiful bowls,” says Anders.
Linda Barton, artist
“The public will find quality products handmade locally, and not from oceans away,” says Linda Barton. She and her husband Ed work as a team, though Ed calls himself a helper to Linda’s artistry. The two are in their 21st year creating felt ornaments that celebrate all walks of life. “We simply enjoy making these ornaments, knowing they make people happy by helping them create their own memories to keep in felt for their Christmas trees, as we have,” Linda says. Their designs commemorate traditional Christmas symbols as well as sports, clubs and groups, military, vacations and pets, to name a few. They are open, as well, to new ideas from customers.
“Ed cuts out all the parts and pieces them together,” says Linda. “When it’s ready to sew, he puts it in my box. I take it, do all the embroidery work, then sew it together, stuffing it with pillow filler as I move along. Once this step is done, I place it back into his box. He glues on all the accessory pieces, then once more returns it to my box for me to tie on the hanger.”
Linda hopes people will come to Dogwood Crafters for the high-quality crafts. “They are displayed beautifully in each of the 12 rooms which are often rearranged throughout the year, thereby keeping an always fresh look,” she says. “And for us crafters, there is a warm family atmosphere which grows with the years.”
Anders attributes Dogwood Crafters’ success to conscientious oversight. Standards ensure that care is taken in reviewing the work of prospective members. And, she adds, “the way we encourage members to care about the continued quality of their crafts, and even to the care shown at the counter when selling the crafts. Each crafter feels like it is their shop.”
Dogwood Crafters is located at 90 Webster Street, Dillsboro. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Learn more at DogwoodCrafters.com.
