Tag: Gatlinburg shopping

Alewine Pottery

“If you have a dream, trust God and work hard… it can be done”

Alewine Pottery is home to some of the best of the potter’s art that you will find in Gatlinburg’s Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community.  The family that owns and runs Alewine has been maing pottery since 1972 and they have been a business in Gatlinburg since 1983.  Robert Alewine, the owner and artist in this case has put his stamp on the pottery scene in the Smokies much like his familiar maple leaf is stamped on his pottery. And that familiar maple leaf can be seen all over the Smokies.  In galleries on both sides of the mountain, Alewine Pottery is on display.  At festivals in towns such as Dillsboro and in Gatlinburg at the Craftsman shows, Alewine Pottery is literally everywhere.  Beautiful, functional pieces of art, thrown with love and a devotion to attention and quality.

If you visit the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, you will not be able to miss Alewine Pottery.  Travel down Glades Road and you will pass smallish shops on the right and the left.  When you come to the small crafts mall on the left hand side of the road you will find Alewine Pottery directly behind it on the left hand side of the road.  Pull into the parking lot and head inside to be amazed, to be astounded to be captivated by the beauty of the pottery that you will find lining the shelves once you get inside.

Alewine Pottery and the potters that work there have been a this for years.  There ability to craft a vessel, a piece of art out of a ball of clay is miraculous.  The colors that the reproduce in the glazes they use, the textures they get from the clay feel right, somehow in your hand.  And though you need to be careful when you do so, pick up a piece of their pottery and feel how right it ‘feels’ in your hand.  Look for the mark of excellence where Alewine is carved into the bottom of the vessel.  Look for the maple leaf and know that you have something beautiful and wonderful in your hands.  Find the right color to go with the decor of your house and if you are having a hard time finding the piece that matches the rest of your everyday-ware then ask someone, they might be able to help.  Realize that what you are looking at is art, but it is also usable.

Yup, almost everything you see at Alewine is a usable piece of art.  Not just for show or to be put up on a shelf, if you buy a pitcher, you can fill it with lemonade an use it to serve at your next picnic.  Take a piece of the Smokies home with you.  Take home a piece of art.  Take home a piece of Alewine Pottery and know that you have bought a family heirloom in the making.

Alewine Pottery
623 Glades Road
Gatlinburg, TN
865-430-7828
http://alewinepottery.net/

A Troll in the Park

You might not think that you would find trolls in the National Park but one family has been turning out trolls in the shadows of the Smokies for years.  At A Troll in the Park, trolls have been the art of the day for a long time and though they are not located on Glades or Buckhorn Road anymore, they are still a part of the Great SMoky Arts and Crafts Community and they produce the famous Arsenbak Trolls that they ship out to people all over the world and of course tot he tourists that come to the area each year.

Ken Arsenbak (a Danish Born lithographer) and his family have been at this business for years.  Ken was a painter by trade but he started making these trolls to give to his children and their friends in Columbus, OH when he and his family settled there.  Upon his retirement, the family moved to Cosby, TN and founded the 5 Arts Studio and started making trolls for visitors to the Smokies.  This was during the 70s and they were one of the crafters that helped to found what is now known as the Great SmokyArts and Crafts Community.  So, since 1971, the Arsenbak Troll has been a part of the art scene here in the Smokies, made with the mythos of Europe in mind, they jumped the pond and have made a home in the nooks and crannies of the Smoky Mountains.

The Arsenbak troll is a made primarily of natural fibers.  Fashioned from the base of a tree and then covered with natural fibers, the facial expressions are made from seeds and nuts and each has a curious expression… almost as if they were about to ask a question or make a comical statement about the state of things.  They also all have professions.  Some are doctors, some are nurses, some are carpenters and some are gardners.  There is no end to the jobs that these trolls have performed and again, they are all hand made and signed on the base, signifying that they are an Arsenbak original.  These trolls now cover the whole globe.  north to south, east to west, they can be found in almost every country as people have gotten them for that special someone in their life.  Range from the smallest at 4 inches to a massive 52 inches tall, these trolls adorn book shelves and entryways throughout polite society.

The next time you come tot he mountains, find Arsenbak’s Troll House.  Find that one troll that is calling to you to take it home.  Find that spot in your house for the troll to sit and let them become a part of your families story, to be handed down as a piece of art and a part of the family throughout the ages.

A Troll in the Park
2635 East Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN
865-436-0091
www.atrollinthepark.com

Lisa Deater Gallery

One of Gatlinburg’s best artists is going to be closing her shop in November of 2012.  Lisa Deater, part sculptor – part painter – all artist has been a member of the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community for years.  Her gallery is home to prints, paintings and sculptures of every shape and size and her themes range from the beach to the mountains and everything in between.

Paintings

Lisa Deater captures beauty in all of her paintings but her ability to capture the human form and the natural is remarkable.  One of her paintings, called At Rest, is a great example of this.  The painting shows a woman in a red dress sitting in the floor.  Her legs are splayed out in front of her, her dress pools around her in plumes and peaks and valleys of fabric.  The features of her face are very simple and very demurely drawn.  The design and the attention to detail is simple wonderful.

She also has a series of beach paintings.  The figures again are very stylized and the faces are almost always hidden, giving a bit of a mystery to the figures.  The beaches always seem very windy and you can almost swear that you can feel the spray blowing off the water onto the faces of the people on the beach.

Sculptures

Lisa Deaters sculptures tend to focus on animals, most of which are based on those that reside here in the National Park.  From bunnies to bears and everything in between, these sculptures capture the animals at play, lounging and of course just standing there with a curious expression on their faces.  By far the pieces that I find the most interesting are the bears.  From the ones that are called the GatlinBears to the ones that are a tad more realistic, all of Lisa’s bears are wonderful and fun to look at.  The GatlinBears – of which there are currently three, are named and they all have that touch of Gatlinburg in there settings and in there demeanor.  These three bears would look great setting on any shelf or cabinet or really anywhere in your house.

Lisa Deater is currently in the process of closing her gallery on Glades Road.  She is wanting to focus more on her art then on running a gallery.  She is going to be creating more and delighting her fans both old and new with sculptures and paintings alike.  You can call her or email her and visit her studio to see what she is working on and you can always visit her online gallery to see what she has to offer.  If you happen to be in the Gatlinburg area during the month of November, you can stop by and take advantage of the moving sale.

Lisa Deater Gallery
865-277-7377
lisa@lisadeatergallery.com
http://www.lisadeatergallery.com/

All Sauced Up

All Sauced Up in Gatlinburg has everything you need for your kitchen from spices and sauces to kitchenware and utensils.

Looking for that hard-to-find spice, or just some kind of new sauce to get your grill going this fall, head on over to All Sauced Up in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and let them help you spice up your next meal.

Established in 2008, All Sauced Up specializes in sauces and spices, kitchen gadgets, gourmet food, and Smoky Mountain hospitality. The store boasts over 4,000 unique items, and families are welcome to come in, browse, and stay as long as they want. It’s really fun looking through all the kitchen and cooking nick-knacks, and thinking about everything you could cook with them.

As far as sauces go, All Sauced Up offers samples of BBQ sauces, salsa’s, syrups, jams and jellies, salad dressings, olives, pickles, bean dip, gourmet peanut butter and so much more. All Sauced Up offers up over 150 samples daily. So you’re gonna get a chance to try it before you buy it. Wondering what you’ll be trying it with? The store offers so much in way of chips, nuts, and popcorn, you’ll never be searching for ways to make use of the number of delicious dips, jellies, and sauces.

When it comes to the all the things you can purchase to better equip your kitchen, the staff at All Sauced Up is happy to demonstrate the newest in kitchen accessories so that you’re sure whatever you purchase will work in your kitchen. From “how-to” and cookbooks to cookie cutters, cutlery, mugs, stemware and utensils, you’ll find it in the mercantile store.

All Sauced Up is a one-of-a-kind cooking store in Gatlinburg, Tn. For all your Smoky Mountain grilling, cooking, and kitchen needs, add some flavor to your next meal by shopping at All Sauced Up. Your taste buds will thank you.

All Sauced Up
646 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-7700

The Nantahala Outdoor Center in Gatlinburg, TN

The Nantahala Outdoor Center, one of the outdoor retail industry’s leading companies specializing in whitewater rafting in 7 of the south’s best rivers.

The Nantahala Outdoor Center, one of the outdoor retail industry’s leading companies, has made a name for itself in Gatlinburg, TN over the past two years as THE go-to place for outdoor adventure, shopping, and guidance in the Smokies. Headquartered in Bryson City, NC, the Nantahala has a history dating back almost 40 years. They are recognized as a leader in the whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing industry.

The Great Outpost in Gatlinburg is located in a beautifully renovated 18,000 square foot building that originally housed the Open Hearth Restaurant. The Nantahala Outdoor Center began renovation on the 30-year-old stone building in 2009 with improvements taking place on the inside and outside of the building. Crews even used recycled materials for many of the building’s renovations during construction. In keeping with good environmental practices, the Great Outpost has been registered for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for its green building practices.

The Nantahala Outdoor Center’s Great Outpost carries a diverse selection of name-brand outdoor gear and apparel, including items for biking, camping, climbing, fishing, hiking, paddling, and snow sports. There are also interactive stations for children, including a rope climbing station and an adventure cave located inside the building.

In all, the NOC provides for whitewater rafting guidance on 7 southern rivers, paddling instruction, shopping for apparel as well as souvenirs, a river rescue and wilderness medicine leadership institute, customizable group adventure trips, additional guided activities including biking and fly fishing, bike rentals, lodging, and numerous festivals and events surrounding the seasons.

Over the years, their facility has been recognized by numerous national and world organizations including The New York Times and National Geographic. That said, the staff at NOC continues to strive to serve the people who seek to lead a fuller, more adventurous life.

Known primarily for their expertise in whitewater rafting, paddling, etc, the Nantahala Guides has nearly 40 years of experience leading adventure trips down the Chattooga River, Cheoah River, French Broad River, Nantahala River, Nolichucky River, Ocoee River, and Pigeon River.

For the entire month of October, celebrate NOCtoberfest with a month-long series of events geared to embrace the variety of the season. At Rivers End Restaurant in Bryson City, stop by and enjoy some of the finest in German fare as well as an adult beverage selection including Spaten Octoberfest, Gaffel, Franziskaner, and hot mulled wine. Other NOCtober events will include The Great Pumpkin Pursuit, face painting, a costume contest, live music, and the Fall River Cleanup Community Service Project. So, visit the store in Gatlinburg, then hop on over for some fall fun in Bryson City this weekend.

The NOC facility is located at light No. 10 in Gatlinburg, right at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show

Get out to the Gatlinburg Convention Center November 21-25 for the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show.

If it’s one thing that Gatlinburg really knows how to do, its put on a top-of-the-line arts & crafts show. That’s thanks in large part to Gatlinburg’s vibrant arts & crafts community. And they aren’t slowing down anytime soon with the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show scheduled to take place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center November 21-25.

It’s an ideal place to find that perfect Christmas gift for that hard to shop for relative or significant other. The Gatlinburg Convention Center has a reputation of bringing in some of the finest local and national crafters each year. Want to shop the best collection of Thanksgiving crafts you’ll come across all year? Well, better plan on attending this craft show. And for those of you looking ahead toward Christmas, you’re sure to find some Christmas stuff there as well.

Let the Thanksgiving Crafts Show ease your holiday shopping concerns. From that intricate piece of jewelry to that perfect piece to cap off your front lawn, you’ll find it here in November. Take your time while you wander from table to table. You don’t want to miss a thing. This is also a great place to get tips and ask crafters questions about their works. They also know one another pretty well through the craft show events so if you’re looking for something special they know who sells or can point you in the right direction.

It’s not unusual to see around 200 different crafters at these events – that’s how popular they are. As was previously mentioned, you can find basically anything here from paintings to wood works, just ask. Each table is choc full of merchandise and the crafters are as talented as they are knowledgeable about their type of craft. Again, take the time to get to know the people and you’ll have a greater acceptance for the craft and make your purchase all that more rewarding. You won’t find a greater group of crafters anywhere in the country than the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. They live it, breath it, love it, and surround themselves with it.

The crafts and art are the main draw of the show but there is always some kind of entertainment throughout the day, food to enjoy and demonstrations from a range of talented artists. Hey, you may walk up to someone finishing a perfectly turned piece of pottery, or finishing the final brush strokes on a brand new painting. Take in the show for a bit of Christmas shopping, expanding your knowledge about the crafts, shaking hands with a group of new friends or just attending one of the best events in the Southeast you are sure find something unique at the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts show..

Doors open at 10 am and admission to the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show in FREE. For additional information call (800) 568-4748 or visit our website at www.gatlinburgcrafts.com.

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community

The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is a shopping experience unlike anywhere else. Browse and buy from 100s of artists and their unique wares.

It may not seem that old, but the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community (GSACC) is turning 75 years old this year. And there are at least 75 reasons to visit the GSACC while you’re in the Smokies region. At the top of the list is that this area is home to one of the largest craft communities in the southeastern United States. It’s a community as tight-knit as any small town. Many of the artists and crafts-people can be found on any ole day working in their shops and studios. All of this makes for some of the best arts and craft shopping in Tennessee. Let the GSACC help you with your shopping while providing an educational experience all in one.

Located right outside of Gatlinburg on Glades Road and Buckhorn Road is the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. If you follow Highway 321 out of Gatlinburg at traffic light No. 3, you’ll see signs along the way that lead to the GSACC. At Glades Road, you’ll drive until you come upon the galleries and shops aligning both sides of the road. From one room studios to small craft malls, artists of every kind display their wares here. Numbering over 100 crafters and artists today, you’ll probably need to few more trips back to fully take in the ever-growing community.

Most of the people you’ll come across in the stores and galleries are the people that actually produced the crafts and pieces of art. The artists and crafters run their shops. They have studios set up in the shops and you will get to watch them actually working on the arts and crafts. You will be able to speak to them, ask questions and discover the joy they have in their passion: their art.

If you ever make it over to take in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, you’ll be amazed at the variety of arts and crafts available for purchase, as well as overall. This is a community that has grown to over 100 crafters and each bring their own style and flare to the crafts they produce. From wood carving and jewelry design, to basket making and leather working, it’s all a part of this community. Also represented are such talents as wood art, painting, textile artists, photography and much much more. If shopping is more of your cup of tea, you won’t find a better place in the Smoky Mountains to spend your hard-earned money than here. Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for that hard-to-please friend or family member? You’re sure to find something unique at the GSACC.

The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is one of those places that you always mark on your calendar when you’re back in town. It’s a return trip “must do”. The access to 100s of crafters and artists that make up the community that is located right on the outskirts of Gatlinburg is unlike anywhere else. It’s a true, one-of-a-kind shopping experience in a picturesque setting. If anything, put a star next to the GSACC on your map of Gatlinburg and make sure that your return trip is clearly marked and visible.

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
http://www.gatlinburgcrafts.com/

Ole Smoky Distillery Opens July 2 in Gatlinburg

State’s First Legal Moonshine Distillery Opening in Downtown Gatlinburg

Come get your moonshine here!” – It’s an uncommon phrase these days, but soon it will heard in Gatlinburg with the opening of the Ole Smoky Distillery in Ole Smoky Holler at 903 Parkway. And it’s all legal by the way.

The distillery’s grand opening celebration will take place Friday, July 2 and will offer free samples of moonshine to adults over 21, moonshine for sale and free tours.

Aside from the actual ‘shine, Ole Smoky Distillery will offer a number of moonshine products including original unaged corn whiskey moonshine, sweet tea moonshine, apple pie moonshine, and peach moonshine. During the holiday season, moonshine cherries will be available for purchase.

The Ole Smoky recipes are the end result of years of perfected work and the experience of local families who have made mountain moonshine for over a century. Dave Pickerell, who served as master distiller at Maker’s Mark for over 15 years, assisted in the refinement of the Ole Smoky recipes in order to ensure a superior, mountain-made moonshine.

An authentic working moonshine still is the highlight of the distillery tour. Here, visitors learn about the science of the distilling process as well as the history and lore of moonshining in the Smokies.

As visitors will see, Ole Smoky proprietors Joe Baker, Tony Breeden and Cory Cottongim place a particular emphasis on celebrating their mountain heritage as well as the historical significance of the moonshine craft in sustaining families during the hard economic times of the early 20th century.

“Moonshine played an integral role in the daily lives of families in this region,” Baker said. “Too often, people rely on the stereotype of a backwards old man making a cheap, dangerous product. In truth, a lot of good people made and sold moonshine in order to feed and clothe their families.”

Ole Smoky is the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee, and is currently one of only four distilleries operating in the state. Jack Daniels and George Dickel received their licenses before Prohibition, and Prichards Rum opened their Tennessee facility in 1999.