Crafty communities: a tisket a tasket, here's where to find that basket

Travel America, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Alice Ross

NORTH CAROLINA

A visit to Seagrove Area Potteries--home to nearly 100 studios and shops offers more than a chance to admire artisans at work; it's an opportunity to witness a tradition begun more than 200 years ago. Many craftspeople descend from colonial potters who molded the area's rich clays into bowls, pitchers, and other works of beauty. The Seagrove Pottery Festival, held the Sunday before Thanksgiving, is the state's premier traditional pottery event. (800) 626-2672; www.discoverSeagrove.com.

At Cherokee Indian Reservation, craftspeople forge a link with ancestors of 10,000 years ago through wooden ceremonial masks, woven baskets, and stones carved to relate legends. Artisans demonstrate traditional crafts in Oconaluftee Indian Village. (828) 497-2315;.www.oconalufteevillage.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Dutch Country is much more than just pretzels and noodles and sausage and strudels. Lancaster County is a paradise of Amish-made products. Known for honest service, fair prices, and top quality, the Amish make furniture, quilts, brooms, bells, clocks, ornaments, weathervanes, toys, wrought-iron objects, bird houses, the list goes on. Their products can be found in such communities as Lancaster, Bird in Hand, Strasburg, and Intercourse. The Amish also operate book stores, fabric shops, and irresistible bakeries. (800) PA-DUTCH; www.padutchcountry.com.

TENNESSEE

In Gatlinburg, the hills are alive with the sound of crafting--be it dulcimers, candles, ceramics, dolls, quilts, or hundreds of items that interest and inspire onlookers. After watching a wood carver creating children's toys, one man went home to Alabama and crafted yo-yos for all his grandchildren. Most of us aren't quite that handy, but we'll find much to appreciate along the eight-mile loop of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. A trolley makes it easy to enjoy the loop. (800) 568-4748; www.artsandcraftscommunity.com.