Our mantle was created by Lee Walker, who built the front door and hanging bed at the 2009 DIY Network Blog Cabin in the nearby Preserve at Little Pine.

Local Craftsmen

RiverDance has been blessed by the works of many local craftsman. Western North Carolina is renowned for the richness of their creations. One of the groups that is driving the craft renaissance here is HandMade in America, (828) 252-0121 which focuses on community development by encouraging the rich crafts heritage of the Appalachians'. HandMade publishes a number of resources for those looking to get connected to the local crafts movement. There are several of these that we have used in our wanderings, the first Handcrafted Home Furnishings and Design Elements has been a great resource for us as we have been furnishing RiverDance. There are descriptions there of some of the artists we have been able to incorporate into RiverDance. The second is a series The Craft Heritage Trails of Western North Carolina that lays out a number of day trips and studio tours.




The tile work inset into Lee's mantle is the creation of Tzadi Turrou.

From the Handmade book

Media: Clay
Specialty: Specializing in Arts and Crafts style tiles, but can accommodate any style. Selling individual tiles as well as custom one-of-a-kind work for kitchens, fireplaces and bathrooms.
Galleries: Professional Affiliations:
Toe River Arts Council, Toe River CraftsShows:
Arts and Crafts Conference, Grove Park Inn, TRAC Studio Tours
305 Hickory Hill Rd
Burnsville, NC 28714
828-675-4241



Another example of Tzadi's work at RiverDance.



A beautiful stained glass transom created by Blue Moutain Stained Glass.

Wow, what a find! Blue Mountain Stained Glass did a superb job recreating the tile logo that is the centerpiece of our great room mantle. We had created a transom over a newly installed door between our front and side halls and it just called out for a piece like this. I have never enjoyed working with artists more than the folks at Blue Mountain Stained Glass.




A Set of Bar Chairs created by Madison County resident Tom Donahey.

From the Handmade book, In a one-man shop, Tom Donahey make adult and child-sized chairs, rockers and stools from native Western North Carolina wood (usually red oak). His pieces can be used at table, counters or bars. Seat options are fiber rush, Shaker tape, of hickory bark. He also make scale-model chairs that are sculptural works of art, suitable for mantel, desktop, shelf or small table. Donaheys furntiture is funtional, durable and comfortable. The design is timeless.




Twig table in the Great Room created by Todd Barrow at Fiddlestix Gallery in Mars Hill NC.

I design and create one of a kind elegant rustic art including beds, lamps, mirrors, sideboards and most requests. The best description would be Appalachia meets Adirondack. I use White Birch, Poplar, White Pine and other natural materials, as well as and imported and natural shed antlers to create unique art in the Great Camp tradition. , Todd Barrow .



A gorgeous piece by Desmond Suarez of Sabbathday Woods (828) 235-9444, in Canton, NC. We found the piece at a very charming gallery, Twigs and Leaves in Waynesville, NC. From the Handmade book, Desmond Suarez, a second-generation furniture-maker and designer, hand selects Appalachian hardwoods and uses traditional joinery with fine hand-rubbed finishes. He makes furniture from his own original designs that are inspired b the Shakers and the Arts and Crafts movement. His heirloom-quality pieces are clean and light in design and include bedroom and dining room furnishings, occasional tables, vanities, office furniture, clocks, mirrors, and more. His pieces are sold under the name Sabbath-Day Woods.

Fall pictures and video courtesy of Bruce Kennedy, innerworksproductions.org/contact.html Wedding pictures by Meghan Rolfe, Photography by Jean Elizabeth and Gruen Photo and Design Copyright 2012. RiverDance Properties