Friday, July 10, 2015

John C Campbell Folk School 2015

We did it again, a return trip to Brasstown, North Carolina to attend John C. Campbell Folk School. The blacksmith was taking at class on 18th century lighting. I was just going to relax and enjoy my week there. 

We've been 6 or 7 times, we can't remember. It never gets old, the area, the music, the wonderful people, the way of life, the list goes on and on.

Here is a recap of the week. 

The dining hall looks amazing with all the oak tables and white table settings. This particular evening we had eggplant Parmesan and warm olive bread with a hard crust, my favorite. Dessert was Tiramisu.  

 The mushrooms I found while walking the campus.


I walked this path nightly. The scene is one of my favorites. 


Smoke in the mountains. Actually it's coal smoke from the forges of the blacksmith shop in the distance.


 My blacksmith is on the left.  On the right is another Missouri blacksmith, Bob Alexander.



The meeting of the minds, teacher Jerry Darnell of Mill Creek Forge in Seagrove, NC shows Bob and Bernie a technique.

 Thought I'd do a little house hunting on campus. 



Since I didn't take a class this time, I would spend my mornings in the Casita sewing away. I was surprised at how much work I could accomplish without the internet and TV. 


One night, upstairs in the blacksmith shop, there was a little jam session.  Music is a big part of the Appalachian area. In the eight days we spent in the area, we went to 3 jam sessions and 2 big performances. 


 Here I am watching my smith from the second story of the beautiful timber frame shop.


Friday at Folk School is always show and tell. Here are some of the quilts completed in just 4 1/2 days. 


 My friend Bryanna Alexander made this box. Can you tell she is Bob's wife?


All the materials in this basket were harvested Monday and finished by Friday in a natural basket. 


Bernie made a lot of projects this week. His are on the bottom left side. 


 This timber frame stage is new since we were here last year.


I stumbled upon this in the museum. Doug Hendrickson was a founding member of the Blacksmith Association of Missouri (BAM). He passed away in 2007 from Lou Gehrig's disease. 


On the last Friday night at John C. Campbell Folk School, the Chuck Nation Band performed. 



My friend Pattie (love that name), who is the resident basket making instructor at John C. Campbell, made a beautiful little pin cushion for me.


On both Friday evenings we attended  jam sessions at Clay's Corner. It is well known for it's possum drop on New Years Eve. We also enjoyed hand dipped ice cream cones every time we were there.


Last but not least, I got to pick up another order of mugs and steins from Rob the potter. Smoke in the Mountain Pottery Shop is always a stop I make, some times twice! 


If you want to read some of my post about previous trips there just click here. Be sure and click on the link at the top to check out the John C. Campbell Folk school. It's a wonderful place.

7 comments:

Janna and Mike said...

Wonderful creations! I always love quilt retreat because without TV or internet I get so much more done!

kathyinozarks said...

I had always dreamed about going to place like this to study weaving or natural dyeing-sounds like a wonderful time for you both

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Sounds like a wonderful retreat! I would love to go to a place like this, but hubby probably wouldn't want to. He needs a hobby instead of living and breathing the Co-op. lol!
PS I did get some of those yummy donuts at Lehman's. They are the best!

Lucky Duck Dreams said...

I so want to go there some day! Id take my popup to stay in and I would love to do a beginning blacksmith class. My great grandfather was one. I love that you quilted all week! I wold have loved to quilt with you. Ive been glamping up my new popup with lots of sewing. your Casita lookes lively inside.

Dar said...

It sounds wonderful, as usual. Wish my DH had a hobby that would take us to NC or ANY place, to be honest. Thanks for the good review.

Down On The Farm said...

Looks like a really cool place! So glad you got to go and enjoy it!

Lise said...

Brings back great memories! I hope I can connect with you next time you are there my friend.