Handmade Crafts Blog

Do You Know Where Mother’s Day Began?

posted: 25 month ago by Becky Henderson | 2 Comments ;

Mother’s Day began in the Andrews Methodist Church now known as the International Mother’s Day Shrine.

Mother’s Day was first celebrated on Sunday, May 10, 1908, in Grafton, W.Va., in the Andrews Methodist Church now known as the International Mother’s Day Shrine.

Anna Jarvis is recognized as the founder of Mother’s Day.

During the Civil War, the Jarvis family lived in Webster, a community south of Grafton. Anna’s mother, Ann Jarvis, provided nursing care and promoted better sanitation during the war years. After the war, Ann continued her work and strove to bring families and communities back together.

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For the Graduate

posted: 25 month ago by Becky Henderson | No Comments ;

The close of the school year is near and it’s time to celebrate our graduates. Many wonderful presents will come to mind but take a moment to consider a hand crafted pen from MountainMade.

Artisan David Shough has several new pens in the Gallery. His Cherry Burl pen is set off by heavily plated 22kt 2-micron gold components. The Walnut Roller Ball pen is set dramatically with rhodium plated 22kt gold insets. The ceramic tip gives the writer a fluid, fast action ease for the task at hand.

Chris Cooper’s Cherry Burl slim line pen comes from a beloved cherry tree that had to be taken down in Canaan Valley. This cherry tree provided wood which is richly veined and full of character. Its elegance will enhance with time and light.

A graduate could use one of these unique pens to sign on the dotted line of that new job application.

Hand Crafted Pens by David Slough and Chris Cooper

Our Feathered Friends Return

posted: 25 month ago by Becky Henderson | No Comments ;

The Mountain State is a major flyway in the spring and fall bringing many species of beautiful and interesting birds to West Virginia. To heighten your enjoyment of these travelers, MountainMade offers, “Birding Guide to West Virginia”, by the Brooks Bird Club, a reliable source for birding locations where many of the 300 species have been found.

Or maybe you would like to attract these feathered creatures to your back yard. MountainMade has several bird houses including a Bird Cabin by Cherry Falls Pottery. This wheel-thrown cottage is handcrafted using stoneware clay making it outdoor safe for all seasons.

Another potter, Herb Weaver, created a ceramic birdhouse which should withstand outdoor use, with reasonable care, or could be purely an aesthetic piece hanging from a heavy gauge copper wire.

Visit the Gallery where you will see additional bird houses and feeders. Take the “Birding Guide” to Canaan Valley and identify our feathered friends.

Birding Guide and bird houses by Cherry Falls Pottery and Herb Weaver

Travel West Virginia

posted: 26 month ago by Becky Henderson | No Comments ;

Now that winter is over, take a break and enjoy the spring beauty of the Mountain State. MountainMade has several travel guides to help you find the most picturesque and interesting treasures of our state.

“Scenic Driving West Virginia” will help you get there. Travel the 25 drives highlighting West Virginia’s natural and historic features as well as some of the most dramatic scenery in the eastern United States.

It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Find quiet, scenic and serene campgrounds for tents from “The Best in Tent Camping, West Virginia”. Each site is rated for its beauty, noise, privacy, security, spaciousness and cleanliness.

Visit Seneca Rocks and, if you climb, take along “Seneca, The Climbers Guide”. This guide book will show you the interesting routes including the route to the South Summit, one of the highest and most exciting 5th class summits east of the Mississippi.

If you prefer another type of tour through West Virginia, “Spring Wild Flower of West Virginia” might be your choice. Written by former professor emeritus of West Virginia University, Earl L. Core, it is a valued resource guide.

MountainMade has many other guides on its shelves to make your visit around West Virginia more enjoyable and educational. Check them out online or in the Gallery.

Four West Virginia Travel Guides Available at MountainMade

Donell McCoy, April’s Featured Artist

posted: 26 month ago by Becky Henderson | No Comments ;

Donell McCoy, a Parsons, West Virginia native, had her art interest piqued at a very early age by her Mother who was also an artist and teacher. She has been seriously involved in watercolors for more than 2 decades and has particular interests in still life and architectural structures which are the subjects of many of her paintings.
Her sense of perspective, use of contrast, and extreme attention to detail now result in a true style of realism. Much like many artists, she is constantly aware of her surroundings, is fascinated by the changing light around her, and captures many subjects for future paintings with her camera, which is rarely absent from her side.
She has studied with local artists Kay Gillispie and Lotus MacDowell, and continues to develop her style by taking workshops that have included Bill Vrscak, Joseph Bohler and Betty Carr.
Some of Donell’s images are framed and can also be found in small, matted pieces and note cards. Please contact the Gallery for more information.

Donell McCoy's Sunflower, Sheep and Log Cabin images.