We are delighted to have 11 colors of Water Bottles and an array of bowls, vases and decanters! There is crackled glass, rich diamond cut pieces and floral and ribbed bowls.  And if you haven’t seen the pieces in Blazing Red yet, look out. These are sleek and sassy!

More amazing still is the affordability of these pieces. Bowls start at just $18 and vases at $25.  We were blown away. It is an amazing mix of traditional and contemporary.

And from this girl’s perspective it is a real treat to walk into the Gallery each morning and watch the light play on the amber, greens, blues, red and golds.  Affordable beauty anyone can appreciate.  They won’t last long …

We have several beautiful Blue and Gold glass pieces to pay artistic homage to the WVU Mountaineers.

Every West Virginian takes pride in the accomplishments of our basketball team. We have felt the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” with these outstanding young men, their coaches and staff.

To recognize the WVU Mountaineer Basketball team’s accomplishments, MountainMade features its blue and gold glass products this week. Perhaps you are looking for a graduation present for a special WVU graduate or a birthday present for an alumna. For West Virginians everywhere, blue and gold is always in fashion and never goes out of style.

Here are my favorite West Virginia University Blue and Gold glass pieces for the Mountaineer in your life:

Cobalt and Yellow Tumbler by Ron Hinkle
Cobalt Blue Water Bottle by Blenko Glass
Cobalt and Yellow Ice Screamers by Ron Hinkle
The Watercolor Bowl by Blenko Glass
The Blue and Gold Rondel Bowl by Ron Hinkle

As for our Team, enjoy the spring, we’re looking forward to next season.

The Historic Buxton and Landstreet Building house MountainMade's Fine Art Gallery and Studio Art Classes

The MountainMade Fine Art Gallery and Studio Art Classes are housed by the historic Buxton and Landstreet Building of Thomas, WV. Placing our MountainMade’s Artisan Gallery in this building brings the Buxton & Landstreet Building back to its mercantile roots and provides an ideal display setting for fine art.

Constructed in 1901, Buxton & Landstreet Building served as company store for the Davis Coal and Coke Company. Company employees were paid in script, which they spent in the company store.* Today, the MountainMade Gallery prefers you pay for fine art in legitimate US currency, but we may be willing to bargain.In its day, the building was considered the finest building in the county. Its size is approximately 27,000 square feet and features glazed bricks, ornamental tin ceilings, hardwood floors, graceful support columns and electric lights.

The Buxton and Landstreet Building's high ceilings and tall windows allow the art displayed in our fine art gallery to be flooded with natural lighting. It's an ideal setting to view the variety of art, furniture, pottery, glass, and all that MountainMade carries.

Besides a beautiful building, the Buxton and Landstreet Building also holds some mystery. The building is located across the street from the Davis Coal and Coke Administration Building. A local story has a tunnel running between the two buildings, and as legend has it, that’s how the mine workers’ script was returned to the Administrative Building. Although I’m not totally sold on the currency transportation uses for a tunnel and have never gotten to explore this said tunnel, based on the winters here in Thomas, I believe there is a high likelihood that this legend is true.

While its life as a store ended in 1953, thee B&L continued being used as a woodworking shop, a warehouse for a beer distributor, and a mini-mall, then sat empty for approximately ten years. From 1985-1997 the B&L was used as offices for Power Construction and Maintenance. The Vandalia Heritage Foundation purchased it in 2000 and restored the building to its current codition. The hardwood floors and tin ceilings are original, and the large windows bring in natural light which enhances the artisan products showcased. Also located in the B&L Building are MountainMade’s studios where classes are taught and artisans can work.

We are lucky to have access to such an ideal building in our Thomas, WV location.

By its location in this restored and renovated building, MountainMade is helping to protect our environment. Instead of building a new building for our artisan displays, we are utilizing the embodied energy of this historic building. Please stop in and let us know what you think about the MountainMade Fine Art Gallery housed in Thomas’s Historic Buxton and Landstreet Building.

*If you want to learn more about Appalachian Coal Towns, you should check out this wonderful documentary: The Appalachians. It’s a three hour DVD that explores Appalachian coal culture, cultural roots, and music. Also, it includes an exclusive extended interview with the late Johnny Cash.

That’s what lots of people seem to think. In fact, it’s such a wonderful time to get married, that you may at this very moment, be bombarded with wedding announcements.  If you are looking for the perfect springtime wedding gift, look no further than MountainMade. MountainMade makes your shopping a little easier this season.

Since I am privy to quite a bit of insider knowledge (I am in charge of our entire inventory after all), I thought I might help you out with some wedding gift ideas. Here are my top 5 favorite suggestions for your bride and groom:

1. Set of Ron Hinkle Wine Glasses. This a a perfect his and hers wedding gift. These would be great paired with a lovely bottle of wine. These wine glasses are very unique because they have a hollow stem. Ron Hinkle is one of the few artists who has the artistic skill to create stemware in this manner.

2. Blenko Water Bottles. Not only are these beautiful functional additions for the home, you are also giving a piece of American history. These Blenko Glass water bottles have been produced since the 1930s. They make a great gift and are collectible pieces of art that can be passed on from generation to generation.

3. Jim & Brenda Good Cutting Boards & Marvin Wotring Paring Knife. This set makes a wonderful addition to any kitchen. I personally use my Jim and Brenda Good cutting board and the paring knife by Marvin Wotring daily. With proper use and care this is a gift that will stand the test of time.

4. Chris Cooper Wooden Salad Bowl & Allegheny Treenware Salad Tongs. Another beautiful set makes the perfect addition for the newly weds’ kitchen. These are both made from beautiful cherry wood and the quality is exceptional. I think the two pieces compliment each other perfectly.

5. Jeff Fetty Calla Lily Candlesticks. This gift is a perfect accent for any home. Bring passion and romance to the table with this beautiful set of 3 candlesticks.

Need more suggestions? Feel free to call and speak to one of MountainMade’s knowledgeable staff to further assist you. We will be sure to help you find the perfect handmade gift from West Virginia’s finest artists . Don’t forget that we do offer gift wrapping!