John C Campbell Folk Art School

Is everyone dressed like Nanook of the North?  Are you testing the theory of the number of clothes you can wear at one time?  Can you believe we are having the second polar vortex?  Are you sorry you didn't ask Santa to bring an extra pair of thermal underwear?  What are you doing to amuse yourself during these cold winter days?

Have I ever shared with you about my relationship with mailmen?  My Great Grandfather was a postmaster, my Grandfather delivered mail on horseback in The Great Smokey Mountains, my Father began his career as a rural mail carrier and retired as a postmaster and AppleJack worked in Vehicle Maintenance for the post office.  I come from a long line of mailmen. 

As I write this post, I am anxiously waiting for the mailman to deliver the first kit from Dying to Stitch.  Yes, I joined the Colonial Gathering Club!  If you want to see the first kit, hop over to Plum Street Samplers and take a peek. 

So what am I doing to keep myself warm during these long cold winter nights?  A little quilting, some hooking, stitching and reading.  The mailman delivered one of my favorite catalogs--the 2014 course catalog from the John C. Campbell Folk School.

The John C. Campbell Folk School was founded in 1925 and is located in Brasstown, North Carolina.  A typical week at the folk school begins on Sunday afternoon with registration and orientation.   MorningSong begins at 7:45, a custom of singing to start the day.  A hearty breakfast follows morning song.  Students learn by doing, each at their own pace.  Most classes are limited to twelve students or fewer to allow instructors time to work with each individual.  Each afternoon after class, students are given an opportunity to explore local art and culture.  Visits to the shops of area artisans.  Evenings are filled with dance and music, readings by writers, tales of storytellers and interesting craft demonstrations. 

On Friday's  students display  a sampling of their week's experience and view the creations of new found friends.  At week's end, new friends have become old friends.  You have experienced the tradition and history of the Appalachians and you have created your own work of art. 

The classes, oh the classes and endless variety and for all skill levels.  Basketry, blacksmithing, cooking and baking, enameling, knitting, metalwork, needlework and thread art, painting, quilting, spinning, weaving, woodcarving, and woodworking.  None of these strike your fancy, not to worry there are many, many more. 

If your schedule does not allow you to take off an entire week, there are classes designed for a weekend.  There are themed weeks:  Scandinavian Heritage, Earth Week, Intergenerational Week, Scottish Heritage, Shaker Week, Holiday in the Mountains Week and Winter Dance Week.  A beautiful mountain setting, delicious meals, time to spend time doing what you love, meeting new friends, expanding your skills.  All this is beginning to sound like the perfect vacation get away for AppleJack and me.

Time to find another pair of socks, encourage Callie Mae to snuggle closer, study the John C. Campbell catalog and keep a watchful eye for the mailman.