WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS W.Va. (WVDN) – Artisans create something using their imagination, their hands and their talent. Katrina Forbes, owner of Appalachian Handmade, gives them a place to showcase it. Located in White Sulphur Springs, the new business was created around the desire to preserve art for future generations.
“My inspiration to open Appalachian Handmade comes from the desire to see the different crafts come back for the younger generation,” says Forbes. “We’ve lost the arts over time because of advancements in technology, which is great, but at the same time, it’s special to have things that are handmade.”
With a grand opening set for Friday, October 3, Forbes is eager to introduce Appalachian Handmade to art lovers. “We just want to be able to offer a space where people who are crafters and artisans can share their wares with the community,” she says. “We currently focus on things made in Appalachia, but we are also thinking of expanding to include all items made in America.” The grand opening celebration will take place from 4-6 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
So, just what type of art qualifies for inclusion in Appalachian Handmade? “We’re trying to get as many local artisans, authors, painters, metal workers and silversmiths as we can,” Forbes says. “We have a leather craftsman who’s planning to participate, and we also have a lot of items handmade by quilters, but not just quilts,” she adds. “We have handbags, grocery totes and weekender bags. We also have a plant lady, and we’re excited about having different kinds of plants than you would find at local stores.”
For anyone interested in getting their art sold in stores, Appalachian Handmade extends a welcome invitation. “We’d love to hear from you,” Forbes says. “We would love to be one of the places that provide an outlet for you to sell your wares, and we hope to have different artisans demonstrate their products and how they’re made.”
Appalachian Handmade is located next to NMB Therapeutics at 169 Pocahontas Trail in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends by appointment. For more information or if you are an artisan and wish to become a vendor, call 304-661-5927 and leave a message or email appalachianhandmadellc@gmail.
Photos provided by Katrina Forbes.
