Handmade In America
Hand Made in America was founded in 1993 with the belief that economic revitalization was not necessarily tied to luring industry to the region, but in making known the heritage and craftsmanship that are so vitally a part of western North Carolina. Since its beginning, HandMade has maintained a focus on promoting craft and culture for the benefit of the region’s community and economic development. Its programs focus on tourism, professional development, education, and outreach. Using partnership as an essential strategy, HandMade facilitates creative collaborations to strengthen community and enhance economic development.
Tradition has influenced the work of contemporary craft artists who live in the mountains of western North Carolina, a region that has historically positioned crafts as an essential part of regional culture. To connect these artists with the public, HandMade has created a number of publications and online resources. Two guidebooks—Craft Heritage Trails and Farms, Gardens, and Countryside Trails of Western North Carolina—feature over 600 craft studios and agricultural sites and include galleries, inns, and restaurants. A number of professional sourcebooks assist architects, builders, and homeowners with identifying craftsmen who create commissioned work. HandMade’s Craft Registry is an online directory that lists artists, galleries, resources, and events in western North Carolina.
