Dillsboro, NC • July 16, 2016 • 1pm

On July 16, 2016, at 1pm, Dogwood Crafters Cooperative in Dillsboro, NC is celebrating 40 years of creating space for local crafters to complete their dream of working with their hands, while earning a supplementary income! The celebration will be a “Meet and Greet” informal gathering with refreshments. One and all are invited to come spend some time with this down home group as they celebrate their achievement.

The list of achievements is long. The history of Dogwood Crafters Cooperative began in 1976, when, as they put it…an optimistic band of mountain crafters applied for $1,000 of leftover Bicentennial grant money in order to start a craft cooperative. At the time handmade items were not particularly valued by most Americans, but the original dozen crafters preserved and celebrated on the day the shop took in $50.

Slowly, the cooperative added members, moved to its present location, expanded, computerized, and today that fledgling Dogwood Crafters Co-op is so successful, it is imitated. Over the years, Dogwood Crafters has arrived at an interesting mix of artisans. Both traditional and contemporary works can be found within the shop’s log walls.

“Dogwood Crafters Cooperative is certainly an anchor store in Dillsboro,” says Julie Spiro, Director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.  “It’s a place people can always count on for quality handmade items representative of the mountains. Dogwood also provides a retail space for local home based crafters who would otherwise not be able to afford a traditional space. To me, Dogwood is the home base of Dillsboro, providing organizers and volunteers who come through for happenings in this historic town and the community.”

Since 1976, more than a 1,000 members of their cooperative have come and gone. Currently, there are approximately 70 members. Almost half of the member crafters work in the shop to keep it open. Within the three log cabins that make up the shop are approximately 10,000 different items for sale—all beautifully crafted from the hands of the members—and every day there are additions to the inventory.

However, the real story of Dogwood Crafters goes beyond what is seen on the shelves. Within the walls are the essence of lifelong friendship, of lifelong family.

“Some of the crafters have made Dogwood their family,” smiles Brenda Anders, a crafter who came with her crafts to Dogwood in 1979 and has never left. “It takes a long time to grow old friends. When you become a Dogwood Crafter, the cooperative stands by you in health and sickness, in good times and in bad times. No matter what, everyone helps each other.”

Often, when a crafter’s spouse passes away, it’s their Dogwood family who inspire him/her to “get crafting” again. Encouragement abounds! The family of Dogwood help those in need pick up the pieces and go on with their lives.

The help also comes with creative ideas which materialize even while waiting on customers, or when demonstrating a craft at the front desk. The creative crafter tries to put a different slant onto an old idea, or recycle something that would otherwise be thrown away. For example, old door knobs turn into coveted handles on walking sticks; a light bulb turns into a colorful Christmas ornament, an old sock becomes a snowman.

“More than 30 items in the shop have been made from recycled materials…making them useful once more,’ says Brenda. “And speaking of recycling, I’m proud to say that Dogwood has brought back old time crafts to new generations. One of our members is once again making dollies…dollies that have all but disappeared in today’s society. When you visit us, you never know just who is going to be behind the sales counter and what they will be demonstrating.”Each month, Dogwood Crafters also offers free classes to the community…classes on basketmaking, designing cards, making soap and candles, weaving chairs and more. They also do a quilt raffle every year to raise money for scholarships given to local college-bound students.

In celebrations, 40 years is  the “ruby year!” And the ruby gemstone is the gem for the month of July!  Dogwood Crafters Cooperative, the gem of Dillsboro, will certainly welcome you on July 16th, at 1pm,  to join in their celebration.

Dogwood Crafters Cooperative is located at 90 Webster Street in Dillsboro, NC, at the intersection of US Highways 19/74 and 441. Call the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 828-586-2155 for more information or go to www.visitdillsboro.com.