Get a head start on your Christmas shopping this year at the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair. The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is rated as one of the top events in the southeast. Crafters from all over the country bring their finest work to the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Crafts and fine art abound! This is a shopping experience to end all shopping experiences. There are aisles and aisles of merchandise, all for your viewing and shopping enjoyment.
On every Christmas list there is that one someone that is hard to shop for. That person who has everything or has that odd interest that you can never find something for. The Craftsmen’s fair will help you eliminate that problem. Finding that odd knick-knack, discovering that perfect piece of jewelry or even finding a way to display that prized collection is all part of the experience. Take your time while you wander through the aisle. Make sure not to miss anything. Look high and low and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Most of these crafters have been coming to this fair for a long time and they will point you in the right direction if they don’t have what you are looking for.
The Craftsmen’s fair brings in over 180 crafters. These crafters bring every type of hand craft and art to the table that you can think of. From pottery to painting, wood crafting to weaving, there is something for everybody. The booths are full of merchandise and the crafters themselves are full of talent and history. You will be able to meet the people that created the pieces of art that you are looking at. You can ask questions, handle the crafts and make a connection with the person that made the item you are interested in.
Some of the various craftsmen and women expected to be in attendance include a soap maker, metal sculptors; Jottie Hand, Gatlinburg, TN – leather; Lonnie McMillan, Maryville, TN – muzzle loading guns, primitive turkey callers, knives; Beverly Watson, Powell TN – designer and creator of whimsical snowmen; Gerald and Cheri Lewis, Land Oakes, FL – antler craft; Joyce Smith, Cherokee, AL – lamp work, glass bead jewelry; Donnie Faulk, Pulaski, TN – horseshoe creations; John Fancher, Gatlinburg, TN – shadow box art; Burton Dye, Murfreesboro, TN – artist; Michael Moss, Speedwell, TN – treasure boxes; Tommy and Sandra Price, Conover, NC – carved and whimsical gourds; Brenda Tustian, Ball Ground, GA – watercolorist; PJ Girouard, Cosby, TN – original design leathers; and Leo and Frankie Edwards, Elizabethton, TN – handpainted switchplates, clocks and lamps.
The crafts and art are the main draw of the show but the craftsmen’s fair does have more to offer. There will be live entertainment throughout the day, food to enjoy and demonstrations of some of the crafts you are viewing. You may get the chance to see someone finish a perfectly turned piece of pottery. You may get to watch someone create a brand new painting, whether it is oil or watercolor. Whatever your reason for attending: Christmas shopping, learning more about crafts, meeting a lot of interesting people or just attending one of the best events in the Southeast you are sure find everything you are looking for at the Fall Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair.
Hours are 10am to 6pm daily and 10am to 5pm on Sundays. Music shows are 12, 2 and 4pm daily 12 and 2pm on Sundays and are included in the admission cost ($6 for Adults and children 12 and under free. Group rates available). For additional information call 865-436-7479 or visit our website at www.craftsmenfair.com