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Gatlinburg, TN
Interntional Magazine
© 2004 Bonita Productions Inc.
Tennessee Flag
Arts And Crafts At Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN
By Bonnie & Bill Neely
Now you may have the mistaken idea, as we did, that Dollywood is only an amusement theme park mainly for kids. But how wrong you would be! We spent a delightful day there studying and purchasing mountain crafts from some of the most talented craftsmen and women we have ever found. And to our delight, they are demonstrating crafts which are otherwise becoming "lost arts."These are historical crafts "using simple raw materials to create timeless treasures."We watched the making of lye soap, which we learned releives poison ivy, fleas, chiggers, dandruff and athlete's foot. This ancient soap is from lard, lye and waterl made over an open fire, just as our grand-parents did. This lost art is becoming popular in even some of the designer soaps which are expensive gifts in elite shops today.
Winter would be a good time to visit the blacksmith shop because the open fire feels good on a cold day. But even in the summer there is plenty of cool shade and the area is covered.You'll see demonstrations of making one of our most ancient and useful tools: the knife. Pigeon Forge, where the mountain heart of the skill of the firey forge was located, is the best place which incorporates heating steel in a fire, hammering, pounding, and smoothing to blade to be proud of.
Artists and crafts people renowned for wonderful carvings, which capture big prices from collectors, are featured in many demonstration areas. We loved watching the skilled artists, who say anyone who really wants to learn could become a carver. That is something our forefathers did just to while away time in the winter. We saw special creations of a carved and brilliantly painted cigar store Indian and a beautifully designed mantle, intricate with hummingbirds and leaves. Among the other crafts, which were developed from necessary survival skills our ancestors needed to know are all fascinating and education to watch and a great visual history lesson. You'll find all these worth the day you spend at Dollywood: glass blowing, glass painting, slate tile making, wagon building, delicious confections, hand-working of leather products, grist mill, handmade candles and more. Many items are one of a kind and for sale for your souvenirs to treasure through the years.
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© 2004 Bonita Productions Inc
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