Craft Marketing Program
Six Craft Businesses Recognized as 25-Year Exhibitors at Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2007

Six craft businesses that have exhibited for 25 years or more will be recognized at Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2007. These six exhibitors will be included in a special 25th Anniversary Retrospective Exhibit sponsored by silver sponsor Brown-Forman with special lighting designed and furnished by Osram Sylvania. The stories of these six veteran’s success and their growth are parallel and permanently entwined with the history of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program. This informative display will feature an historical overview of the Market’s achievements since 1982 and the impact it has had on the growth of Kentucky’s craft industry. 

These businesses will also be recognized during the annual awards dinner on Friday, March 2, 2007, at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, South Wing B, Louisville, as part of the Market’s 25^th anniversary celebration. 

The following six businesses have demonstrated tenacity, strength, and creativity in the development of their product lines and business skills.

Appalachian Crafts (Irvine)

Since 1972 Robin and Mary Reed, a husband and wife team, have been living and working on their farm in the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky. The Reed’s create traditional baskets, cornhusk dolls, and flowers using techniques dating back over 300 years. The Reed’s crafts are sold throughout the United States as well as in Canada, England, France, and Japan.

Churchill Weavers (Berea)

Lila and Richard Bellando were handpicked to take over this profitable craft industry by the original owners of Churchill Weavers, Carroll and Eleanor Churchill, when they decided to sell the company in 1973. The Bellando’s bought the company, managing it for 23 years before selling it to Crown Crafts Inc., of Louisiana in 1996. The husband and wife team stayed on to manage the company until Crown announced the closure of this historic Kentucky landmark in February 2007.

David Appalachian Crafts (David)

Founded in 1972, as a way to help area residents find a new source of income in an area of limited opportunities, David Appalachian Crafts is a non-profit cooperative

retail outlet for a variety of crafts produced in seven counties of eastern Kentucky. They now work with approximately 90 quilters, woodworkers, basketmakers, and gourd painters from the area.

Pottery Rowe (Louisville)

Owner, Melvin Rowe is the former director of Metro Arts Center, has taught ceramics at Spalding University, and since 1981, he has been retailing and wholesaling his functional stoneware throughout the country. He now lives in a two story restored Victorian era home in Louisville, which also houses his gallery and studio.

Red Bird Mission (Beverly)

This craft cooperative began in the 1960’s from programs originally put in place by Presbyterian missionaries during the first two decades of the 20^th century. Craft items sold by the Red Bird Mission Craft Program include a variety of wooden toys, ornaments, kitchen items, plaques, and nativity sets, along with cornshuck angels and honeysuckle and willow baskets made by fifth generation basketmakers.

Wildlife Woodcarvings (Ravenna)

Owner, Tim Hall says he is self-taught in carving and decoy making. He is one of Kentucky’s most famous artisans, having been featured on many wildlife television shows, in countless newspapers and national magazines, and at international carving shows and demonstrations.

Come celebrate 25 years of quality and style!

Public Days March 3 - 4

Saturday, 9am - 6pm - Sunday, 10am - 5pm, (EST)

Adults $8 Children (ages 15 and under Free) Parking $5

Kentucky Craft Marketing, a program of the Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet, produces the Market. For more information, call 888-KYCRAFT (592-7238), local (502) 564-3757, or visit our web site at: www.kycraft.ky.gov.

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Since 1981,Kentucky Craft Marketing’s purpose is to develop the state's craft industry, support and empower Kentucky artisans and craftspeople, create an economically viable environment for craft entrepreneurs, preserve the state's craft traditions, stimulate and support product development, and generate public awareness, public support and public/private partnerships.

The Program provides assistance to Kentucky residents, individuals, or groups wanting to develop as craft professionals through economic opportunities and training, to other outside entities (e.g., craft retailers, craft and art organizations, community and government agencies), and the general public. The craft industry in Kentucky contributes 252 million dollars in annual sales and Kentucky is recognized as a model state for its craft programs and its role in the $14 billion national craft industry.