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Sue Acord
(see: Calypso Jewelry)
Rhonda Lynn Allen
Rhonda, "The Hat Lady" as she's known to fans and customers of her work, crochets whimsical hats for wearers of all ages. Her beanie-style hats are a hit with kids and kids-at-heart, and can be custom-made in whatever creature you desire. See more of her work and contact her for a custom order on her Facebook page; her hats can also be purchased at WV Market at Snowshoe.
Vicki Vaughan Angotti of Vittoria and Banks
Vicki Vaughan Angotti, of Bridgeport, is a Top 15 Tamarack artist (profiled here in WV Living Magazine) who often uses found objects (washers, nuts, and bolts, for example) to create her unique jewelry pieces (the above necklace and earring set are made with West Virginia coal!). You can see more of her work here: Vittoria and Banks Facebook, Vicki Vaughan Angotti Facebook, and buy her jewelry at WV Market at Snowshoe; Tamarack; Artistry on Main in downtown Buckhannon; etsy; and by appointment at her studio in Bridgeport.
Anna's China Jewelry
(see: Anna Toler-Frazier)
Calypso Jewelry by Sue Acord
Sue Acord, of Beckley, started Calypso Jewelry in 2000. Sue handcrafts her jewelry pieces using unusual gemstones, Swarovski Crystal, silver, pewter, glass, and other mixed metals. You can buy her work at Tamarack and the West Virginia State Museum Gift Shop and check out her etsy shop and Facebook page.
Sue Chase
Sue Chase, of Charleston, handcrafts her custom jewelry pieces using materials like wire and bead. You can buy her work at The Art Emporium in Charleston, and look for her work at arts and crafts festivals in the area like Charleston's FestivALL. (photos)
Wendy J. Clark of Wenweave
Wendy is a full-time studio artist based out of Belington. In her home in the mountains, Wendy dyes yarn that will be carefully handwoven into luxurious textiles like scarves and baby wraps. The landscape of West Virginia and the colors of the hills that surround her influence the beautiful shades Wendy chooses for her pieces (you can see the shades of a sunset in the beautiful hand-dyed and woven rayon, silk, and cotton scarf pictured above). You can buy Wendy's textiles on her website and at Tamarack and The West Virginia State Museum Gift Shop, and view more of her work on Wenweave's Facebook page.
Bet Curtis
(see: Silver Rush Jewelry by Bet Curtis)
The Desert Beckons
The Desert Beckons is a rock and bead shop in Wheeling. In addition to browsing their unique stones for sale, you can also purchase jewelry pieces, like their Zodiac Bracelets and Stone Bead Earrings, which correspond to your astrological sign. You can view photos of The Desert Beckons' stones and jewelry on their Facebook page and purchase their earrings at WV Market at Snowshoe.
Fenton Art Glass
Headquartered in Williamstown, Fenton has been handcrafting art glass since 1905. Founded by brothers, Fenton was originally heavily influenced by Tiffany, but eventually struck out in their own style and became the first produce carnival glass. Though it has seen location and ownership changes, the glass company has been able to withstand the test of time by combining traditional technique while adapting to market trends; Fenton has, for example, seen popularity surges over the years with their introduction of "milk glass," and when they began adding their logo, or maker mark, to the bottom of their pieces, making them more valuable and distinguishable to collectors. You can visit and tour the glass factory, and shop their gift shop in Williamstown, buy art glass and learn more about Fenton history on their website, and also often find Fenton glass for sale in stores across West Virginia and beyond, with hard-to-find pieces popping up on ebay.
Emily Schramm Fisher of Em's Gems
Em's Gems, LLC is handmade jewelry by Emily S. Fisher of Wheeling. Em's Gems will soon have a website; until then you can purchase her unique pieces at WV Market at Snowshoe, The Jeweled Bird in Wheeling, or directly from Emily at gems.of.ems@gmail.com. Em's Gems jewelry makes special gifts for Valentine's, Mother's Day, birthdays, and anniversaries; Emily has even worked with brides-to-be to create special pieces that the bridal party can wear to the wedding and then have forever as a keepsake of the day.
Dina Bernardes Foster of Ricardina Jewelry
Dina Bernardes Foster, of Scott Depot, produces handcrafted jewelry using wire, beads, and crystal. You can shop her work online on her etsy page; follow her Facebook page; and buy her original pieces at WV Market at Snowshoe and the Putnam County Farmers Market.
Pamela Gatens
Pamela is a painter based in Hillsboro, where, among other things (like whimsical cats and colorful florals), she hand paints and hand dyes "art apparel" like the bag above. Pamela sells her work at The Greenbrier, online with Carleton Varney, and at Tamarack. Visit her website and blog to find out more about her painting style and view her work!
Christine Keller of Chrizart Creations
Christine Keller is a jewelry-maker out of Buckhannon. She handcrafts her jewelry in copper, brass, aluminum, and silver using metal smithing and enameling techniques. Her wire-wrapped pendant necklaces are a favorite at WV Market. You can read her artist's statement here, and learn more about her unique style on her website. Her one-of-a-kind creations can be purchased at WV Market at Snowshoe or online at Our West Virginia.
Kelly Kerns
Crocheted scarves by Kelly Kerns of Morgantown are available at WV Market at Snowshoe - and are so warm!
Kraftworks Studio
Kraftworks Studio was established in 1979 by Cliff and Susan Kraft, and is located in West Union, WV. The Krafts handmake their beautiful jewelry using the finest semi-precious natural and man-made materials from all over the world. The bracelet and earrings pictured above are part of Kraftworks Studio's Coyote Moon jewelry line and are available at the WV State Museum Gift Shop. You can find out more about Kraftworks Studios and the work they produce on their website.
Cree Lahti of Cree Lahti Ceramics
Cree Lahti creates her ceramic jewelry pieces in the quiet town of Green Bank (possibly the country's quietest, as it is home to a National Astronomy Observatory, where residents forego the use of electronics, like cell phones, so the Observatory's giant satellite in their town can pick up the best readings). She finds inspiration in the mountains of West Virginia and strives to recreate their beauty in her work. Cree was practically raised in a pottery studio, and proudly carries on the tradition of her potter father (profiled in the book Hippie Homesteaders, which details the movement of back-to-the-landers in West Virginia, and a return to West Virginia's cultural heritage of arts and crafts they brought with them). You can purchase work by Cree from her online store and WV Market at Snowshoe, and view more of her work on her Facebook page. (Yarrow Earrings)
Marcia H. Laska of Laska's Grove
Marcia, based in Green Bank, "harvests" snow, which she uses to snow dye the gorgeous silk scarves she produces. Her colorful, versatile scarves can brighten up a winter outfit, or be used as a sarong at the beach, among other things. You can buy Laska's Grove pieces at WV Market at Snowshoe and The Green Bank Gallery, and learn more about Marcia, her life among the mountains of Pocahontas County, and her inspired-by-nature designs on her website.
Vivian Lilly (V.E. Lilly)
Mr. Lilly, of Hinton, was a retired oil refinery worker who found a passion in welding U.S. Mint silver coins into unique rings. He passed away several years ago, but you can check out an article on him here. The late Senator Byrd wore three rings made by Lilly - one made from a coin minted the year Byrd was born, one from a coin minted the year he was elected to Congress, and one that Senator Byrd's beloved wife Erma had made from a coin minted the year the two were married, which Byrd wore on his pinkie after her death.
Marble King
Marble King, out of Paden City, began in the 40s in St. Marys, WV. One of only two marble manufacturers in the US, the factory operates turning glass scraps into beautiful marbles "seven days a week, 365 days a year". Marble King has been featured on the shows "Some Assembly Required" and "Made in America". Beginning in 2016, the West Virginia Marble Festival will begin being held in Paden City (it was formerly held in Cairo, WV), which the small town looks forward to as an opportunity to showcase the unique art of glassmaking. Here is Marble King's website where you can purchase marbles, marble paraphernalia, and marble jewelry; you can also buy Marble King marbles and marble games at WV Market at Snowshoe.
Maybloom LLC
(see: Mary Ellen Shank)
Trish Adams McNaull
Trish, out of Marlinton, handcrafts these unique, crocheted, ribbon necklaces in an array of colors. You can buy them at WV Market at Snowshoe, and at $10 they make great presents!
Marjory Moses of MoondanceArtJewelry
Marjory, of Elkins, strives to craft each piece of jewelry she makes as a little work of art. Her popular, custom Map Your Journey pendants contain map images so you can always keep the places you love close to your heart. Map Your Journey necklaces and keychains can be custom made for any location, and can be found on MoondanceArtJewelry's etsy shop, The Delmonte Market in Elkins, Ecletics in Charleston, and WV Market at Snowshoe. (photo)
Mountain Art Glass
Mountain Art Glass is artisan Stephanie G. Danz's company based in Fayetteville. Here, in America's "Coolest Small Town," Stephanie creates original designs customized to meet the needs of her clients. Traditional technique partnered with an influence of the beautiful natural surroundings of the New River area are reflected in Stephanie's work. You can find Mountain Art Glass pieces at Studio B in Fayetteville and Tamarack, see more of Stephanie's work on her Facebook page, and, if you're in the Fayetteville area, you can even take a Mountain Art Glass art class!
Petit Jewelry Designs
Petit Jewelry Designs is a family owned and operated jewelry store in Charleston. They specialize in custom design jewelry and jewelry repair, combining traditional techniques with modern technology to fix all types of jewelry problems. You can check out the wonderful work of Petit Jewelry Designs on their web and Facebook pages, and visit their store on Bridge Road.
Ricardina Jewelry
(see: Dina Bernardes Foster)
Walter A. Lovett III of rainbarrel handmade
Based out of Buffalo, WV, rainbarrel handmade is "a maker family that likes to work with natural materials (wood, wool, precious metals, plants)". They love things that are both beautiful and practical, like the sterling silver state of West Virginia pendant (pictured above). Rainbarrel handmade pieces can be purchased at The Tamarack Gift Shop at The State Museum. You can view rainbarrel handmade photos on their website and Instagram.
Gayle Rancer
Gayle is a Tamarack artist, metalsmith, and jewelry maker out of Hinton, WV. She works with space age "reactive metals", like titanium and niobium, which react to heat or electricity through an electrolyte to produce brilliant colors; this process is called "anodizing", where various voltages of electricity create an anodized rainbow of colors. You can see Gayle's unique pieces at arts and crafts festivals in the region and buy them at Tamarack. (photos: top left, middle, bottom left)
Morgan Richards of Morgan Rhea
Morgan is a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, who designs under the brand Morgan Rhea in Charleston. The brand specializes in handmade bespoke leather accessories, and the South Charleston native was even commissioned to make a pair of shoes for John Legend, with his song lyrics engraved on them! Morgan's studio is located at The Charleston Area Alliance and you can visit her website here and check out the gorgeous lookbook. (photo)
Robert Riffe of Mystical Crystal Jewelry
Robert handcrafts his unique jewelry out of silver and stone. Having always been fascinated with rocks and precious stones, his pieces are influenced by the places across the country this love has taken him, and by his life's Journey as an artist. You can view and buy his work on his site and at WV Market at Snowshoe, and see more of his stunning work on his Facebook page. (Watermelon Tourmaline, Green Tourmaline, Silver and Copper Pendant; Chrysoprase, Faceted Amethyst, Rainbow Moonstone Silver Pendant)
Rick Saginario of Rick Rio Jewelry
Rick is a jewelry maker based in Lansing, WV. Rick has been handcrafting jewelry since the 80s, and in 1993 moved to West Virginia to be closer to the whitewater rafting he loves. You can see more photos of his work on his Facebook page, and buy his pieces from his etsy shop and the State Museum Gift Shop.
Rick Saginario
(see: Rick Rio Jewelry)
Mary Ellen Shank of Maybloom LLC
Mary Ellen is a jewelry designer based in Huntington. Previously a painter, Mary Ellen now focuses on making designs in glass (like the blue and gold dichroic-fused glass earrings above), and says she enjoys the suspense of pulling the glass from the kiln, as each batch turns out differently. Mary Ellen's work can be purchased at the Downtown Depot in Huntington and Tamarack, her email is Maybloom@aol.com. (Green Dichroic Earrings; Heart Necklace Photo)
Silver Rush Jewelry by Bet Curtis
Bet, of Pocahontas County, turned a jewelry-making hobby into a business she loves; you can follow her on Silver Rush's Facebook page, buy her handcrafted pieces at WV Market at Snowshoe, and often find her displaying her work at arts and crafts festivals around the state.
Melissa Spencer of A Touch of Heart WV
Based in Elkins, Melissa Spencer's "Spency Scarves" are made by hand and can be worn numerous ways. The scarves (shown here in Mountaineer colors) have flowers that can be interchanged, and even the wooden buttons are made in West Virginia! A portion of the proceeds from Melissa's scarves goes to autism research. You can find out more about A Touch of Heart WV on their Facebook page and buy Spency Scarves at WV Market at Snowshoe.
Anna Toler-Frazier of Anna's China Jewelry
Anna Toler-Frazier handcrafts her seriously unique pieces in Pliny, WV. Her jewelry is made from broken china, and sometimes adorned with wire, beads, and found objects. Anna can custom make pieces from your own broken china; as suggested on the Facebook page of Anna's China Jewelry: maybe someone has broken grandmother's china, instead of throwing it out, have it custom made into jewelry for family members. Great idea! You can buy Anna's work at WV Market at Snowshoe and Tamarack, find out more about Anna on her site, and catch her in person at many arts and crafts fairs around the state.
West Virginia State Tartan
An official resolution was passed by the West Virginia legislature in March 2008 defining what would become West Virginia's State Tartan. The tartan pattern was taken from a shawl discovered in a Barboursville Daughters of the American Revolution Museum by an authority of Celtic heritage and tartans. With this shawl as the original inspiration, the colors and meaning of the state's official tartan are as follows: "to complement our mountain state the color red is to represent the cardinal; yellow for the fall colors; dark blue for the mountain rivers and lakes; black for the black bear, coal and oil; green for the rhododendron and mountain meadows; azure for the sky above; and white to have all the colors of this great nation intertwined with the State of West Virginia." Available at The West Virginia State Museum Gift Shop.
Zendik Arts
Zendik Arts was formerly an artist co-op in Pocahontas County that specialized in jewelry made from recycled materials. Their "Eco-Beads" (pictured above) are beads made from magazines; specifically, the matching bracelet and earrings pictured above are made from recycled issues of WV Living magazine! (photo)