The Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival has grown to be one of the finest food festivals in the country.
Interestingly, one of the main reasons for this is that it’s not just about food. One component that helps sets the event apart from other outdoor food festivals is its prestigious arts and crafts show, the Foothills Craft Fair. In its 15th year, the show is juried to bring the best contemporary and traditional crafts as well as fine art.
Laura Linz, executive director of Tryon Arts and Crafts and this year’s crafts fair chair, said the fair brings in talented artists from all across the region.
“The fair presents an opportunity for visitors to see arts and crafts of all kinds. Not only can visitors enjoy work of professional full-time working artists, but they have an opportunity to discover the talents of emerging artists from the area,” Linz said. “Everything available is unique and hand-crafted. Guests can meet the artists and discuss their processes as they select the perfect piece to take home.”
Though the Foothills Craft Fair is a relatively small show, it has established a reputation for quality, variety and accessibility. Linz said among the many artists coming to Tryon this year, some will be here for the first time and others return year after year.
“Pat Lorenz with Bird Mountain Creations will be back. Her work is so fun and exciting! She uses lots of color and repurposes fabrics and embellishments from sweaters and vintage clothes to create fabulous items. She sells jewelry, scarves and accessories of all kinds,” Linz said.
Julie McIntyre, a former Foothills Craft Fair chair, will also return, according to Linz. She described McIntyre as a gifted glass artist.
“Her beads are sought after by jewelers across the region. Her necklaces and earrings are created from her one-of-a-kind lampwork beads and vintage beads and stones. Her work is unique and makes quite a statement,” she said.
Also returning is festival favorite, John Orlando, who creates beautiful cutting boards from incredible wood he has found. Any of his boards would make a dramatic statement in whatever  kitchen it was placed.
“We have just mentioned a few examples of the amazing group of artists that will be at the festival,” she said. “We will actually have everything from jewelers to potters, glass artists to woodworkers, metal sculptors to fiber artists, painters and photographers, and more. You won’t want to miss a single booth.”

2011 crafters
Joseph Adeshakin, Grayson, Ga., basketry
Arleen Armstrong, Fletcher, fabric/jewelry
Carla Brasher, Greer, metal/jewelry
Mick and Doris Clements, Wilmington, mixed media
Joseph Compton, Sevierville, Tenn., wood turning
Kerry Dortch, Ila, Ga., hand puppets
Elleni Drafts, Gilbert, S.C., stained glass/slumped bottles
Julia Dressler, Clarksville, Va., photography
Shari Eakes, Mills River, pottery and brooms
Mark Ellis, Charlotte, woodworking
Theresa Foti, Asheville, fabric
George Getty, Greenville, S.C. woodworking
Don Harding, Murphy, sculpture
Deborah and David Harmon, Rutherfordton, jewelry-glass
Vanessa Hunter, Irmo, S.C., fabric
Pat Lorenz, Landrum, jewelry-fiber
Denny Maloney, Peachland, copper-enamel folkart
Julie McIntyre, Tryon, jewelry-lampwork beads
Don Mobley, Saluda, wood
Richard Nichols, Baldwin, Ga., wood outdoor furniture
John Orlando, Saluda, wood/metal
Christy  Osborn, Mill Spring, jewelry
Carolyn Osborne, Rutherfordton, oil painting/prints and cards
Gary Page, Landrum, watercolors/walking sticks
Brigette Pfister, Easley, S.C., jewelry/mixed media
Christine Poteat, Marion, photography
Danny Ramey, Greer, photography
Michael Roberts, Fairview, metal art
Rick Ruth, Shannon, Ga., mixed-marble sculptures
Bill Silvey, Mill Spring, woodcraft
Richard and Karen Stone, York, S.C., swarovski crystals-jewelry
Amy Sullivan, Flat Rock, jewelry
Gwendolyn Thomas, Columbus, jewelry
Steve Turnmeyer, Moore, S.C., jewelry
Xee Yang, Newton, animal creatures