The Blue Ridge Craft Trails, an initiative of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, will attend American Craft Made Baltimore, February 20-22, 2026, in Baltimore, MD. Held annually by the American Craft Council (ACC), the event features roughly 400 artists from across the country selling their handcrafted art and making connections.
The ACC has introduced community booths this year, allowing makers to connect under a shared organization, guild, or group. In addition to sharing Western North Carolina’s artistic heritage at one of the largest craft events, the Blue Ridge Craft Trails’ community booth will include three artists, each representing the crafts from the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills: Kwadwo Som-Pimpong, Ann Hord-Heatherley, and Melinda Lawton.
The Artists
Kwadwo Som-Pimpong
Kwadwo Som-Pimpong is the founder and main artist of Crafted Glory. He creates handmade wooden furniture at his studio in Clyde, NC (Haywood County), alongside his wife and his assistant. Kwadwo blends traditional woodworking with West African inspiration and Scandinavian design. In 2025, he was part of the Center for Craft’s WNC Craft Future Cohort, and he became a member of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails.
Ann Hord-Heatherley
Ann Hord-Heatherley is a mixed-media figurative artist who primarily uses natural fibers in her work. She creates dolls that incorporate fabric, natural dyes, and angora (from her goats), along with wire frames and clay faces. Her inspiration for each character is often derived from old photographs. Her farm and studio, called Out in Jupiter, is located in Weaverville, NC (Buncombe County).
Melinda Lawton
Melinda Lawton is a jewelry maker based in Hendersonville, NC (Henderson County). Her studio and shop, Sweet Magnolia Gallery, was one of the initial sites of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails. Her jewelry often features a cherished antique style, reflected in the colors of gems, metals, and designs she selects.
The Project
Officially established in 2022, the Blue Ridge Craft Trails explores the traditional and contemporary crafts of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills. Over 345 artists, studios, galleries, and creative organizations are highlighted on BlueRidgeCraftTrails.com.
Recently, the Appalachian Regional Commission awarded an economic development grant to the BRNHA, which will aid Blue Ridge Craft Trails projects. Plans connected to the grant include expanding the reach of the Craft Trails and artists beyond Western North Carolina and the state. Attending American Craft Made Baltimore is a step toward successfully achieving grant goals.
Event Details
American Craft Made Baltimore
Baltimore Convention Center
1 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21201
Friday–Sunday, February 20–22, 2026
10 a.m.–6 p.m. Friday & Saturday / 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday
For more information, visit CraftCouncil.org
About the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is a nonprofit organization that preserves, cultivates, and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of 25 Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary, benefiting current and future generations. Communities have deep connections to craft, music, agriculture, and nature. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reside throughout the region as well, with history and ties in the Far Western counties. Three cultural trails have been established under the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, including the Blue Ridge Craft Trails, Blue Ridge Music Trails, and the Blue Ridge Heritage Trail.
About the American Craft Council
The American Craft Council (ACC) is a national nonprofit fostering connection through the handmade. Building upon an 80+ year legacy of tradition and innovation as a membership-based nonprofit, ACC leverages the transformative possibilities of craft through storytelling, resources for artists and appreciators, and events. In partnership with organizations across the country, ACC mobilizes the diverse craft ecosystem to create a world where objects matter, makers thrive, and craft connects. Learn more and take part at craftcouncil.org.
