The Blue Ridge Craft Trails and Hickory Furniture Mart are excited to present Blue Ridge Handcrafted, a project created to connect Blue Ridge Craft Trails artists and interior designers. In an era of mass manufacturing and online ordering, artists and designers provide something unique–the opportunity to create and curate your space to your needs and desires.
Creative Collaboration
Blue Ridge Handcrafted is rooted in the creativity of Western North Carolina artists. The Blue Ridge Craft Trails (an initiative of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area) focuses on promoting the traditional and contemporary artists, galleries, studios, and creative organizations across the 25 western counties in North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary. The project was inspired by work previously presented by creative economic driver Handmade in America (1995-2015), which included two reference books and an entire ‘Handmade House.’ The books and house included regional artists and their handcrafted items, which could be incorporated into interior design and architectural projects.
From furniture and tiles to light fixtures, statement pieces, woven fabrics, and more, there is still a need for unique, handcrafted, and functional pieces. Connecting craft with the world of interior design presents exciting opportunities and questions. In March 2026, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area created a Craft Advisors Group to share their knowledge of craft and/or interior design in a series of meetings. This included selecting 30 artists from the Blue Ridge Craft Trails to participate in developing the program and planning its stages.
Updates
September 24-26th, 2026. Partnering together, the Blue Ridge Craft Trails and Hickory Furniture Mart are bringing the concept of Blue Ridge Handcrafted to this year’s American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Carolinas conference, September 24-26th in Spartanburg, SC. Both organizations will introduce the project and the works of selected artists. Interior designers are encouraged to stop by their booth to learn more and sign up for project updates. Interested in partnering with an artist? Let us know.
Watch this space for news.
About the Organizations
Hickory Furniture Mart
Hickory Furniture Mart is a leading destination for home furnishings and interior design, featuring an unparalleled collection of furniture showrooms, outlets, and factory stores in Hickory, North Carolina. The state has a strong furniture-making history, and the Mart reflects that in the high-quality craftsmanship it offers, many of which are designed and created specifically in the Greater Hickory Metro Region by multigenerational furniture craftsmen who have handcrafted some of the finest furniture around the world. For more information, visit HickoryFurniture.com.
Contact: Tracey Trimble, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Hickory Furniture Mart
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and Blue Ridge Craft Trails
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area works to protect and promote the natural and cultural resources of Western North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Craft Trails is an initiative program created by the heritage area to promote economic development and showcase the region’s rich craft heritage, curating over 340 artists, studios, galleries, and organizations across 25 WNC counties and the Qualla Boundary. It is supported by the Appalachian Regional Commission. For more information, visit BlueRidgeHeritage.com.
Project information: Robin Johnston, Blue Ridge Craft Trails Coordinator
Press and media inquiries: Bridget Herbig, Communications Manager, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development partnership entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
