Growing Greenup Handcrafted Weekend Part 2 of 3

Growing Greenup

Handcrafted Weekend Part 2 of 3

Anne Stephens

If you are a weekly reader of this column, you know that last week started a three-part series about the Handcrafted Weekend event at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, sponsored by the Greenup County Tourism Commission and organized by the Community Arts program at the Greenup County Extension Service. This week, we will focus on some of the demonstrations and hands-on activities that you’ll find at the lodge on April 11 and 12.

The Quilt Show at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park is a long-standing Greenup County tradition. In 2023, the Greenup County Quilt Guild partnered with the Greenup Extension Community Arts Program and Greenup County Tourism to grow and expand the quilt show into a whole lodge artisan demonstration event we call Handcrafted Weekend that takes place on the second Saturday in April every year at the Jesse Stuart Lodge.

April 11 and 12 are the dates for 2026 – mark your calendar – admission is FREE! Saturday will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. with live music starting at 5:00 p.m. in the lobby in front of the fireplace. Music will be old-time style and will likely last into the evening with a jam session that you can join as a player or an audience member. Sunday will begin at noon and close at 3:00 p.m. All are welcome!

This is an open to the public, free admission, family friendly event at our very own state park – right here close to home in Greenup County. While we encourage you to come ready for some great shopping, the focus of this event is education and experience. The lodge will be filled with displays and demonstrations. You will see items at various stages of the “making” process and get to meet the artisan while watching them work. Each booth will also have a hands-on area where you can try your own hand at some of the heritage skills featured at this event.

Have you ever watched someone macramé before? Weave a custom blanket? Carve a wooden caricature? Build an instrument? Make jewelry out of hammered metal? Forge a knife blade? How about glassblowing? We are super excited to announce that Blenko Glass from West Virginia is our special guest for 2026! They will be glassblowing all day on Saturday. Everything they make, they will give away! You can also purchase items from their display booth. You’ll see them working out in front of the lodge alongside Dave Lovins/The Hammer’s Fall hand-forging knives and other blacksmith items.

Along with members of the Greenup County Quilt Guild that organizes and runs the quilt show, these artists and artisans will have vendor displays and demonstrations throughout the lodge:

606 Sourdough, Asia Ward – sourdough bread and rolls

Andrew Duckworth – fiddle luthier

Appalachia’s Daughter, Jill Robertson - metalworking/jewelry making

Ashland Area Woodcarvers – hand carved caricatures and other items

Blenko Glass – glass blowing

Bluegrass Blessings – cross stitch and fiber arts

 Buckin’ Colt, Cindy Maddox – upcycled fashion

Dulcimers By Jeff, Jeff Lambert – dulcimer luthier

Goat Lady Soap, Teresa Walters – goat’s milk soap

Goosey Boutique, Melissa White – handmade porch goose clothes

Honeyshine Pies, Stephanie Duckworth – pie crust demo

Jenn Amburgey - collaborative piece and sculpture/painting

Ryster Violin and Repair, John Ryster – fiddle luthier

Kentucky Memories, Michael Garvin – fiddle repair and cigar box instruments

Middle of the Mountain Woodworking, Jeff Yamanaka – lathe carved bowls w/demo

CW Parsons Guitars, Mike Parsons – guitar luthier

Old Silo Farm, April Graff – birdhouse gourd items

Pigpen Pottery, Tom Hudson – pottery/Merging Rivers Pottery Studio

Pondhawk Pottery, Sherry Hopper - pottery/Merging Rivers Pottery Studio

Robins Crafty Creations, Rachel Robins – hand building/Merging Rivers Pottery Studio

Ruby Bruce – basket weaving

Samantha Davis – crochet animals

Silver Run Ranch, Kevin Toney and Chris Toney – alpacas and weaving

Sky 37 Coffee – brewed and ground coffee, beans

Sunny Brooke Farms, Jennifer and Justin Huff – laundry detergent, fiber pieces

      Sunshine and Grace Creations, Miranda McCulley – paper crafts/journals

The Grumpy Bavarian, David and Sylvia Sterkle – birdhouses and German sweets

The Hammer’s Fall, Dave Lovins – blacksmith/knives and other items

Thea Cline – paintings

Travis Williams – chainsaw and hand carving

Call the lodge 606.473.7324 to find out about weekend specials that may just make you want to turn Handcrafted Weekend into a mini vacation! The Angler’s Cove restaurant will be open with their famous buffet on Saturday 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

Live music on Saturday will be hosted by John Ryster and will feature Old-Time string music in a family jam-style setting starting at 5:00 p.m. The “stage” will be in front of the fireplace with comfortable seating in the lobby. Bring your instrument and join in! All are welcome and listeners are appreciated. The jam will continue on Sunday afternoon too. Music, food, art, friends, and fun! Bring your family and make the short trip to Greenbo and enjoy all that our community has to offer.

Be sure to read next week’s column, part 3, the final in the series, dedicated to Handcrafted Weekend. For more information, contact Anne Stephens, Agent for Community Arts and Development in Greenup County. 606.836.0201 anne.stephens@uky.edu Greenup County Cooperative Extension Service, 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland, KY 41144. This institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.