Pigeon Forge is well known for its outlet malls and Gatlinburg has its unique and boutique shops. But for authentic mountain wares there's the Great Smokies Arts and Crafts Community. Many of the crafters who are members of the Great Smokies Arts and Crafts Guild have shops tucked in out-of-the-way corners along the Arts and Crafts Trail a few miles outside Gatlinburg. You can find everything from hand-thrown pottery to hand-crafted furniture to hand-woven quilts. Local artists offer limited edition prints of local landmarks as well as one-of-a-kind creations. Plan plenty of time in your vacation to visit several area shops.
Since the late 1800's the Ownby family has supplied local residents and visitors alike with quality crafts made from native woods. The Ownby and Ogle families have lived in the Smokies for over 100 years and originally made handcrafted
items such as baskets and chairs for neighbors. Six generations later,
the Ownby family still offers the same items for sale to visitors in
the Smoky Mountains. In addition today, you will find beautiful
handmade wooden fruit, old timey games and toys, unique handcrafted
wooden flowers and birds, and a variety of other woodcrafts. Their
shop, located in the Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Crafts Community,
is filled with native treasures. When you visit you may find a member
of the Ownby family working on a handwoven basket or foot stool. When
you visit feel free to ask questions. As with most crafters in the
Arts and Crafts Community, the Ownby family is happy to discuss the
history of their woodcrafts.
Crafts 