Blacksmith Auction this Weekend
By KATHI OSBORNE

John C. Campbell Folk School will offer more than 100 handcrafted items for auction on Saturday, November 3, in a fundraiser benefiting the school.

Artists, instructors, and students at the Folk School have donated the auction items. Many forms of craft and art will be represented, including forged metal, basketry, jewelry, pottery, turned wood and fiber creations, among others.

Jan Davidson, Folk School Director, stated, "All the craftspeople support the blacksmiths, and they have given some of their very best work. We have a lot of fun at these auctions."

A silent auction will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. A preview of the live auction items also begins at 1:00 p.m. Emcee Jan Davidson will begin the live auction at 2:00 p.m. with auctioneers Tim Ryan and Bob Grove.

"My husband and I attend the Folk School's auctions for a few reasons," said Betsy Lewis of Andrews. "The auctioneers Tim and Bob always make us laugh, we've won the bidding on some beautiful, hand-crafted items for our home, and it feels good to support the efforts of the Folk School. The auctions are just a fun-filled day."

A 500-pound anvil will be raffled during the auction to benefit the planned expansion of the school's Blacksmith Shop. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for 5 and can be purchased in advance through Susi Hall, Development Manager at the Folk School. John Elliott of Blacksmith Supply donated the anvil.

The events will take place in Keith House on the Folk School's campus in Brasstown. Admission is free. For more information call 828-837-2775 or 1-800-365-5724 or visit www.folkschool.org.

Founded in 1925, the nonprofit John C. Campbell Folk School offers over 830 classes year-round in traditional and contemporary craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography and writing. It features a Craft Shop and History Center and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.