The sun was just peeking up over the mountains as the car climbed up into the hills towards Asheville, North Carolina. I poured another cup of coffee from the thermos and watched the sun burn the mist off of the mountains on this perfect fall day in October of 2004.

I was on my way to visit with Allen up above Waynesville near Balsam Mountain. We had met at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Show, and I knew I had to have his work in the gallery.

Allen's directions were good, and pretty soon I was winding down a twisting one lane road to his land where he has his shop and home. Allen does his work in the garage of an old house in the midst of a decade of wood chips and sawdust. Allen walked me through all the steps that are necessary to make his bowls and unique wine bottle stoppers. If you have one of these bowls, then you have a rare item as few artisans have mastered how to do what Allen does so well.

After the shop "school", Allen took me to his house to see his wife's quilt making studio and to view her work. That is a story that will have to wait for another day!

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$160