by Sarah Hajkowski
Western North Carolina boasts one of the largest artist populations in the United States. Its rich art history encompasses indigenous arts, contemporary Native artists, the mountain South Craft Revival of the 1900s, and the 20th-century Studio Craft movement. Today, modern artistic forces like Adams Crafty Creations, situated in Mars Hill, NC, are tapping into local resources and creative vision to craft artwork from unconventional materials.
“Whatever you eye falls on - for it will fall on what you love…the mind works in concert with the eye. The things of this world draw us where we need to go.” –Mary Rose O'Reilley
One of the most beautiful qualities about humans may be our proclivity to collect art objects. From rugs and bedspreads to tables, chairs, and even the mugs on coffee tables, each item reflects the individual who selected it for their home. Outdoors, planters, ornaments, and porch hangings similarly convey a sense of the person who chose them. Adams Crafty Creations specializes in creating distinctive metal artworks that bring joy to people's daily lives, fostering connections between individuals and their surroundings.
I was lucky enough to receive one such artwork as a birthday gift, and this point of serendipity sparked a curiosity.
The author's bookworm in its natural habitat.
It all began with an upcycled metal bookworm. Where did the creature come from? What was this beloved collectible’s journey before reaching its assigned sunspot on my desk? I needed to know. The worm of note was tagged with a hallmark of those who had brought him to life. “Adams Crafty Creations,” the label read. I took to my laptop.
Adams Crafty Creations turns out to be an approachable artist collective, with a website and an Etsy shop. Crossing my fingers, I sent out the inquiry for a virtual interview via their Contact Form. Co-founder and designer Kristy was kind enough to respond to questions about the Adams Crafty Creations process, beginnings, and highlights via email. Our conversation is included below.
How do you define Adams Crafty Creations? Who is a part of your team, what do you all Create, and what do you use to do it?
"Adams Crafty Creations was dreamt up by my husband (Bryan) and myself (Kristy) initially in 2014 when I came up with some odd designs and my husband would weld them together for me. We have expanded now to include my mother-in-law (Annette) who does our deliveries to stores, my brother-in-law (Russell) who does welding for us, and our nephew (Bryan) who gathers parts for us. We create metal yard/garden art from recycled/upcycled materials."
Why is Adams Crafty Creations drawn to upcycled and repurposed metal materials? What is fun or purposeful about using these?
"When we decided we wanted to make art pieces, we were inspired by going to thrift shops where we saw other artists repurpose saucers and cups into hummingbird feeders or Christmas lights into garden flowers.
We have also always enjoyed going to flea markets, estate sales, and yard sales, which is where we still find quite a few of our materials. We’re trying to do our part to recycle some metal items that would likely go to the scrap yard."
When did Adams Crafty Creations begin to take form, and do you remember what your first artwork(s) might have been?
"We started in 2014 making some pieces in the evening and on the weekends (as we both had other full-time jobs). Our first creation was named “Fred”, and he was a shovel face I created one night in the garage while my husband was working on one of our cars. I found an old shovel with the handle broken out of it and created eyes out of nuts and welded metal rod for a mustache and “stitched” mouth."
Is it exciting to receive inquiries for a custom Creation? Do you have any favorites you've made happen?
"Bryan does most of the custom creations; he has a unique ability to listen to others talk and be able to see in his mind what they’re looking for. One of my favorites was a Viking ship grill."
What is challenging about bringing a Crafty Creation to life?
"The most challenging part lately has been finding materials and buying materials in bulk due to current pricing. We try to keep our artwork priced affordably but at times it’s difficult to find used materials in enough quantity to reproduce our more popular items."
As a proud owner of an Adams Crafty Creation, it’s amazing to reflect on where the dream started and the imaginations that have brought it to life. At the time of publishing this article, Adams Crafty Creations can boast more than 3,500 sales and 1,200 admirers on their Etsy shop. It’s easy to see why their unique craftsmanship resonates with so many art lovers.
Perhaps there’s a nugget of truth in the idea that the art we bring into our home will “draw us where we need to go.” As we hurl ourselves into everyday uncertainty, I find comfort in imagining that this unique object holds a rooting truth about my silly little tastes and values. What’s more, it’s a useful reminder that the extraordinary can and often does stem from remarkable sources.
Adams Crafty Creations is based in Mars Hill, North Carolina. They are found online via Etsy and their website, which invites custom inquiries via their handy Contact Form.
Artist
Adams Crafty Creations
About the Author
Sarah Hajkowski is a poet, playwright, and journalist based on the East Coast, USA. In addition to Erato, she is a writer on Medium.com, publishes plays to NPX: New Play Exchange, and freelances as a theatre artist. If not writing, she will be listening to music, watching horror movies, and connecting with likeminded humans.
Find out more at sarahhajkowski.com and reach out on social media.