Get ready to spend an amazing autumn weekend with the Over the Mountain Studio Tour, Nov. 14-15, visiting nine studios chock-full of handmade wares by 24 artisans. Studios are swept, newest work polished and tagged, snacks stacked and plated and artists are ready to host visitors for a beautiful weekend of laughter and falling in love with the fruits of their labors. From fruit-covered majolica serving bowls to whimsical animal sculptures, unbelievably smooth polished wood tables to subtle Appalachian-inspired stained glass scenes, they are ready to show the best of Jefferson County. Come be amazed!

For the 26th year, the tour welcomes five new tour members, including two new stops: Elizabeth Goins, paper arts, in Charles Town, and Ann Sharp and Joe Mayer, portrait and watercolor painters, in Shepherdstown. Rose Mendez, hand forged jewelry, and Tim Wohleber, twig furniture, round out the new, as guests with Joy Bridy Pottery. Live demonstrations are scheduled for every stop, both days.

2015 members include: Barbara Acker: Mountain View Gourds; Charles Steven Adams: hand hewn bowls and furniture; Tara Bell: Dream Circle colored pencil drawings; Treva Blackford: Brown Shop Bears and other animals; Anne Bowers: Heirloom Baskets; Sheila Brannan: stained glass; Joy Bridy: wood fired pottery; Fran Brolle: dichroic glass and silver jewelry; Linda Case: polymer clay; Bruce Fransen: sculpted wood vessels; Eric Johnson: Southwood Farm Forge blacksmithing; Pat Langerhans: folk-art cloth figures; Joe Mayer: watercolor and abstract painting; Tom McGarry: Birnam Wood Joinery cabinetry; Rose Mendez: Even Rose Love hand forged jewelry; Vanessa Morris: Blue Ridge Salvage wooden toys; Pam and Ren Parziale: Sycamore Pottery stoneware, salt, and earthenware; Ann Sharp: portraits and realism painting; Susan Shildmyer: free form knitted garments; Nancy Streeter: woodcarvingsl Mikkey Tarrantino: watercolor paintings; and Tim Wohleber: Arcadian Furnishings twig furniture.

“By visiting artists’ studios, you have the rare opportunity to see hundreds of pieces of their work, the whole spectrum of what they make, in one place. No gallery or store can give you this depth and richnessonly a studio visit,” said Ren Parziale, potter and founding tour member.

“Having multiple makers at each stop gives us the opportunity to create a unique environment, special to this weekend. As an artist, it’s a privilege to create in a deep-seated community of makers, and when our work is out together, you can get a feel for the way Place affects our work, ties us together in unique ways, ” shared Rose Mendez, hand forged jeweler and first year tour member.

“We’ve cleaned up our studios, gathered our best wares, and baked our hearts outit’s truly a celebration when we open our doors for this long-standing Studio Tour weekend,” said Joy Bridy, wood firing potter and 7th year tour member.

These artists have received national recognition, some have their work in major exhibitions. All are inspired by the tradition of handwork in West Virginia. Set aside the second weekend in November, travel with friends and family, and visit the artists in their working studios. Visitors can meet the makers, purchase a basket, a painting, a chair, a bowl and know they have something special in their hands.

Always the second weekend in November, the studio tour is free, open to the public, a cooperative venture completely run by the juried member artisans, and a wonderful way to support local creative economy. Each stop includes multiple artisans, live demonstrations, wares for sale, snacks and conversations.

For more information and maps, visit www.studiotourwv.org Or contact info@studiotourwv.org.