Seven years ago I was lucky enough to attend the
Bead Retreat created by Carol Wilcox Wells, an extremely talented bead weaving
artist. Each year since then I’ve journeyed to
North Carolina’s Blue Ridge
Parkway area to learn new beading techniques and to be inspired by the natural
beauty of the Smoky Mountains and the artistic people in our group. We stay at what I originally thought was an
unlikely spot, the YMCA Blue Ridge
Assembly near Black Mountain. This is a lovely, peaceful expanse in tall
trees, and near a trickling stream; it is home to bears, turkeys, and other
assorted wildlife. From the front porch rockers you can see the mountains and
the clear blue skies. It’s no wonder that we can’t wait to be back together
each year. The location is also appealing because we can easily go into town
for retail therapy and outstanding food.
Two of my favorite towns near the Blue Ridge Parkway are Black Mountain and Asheville. These artists’ colonies are alive with weavers, painters, jewelers, glass makers and other
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| YMCA grounds, lodge, and beading projects |
Two of my favorite towns near the Blue Ridge Parkway are Black Mountain and Asheville. These artists’ colonies are alive with weavers, painters, jewelers, glass makers and other
