Jean and Lee Schilling make and sell old-time fretted and hammered dulcimers, as well as other traditional musical instruments, at Mountain Musicrafts and Dulcimers (Hwy. 32, 423/487-5543). The Schillings are knowledgeable, friendly, and expert craftsmen.
The shop is located in a mountain cabin more than 100 years old, which was removed from the Cosby campground area when the national park was created in the 1930s. In addition to musical instruments, they sell audio and video recordings of traditional musicians; this is a great place to stop if you want to bring home the sound of the mountains.
Holloway’s Quilts (3892 Cosby Hwy., aka Hwy. 321, 423/487-3866) is a quilter’s studio, quilting supply store, and place to purchase finished quilts and other mountain handicrafts. Holloway’s is a cozy, welcoming place, jam-packed with goodies of interest to quilters and non-quilters a like. Pop in next door at the studio to see a quilter at work.
Len Landrum makes custom knives out of his machine shop in Cosby [1]. Landrum Cutlery (861 Middle Creek Rd., 423/487-5448) is his retail shop, where you can see his latest designs and order or purchase one for yourself. Each knife is hand-forged and, therefore, unique.
Look for the barn board building where the Cosby Highway intersects with Wilton Springs Road to find Santa Cruz Woodworks (2776 Cosby Hwy., aka Hwy. 321, 423/623-7856). Bob and Cindy Evans make solid wood cabinets, rocking chairs, birdhouses, trunks, and much more. Browse the shop or put in your custom order.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/tennessee/great-smoky-mountains/gateways-the-smokies/cosby