Five studios will showcase the works of seven artists Saturday, Dec. 1, in the newly revived Rising Fawn Studio Tour in North Georgia.
Visitors searching for holiday gifts can find a variety of handmade creations from the following artists at stops along Plum Nelly Road:
» Julie Clark, who creates hand-forged metal yard art, photography and bird-feeding stations.
If you go
› What: Rising Fawn Studio Tour.› When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.› Where: Rising Fawn, Georgia (start the loop at 3005 Plum Nelly Road or 660 S. Moore Road).› Admission: Free.› Information: Rising Fawn Studio Tour on Facebook.
» Vista Mahan (sharing the same space), who will display her small wall hangings and hand-dyed silk scarves.
» Bonnie Cayce, offering decorative and functional quilts using vintage and ethnic fabrics.
» Anna Cayce Smit (sharing space with her mother), who uses vintage chains, watches, beads and semiprecious stones in her jewelry pieces.
» Claire Vassort, owner of Silk by Claire, whose hand-painted silks find purpose in frames, lanterns and scarves.
» Nikki Oliver, whose St. Nicks by Nick creations include hand-carved and painted Santas and angels.
» Mark Issenberg, owner of Lookout Mountain Pottery, who makes functional ash-glazed stoneware.
Issenberg was a driving force behind many of the previous studio tours, largely centered on the opening of his kiln, which visitors could help unload. But travel and other shows had pulled him away for the past three years.
The tour had grown dormant over the past few years, until Vassort and Cayce staged a mini comeback last year.
"She said, 'Why don't we start another Rising Fawn Studio Tour,'" Cayce remembers of Vassort's suggestion. "We didn't have time to put together a big tour - just she and I and another guy. This year we wanted to start it back like it used to be."
This year, they're again spearheading the tour and are excited about the participation.
"It's a really good mix," says Cayce, who's been working steadily since mid-October to replenish her inventory after a successful showing at the New Salem Mountain Festival.
The tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday atop Lookout Mountain, two miles from Cloudland Canyon State Park. The route makes a loop, so visitors may start at either 3005 Plum Nelly Road or 660 S. Moore Road in Rising Fawn. Signs will be posted, and maps will be available at each stop.
Issenberg recommends making a day of it by incorporating stops at any of the restaurants in the vicinity, such as Canyon Grill, Geneva's or Lookout Mountain Pizza Co.
Then throw in a visit to the nearby state park, which with its thousand-foot canyons and sandstone cliffs is considered one of the most scenic parks in Georgia.
"Good God, what an awesome day," Issenberg says.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.