A Passion for Pine Needles: New Village of Yesteryear artisan shares her love of longleaf pine needle baskets

One of Heather Seaman’s core memories are trips with her family at eight-years-old to Edisto Island, South Carolina. It was on these trips she would see a lady on the side of the road making sweet grass baskets. “I think this influenced me as a child,” she said. “I was fascinated by the process even then.” Seaman was no stranger to the crafting world; her mother was a science teacher but also created macramé and flower arrangements. “I was exposed to the culture of the crafting world at a young age. I remember weekends at craft shows with my mom…

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New Craftsmen, Carlee Hawkins, enters the Village of Yesteryear with pen and ink drawings.

The Village of Yesteryear is one of the North Carolina State Fairs most popular and anticipated attractions which includes over 75 artists and crafters creating, displaying and selling time-honored handmade crafts. Each year, new craftsmen are added to expand the village and broaden the type of art that visitors can explore. This year, Gray Works joins the Village of Yesteryear with pen and ink line drawings. Artist, Carlee Hawkins, has been involved in art for just under three years and built her company after graduating from North Carolina State University in December of 2021. As a nutrition major, Hawkin’s passion…

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