ABC News’ “Made in America” campaign continues to gain momentum as Christmas approaches. Led by reporter David Muir, people all over the United States are pledging to purchase gifts made in the USA.
Logan Countians have the opportunity not only to ensure that the gifts they give and the decorations on their trees have been made in America, but they can go a step further. By shopping at Kentucky Artisans at the Saddle Factory, they can select and give items created and crafted by fellow Southcentral Kentuckians, many of them from the Land of Logan.
The Saddle Factory, which is located on East Fourth Street near Russellville’s Carrico Park Square, is a unique historic site. The art works which have graced its main floor for two years are unique because they are all different, thus unique.
American’s modern day concept of factory production involves assembly lines and standardized products. When indentured workers were producing saddles and other harness in the early to mid-19th century, standardization was rare. The same is true for the art works at Artisans at the Saddle Factory.
“Everything here is one of a kind, even when the artist is making multiples of a similar subject. Because they are all handmade, each one is a little different,” says Linda Brown Harlan, one of the artisans and the shop’s manager since October.
“I think because we have the word Artisans in the name and because we’re housed in a museum, people tend to think that this is a high brow place only for art buyers,” she continues. “But there are many items here that are low price and can be used in daily life. People can buy handmade things which can be used in a kitchen, a nursery, or as Christmas decorations”
“We have wonderful artists, like Jennie Fyhr DiBenneditto, a Russellville High School graduate who makes great pottery in Louisville and displays it here,” Harlan says. Russellville art teacher Brenda Brown is one of the most respected artists in the area, and several of her paintings are available at the Saddle Factory, too.
“It provides a chance for people to have original art for their homes at relatively economical prices,” Harlan adds. The Facebook page “Kentucky Artisans at the Saddle Factory” has one photo album showing some of the items priced below $15.
Shoppers can also find the creations of artisans who do woodworking, candles and soaps, fabric art, crocheted and knitted items, pen and ink notecards, enlarged photographs, stockings, mouse pads, dolls, batik items, and jewelry.
Christmas decorations abound, including Elaine Turner’s painted gourds of all sizes and her painted ornaments on gourds and okra. Batik gourds and gourd sculpture by Patricia Zulkosky of Lewisburg can also be found for the shoppers’ own homes or for gifts.
Logan County High School graduate Lindsey Harlan shows and sells a variety of painted items on diverse canvases and media. Her mother Linda offers hand-sewn purses, baby items and notecards.
Dr. Frank Ham is one of the newest vendors. He does Shaker furniture reproductions.
Also from Logan County, Melanie Henderson offers wood candleholders along with bottle stoppers and crosses. Alla Gilbert’s artworks include oils, watercolors and pen and ink. Connie Hitchcock deals in fused glass. Cheryl Kerchenski provides crocheted scarves, wraps and felted items. Amanda and Daniel Pawley are potters. Patricia Cauley Foster’s original art prints feature local landmarks. Brenda Rigney’s knitted items are available for purchase. Beverly Whitson makes children’s clothes and hats.
Out-of-county vendors include Laura Bain-Selbo, Pat Bush, Tiffany Gillespie, Ron Hacker, Mike Kenney, Ken Metcalfe, Lucinda Scharf, Tim and Penny Trescott, Russ Walkup, Mary Buck, Bob Brigl and Joanne Francen-Gilliam.
The book Sure is available. Its author, Tim Menser, is a graduate of Russellville High School who has been at the Saddle Factory for two signings. A cookbook of local recipes compiled by the Logan County Garden Club is for sale. Proceeds from Don and Marion Firchows’ pen-and-ink notecards go to the Russellville Kiwanis Club.
A realistic print of a sorrel mule looking out a barn by Karen Enright of Madisonville is being raffled off. Carl Foster, one of the volunteers who keep the shop open, is leading the fund-raising effort on the tickets, which are $1 each or six for $5.
The 1817 Saddle Factory, which has been restored to its original layout, is perhaps the oldest industrial building in Kentucky. In 1820 there were 44 workers, mainly indentured servants and slaves, living on the site making saddles, bridles, shoes, and a variety of other leather goods. Early Kentucky saddles and primitive tools are on display. Living quarters for the workers were located in the attic, where they drew and wrote on the plaster walls.
“Visitors are welcome to tour the museum. There’s no charge. We hope they will buy some of the artisans’ creations, but there’s no obligation to do so,” says Harlan, who succeeded founder Noel Smith as manager. Darlene Gooch of Main Street Russellville has been involved in the operation of the shop since its inception in November 2010.
Kentucky Artisans at the Saddle Factory is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.