Forge Appalachia

06/06/2026

Join us and Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network tomorrow June 7th from 4-6pm Seven Sisters Brewery

06/03/2026

Come check out Art on Tap this Sunday June 7th from 4-6pm at Seven Sisters Brewery who is also collaborating with Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network for Crafted Conversations from 5-6pm.

Both activities are an opportunity for creatives of all types to ask questions, share ideas, and connect.

06/02/2026

Cut a Shine

In the 18th and 19th centuries "shine" could refer to something flashy or spirited, not just literal light, and "cut" meant to perform or carry out.

When you put the words together, the phrase simply means to put on a lively show and draw attention to yourself, usually by acting playful or dancing.

Example:

"He likes to cut a shine when company comes over."

"You should've seen her cuttin' a shine at the party last night.

06/02/2026

Our favorite basket maker

05/29/2026

This is being added to the regular Art on Tap at Seven Sisters Brewery

Join us!

Join us for a Crafted Conversation on Sunday, June 7 from 5–6 PM at Seven Sisters Brewery in Wytheville, VA.

Crafted Conversations are informal gatherings where artists connect, share ideas, and learn together through facilitator-led peer conversations. Bring your questions, ideas, or challenges and join fellow creatives for an evening of meaningful conversation and community.

Topics may include marketing, pricing, grant writing, skill sharing, and more based on what the group needs that day.

No pressure, just real conversations with fellow artists.

Sunday, June 7
5–6 PM
Seven Sisters Brewery | Wytheville, VA

04/27/2026

Tore up

The Appalachian phrase "tore up" isn't limited to describing something that is broken. Quite often it's used to describe being emotionally upset or distressed and other times can also describe someone who's more than a little bit intoxicated.

Examples:

"She was tore up after hearing the news."

"He celebrated enough for all of us and got plumb tore up last night."

04/14/2026

Tuckered

The word “tuckered” likely developed in 19th-century American English, possibly from the verb “tucker,” meaning to exhaust to tire someone out. Now, it’s a common everyday expression in Appalachian and Southern speech.
One theory connects it to the idea of “tucking someone in” (putting them to rest), though the exact origin is debated.

You'll likely hear folks say they're "tuckered out", "plumb tuckered", or "dead tuckered" after putting in a hard day's work.

Have you ever worked so hard just to have you're whole body and mind ache at the end of the day? Well, that's being tuckered!

04/11/2026

What a joyful day! Everyone had a wonderful time, learned new skills, got to learn from the amazing Amanda Sprinkle from A Sprinkle Basket, and left having successfully made a gorgeous basket!