Sue Shelor of Meadows of Dan, owner of Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Market and the artisan of Mountain Meadow Crafts, has had her decorative gourd art accepted at Heartwood

Local Gourd Artist Juried Into Heartwood, Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway Sue Shelor of Meadows of Dan, owner of Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Market and the artisan of Mountain Meadow Crafts, has had her decorative gourd art accepted at Heartwood, Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway located in Abingdon, Virginia. Shelor was juried into the Artisan Center during the last jury session, which took place earlier in September. Heartwood is at the center of a plan for economic development in Southwest Virginia that connects nineteen counties and two organizations, The Crooked Road and ‘Round the Mountain, into a cooperative creative effort. Heartwood, the Artisan Center, is operated by the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission headed by Todd Christensen. In the next three years, Heartwood is expected to attract more than 270,000 visitors, generate $2.2 million in revenue, and result in a total economic impact in excess of $28 million to the region. “I’m so excited to be included at Heartwood,� said Sue Shelor. “The artisans there represent the best of Southwest Virginia, and it is an honor to be accepted as a juried member.� Sue Shelor’s business, Mountain Meadow Crafts, began when she became interested in crafting with gourds. Shelor has experience in ceramics, batiking and pencil drawing as well but has found gourd crafting a lasting interest. Her artistic talents emerged with this new medium and she uses natural materials, woodburning, carving and other techniques to create unusual one-of-a-kind decorative items for the home. Shelor is also the owner and operator of the “Corn Acoustics!� corn maze and "Pick Your Own Fun Pumpkin Patch", also located in Meadows of Dan and open on weekends throughout September and October or by appointment.