Blue Ridge China and Vintage Market set for Erwin festival

The Blue Ridge China & Vintage Decor and Craft Market in Erwin will feature more than 5,000 collectible ceramics during the upcoming festival.The market is scheduled for Oct. 2 to 4, at The Bramble, 206 Gay Street, and will take place during the 2025 Unicoi County Apple Festival. The market will offer visitors a range of collectible ceramics, vintage items and handmade crafts.Organizer Sydney Nichols said the event is designed to showcase the town's artistic heritage while also supporting local artisans and small businesses."I was a dealer at the Blue Ridge show back in the early 90s," Nichols said. "This isn't my first festival, but it is my first time setting up at The Bramble and being part of the street festival."Back in the 1990s, Nichols said she typically brought 400 to 500 pieces to shows. This year, the scale is much larger."I'm bringing around 3,800 to 4,000 pieces, and with other vendors included, there will be over 5,000 pieces total," she said. "I'm bringing more than 200 coffee pots, close to 30 full sets, individual plates and platters, trinket boxes, rare advertising pieces and even a few one-of-a-kind items. There's something for everybody, whether it's rare, hard to find, or everyday favorites."For her, the appeal of Blue Ridge China is rooted in both craftsmanship and discovery."Each piece is hand-painted, so no two are alike," she said. "To think that women sat at Southern Pottery and painted each piece by hand is phenomenal. People once thought there were only a few patterns, but now over 4,000 have been identified, and more are still being discovered. It's the thrill of the hunt that keeps collectors engaged."Nichols said the market also connects directly to Erwin's history."Southern Pottery employed more than 1,000 people when the town's population was only about 5,000," Nichols said. "Without it, Erwin might not even exist as it does today. That heritage is strong, but it also gives modern artisans a foundation to build on. With ETSU's art department and other local makers, the tradition of pottery and handcrafted work can continue in new ways."In addition to Blue Ridge China, Nichols said the market will include vintage and artisan goods such as mid-century glassware, Watt Pottery, handmade bags and clothing, Blue Ridge-style Christmas ornaments—including a limited edition 2025 Erwin ornament—vintage furniture, handmade candles, herbs and oils, depression glass, uranium glass and vintage linens.Nichols said the event aims to appeal to collectors, decorators and anyone interested in local and handcrafted items. Admission is free, with hours listed as 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday during the festival.Organizers encourage attendees to follow the market on social media for vendor previews, sneak peeks and updates leading up to the event at https://www.facebook.com/people/Blue-Ridge-China-Vintage-Decor-Craft-Market/61576582387335/#