Hey, y’all! Welcome to Sweet Sorghum Living–a place to sit a spell with a good cup of coffee (iced coffee) and enjoy good conversation about everything from gluten-free goodies to handmade goodness. Today on the blog, I am sharing photos from Jonesborough Days 2016 + a couple of SSL’s top picks from the arts & crafts vendors. There was so much awesomeness it can’t be all packed into one post, so come back tomorrow to see the rest!
Now, let’s take a little photo stroll while we sip on our coffee *big smile*

Music, food, arts & crafts, and even a hot pepper eating contest–Jonesborough Days was filled with fun activities for kids of all ages!

Abby and I had a great time volunteering with the McKinney Center during Jonesborough Days. It was a blast making fans with all the kiddos and their parents! Stay tuned to an upcoming blog post + social media for a special announcement about the workshops I will be teaching this fall at the McKinney Center + when the Fall Expo will be and how to save $$ by signing up early for classes.

During Jonesborough Days there were two eating contests–hot peppers (which were like more hot than I can explain) + hot dogs.

Heather Frazier won second place in the hot dog-eating contest. Heather and her mother Amy Hicks own Just for Me-Mi Jewelry, crafted by hand and crafted with heart.
TOP PICK FOR MOST ADORABLE BOOTH AND CRAFTS + TOP PICK FOR POTTER AT JONESBOROUGH DAYS
Kraftapalooza had the most adorable booth and most darling crafts of all the booths at Jonesborough Days. Jocelyn Jones creates personalized, hand-stamped jewelry and other fun items. She is a self-taught artisan who has been crafting and making for about three years. Jocelyn can be found out and about at local fairs and festivals + Etsy. Click here to shop Kraftapalooza and here to check out Kraftapalooza’s Facebook.

Me chatting with Jocelyn Jones about her string art–which Abby got a darling string-art piece for her dorm + Jonesborough Days shoppers browsing the hand-stamped jewelry inside the Kraftapalooza tent

Totally crushing!! To shop Jocelyn’s string art, click here.

Barbara Cara, a local potter, has been creating stunning and colorful pottery for about 2 1/2 years. Barbara is SSL’s top pick potter because not only does she create gorgeous pottery pieces, but she also has the brightest smile and warmest personality.

Barbara and I chatting about her pottery. She has pieces for sale at ONE.40.FOUR in Jonesborough, and she can be found at local arts and crafts events.

Barbara Cara took pottery classes from another local potter Ed Lockett + she recently had her pottery exhibited at the 4th Annual Juried Art Exhibition at the McKinney Center. She is naturally talented and creates stunning masterpieces (Did I mention she has only been making pottery for 2 1/2 years?!?). *mind blown*

This cup by Barbara Cara totally needs to be in my life and in my hand with a good cup of coffee in it.
Whew! So much happened at Jonesborough Days + there were so many great artisans and vendors I am going to have to leave y’all hanging until tomorrow when I post Jonesborough Days Part Two, which will be all about the rest of SSL’s Top Picks–from jewelry to SSL’s ultimate pick + a painting I really wish I would have bought because….
Seriously, I will be back tomorrow with the rest of the top picks. I know I have a tendency to wander off, but I am truly focused on getting out the rest of the awesomeness to y’all *wink*