My husband Dwight and I started our retail shop as a way to  provide an income for our family of four and also to be an outreach to the community craftspeople in Hillsboro.  What began as a small room in a plain metal building,  barely stocked with Dwight's music tapes, my West Virginia Heritage Dolls and pastel drawings of wildflowers, plus the wood crafts of  few  friends,  has turned into two rooms bursting with products from all over West Virginia and beyond.   

MorningStar FolkArts is located in beautiful Pocahontas County where tourists from all over the world have discovered its rich heritage and outdoor recreational offerings.  Families, individuals, and groups are attracted to this area because of the breath-taking scenery, the chance to get away from their usual hectic lifestyles in cities, and the more relaxed atmosphere.  Seeing this need, we have strived to offer an oasis for both the local population and the tourist. 

I have found that I enjoy the process of matching the customer to the item--I love the challenge of finding "just the right" gift item with my many different customers in mind, and the art of designing a setting to show off those beautiful or unique pieces that will delight the eye or ear.  I don't have as much time to create my own work these days, though eventually you will find my pastel and ink drawings on this website. 

This has been a real family affair.  Since the age of 14, our son, Caleb, has blossomed in his part-time role of assistant banjo instructor and chief cook and bottle-washer at Dwight's Banjo Camp Workshops.  He has traveled with his Dad to places like Vancouver, Seattle, Boston, and England.  Our daughter, Susanna, has worked with Elaine in the shop as her "consultant" and landscape designer.  The idea of serving coffee in the shop was Susanna's and she has a real gift for growing the flowers which grace the front of our shop.  She also has been privileged to travel to England with her Dad.

 

We hope you will enjoy visiting our shop online and hope you will also be able to visit us in the mountains of West Virginia!