Despite the common roots that unite the community economic development (CED) industry at its core, CED work manifests itself in very different ways throughout our state. Due to the movement’s deep historic and cultural ties, effective CED must be tailored to fit the individual communities that it serves.

HandMade in America is a case in point. HandMade supports an entire network of artists and artisans from across the Blue Ridge Mountains by enhancing opportunities in the marketplace and developing entrepreneurial strategies. Based in Asheville, HandMade has consistently discovered ways to use the region’s strong craft industry as a catalyst to fuel economic development.

One of their newest projects, the HandMade House at the Ramble, is

certainly no exception. A collaboration
between residential homebuilding and fine art, the HandMade House will create the opportunity for more than 100 artists to contribute original work to one very unique home. In partnership with a real estate development firm, Biltmore Farms, the project will create “a Show Home that exemplifies the best of Western North Carolina’s artistic and architectural traditions and that meets the green building standards of North Carolina’s HealthyBuilt Homes program.”

HandMade’s approach is a truly unique fusion of culture and innovation. Yet what makes the HandMade House concept so exceptional is the involvement of the artists from the very outset. “Typically art and craft people are thought of at the very end of the process,” HandMade’s Associate Director, Jenny Moore pointed out. She went on to say that at this point, there is simply no room left in the budget. “Our goal was to get them in on the ground floor,” Jenny explained, thus affording the artists an opportunity to play

a more pivotal role in the design of the house.

The project officially began this summer
with a meeting for craftspeople interested
in contributing to the house, from architectural elements to rugs and wall hangings. More than 100 artists have been selected and contracts are currently being negotiated.

Upon completion of the project in November of 2008, HandMade plans to publish a guidebook for creating this type of collaboration. By sharing their best practices, HandMade’s mission is to continue paving the way for arts-based community economic development in North Carolina.

Jenny Moore summed it well. “We want
this to be replicable.”

If you would like to learn more about
HandMade in America, please visit them
online at: www.handmadeinamerica.org