No Girlfriend’s Getaway is complete without a day of shopping. Unknown to me was the Monticello Artisan Trail; treasure trove of local artisans, crafters, wineries and breweries, restaurants and places of interest winding along the back roads of Nelson County and Ablemarle County. With over 125 sites available to visit, we planned our day with intentions of seeing a sample of all the different venues available.
We began at The Barn Swallow, a beautifully restored 1800 era barn, housing the work of over 80 artists. The building is one of the prettiest craft stores I have ever seen, both inside and out. The owners, Janice Arone and Mary Ann Burk, have a true eye for design and have artfully arranged the offerings throughout three levels. I was sad it was rainy and cold because I wanted to explore the gardens surrounding the property. Plan to visit on a nice day and spend an hour or two relaxing and wandering through the shop and gardens. The studio is open Tuesday through Saturdays 10-5 and Sundays 12-5.
Our next stop was Two Owls Pottery, a studio by Roslyn Nuesch who designs “function pottery for everyday enjoyment.” Her inspiration for her products comes from nature with a nod to her Native American heritage. My favorite products included her Monkey Bread Bowls, a cute dish for making two servings (or enough for one hungry person!), her mugs decorated with Native American inspired animal paintings and her Christmas ornaments. Roslyn opens her studio by appointment only, but it’s well worth a visit for her work and her fascinating conversation.
We moved on to Starhill, the second oldest craft brewery in the State of Virginia, founded in 1999. We settled in for a craft brewery tasting and discovered flavors I had never encountered before including their unique “Little Red Roostarr,” a Coffee Cream Stout, and “Shakedown,” a chocolate cherry stout. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but these were surprisingly tasty. They use a state of the art draft system to keep the beers at the proper temperature and peak flavor. After our tasting, we took a tour of the brewery, which due to expansion, moved to a former ConAgra plant in 2005. I was impressed with Starhill’s commitment to the community. They bring in live bands for events and host a different food truck each week. Insider Tip: All of Starhill’s Beer is never more than 90 days old to preserve the freshest flavor possible. Starhill is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 12–8 PM, Saturdays from 11Am-8 PM and Sundays from 12-6 PM.
A couple of miles down the road was the Crozet Artisan Depot, located in the center of town in a former historic train depot. Featuring the work of over 50 artists, you can browse the shops and have a chance to talk with some of the artists who volunteer their time in the shop. I found so many beautiful things but one favorite was the origami birds folded by two elementary aged boys and made into mobiles by their mom. I wish I had been that creative at their age! The Crozet Artisan Depot also houses the Ablemarle Convention Center so you can research information on area attractions. While in Crozet, take a walk over to Art Box and view paintings by local artists or explore the other local shops. Insider Tip: If you want lunch, stop by Crozet Pizza, recommend by National Geographic as one of the best pizza places in the world. The Artisan Depot is open Wednesday-Saturday from 10am to 5 Pm and Sunday from 12 Pm-5 Pm.
We finished our day with a visit to Pinnell Custom Leather. I had never realized the many different types and colors of leather available or the craftsmanship that goes into each piece until I visited. Located in a antique factory a few miles outside of Crozet, visitors are welcome to stop in, browse and ask questions. With over 35 years experience, owner Chuck Pinnell and his staff create custom belts, briefcases, bags, full and half chaps for equestrians and more. The leather is hand picked from around the world and each piece is designed to the owner’s specifications. We watched as a craftsman explained how he made a belt from alligator skin and another made hand crafted chaps with detailed initials. We also stopped by to see the different types of leather (calf, ostrich, lizard, alligator-who knew there was so many?), and the different colors, patterns and textures. They are open Monday-Wednesday from 9-5pm and by appointment.
The Monticello Artisan Trail is a great way to spend the day, but remember some artisans ask that you call ahead or have appointment only showings. Check the Artisan map for shop hours before planning your day.
I would love to check out the Monticello Artisan Trail, sounds like a neat place to visit and shop!
What a fun experience. I’ve never been to Monticello.
This looks so eccentrics! I love hand crafted art!
This is a fun-looking place.
I love your pictures.
This seems like an interesting place to visit. It would be great to visit a place with so many artists and artisans all in one place.
This seems like a very interesting place. It would be great to visit a place with the work of so many artists and artisans all together in one place.
Great photos – looks like you had a blast. I’m all about “function pottery for everyday enjoyment”!
Adding this to my travel list right now. Looks like so much fun and history. Love it.
I love country crafts and quaint little places like this. Sounds like a great place to visit!
I would love to explore the Monticello Artisan Trail. It would be an amazing way to spend the day.
I would love to be able to get away for a girls weekend as it looked like you guys went to some cool places.
Love the artisan’s work. And the idea of supporting all of the local crafters with plenty of food options.
It’s nice to be able to shop a bunch of spots at once. Shopping is always a highlight for me (much to my husband’s dismay!).
I really enjoyed making a variety of stops and it was an excellent way to spend some girlfriend time. I can’t pick a favorite though!
StarrHill is one of my favorites! Last time I visited C’ville I didn’t make it there, so next time I am going to be sure to go!
Everything looks beautiful! I can’t believe all of that in one place. I could spend days there just checking it all out!
Looks like a lovely adventure. I would spend hours exploring.
What a fun tour! I love shops that are unique and quirky.
Sounds like such a fun day! I love shopping places like this.
I love spending time exploring and shopping at artisan shops. I could happily spend days here!
This looks like such a great adventure! I love the uniqueness of these Artisan shops! It seems like a really interesting and creative community!
I would love to explore the Two Owls Pottery studio. All of the pieces look super unique and I would like to see the details up close.
Sounds like you had a fun and interesting day. Very nice indeed.
I love visiting communities like this. So many talented artisans and a great way to take a piece of your visit home with you to remember.
Everything about that sounds amazing. I can’t believe all of that talent in one place. I could spend days there just taking it in.
What lovely shops! I would have so much in all of them!
Helen H
I love to shop at local small shops especially when the items are handcrafted. Not always in the budget but I can usually find something or will write down what I like and buy it at a later date.
It’s a treasure to sort through and pick several shops to stop and browse. Creativity is a wonderful thing, and you’ve displayed great examples. Sharing the experience with friends and/or family makes it even more special. The Monticello Artisan Trail appeals to my idea of adventure!
That would be the makings of a few days for me. I love seeing artisan work. It’s so much more personal – and beautiful – than some random Ikea thing.
My dad actually has alligator leather boots – they were a gift and he loves them. As many types of meat that you can think of to eat, there are that many types of leather – even kangaroo!
That craft brewery would have been the highlight for me. It sounds like an amazing adventure.