As part of my recent Charlottesville girlfriend getaway, I had the chance to soak up some uniquely local flavor by exploring the Monticello Artisan Trail. We drove through the beautiful Virginia countryside to visit a selection of one-of-a-kind craft artisan studios, wineries and breweries, eclectic shops, restaurants and historical spots.
The best part of doing a “trail” is that you can completely personalize it to your likes and dislikes, and make as many stops or as few as you want. Once you decide where to go, print out a driving map for your destinations and hit the road. Keep in mind that some artisans only open their shops by appointment, so make sure you call ahead.
The Barn Swallow
Inside this restored 19th-century barn which oozes with character, you’ll find an eclectic mix of Virginia-handmade gifts including pottery, jewelry, stoneware, woodwork and more. It’s a really fun store to shop in. Unique finds are at every turn, and there are about 80 different artisans representing. The most popular pieces are the owners’ pottery and stoneware , but jewelry and woodwork also do very well. It’s definitely worth a stop!
Two Owls Pottery
This is a story of jockey turned potter! It’s such an interesting career change, right? Roslynn’s artistic eye and Native American heritage come together beautifully in her pottery designs, and we were very fortunate to be able to visit her studio as it’s open only by appointment.
I still can’t stop thinking about the mini monkey bread pots she had for sale. Why didn’t I get one when I could?
Starr Hill Brewery
Named after the Starr Hill neighborhood where the original brew pub and music club was located, Starr Hill Brewery won me over with the very first beer we tasted,”The Love,” a light and fruity brew, perfect for summer. It was the clear favorite of our entire group. (See the one empty glass I have below. ..yeah, that’s The Love.)
Stop by for a tasting Wednesday – Sunday, and you’re welcome to bring your own food! Free brewery tours are also available on the weekends.
Crozet Artisan Depot
Not only will you find Virginia artisan gifts in this old train depot building, but you might just find the artists themselves working away on their latest creations. Be sure to take a look at the beautiful quilt behind the counter too. A photograph of the depot was independently quilted into five sections by different crafters and given together as a gift to the artisan depot.
Pinnell Custom Leather
It’s no wonder there is such tremendous loyalty for the custom leather work of Chuck Pinnell and his skilled artisans. Whether it’s a belt, chaps, a watch band or a hand bag, it’s artfully designed and created. The studio is housed in a pre-Civil War train depot, and many visitors pop in just to see the building and find out what’s inside.
Chuck’s leather work experience was cultivated while working for several years in Colonial Williamsburg, and with his obvious knack and talent, he was able to begin his own studio.
When we visited the shop, Gene was working on an alligator belt which had been cut from a hornback gator tail. He showed us how the thick and tough hide needed to be sanded in order to be pliable enough to act as a belt.
Lawton was working on an alligator watch band. He showed us how the entire hide is sent from the tannery, and they use virtually every part of it: the tail for belts, the chin for wallets, throat for watch bands, belly for planners and bags, and so forth.
They work mostly with calfskin leather, but they also do exotics like alligator, lizard, ostrich, snake, shark and they even have big game hunters bring their hides in, like elephant. The most frequently ordered items are belts, chaps and cuffs, and typical turnaround is 8-12 weeks, however they’re often able to make them in a single day once they start the work.
I hope you enjoyed this little peek at the Monticello Artisan Trail. If you visit the Charlottesville, Virginia area, you should definitely stop at a few of the trail sites. Visit the Artisan Center of Virginia website for more details on this trail and on other Virginia trails.
Melissa says
This looks like an amazing place to visit. I love how there were a mixture of old and new.
Coralie says
This looks really cool! I love visiting places like this, especially with my kids. It is fun to share history with them.
Mardene Carr says
You are killing me here….this is beyond awesome…I am saving this. We have a weekend coming up soon
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
I would definitely enjoy going through the trail. I’d probably end up buying a lot from The Barn Swallow!
Shaney Vijendranath (youbabyandi) says
Definitely a place to visit for good arty pictures. Sounds like something fun to do and try with friends.
adriana says
These pictures are great! It looks like a really fun spot, perfect on a beautiful spring day!
Anosa says
Wow they all look so great, I would love that pottery place! Not sure I would visit the last place though as I am not a fan of using animals for fashion and accessories :/
Life as a Convert says
Wow. I could spend a very long time here. I like those tea pots. They are too pretty to use.
Cathy says
Wow, this looks like such a cool experience! 🙂 I love the finished product!
Onica {MommyFactor} says
I love artisan products. This is a great place to visit and get to see the artist at work.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I went to Virginia once for our high school senior trip, but I don’t remember seeing the Monticello Artisan Trail, I will have to check it out the next time I am in the area!
Cinny says
Those shops are really neat! They have some beautiful work.
Aziel Morte says
Looks like I wanna go there and see it in live. I love the photos.
Jocelyn Brown says
There are some beautiful arts! This is defiantly a trip I would want to take sometime soon!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This seems like quite an adventure.
I love your pictures!
Chubskulit Rose says
This is the kind of place I love to look at. Thise pretty unique things are hard to come by.,
Laura H says
I’ve never done anything like this before but it looks like you got to see some pretty unique things! I’d love to do this so I could get some bits and bobs for my home that others won’t have seen before 🙂
Leanne says
This looks so cool! If love to do something like this. I really like hoe you can personalise it to suit your tastes!
shelly peterson says
Looks like such an amazing place to visit. I love all the pottery.
Michelle Blackwood says
I miss the historic town of Monticello, so much wonderful artisan’s work shown. My friend belongs to a local quilt club!
Veronica says
I love the pottery a lot. I love to collect pottery and those are right up my ally
Bonnie @wemake7 says
Looks like a really fun day. I love all these wonderful pics.
Marielle Altenor says
The Two Owls Pottery has some really unique potteries. I would have picked up something for sure. I love handcrafted things.
Dana says
I love watching artisans. Those alligator pieces are gorgeous!
angie says
love spending my extra times at places like this so fun and rewarding
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Emily says
Oh my gosh is that a vintage bathtub in the photo from the Barn Swallow?? How cute!
Amy Z. says
The artisan shops look so unique and lovely! The pottery is beautiful.
Melisa says
What an awesome way to spend the day! I could spend hours watching artisans do their thing. I just wished my family shared my interest. I would be on the trail alone.
Crystal says
I love the destinations you selected. Some funk and funky places are just what I like to visit. Hope to take a girls weekend myself.
Amy KW says
What a beautiful report of your outing! It looks so wonderful, and really reminds me of places one of my sisters would love to explore. I am in awe of people’s abilities to take “regular” items and use them in such beautiful ways as your photos illustrate. The pottery pieces are gorgeous, and I agree, you should’ve gotten one. 🙂 As a crocheter, I loved the section on the yarn-working as well. You’ve opened up a new place for me to consider visiting — thank you!!
nydia romero says
How beautiful! It’s all so very artistic and rustic and I’d feel at home just drifting about for a few hours here!
Lisa Rios says
My goodness this is absolutely fabulous. I would love visiting one such place with my husband & spend as much as time I could to explore the beauty of it. I love that Two Owls Pottery & that Crozet Artisan Depot as well so much.
Ickle Pickle says
This looks like an amazing trail – the things being made are awesome – some people are so talented. Love your photos too. Kaz x
michelle says
i am all about the art scene so i would have loved to follow you on this trail. what a fun way to spend a day
Aeryn Lynne says
Wow, how awesome is that trail?? I LOVE checking out the art scene whenever I’m on a trip somewhere, thanks for the heads up of where to go in Virginia! 🙂
jamie says
What an amazing place to visit! I could spend all day there.
~Jamie
dawn says
wow liz..everything looks so lovely. i love those necklaces. very pretty.
Zoë IKIWN says
This looks so interesting, a total delight finding treasures and new out of the way spaces. So much colour in those photographs too! x
Eileen says
I have been to the Monticello Artisan Trail years ago. This reminded me of why I loved it so much! What a great trip. Visiting my family in Virginia soon and I will make a revisit a priority.
Melissa Bernardo says
Wow! This looks like an awesome place! Right up my alley!
Christine - Jar Of Lemons says
That looks like a really fun place!! So creative!
Kathy says
That looks like so much fun. I would love to be able to go there and check it out. I love these kinds of places!
Eugenia says
Glad to hear you had such wonderful experience! I’d like to visit the Monticello Artisan Trail and I also would like to taste ”The Love” beer! Thanks for sharing such an amazing post full of great photos!
KRYSTLE COOK says
I love the feel of the Monticello Artisan Trail. I could totally see shopping around there and finding super neat things.
MaggieBranch says
Wow this looks like a really wonderful experience! I think the pottery shop would be amazing to visit! Everything feels so historic and interesting.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
The pottery pieces are so lovely! I would love to have some of them. This is a nice place to visit. It is wonderful to know that the people have kept their crafts and traditions alive.
Lynndee says
This reminds me of our trip to Virginia a couple of years ago. Would love to visit again and hopefully, check the trail by then.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I love to look at these kind of stores. I would love the Two Owls Pottery.
Rebecca Smith says
This sounds like it was a lot of fun!
Amanda Love says
That Two Owls Pottery is my place. I can see myself in there for hours just going through everything and picking up a piece or two.
Brandy says
What a beautiful post, this looks like a fun trip for sure! I would enjoy having this experience!
Nicole Escat says
Sounds you have fun and great time! Such a nice place to go. Thanks for sharing!
Claudia Krusch says
Love all the different artisan stations you’ve shared! Such a pretty place! Thank you for sharing your trip with us!
Ryan Escat says
Such an awesome tips. Those necklace looks simple but cute.
Cynthia says
I don’t live far from here and I have never heard about it. I really need to go. I love seeing what local artisans make.
Mookie Moo says
This sounds really interesting. 🙂 It’s good to see that there are lots of people still keeping old traditions and crafts alive. 🙂
Debbie Garrett says
I love all the trades people you got to meet. I love learning the old ways of making things that is quickly disappearing. The 19th century barn that was restored was awesome!
Christie says
I was charmed by Virginia the last time that my family went. I loved the tour of the amazing craftmanship there
Cassandra Mayers says
Looks like you had a very interesting trip 🙂 Not sure its my thing though. 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I love visiting quirky places like this. I would want to buy everything though.
Ana De- Jesus says
I like that you had a look behind the scenes and had a lovely time. Personally as a vegetarian and general animal rights activist I don’t agree with clothes/belts being made from animals and reptiles although I am ok with leather and suede as I wear that. Crocodiles though are not my thing.
Angie Scheie says
What a fun trail! It all looks really interesting, especially the gator skin!
Fashion and Style Police says
This looks like a great place to visit. I bet you had w nice time.
victoria says
This is absolutely a great place to visit, looks interesting and I want to go there.
Ron Leyba says
What an interesting place. Love to visit and see the Monticello Artisan Trail personally. Simply awesome.
Elizabeth says
Now that looks like my kind of holiday destination! Such creativity! So much to look at!
Nikki says
How unique those things behind that scenes. These looks like a great place to hang on with my family. I loved art and crafts and I enjoy learning with this.
Kathy Kenny Ngo says
I love artisan things. They just look so unique and different. It’s artsy and just stands out.
Up Run For Life says
This looks like an interesting place to visit. I enjoy arts and crafts. It sounds like you had a great time and enjoyed learning.
Kusum says
Such a cool and fun place to explore! I like so many of these stores but love the Crozet Artisan Depot, I am always fascinated and really enjoy when I see artisans work right before my eyes. Looks like you had a great day!
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Rosanne says
Of all the places you visited I like the Barn Swallow and Two Owls pottery the best. Would probably buy something there
tauyanm says
the barn swallow looks os pretty! I see glam fashion photoshoot happening there haha nice for a backdrop hehe
Michelle Gwynn Jones says
I love going to the out of the way spots and buying from local artist is great – and no one you know at home has the same jewelry as me.
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
Looks like a wonderful place to visit. I want to travel more.
ricci says
This looks like a great place to visit!! On first glance I thought this was from Monticello Arkansas…LOL!!
Nicole Escat says
Nice photos! Look fun and great place to go. I would love to visit there.
Nicole Escat says
This is so beautiful! I want to go in a place like this.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
Everything looks so lovely! Especially the quilt! I love buying local handmade products, because there is so much personal touch in them. They would make great conversation pieces too.
Heather says
What a fun place to visit and learn about people’s artistic endeavors along the way. I think the happiest people are people that do things they love.
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
Monticello is such a cool area. All of these artisans shops would be so fun to visit. Will have to remember this next time I’m in that area.
Amy Jones says
The place looks great, love the artisan people, i love it when they craft anything with their own hands, that way every piece is unique and different from the rest.
Tonya says
So, I followed your trip on Instagram and Twitter and I was so jealous. I really need to plan a trip to Charlottesville. And that quilt is awesome! I’ve wanted to do something similar for my family- I just need to find the time. 🙂
Amber NElson says
Wow, how interesting. I would love to be able to have some of these talents. Such creativity and beauty!
Elizabeth O. says
I don’t normally go for tours like this, but they are fun to do every once in a while. I love the necklaces you featured from the Two Owls Pottery and the brewery sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Marcie W. says
Wow, these artisans are truly unique and I would want to stop at every place available along the trail. I wonder if I can come up with something similar here in Las Vegas…
monica says
I have very close friends in Charlottesville and they adore it! I have to check this out when I visit!
Susan Smith says
This looks like a great store to find unique gifts and watch them being made.
Melanie Edjourian says
I love your photos. The potter looks great.
Cindy Ingalls says
I haven’t been to Monticello is such a long time, but this makes me want to go back and visit. I love exploring local artisans and this looks like an amazing way to find unique finds, while supporting local artistry.
Cecile says
Love the places you visited! The Virginia countryside is such a wonderful place to get lost.
Ana Fernandez says
What a beautiful way to learn about its culture and people! Would love to go there! Beautiful pictures!
Neely (@Neelykins) says
These photos are stunning! That pottery and jewelry is so pretty!
Maureen @ A Debt Free Mess Free Life says
These look like places i would love to shop and browse. Thanks for sharing these pictures.
Tina says
I love these natural places and the people who keep them alive. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) says
What a great getaway you had. I am a sucker for pretty ceramics.
Catherine S says
This looks like a fun trip. I would love to go and check out the Starr Hill brewery.
shannon ritchie says
That looks like such a lovely place to visit!
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement says
Okay, now THAT is something I would be interested in seeing! So totally right up my alley I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’d enjoy this 🙂 I’m really going to need to plan a trip like you did one of these days!
Terri Beavers says
Oh wow, I’d have such a great time there. The next time I’m in VA I want to check out some of the shops and get in some photo and shopping time in one.
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
The pottery looks crazily like some that my father in law makes. Especially the two tone glazes.
chastity says
What a neat trip. Would love to go shopping at Barn Swallow!
Heather says
WOW what a really cool trip! I’d go crazy in those The Barn Swallow and Two Owls Pottery shops!
Tammilee Tips says
What a fun trip!! I love that they have brewery tours that are free, looks like a great place to go shopping as well!
CourtneyLynne says
Oooo art and beer!!! Two of my favorites 😉 this must of been one awesome trip.
Anjanette Young says
Wow Liz, I probably wouldn’t leave there, but have to because I would be broke. All those beautiful items they make. Love the dragonfly necklace.
Risa says
I love the pottery shop! So many unique pieces to see! It looks like it was a fun adventure!
Harriet from Toby & Roo says
What an amazing trip! I would LOVE to go on this type of visit – I’ve never been to Virginia but I’d love to! H x
Mandi says
Exploring an “Artisan Trail” sounds like the perfect vacay day!
lisa says
What a fantastic trip! I have never been to Virginia, but if I ever make it there I will definitely put this on my list of destinations!
Pam says
I loved visiting the Monticello Artisan Trail! There was so much to see. The Starr Hill Brewery had some good beers, too. I liked the Irish Coffee one.
lisa prince says
wow fantastic photos and what an experience to be apart of
Emma white says
Ive never heard of this place before but it looks amazing and a place I would like to visit to, these are my kinda activities
Cascia Talbert says
Your photos are amazing. That looks like a wonderful place to visit and explore. Have a terrific week!
Rhian Westbury says
Sounds like you visited some awesome places although I don’t think I could have gone to the leather place knowing the animals which were used x
Michelle Rogers says
That’s my kind of road trip. I love exploring new places, and especially the interesting independent shops and restaurants in a downtown. I love supporting local artisans and small business!
Jeanette says
I have not been out that way in such a long time! I love all the cute little shops and hole in the wall places out that way! I Miss it.
Angela Tolsma says
that house hanging is awesome. I like the uniqueness of it’s design and what each person brought to it. I would totally visit here!
Jeanine says
Oh wow, those photos are all so gorgeous. I’ve never heard of the artisan trail before. This would be such a fun trip.
Alicia Taylor says
Wow – I’ve never taken a trail trip like that. I think the Barn Swallow would have been my favorite on the stop – or maybe the brewery.
cheryl c. says
Very interesting! We visited Virginia for the first time a couple of years ago, and it is a beautiful state full of history. This artisan trail is something I am going to add to the itinerary for the next trip.
Sarah Bailey says
Oh wow what an absolutely beautiful looking place to visit, I would love to follow the trail myself one day. x
Dia All The Things I Do says
That’s really neat way to do a trip. I love checking out breweries. I don’t know if I could do the alligator leather, my sister told me when I was younger that alligators can crawl up through the toilet… I know that’s super unlikely now…especially where I live but I don’t need to give them a reason to hunt me down lol jk…sorta
christine says
That sounds like such a great trip. Each artisan looks more beautiful/amazing than the last!
MJ. L says
Wow, absolutely beautiful! I would love to come here and check out the artisan gifts!!
Cori says
I wanna go!!! Never heard of this! Definitely a girls trip though. Don’t think my husband would enjoy it that much.
marianne says
I had never heard of this trail before. What a wonderful collection of artisans. I will definitely have to check it out!
Paula Schuck says
That would be such a great way to spend a few days. I think I could walk that all day and never get tired of it.
Sally Akins says
This looks like an amazing place to visit. I love those monkey bread pots!
candy says
Now this is right up my interest and places to visit.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I am adding it to my bucket list! It sounds like a great place to visit.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
What a fine place to look for amazing homemade artisan gifts. I would spend hundreds of dollars there for sure.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Me TOO! I HAVE spent hundreds of dollars at areas like this. I can’t say no to hand crafted art.