The chips are flying at the studio of Buck Island Bay Decoys with the role out of yet again another addition to the craft of Preserving Tradition. Besides the art of hand made waterfowl decoys and shorebirds the studio rolled out Mountain Man Basketry this past year turning out traditional Appalachian White Oak Baskets. Now artisan Richard Christy is venturing into the preservation of yet another dying art. Creations of Hand Hewn Dough Bowls and Woodenware. Currently being crafted in the studio are the Limited Edition Bateau Bowl Collection. These bowls are hand hewn and carved from native hardwoods harvested from the property where Christy resides.

Bateau’s are shallow narrow skiffs used primarily in the Bayou for transporting merchandise. Usually being maneuvered by poling the shallow bodies of water. The Bateau Bowl Collection takes on the lines and shape of these unique canoes. Each bowl are one of a kind in different sizes and lengths, no two alike. Most bowls are chipped carved on the exterior while others are smooth and each have a food grade sealer on the interior surfaces safe for food. In addition to bowls the studio is producing hand carved chop stixs, coffee measures and kitchen utensils.

UPDATE:  The studio will be participating in the upcoming Arts for Gifts being held November 15, 2014 thru December 31, 2014 at the Staunton Augusta Art Center 20 S. New Street, Staunton, VA. The art gallery will be transformed into an artisan retail gallery for shopping during the Holiday Season.

Sixty Five juried artisans were selected to participate in this years event by jury selection. It will be the place to shop for those unique gifts, so plan on attending.

So with the expansion into other mediums with the addition of Dough Boy, hand hewn bowls-n-such and Mountain Man Basketry, “its a basket case”. Buck Island Bay Decoys combined will become Buck Island Bay Mercantile at the studio level but will retain their original names in singular applications. If interested in visiting the studio you may contact the reservation office of Rock-n-Creek Cabin at 540-377-9383 or the studio at 540-377-9382. Drop us a line at contact@rockncreekcabin.com or buckislanddecoys@aol.com .