The shops of the Busbee Road stretch of the Seagrove pottery area of North Carolina will this year be hosting events in celebration of American Craft Week, held Oct. 7-16. Potters and other craftspeople along Busbee Road will offer special opportunities for the week.

Seven businesses along Busbee Road have planned special events for various days during American Craft Week, and other Busbee Road potters will be open as well.

"American Craft Week is a wonderful opportunity for artists and craftspeople to showcase their place in this national creative industry," says jeweler Jennie Lorette Keatts of JLK Jewelry. "We create items by hand one at a time, supporting ourselves and providing jobs for others. Busbee Road shops offer all sorts of items, all created by hand right here in North Carolina."

On both Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8, Ben Owen Pottery, a third-generation pottery studio making decorative and functional work, will have a special wood kiln opening along with wheel demonstrations by Ben Owen III, along with refreshments. Each day's events will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Chris Luther Pottery will have extended hours on the Friday and Saturday of both weekends. Kiln building can be seen on the Fridays, Oct. 7 and 14, and demos are offered for the public on both Saturdays, Oct. 8 and 15. Wine sampling will also be available from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 7-8 only.

Demos will be given by Westmoore Pottery on Saturday, Oct. 8, showing the making of unusual shapes from past clay traditions - flasks, ring bottles, candlesticks, double-chambered inkwells and more. The demos will draw from the research and hands-on experience of Westmoore's potters since 1977. Westmoore Pottery will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, working blacksmith shop Mill Creek Forge will feature demonstrations by several blacksmiths. Owner and fine blacksmith Jerry Darnell will be working at the forge, as will a couple of his apprentice blacksmiths. Weather permitting, a visiting spinner will be spinning wool outside Mill Creek Forge as well.

On both Oct. 7 and 8, Hickory Hill Pottery will celebrate American Craft Week with a kiln opening featuring utilitarian shapes for cooking and serving in refreshing fall colors. Extended hours will be offered by Hickory Hill Pottery on both those days, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and refreshments will be served.

Jugtown Pottery will celebrate American Craft Week with extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7. Festivities will include pottery for serving and enjoying refreshments.

JLK Jewelry at Jugtown will celebrate American Craft Week with Jugtown Pottery on Oct. 7, featuring handmade sterling silver jewelry set with handmade, multi-fired pottery cabochons. Also available will be some of JLK's handmade bags and copper creations.

Busbee Road is located off N.C. 705, halfway between Seagrove and Robbins. For information, call (910) 464-3700, or visit www.potteryofbusbeeroad.com.