The D. Ellison Basket Shop has taken up residence at Valley Road Woodcarvers! Stop in and see D. Ellison himself demonstrating the art of creating white oak baskets, from tree to final product.
In addition to intricately carved wooden gifts, unique home décor, one-of-a-kind fireplace mantels, welcoming doors and carving related merchandise, the upper floor of Valley Road Woodcarvers & Baskets now also features white oak berry, cracker and pie baskets. The full line includes selections from local Ozark basket craftsmen such as Walter Rhoads, Joseph Dewitt and Denny Wolf, as well as baskets from such makers as Greenbriar, Basketville and Brown County Baskets.
Our Master Woodcarvers are located in the lower level in our Silver Dollar City Production Shop. This level is devoted to an impressive selection of "how to" books on woodcarving complemented by a complete selection of supplies, from carving tools to blanks. Stop by and join visiting carvers as they demonstrate their craft, telling stories while they carve small "give away" animals and flowers, making this shop a favorite of kids and adults alike.
In celebration of Silver Dollar City's 50th birthday, a limited edition chip carved wooden box will be available during the 2010 season, with a special 50th coin inlayed in each commemorative piece.
The Story of Valley Road Woodcarvers & Baskets
When Ozark tomato farmers weren't in their fields, they could be found fishing for their supper in the afternoons, and gathered on a neighbor's porch in the cool of the evening "whittling" out toys for the kids and kitchen utensils for the wives. One day the oldest farmer on the ridge went to the creek and cut a young white oak sapling to use as a cane pole. He was hoping to catch a whopper, and when the tug came at the end of his line he almost fell in! He gave a mighty heave and a 50-pound catfish came flying out of the creek. In honor of his huge catch, the farmer decided to make something he could keep forever out of that special white oak sapling cane pole, a creel basket for his fishing adventures. He stripped the sapling into thin strands and began to weave the most beautiful basket you've ever seen. His wife saw the basket and couldn't believe her eyes! She started putting in her requests for bread baskets, sewing baskets, a picnic basket, a pie keeper and more. The next time the old farmer gathered with his friends to "whittle", he had a giant of a fish story to tell! Not to be outdone, they decided that if he could make baskets they could spiffy up their carvings. Eventually the carvings became more elaborate, and the men carved doors for their homes, and mantels to go over their fireplaces. There were so many baskets and carvings, the wives opened up shop! If you stop in at the Woodcarver & Basket shop today, you will still see them working, and will likely catch a fish story or two.
Seminars
The Woodcarving Shop hosts the Silver Dollar City Annual Woodcarving Seminar each spring. This is one of the largest woodcarving seminars in the U.S. with hundreds of guests and students. For more information, visit Woodcarving Seminar!
Pam Gresham, Master Chip Carver
Donnie Ellison, Master Basket Maker