I too loved the hillbilly figurines from the old days. I could never afford them back then ( not sure I could today either!) but I did take a couple of photos, so I can at least remember them. Last weekend when we were there, I bought a little carved figurine in the new Woodcrafter shop. It's about 6 inches high and is a "Ozark Baldknobber" It's done in the style of the old hillbilly figurines and was very reasonable. It's probably as close as I'll get to one of those.
Over the years, I've bought a bread board (I assume it was from the Woodcarvers, I've had it for ages), one of the axes and a log carvings (which I saw was still in the shop last weekend) and a carved Santa face ornament from several years back.
I always liked the carved mantel's but never really considered one for our home. But when I see the one in the Culinary and Craft School, I want one! Matter of fact, anything I see in that school I want. I think it was a good thing for them to build that school and decorate it with items crafted in the city. I never really wanted pottery other than my doily pie plate I have, but after I was in that building, I had to get myself a vase from the Pottery Shop and put an arrangement in it. I also never really cared for the blown glass, now I love it and while I haven't found what I want to buy yet, I spent quite a bit of time watching them demonstrate last weekend and have a whole new appreciation for blown glass, and can't wait to add a piece to my home.
Lori