Dahlonega's 2014 Bear on the Square Festival...a big success!

Many locals will tell you, Dahlonega's Bear on the Square festival is one of their favorite festivals of the year.  Held this past April 26th and 27th, here are a few of our favorite memories from the 2 day event.  The weather was perfect, the music was wonderful!

Kranberry Kathy, kissing the bear (above) followed by some of our favorite bear themed products ordered especially for the weekend's festivities.  Bear glycerin soap...

Long burning soy candles that smell DELICIOUS! 

Dahlonega t-shirts for little ones and adults too... 

Bear on the Square cd's from 2012... 

And a few pictures of the Dixie Ramblers and local boys Bluebilly Grit performing on Saturday!

Folk Artist Billy Roper...

We recently spotted this painting while scrolling through facebook, and just had to share it.   A beautiful, bright angel painted by our friend North Georgia Artist Billy Roper.  From the biography on his website - 

"In describing himself, Appalachian folk artist Billy Roper says, 'I was born blessedly poor. We lived back in the hills where life was 50 years behind times. We didn't have much growing up, but what we had was more –– an honest, hardworking family.'

It's those years of weathering hardships throughout his life that have made him the artist he is today and that is reflected in his work. Art has always been a part of his life with his skills ranging from painting and drawing to sculpting marble and carving wood. Roper recalls, "There isn't a time I can remember when I didn't want to mark on something. I was the worst write-on-the-walls young'un that ever lived."

His work has emotional depth and speaks to people about the simple things in life –– the things that matter the most. The native of north Georgia is most known for his expressive style of painting that combines colorful imagery on the front with handwriting on the back to tell a story or depict an emotion. 

Billy Roper is simply Billy. He remembers his Appalachian roots, his Cherokee ancestors and their culture. Of them he says, "I was taught who I was and where I came from for countless generations. That does not make me better than or worse than, but it does make me – me."

Music has always been a strong part of Billy's life and that passion is shown in the nine months he spent painting a bass fiddle that was raffled off in April 2011 at the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival in Dahlonega, Ga. The project raised money to benefit the Georgia Pick & Bow Music School, an instructional music program that helps to ensure that Appalachian music is passed down to the next generation. 

His work can be found in art collections throughout the United States and more than 30 countries. He was North Georgia College & State University's first artist-in-residence in 2007 and the book, "Billy Roper: Visual Storyteller," was the first work published by the University Press of North Georgia."

Gift suggestions for Spring...

Looking for a seasonal gift?  We can't think of a more perfect gift for Mother's Day and graduation than Kelly Rae Roberts jewelry- handcrafted inspirational necklaces and earrings that will make any special lady in your life smile!  We discovered Kelly Rae at this past Spring's Bear on the Square Festival and have truly enjoyed working with another great handmade artisan.  We've got a great selection of gifts from local artists - stop by Cranberry Corners the next time you're in Dahlonega and pick up your Spring gift.  Don't forget, we giftwrap!   

Want to order a piece of jewelry over the phone or by email?  Call (706) 864-6577 or click here to send Kranberry Kathy an email. 

Now available online!

T-shirts proudly sporting a screen printed design drawn by Dahlonega, Georgia resident John Dahlstrom!  Available in sizes small - XXL.  Just click here to purchase. 

 

Kranberry Kathy, modeling the new design!

Also available?  The book Mountains and Waterfalls of North Georgia by another Dahlonega resident, Jack Anthony.  This coffee table book can be gift wrapped, too!  Just check that option while making your purchase.  

It's time for the Bear on the Square Festival!

Starting tonight, the bears take over the square for the 2013 Bear on the Square Festival!  A Country Auction on Friday night kicks things off - then the weekend carries on with copious amounts live bluegrass music and an arts and craft marketplace. This is truly one of the top festivals in North Georgia, and certainly one of Dahlonega's finest!  

Click here to visit the official Bear on the Square website - that's where you'll find the full list of the weekend's activities.  

If you're on the Square, stop by Cranberry Corners and say hello!  We'll be there all weekend - opening a bit early and staying a tad late! 

It's the Bear on the Square Festival!

It's time for the 2012 Bear on the Square Festival!  This April 21st and 22nd, welcome to the Dahlonega, Georgia town square bushels of bluegrass musicians and hand-crafted vendors.  Why Bear on the Square?  True story - when they cleared the land for our local Wal-Mart, a bear family was displaced.  one of the bears made it all the way to the town square and CLIMBED A TREE!  The forest service had to be called in to tranquilize the bear (don't worry, it was released unharmed back into the wild!).  Sensing an excuse to throw a party, the locals started our annual festival to commemorate the little bear's journey to literally - the top of the square!

Cranberry Corners will be open all weekend, so stop by and pick up a Mother's Day Gift and maybe a little gossip, too!