Sources |
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 29 Nov 2000.
Ellis Clyde Proffitt obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 18 Jul 2005.
Sisters take over family woodturning shop
By: CANDICE GRIMM, Staff Writer July 18, 2005
Photo by Philip Nagy
Janis and Jackie Proffitt arrange a wooden dogwood flower bouquet in a vase made in their workshop, with a bowl of wooden fruit in the foreground that they said is a common piece in this area.
From the time they were children, Janis and Jacki Proffitt worked in their father's woodturning shop.
"This property has been in our family for over 100 years, and our father, Ellis Proffitt, built this shop in the late 1970s," said Janis.
"Our father made and sold the same traditional turnings we make. These items have been made in this area for years, probably since the 1930s," she continued.
The wooden fruit, turned bowls, candle holders and vases are common to this area, but the sisters have also come up with some creative designs of their own, including plates with diagonal lines radiating from the center, sun faces, and oil lamps.
"We work with nice wood and use a nice finish - the grain of the wood speaks for itself," said Jacki, adding that they try to stick with making the traditional woodturnings of the area, especially the wooden fruit, of which she said, "If anyone tells you they like making grapes, they're lying."
Although the women used to work "real jobs" and helped their father on Saturdays, Jacki said that changed 12 years ago. "Dad was thinking about retiring, so Janis and I talked about trying it ourselves and decided if it didn't work, at least we had tried," she said.
The women now make their living off the eight to 10 craft shows they do each year, plus running their shop, Proffitts Woodworks, at 3615 Lindsey Mill Road, off Highway 321 in Pittman Center.
Besides the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists show in Nashville, the Proffitts say the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair shows in July and October are their best.
"We've been in the Craftsmen's Fair 10 years - we feel like family," said Janis. "The operators are great, they really promote it, and we have repeat customers who come and look for us. It's a show we look forward to."
In addition to catching up with old friends at the show, Janis said they enjoy the show because they are always reminded of how fortunate they are to be here. "We take being here for granted until we see crafters from other states who say this is one of the nicest shows there is."
Jacki agreed with her sister, and said, "It's a good feeling."
* cgrimm@themountainpress.com
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