Ed Sharpe discusses Medicine Man Crafts and Cherokee Craftsmanship.

Ed Sharpe, Owner, and Operator of Medicine Man Crafts in Cherokee N.C.The business, founded by Tom Underwood in 1963, and later sold to Kay Sharpe—Ed’s late mother – is one of the oldest and most prestigious purveyors of authentic Cherokee crafts on the Qualla Boundary. Ed is also an avid hiker and nature photographer –is proud to carry on the great legacy of true Cherokee culture created by Tom Underwood and Kay Sharpe.

You will hear from him about the history of Cherokee crafts and how the tradition has been passed down to him. Don't miss this fun interview! 

Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1

Joseph starts talking about the Meadowlark Motel which is also a sponsor for the show as well as upcoming events. Some upcoming events include a mountain heritage book series happening in Maggie Valley at the motel. He also mentions a fly fishing camp weekend to bring like-minded people together through fishing, songs, campfire and more. Joseph also talks about the Cherokee’s origin story for the Smoky Mountains. He introduces his guest, Ed Sharpe, Owner and Operator of Medicine Man Crafts in Cherokee N.C. The business, founded by Tom Underwood in 1963, and later sold to Kay Sharpe, Ed’s late mother, is one of the oldest and most prestigious purveyors of authentic Cherokee crafts on the Qualla Boundary. Ed is also an avid hiker and nature photographer. Ed talks about his family’s story of how they ended up in Cherokee, North Carolina. He also discusses with Joseph about Medicine Man Crafts and what he knows about Tom Underwood who was the founder.

SEGMENT 2

Ed speaks more about growing up and being around Tom Underwood who was “a part of the family” and an influence on him and his mother. He recalls certain pieces of art growing up as well as playing at the Oconaluftee River. Ed talks about Medicine Man Crafts and their relationship with crafters who have known the store for years. Joseph asks Ed about him leaving for college and getting into a musical career in Asheville. He studied music composition and was also a voice major. Ed found a passion in sound engineering and was in the country music scene where he worked with a lot of people. He also moved into live sound. With his success in his sound engineering career, he decided to make a change as the pandemic came along. His mother was retiring and asked if he would like to take over Medicine Man Crafts, which of course he did. His mother passed away in 2020. Joseph and Ed share a lot in common like growing up in a business and mourning the loss of their mothers around the same time. Ed also talks about the history of the location where the store lives.

SEGMENT 3

Ed talks with Joseph about selling books about herbs and the history of Cherokee and the language. Tom, he says, wrote books about crafting and more. His father and Tom had a business called Cherokee Publications. Things like medicinal herbs are something that Ed has been working on expanding more in the store; he mentions teas, soaps, as well as ceremonial traditions as things people can find in the store. When talking about craft, he sells handcrafted items like wood, pottery, baskets, and stone carvings as well as weaponry items. Ed also mentions crafts from great artists that he carries in the store spanning from generations. Ed and Joseph discuss pottery and stonework. They talk about the culture and traditions revolving around things like wedding pottery, baskets, and Cherokee masks.

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TRANSCRIPT

00:00:33 .420 –> 00:00:36 .270 Joseph McElroy: Welcome to the gateway to the smokies podcast.

00:00:36 .930 –> 00:00:51 .960 Joseph McElroy: This podcast is about America’s most visited National Park, the great smoky mountain National Park in the surrounding towns, this area is filled with ancient natural beauty a deep storied history in which mountain cultures that we explore weekly.

00:00:53 .460 –> 00:01:03 .660 Joseph McElroy: I’m Joseph Franklyn McElroy, a man of the world but also with deep roots in these mountains my family is living in great smokies for over 200 years my business is in travel, but my heart is in culture.

00:01:04 .500 –> 00:01:13 .620 Joseph McElroy: Today we’re going to talk about traditional Cherokee crafts and iconic craft stores, but first I got a few little sponsor message events and things coming up.

00:01:14 .430 –> 00:01:23 .610 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place evocative of motor courts of the past, modern and vibrant with a Chic Appalachian feel, a place for adventure for relaxation.

00:01:24 .180 –> 00:01:32 .820 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place where you can fish in a mountain heritage trout stream grill the catch on fire and eat accompanied by fine wines or craft beer.

00:01:33 .600 –> 00:01:45 .510 Joseph McElroy: Imagine a place and old-time music world cultural sound, there is no other place like the Meadowlark Motel, in Maggie Valley, North Carolina your smoky mountain adventure starts with where you stay.

00:01:48 .030 –> 00:01:59 .970 Joseph McElroy: The smoky mountains and surrounding areas of vacation destination for all seasons some of the nation’s best hiking trails waterfalls outdoor adventures and family entertainment can be found, right here.

00:02:00 .750 –> 00:02:12 .690 Joseph McElroy: start your adventure by using the smokies adventure.com that’s smokies plural adventure singular .com to explore all the wonderful features of the great smoky mountain National Park.

00:02:13 .170 –> 00:02:25 .920 Joseph McElroy: trails, waterfalls, cades code, and more than check out all the awesome family attractions and entertainment during the time your entire family can enjoy if you want you to do things like weddings in the mountain

00:02:26 .940 –> 00:02:37 .740 Joseph McElroy: To go on a honeymoon and other romantic adventures, the goal of smokies adventures is to become the leading information for portal for adventures and experiences and the great smoky mountains.

00:02:38 .940 –> 00:02:40 .410 Joseph McElroy: So upcoming events.

00:02:42 .270 –> 00:02:50 .820 Joseph McElroy: Meadowlark Smoky Mountain heritage Center has a heritage book series.

00:02:51 .450 –> 00:03:00 .630 Joseph McElroy: or your presentation heritage books about the smokies upcoming one is a presentation of the legendary hunters of the southern highlands.

00:03:00 .990 –> 00:03:13 .200 Joseph McElroy: A century of sport and survival, the great smoky mountains from the heyday of the Cherokee nation on through the 20th century, the great smoky mountains of nurtured seller this most celebrated hunters in American history.

00:03:13 .890 –> 00:03:24 .390 Joseph McElroy: predicting changes in weather and almost telepathically sensing animal Haber these outdoor doors been released in an extremely with the plan that sustainable.

00:03:25 .410 –> 00:03:33 .750 Joseph McElroy: Local author and general manager of the Meadowlark smoky mountain heritage Center but I love to read will lovely recall the tales.

00:03:34 .080 –> 00:03:45 .000 Joseph McElroy: write with characters like artist John the bear is having a killing only enough livestock to eat and one sitting granted him a reputation at once chivalrous and menisci.

00:03:45 .510 –> 00:03:55 .170 Joseph McElroy: And little George Plott the legendary marksman during World War Two and a hero that lingers among the region’s hardwood floors and misty fulfills.

00:03:55 .800 –> 00:04:05 .490 Joseph McElroy: the rediscovered era of self-sufficient mountain living with folks labored in logging camps Bruton chided how did for survival and fraught with that, for what they believe.

00:04:06 .450 –> 00:04:18 .630 Joseph McElroy: it’s on April 9 Saturday, April 9, 4 PM and it’s followed by a book signing by Bob Plott and a Barbecue and music acoustic music at the Meadowlark Motel.

00:04:19 .410 –> 00:04:30 .780 Joseph McElroy: guest in Heritage Club Members are getting free and others can come for 10 just $10 a person again that’s April 9th at 4 pm at the Meadowlark Motel upcoming in April, also as a fly fishing camp

00:04:32 .130 –> 00:04:47 .130 Joseph McElroy: the Meadowlark motels are offering a fly fishing camp weekend on April 15 through the 17th and the smoky mountains, our goal is to bring like-minded people together to fly fishing food, drink songs and stories and a campfire.

00:04:48 .330 –> 00:04:57 .330 Joseph McElroy: Led by Charles Humphrey the third, who was previously on this podcast and is not only a grammy award-winning songwriter who might.

00:04:58 .080 –> 00:05:07 .470 Joseph McElroy: might be persuaded to break into a few songs around the campfire but he’s also an accomplished expert fly fishing guide and he has a compadre.

00:05:08 .250 –> 00:05:19 .770 Joseph McElroy: A few compadres are also great fly fishing experts so there’ll be a Friday night fishing tales presentation, and there will be some food