Hughes masters dual arts of leathercraft and beekeeping

Leathercrafter and beekeeper Jason Hughes has been a contributor and supporter of the Johnson County Center for the Arts from its start. He was one of the early volunteers that helped remodel the first Art Center building on College Street. "I have always had an appreciation for Appalachian Fine Craft and Art," Hughes said, "so I kept up with the goings on since the beginning. From the moment I moved to Johnson County, I wanted to see a place like the Center for the Arts so when I heard about it I jumped right into helping it happen." For the past eight years Jason Hughes has fine tuned his leathercraft; creating beautifully made pieces from musical instrument straps, tags, and bags to framed Celtic knot-work crosses. Hughes was introduced to leathercraft as a Boy Scout at Camp Davy Crockett in Whitesburg, TN. "I picked it back up again as an adult during a time when I was home recovering from a surgery," Hughes said. "I've been doing it off and on ever since as a hobby." "I am most inspired by Celtic knot-work, especially by what you see in the high crosses in Ireland and Scotland. I just love to do the detailed carving and stamping of the Celtic crosses. It really brings me great joy to see the crosses from where I trace my ancestry." Hughes added, "I would like to build more leather bags such as tote bags, messenger bags, and cross body bags." Jason also enjoys carving images from nature such as oak leaves, acorns, and sunflowers. He hopes to have the sunflowers ready in time for the Mountain City Sunflower Festival in July. Fresh local honey The Johnson County Center for the Arts 'Gallery on Main is happy to offer raw local honey and Jason has long been its main supplier of honey and beeswax candles. Asked how he got interested in beekeeping Jason said, "Since I was a teenager, I've always had a desire to grow food. For many years, I gardened and grew plants to attract beneficial insects and pollinators. I've also raised chickens, hogs, cattle, sheep, and goats. While studying agriculture and natural resources at Berea College, I was introduced to beekeeping and processing honey. I eventually got away from livestock and gardening, but still had that desire to grow food and plants that attract/feed/provide habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects. In 2014, I took a University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture class on beekeeping by Dr. John Skinner. I got my first bee colonies in 2015. I am now beginning year 12 of beekeeping." Hughes has offered his honey in many container types and sizes for customers convenience and his beeswax candles make wonderful gifts. Hughes just introduced a new line of beeswax products called beeswax lotion bars. "They are a solid lotion bar that you can carry with you in your bag or pocketbook. You can even carry them on an airplane," Hughes said. "I am so excited to be experimenting with various colors and fragrances." Some of the initial scented bars will be Ginger Orange, Spring Lilac, Leather & Tobacco, Honeysuckle, Oatmeal, Milk & Honey, Oakmoss & Sandalwood, Celtic Moonstone, Maraschino Cherry, Vanilla & Lavender, White Tea & Ginger, and Black Raspberry Vanilla. "I plan to narrow the fragrance options down to seven later in the year after I figure out the bestsellers," said Hughes. "For those who don't want the fragrances and colors, I have a bar called Simply Pure which includes only the purest natural ingredients for sensitive skin." You can see more of Jason's leathercraft, honey, and beeswax products at the Johnson County Center for the Arts Gallery on Main, 129 W. Main Street, Mountain City. He is also part of the Center for the Arts February Featured Artists show, 12 for 12, in which he created wonderful images of snowflakes on leather disks.