Shopping in Hendersonville

At Country Bear Factory, youngsters bring plush bears to life in a process both imaginative and official enough to merit a birth certificate. Each certificate commemorates the day visitors brought their stuffed buddies—who can tower up to 16 inches tall—into the world, complete with customized outfits. The factory celebrates not only the birth of each bear, but human youngsters’ birthdays, with hostess-led celebrations where littl'uns caper about with balloon animals and prepare for the witness-protection program with face painters.

Combining experience in lampworking, glass blowing, and jewelry design, the three resident artists of Asheville Glass Center lead workshops and classes to share their passion for manipulating molten glass. The two- to three-hour intro courses teach neophytes to craft borosilicate marbles and soft glass beads, and more in-depth classes result in intricate implosion flowers and sand-cast solid forms. The center also offers open studio time for more experienced artists who wish to work alone, like the winningest three-legged racers.