Gone to Pot in the Smokies

The Smoky Mountains are famous for marauding bears and clay pots. Unfortunately, the bears are protected and not available to take home as souvenirs. That leaves the handmade pottery of Robert Alwine. Alwine Pottery has been on the map since 1983 and every piece is still formed, decorated, glazed and fired right in his studio. Alwine claims he fell in love with clay the first time he touched it some 36 years ago — I can certainly appreciate falling in love with something the first time I touch it, too.