STEARNS — Sooner or later, everything old becomes new again.
For decades Stearns was synonymous with coal. While mining has yet to resume, coal is once again being exported from the coal town.
Kentucky Coal Crafters (KCC) has opened up shop at 71 Bridge Street, producing hand-carved figures.
The new venture was born out of a conversation between Buddy Wilson and Alvin Powell this past spring.
Powell produced similar figurines for MidWest Crafts, which operated in Whitley City from 1975 to 2002, and was looking to return to the crafting industry. Wilson, an entrepreneur with property available, liked the idea and a partnership was born.
“For most of McCreary County’s long mining history, we have been a major coal-producing county,” Wilson stated. “While our business is very small, at least we are exporting some coal from McCreary County…Maybe we can qualify for Coal Severance Tax again,” he added with a laugh.
KCC was able to purchase molds and equipment from the old MidWest Crafts and made the move to Stearns, the heart of local coal country for well over four decades which now centers on heritage-based tourism.
In the early 1990s, there were a number of small Appalachian companies making figurines from coal but KCC owners know of only two similar operations still in business. The market, however, is still there. Powell has contacted a number of old clients and without exception, they have been thrilled and excited to have his expertise and down-home friendliness back to once again supply them with a variety of coal-carved merchandise.
Locally “Sweet Kreations,” inside the Big South Fork Scenic Railway Depot, is the only distributor currently set up to sell KCC figurines but Wilson and Powell hope to expand not only locally but nationally and even worldwide.
Powell can recall his MidWest shipping its products to outlets in over 25 states as well as filling orders for companies in Canada and Japan.
“We did a lot of business with state parks as well as companies in Ohio, Illinois, West Virginia and Tennessee,” Powell told The Record. “I’ve sent pieces as far away as Australia.”
The “coal crafting” process involves a combination of coal, coal dust and a resin binder to hold everything together as the product is molded. Due to the resin in the mixture and the peroxide catalyst added for hardening, figurines come out gray. To create a natural coal appearance, they are power sprayed with a black lacquer. While it may seem odd to have to spray paint coal to get it to look like coal, Powell emphasized that the entire process starts with and has coal as its base.
Powell has worked to perfect the process for 27 years “off and on.” On a good work day, he can cast trim and paint about 40 of the larger pieces and more than 100 of the smaller figures. In terms of variety, Powell can currently produce 135 pieces, some of which include multiple figures.
“We have every thing from Coal Miners, Mountain Madonnas, which are about 11 inches tall, to small Kentucky magnets about 2 inches long...numerous animals, Lincolns, and trains,” Powell stated, counting a donkey cart among KCC’s nicer pieces. “All made from Kentucky Coal.”
“Alvin is great at what he does and can do a reproduction of almost anything,” Wilson stated. “In fact we hope to be able to do custom orders for individuals and companies that would like to like to have their logo’s or objects made from coal.”
A Michigan man once had Powell cast a piece of abstract art for his office and a doctor’s office not too far from Stearns has a 3-foot coal
caduceus, the well-known medical symbol depicting a staff entwined with two serpents, hanging outside his office.
Learn more about Kentucky Coal Crafters and their products at KentuckyCoalCrafters.com or call 376-7535, toll free at 877-245-5493.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Janie Slaven
Art of Darkness
Local man fashions figures out of coal
- Local News
-
- WEB SPECIAL: VFW hosting Memorial Day observance
-
Congratulations Class of 2012!
STEARNS — Just over 200 seniors took part in Saturday’s graduation ceremony at McCreary Central High School.
Both Chelsea Vaughn in her invocation and Class President Jessica Neal paid -
Pine Knot man arrested in hostage situation
WHITLEY CITY — A man distraught over the end of his marriage has landed himself in deeper legal trouble.
William Steve Gibson, 49, of Pine Knot was lodged into the McCreary County -
Scott hospital closing
ONEIDA — The hospital in closest proximity to most McCreary Countians is in the process of shutting down after more than 57 years.
The 25-bed facility in Oneida is owned by Scott County, whose commission had -
Local historian leaves his mark on McCreary
MARSHES SIDING — Last week McCreary County bid farewell to one of its most renowned citizens.
Robert Ernest Stephens, 91, passed away last Tuesday, May 15, at his home -
Schools faced with staffing reductions
STEARNS — The McCreary County Board of Education met last week with the unenviable task of cutting at least $1.1 million from the school district’s upcoming budget.
-
Voter registration up from last year
WHITLEY CITY — Next week voters will go to the polls and select their parties’ nominees for state representative, congressman and President in November’s General Election.
-
Gathering Steam
STEARNS — Those attending the 4th annual K&T Railfan Day on Saturday got a special treat as Steve Lee, project manager for Wasatch Railroad Contractors, led a shop tour featuring the “Old #77.”
-
Then and Now
STEARNS — Wilburn Ross, the only recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor to hail from McCreary County, was in town last week to celebrate his 90th birthday.
-
WEB SPECIAL: Holt case to be featured on 48 Hours Mystery
McCreary native Toby Holt, who was convicted of manslaughter in Florida earlier this year, will be featured on Saturday night’s episode of 48 Hours Mystery on CBS stations.
- More Local News Headlines
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
