Granny Donaldson’s great great great granddaughter recently took her first Folk School class! Enjoy our story about generations connecting!

Jessica Penland

Jessica Penland & Angela Wynn at a Carving night

Kate Clayton Donaldson is recognized among many folks for her “cow blankets,” a design she created by adding crocheted and dyed farm animals to an old baby blanket. The story goes that Kate, better known as “Granny Donaldson,” was a member of the Folk School staff and worked in the kitchen when she first crafted her hallmark design. With encouragement from those around her, she finished more pieces and eventually caught the attention of Allen Eaton. Eaton, a co-founder of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, found similarity between Granny’s work and blankets he saw draped over cows in Italian parades. Granny claimed no connection to the overseas motif, but the name stuck and cow blankets were born.

For Hayden Hensley, Granny Donaldson was just Granny. Hensley was one of the first residential students at the Folk School and he credited her with encouraging him to give the school a try. In the late 1920s he did just that and quickly picked up the craft of woodcarving and the eye of another carver (and his future wife), Bonnie. The Hensleys became prolific artists in the Brasstown Carvers tradition, raising their four children in the home they lovingly called “the house that carving built.”

For Jessica Penland, Hayden was just Papaw and Bonnie was just Ninny. They were her great-grandparents and by the time Jessica was born, their days of carving for a living were behind them, though they continued the tradition into their later years. Growing up in the rich heritage of making from generations before, including her grandmother – Hayden and Bonnie’s daughter, Rebecca – was Jessica’s natural environment. “I spent a lot of time with my grandmother,” Jessica says, “and I carry a lot of her with me.” She also carried her to campus this year when she took her first Folk School class since her Little Middle days and spent a week exploring her great-great-great-grandmother’s beloved design.

Inspired by Granny Donaldson was held during Roots of the Folk School week, from March 3-9, 2024. Instructor Cassie Dickson and Assistant Instructor Marion Severy led 10 students through the process of arranging and appliquéing wool felt figures, animals, and more in Granny’s style. “The week was great,” Jessica says. “I enjoyed getting to go back to where my family worked, where my great-grandfather did his craft.” She learned to crochet in 24 hours and made two crocheted mushroom tops that she used for her own cow blanket inspiration. Mushrooms were one of her Papaw’s famous designs.

“My grandmother came to class one day and brought some of Granny’s blankets for everyone to see. She brought her glasses and crochet hooks, too. The other students were so excited to handle those pieces.”

Jessica also spent time with some of the Brasstown Carvers during their regular Thursday night session, held in the Keith House and open to the community. “I got to take some of Papaw’s things – books and carvings and photos – and I got to sit down and carve with Richard Carter. It was a special experience.”

Jessica hopes to return to the Folk School soon. “I would definitely suggest it to anyone else, especially local folks. I drive by it regularly, but it’s magical to be there. It’s amazing to see how far it goes back and how it continues today.”

She’s also introducing her son to the world of craft. He’s spent three sessions with another Brasstown Carver, Helen Gibson – two at Olive’s Porch in downtown Murphy and one a bit further down the road in Andrews. “She was so patient, and he really enjoyed it. His first time carving was on a block of soap!”

While the heritage of generations before her inspired Jessica to try her hand at her own cow blanket, the possibility of what else she might learn will bring her back. “I absolutely want to do a carving class. And maybe basketry or stained glass.” The people she learned alongside also played an important role in her Folk School experience, one that speaks for so many stories heard around campus each week.

Jessica Penland & Angela Wynn at a Carving night

Jessica Penland in class

Granny Donaldson and one of her famous “cow” blankets