On the eve of its 50th Anniversary, the 49th Mountain Makins Festival still packs quite a punch.

With plenty of crafters, music and food to go around, there was something for everybody at this year’s event Saturday and Sunday at Rose Center for the Arts.

John Mauro of John Mauro Glass in Sevier County, took time to discuss his love of glassmaking.

“We supply a lot of retailers around East Tennessee with pieces,” Mauro said. “A lot of people have an idea of how something is made. A lot of times, you’re very wronged by that. (Until) you see someone making glass live, one has no idea what goes into it. When you see a piece for $35, one says, ‘That’s kind of a lot of money.’ Then you see why the piece is priced that way, by the love, effort and the material that goes into it.

“As long as y

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