Who knew ceiling tiles could be this beautiful!

I met Linda at a Wildflower Art and Craft Show where we were both exhibitors.   Surrounded by her wildflower artwork, it gave her an air of femininity and grace.   A few years later when I opened my current location, I asked if I could represent her work in the Gallery, and she was delighted.   I love that she paints on distressed metal ceiling tiles that serve as frames.   The simple but elegant paintings depict lady’s slippers, jack in the pulpit, trillium, ferns, hydrangea and poppy blossoms…all hard to find in artwork.   They are well suited for displaying in pairs or trios…her work is affordable for those who appreciate original paintings without an exorbitant price tag. I know, I bought one years ago.   A sampling of current offerings are pictured.

                                                    

Interesting Characters...first of series

Interesting Characters…
that’s who Keith is.  Keith is a North Carolina potter and a man who beats to his own drum.  I think he communicates best in glazes…luxurious floating glazes he calls “ocean” and “fire” that remind me of far away times and places like Krakatoa, Vesuvius, or Sumatra.  If I’m buying a teapot, a mug, a vase…I want to hear a story about the pot.  With Keith’s work,  it speaks for itself.  Teamugs, coffee mugs, teapots, teabag holders, coasters, mini vases, vases, lotion bottles, & bath cups.

It's raining Nests

If there is one thing I have a fascination with…it’s nests. As I was anticipating opening the Gallery, I even toyed with the idea of naming it “An Artisan Nest”. But “Nest” doesn’t have a great deal to do with my own jewelry work so I’ve stored away the idea for now. It was quite a serendipitous day when knitter extraordinaire Vicki walked in and left her card saying that she had chosen my little Gallery as the simpatico place to share her nests in a retail setting. Glee is a good word to describe my reaction to the photos of her work. Knitted with at least 50 types of yarn, they also sport bits of ribbon, paper, plastic shred, beads, and other exotic finds to “feather” her nests. My oh my they bring joy to the heart.   Like a mother bird to her precious nests...she found the Gallery that will tend to them well.  There is a generosity in her heart that is more about sharing her creativity than selling so Vicki prices her work so that people who are drawn to them will be able to afford this truly unique and completely handcrafted work of art.  The Gallery price is $44 and shipping is $8.50 for a total of $52.50 should you want to order one of the "Sissies".  Every nest is unique, she doesn’t make a lot of them, so first come first served.

A Happy Storefront

For five years I had a large shop called Recollections...a two story 1905 historic house built by Biltmore Estate junior architect Richard Sharp Smith. It was located near the Biltmore Estate. Those five years were a blur of continuous work and stress that left me with almost no time to do creative work. It was an unhappy time for me though financially it was successful. I was very glad to sell the business to return to jewelry design work. After three years I decided to try another attempt at a store and wanted a small vacant space in Black Mountain that I had been visualizing for a long time. I opened in May of 2009 and it is exactly what I want in a Gallery. While a larger space would be financially advantageous in order to carry more selection, I am currently happy in my little space and place. As a friend recently told me, “It is so you”.

Perfectly Beautiful, Perfectly Handmade

One of the joys of having my own gallery is finding and being surrounded by art and particularly craftwork that I find simply wonderful.  Barbara Chadwick is one of those creative people who find a way to blend whimsy, beauty, and charm into one of a kind porcelain birdhouses.  If I had had one of these as a child, I would have created a whole imaginary life inside.   As an adult, they just make me happy to be around.  If you are in the Black Mountain area, come visit and see what selections I have to offer.