ASHEVILLE, NC - OR IS IT ARTISTVILLE, NC??

Most folks have heard of Asheville, NC as the home of the famous Biltmore Estate and because of its location along the historic Blue Ridge Parkway.  But it's also known for the many excellent independent restaurants and the ever growing artist community.

Apparently the folks at the Boston Globe recognize our amazing city too.  I'm flattered and proud to have my work represented at two of the places mentioned in their article .

For nearly two years my work has been found at Woolworth Walk - stroll the steps to # 235.   The restored interior of the 1938 F.W. Woolworth building now showcases the work of almost 200 local artists on two floors, and includes a 1950s-style soda fountain serving club sandwiches and ice cream sodas.

Another gem of early 20th-century architecture is the Grove Arcade, a gorgeous, glass-topped indoor marketplace that spans an entire city block.  My felted wall art is carried at Mountain Made Gallery.

Okay....this is a bit of an advertisement but how else is a gal to sell work?  Oh....of course....you can also visit my online shop. 

ASHEVILLE MODERN QUILT GUILD

Our PTA Fiber group held their August meeting with a trek to downtown Asheville to view an exhibit, enjoy lunch, and some gallery strolling.

The Asheville Modern Quilt Guild has an exhibit hanging at HandMade in America through Aug. 19, 2014.  It was such a pleasure to view their work.  I hope you'll enjoy them too.

 Don't Fall Behind by Miriam Coffey

 For Gary by Allison Simpkins

 Step one Step Away by Emily Coffey

 Detail

 Insta-Ville by Amy Anderson

 This piece was made by Connie Brown, who also belongs to our fiber group.  It's one of my favorites of hers...and it's so personal because Connie is a bee keeper.

 Detail - talk about clever.....she achieved the honey comb designs by 'stenciling' with a show tread.

Summer Spinners by Erica Kilgo

PISGAH INN QUILT DISPLAY 2012

Every tourist season (April - Oct.) our fiber art group (PTA) is fortunate to hang quilts at the famous Pisgah Inn which is located at the 5,000 foot peak on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We've had wonderful success matching our quilts with new owners and hope this year to have more of the same.

If you get up that way....be sure to stop at their restaurant for the good food, great view and to see our quilts....(mine is the yellow and black on 2nd on the left in the first photo)

A GOOD CHUCKLE

Here's your good laugh for the day......a friend received these as a birthday gift.

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS CRAFT FAIR - PART 2

Besides all the art available for purchase (or drooling over) when visiting any of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild Fairs.....you'll enjoy learning how many of these items are made.

For instance.....how a simple plant such as flax is turned into a material we know as linen.

....and this is not a simple or fast process.....but it all begins with this humble, yet sturdy plant.

........Which is broken down using what can look like tools of torture!

.....and ultimately woven into stunning coverlets.....

.....and of course we are in the mountains so toe tappin' Blue Grass entertainment is a given!

The Fair concludes this afternoon but watch for announcements about their Oct. 2011 Fair, held at Asheville's Civic Center.

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS CRAFT FAIR

Twice a year (July and Oct.) the Southern Highland Craft Guild holds a fair at the Asheville Civic Center. Approximately 200 of their 900 members exhibit their art for sale. The fair will continue Sun. this weekend. Visit here for more info.

You can see everything from stunning pottery.....lots and lots of beautiful pottery...and I'm a sucker for pottery!

.....and stained glass. These window corners, by Magriuder Glass are such a clever idea......

Wood carvers and turned wood objects were everywhere....each artist had their own style....it was fascinating to see all these different techniques and visions a simple piece of wood generates.

I LOVED everything in this booth by potter Kyle Carpenter. Seriously, if my pocket book would have allowed......several of his pieces would have come home with me.

Jewelry booths seemed to be in the majority, most featured metal work. There wasn't very much beadwork, in fact I only saw one booth that seemed to feature that craft. Here's an example.

And another....these vessels appeared to be created with wire....using large seed beads (size 6 I'd guess). Though the photo doesn't show it.....what made them interesting is the almost fabric like draping that was somehow incorporated into the beadwork.

Several booths did a wonderful job of not only displaying their art for sale, but educating customers as well. Jim McPhail - 'small world' was amazing. On the left you see a stack of thin layers of various color/types of wood. 2nd from left photo they have been glued together and a circular form has been marked on the top layer. Next that unit has been rough cut and finally you can see the finished tiny bowl (appx. 3" diameter). These pieces sell for about $180.....and after seeing the process, I'm not surprised.

This Lacewood table literally took my breath away....made from Wenge, Australian Sily Oak. My photo makes it appear a bit flasher then it really was.....honestly it was stunning.

Detail

I got a kick out of these chairs......the artist incorporated all sorts of unusual (yet often natural) materials into them...such as moose & deer antlers.

Treat yourself to some serious eye candy this weekend if you are near Asheville...and of course visit the many fiber booths where many of my fiber friends that you read about on my blog have their work on display.....

MORE AT THE MINT

Here's a sampling of a few of the other exhibits on display at The Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC.

If you can't read the signage.....try clicking on the photo and it should open into a larger format..... Again, I apologize for the poor quality photos.....my camera wasn't able to capture the images very well in the dim light.

Enjoy....

UPCOMING EXHIBITS

It was a lovely day for an outing yesterday......which fit in with my need to drive to South Carolina to drop off quilts for Fiber Fantasy 2010....

This is the home of the Blue Ridge Arts Council, 111 E. South 2nd St. Seneca, SC, where the show will be held Sept. 17 - Nov. 4. Hours are 1-5 pm - Tues.-Fri.

My friend Judy Simmons has a nice blurb on her blog about this event and several others in the area. Patsy Thompson will also have pieces in the Fiber Fantasy show....as will I. One of my three pieces is shown below.....

Heart To Heart - by Mary Stori 42" x 36"

This original design features hand appliqued hearts enhanced with hand embroidery, hand quilting and beadwork which frames the quilt. The cotton fabrics are hand dyed. This piece is for sale at the exhibit.

CRAFT FAIR FIND

We attended a craft show over the weekend......one we've been to before at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. Sadly, I think the economy has had an impact.....there were noticeably less vendors with noticeably less merchandise. The good news.....it's a juried show so the quality was definitely there....meaning.....temptations!

Ole World Creations of Mt. Airy, GA has the most wonderful primitives......the artist Betty Spivey was familiar to me because I've purchased several of her wonderful Santa's for a friend who collects them.

This time a wood fireplace screen came home with me......I'm so tickled with it....

Included in the price were two folk art 'trees'....... I probably should have done some negotiating and left them for her to sell.....because I don't actually have room to display them. However, for now one is near our front door and the other in a guest room.

Living in a log sided home....these primitives feel as though they've always been here.....

PTA OUTING

Our monthly PTA meeting (a small fiber group) was typical of for group.....we love to meet to browse galleries/shops and then 'do lunch'....which usually means a restaurant for lunch and then a coffee shop for dessert. Hummmm, is this why I have to do a 'forced calorie burning march' every morning?

We visited Sanctuary Of Stuff in Weaverville, NC. Their other store location is in Asheville. The shop carries work by local artists, gifts and home decor. And this 2 story shop had some of everything.....

Like North Carolina handmade soaps.

And hand knitted socks and hats......we reduced their inventory quite a lot!

I'd never seen this item before......a coaster for stemware. Of course none of the PTA members would have a need for one?!?!

Artwork covering all mediums can be found here. Get inspired yourself.....go visit a gallery, a museum, or exhibit somewhere.