Asheville is such an artsy place – so many artists and so much talent.
Being soap makers, we love meeting fellow soapers. Victor Taylor owns a great soap shop, Appalachian Naturals, in downtown Asheville.
Even though we have enough soap to last us a lifetime, we LOVE buying other soapers products and love talking to them about the process. Victor was so much fun to talk to about his family business. If you are ever in Asheville, check out his shop or you can email order from his website. We also saw his soap at many of the stores we visited during our trip.
This is what we brought home from his shop. Dave is anxious to try the Neem and I look forward to using the Rosemary Lemon Poppyseed. Yum!
We also visited the River Arts District where artists’ studios are open to meet artists, watch them work, and buy goodies. We stopped in the Asheville Glass Center and bought these two lovely glasses.
We did visit a fiber artist’s studio. Her stuff was lovely, but she didn’t have time to talk with us. We were the only ones in the studio except for her assistant. She was more interested in photographing her pieces. Her assistant ended up answering questions. I would have bought one of her scarves which she was taking pictures of that were displayed on the wall, but it was evident that she was not interested in my money. Enough said.
Later in the trip we went to Blowing Rock and at the Main Street Gallery we met Cathy Taylor. It’s so funny. Last year I was thinking about going to Create in Chicago and the class I really wanted to take was Cathy’s! Cathy and I chatted away like old friends. Cathy has a book coming out, Pigments of Your Imagination: Creating with Alcohol Inks.Â
Another real neat shop in Blowing Rock was Handtiques. This shop sells art from all over the US. I’m enjoying my morning tea in my new mug from that shop.
When we stopped in the Mast General Store, I found this new masher. Yeah!
Here are some hopefully inspirational pictures from around Asheville.
Loved this bathroom!
Even the food was a work of art!
It’s been fun sharing our trip with you. Now back to some art. Yesterday I fired up my indigo pot, so I’ll be posting some of those results soon. Thanks for dropping by.
Oh, I love that masher. I don’t know about you, but I use them to make soy wax marks!!
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Nice pictures. I enjoy vicarious traveling 🙂
I like your coffee mug. Is it lightweight? I went to a craft show this summer and the potter I spoke with said she “throws light” and everything did feel very lightweight. I was afraid to buy it though because it also seemed as though it would break easily.
Gerrie, Yep, that’s what I use my masher for. Well, that and having thermofax screens made of them. I really liked it since it is different than any of the others one I have. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Kathleen, Thanks. Yes, it is pretty lightweight, but also sturdy. I don’t think it would break easily unless I drop it! I love pottery and have always loved to drink out of it. I look for unique colors (love this blue) but also it needs to be lightweight and I’ve never had trouble with any of my mugs breaking.
Asheville is an artisan’s dream location! My family and I have visited several times and roamed the streets in the quaintest area. Now that are kiddos have almost flown the coop, we’ll be relocated back east where are families resides. Asheville is on the top list of considerations. The perfect mix of summer and winter weather, too. 😉 Glad you were able to enjoy and share. Thanks!
Lisa, A friend of mine is moving from this area and Asheville was their second choice. They are moving to Washington State instead. I really wished they had chosen Asheville because I could see making many more trips there. Good luck on your relocation. I’d vote for Asheville for sure! The only thing negative was the traffic. We’re not used to it.
I will be looking for the indigo dyeing info. Something I’ve wanted to do.
Eileen Gidman recently posted..For Fall: Textile Cards Ready for the Stores
Love the masher, love the wonderful metal art… amazed at the fiber artist who didn’t have time to talk! Yikes! That is one of the things I love about selling at craft shows… get to talk about what I do with people who buy and love to hear about what I do! Guess it takes all kinds… 😉
Eileen, I really do love indigo dyeing. The color is so beautiful. Stay tuned. Thanks for dropping by.
Judy, Yeah, I was pretty amazed about her not wanting to take the time to share her love with us. She dyes linen with natural dyes. Her madder pieces were beautiful. I was surprised she made scarves out of linen. Interesting.
I’ve loved seeing all your vacation photos, and love the hand dyed shirts you both are wearing! Your hubby’s shirt here is great, that iron is great too!
Candy, Thanks! Thank you for being such a great teacher helping me stretch. However, we have created a monster in my hubby. I have a bunch of white shirts he’s ordered for me to dye!!