Gallery of the Mountains

Inspire Your Heart with Art Day - Jan. 31

2012-01-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

Simone Wilson's blue heart.

January 31 is a day to celebrate art and the affect it can have on your heart. Art soothes, inspires, stimulates - there are so many reasons for having art in our homes and in our lives.

Jim Littelwolf's silver earrings.

Art can be something you hang on the wall or something you wear. The key word is handmade.

Owl quilted purse by Leslie Bowman.

The Gallery offers and array of choices of art for all ages and tastes. Have fun and bring home some art today to fill your heart with beauty.

Dragonfly and iris tile by Tzadi Turrou.

Feathered Hats by Janice Keeler

2012-01-24T16:26:00.000-08:00

Janice Keeler feathered hats

Local fabric artist Janice Keeler has stocked the Gallery with her vibrantly colorful feathered hat and crocheted cascade scarves. Scroll down for a peek at the lovely choices you have.

Ever wonder how feathers came to adorn hats? Running parallel to the development of hat making or millinery were feather workshops int he Edwardian times. A feather artist was called plumassier. Feathers were dyed and made into arrangements from boas to small tufts and sprays for fashion and interiors. Plumes then were a status symbol and a sign of economic stability. Fortunes were paid for exotic feathered hats!

Cascade scarves complimenting a Jude Stuecker top.

Peter Lanphear jackets look all the more festive with a cascade scarf by Janice Keeler.

Notice the felted detail embellishments on her hats.

Confetti Ties by Karen Simpson

2012-01-19T06:06:00.000-08:00

Simpson Confetti Tie

Regional fabric artist Karen Simpson creates one of a kind Confetti Scarves using vintage men's silk neckties. With a B.S. in Fashion Design, Karen worked in costume design in Atlanta GA for many years. For over 20 years she has created high quality apparel and art with leather, fabric and mixed media.

More Simpson ties

Folk Art by Jay and Stephanie Jones

2012-01-16T15:09:00.000-08:00

Robin by Stephanie Jones

At the age of ten Jay Jones began working in his father's workshop, helping his dad do light carpentry, bowls, animals and cabinets. At age 17, he built his own log cabin on a few acres given to him by his parents and knew then that he wanted to work with wood for the rest of his life.

Wood turtle by Jay Jones

Stephanie, Jay's wife, already a bird carver, was the driving force behind creating a new career for herself and Jay when their construction company dried up during the economic crunch of 2008. Combining Jay's passion for all things wood and Stephanie's background in arts and crafts they established a new career for both of them.

Fish by Jay Jones

All the birds are hand carved, painted in latex acrylic and signed. The wood is cedar, either found on the forest floor, downed by storms or given to them by friends. The birds are made by Stephanie while Jay carves the fish and turtles. Those are made from pine, painted and signed by Jay. The couple likes to keep all the work simple, using restraint in their knife strokes and painting them without much fuss or unnecessary detail. The Gallery is proud to carry their folk art animal carvings.

Stephanie Jones cardinal

Four Legged Friends

2012-01-12T06:59:00.000-08:00

Now that the Grove Park Inn is pet friendly we get to see and meet some fun four legged friends! Sasquatch came by over the holidays with his people.He is a service dog - perhaps in training - and behaved very well. He is a beauty, isn't he? Do you like pets in shops? We do. We have always been pet friendly at the Gallery!

Helping Horses

2012-01-07T06:52:00.000-08:00

Lyn Lyndall horse grazing handbag

So many of our artists are animal lovers and it shows in their work. Horses seem to be a major theme with hand painted leather artist Lyn Lyndall, embossed copper jeweler Robbie Diffey, and silversmith Jim Littlewolf. The Gallery would like to showcase these artists and their American handmade horse craft work in this post to help raise awareness about our local horse rescue group Hope for Horses.

Horse necklace by Littlewolf

With the economy still not in good health, many people are having to give up their horses because of the expense.This fine organization offers a sanctuary for horses of all ages to live out their lives or be available for adoption into their forever home. The shelter is overflowing with abandoned horse right now and could use some help to find homes for their wards so please do help in any way you can - adopt, donate or pass this on!

Cheyenne

Cheyenne is an 11 year old quarter/paint mare. Hope for Horses has had a local trainer working with her and she is soon to be ready to be a wonderful trail horse for a more experienced person that can show her love and consistency. She is completely sound and is a big boned, very capable mare. For more information on how to adopt Cheyenne please contact: hopeforhorses@aol.com

Diffey copper necklace

Kelly

Kelly is an 11 year old quarter horse that has unfortunately been returned from a local organization. She was used for therapy sessions using groundwork. Due to financial issues they have had to discontinued their equine program. She was started under saddle a few years ago but she will need to be retrained before going under saddle again. She is very healthy and an easy keeper.

For more information, contact: hopeforhorses@aol.com

Lyndall's black stallion

Littlewolf's silver necklace with horse charm

Littlewolf's Keeper with scrimshaw button

Please visit Camera Critters for more animal posts. Thanks for visiting!

Jim Littlewolf - Handmade Native American Silver Jewelry

2012-01-06T14:50:00.000-08:00


Littlewolf's four charm necklace $375.

Sun necklace by Littlewolf with turquoise, red glass, bone, ivory and amethyst $498.

Just before the holidays Jim Littlewolf dropped off many wonderful new items - necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings. Each one is handmade using silver, turquoise, bone, coral, jet and
other natural materials. Littlwolf creates his jewelry along the lines of the Southwest tribes.

Close up of the sun necklace by Littlewolf

Littlwolf ring $235.

The Southwest is especially known for its silverwork. Southwest jewelry includes designs of channel inlay, cluster, mosaic, and petite point and materials of shell, gemstones and beads. While the Navajo favored the squash blossom necklace, they often also combined turquoise, coral, and other semi-precious gemstones. They were set into silver scrolls, leaf patterns, and strung on cord for necklaces.

Heishe necklaces have been made by several southwest tribes since ancient times. The word "heishe" comes from the Santo Domingo word for "shell." A single heishe is a rolled bead of shell, turquoise, or coral, which is cut very thin. Shells used for heishe included mother-of-pearl, spiny oyster, abalone, coral, conch and clam. Tiny, thin heishe was strung together by the Santo Domingo to create necklaces, which were important trade items.

Silverworking was adopted by Native Southwest artists beginning in the 1850s, when Mexican silversmiths had to trade their silverwork for cattle from the Navajo. The Zuni admired the silver jewelry made by the Navajos, so they began trading livestock for instruction in working silver. By 1890, the Zuni had taught the Hopi how to make silver jewelry. (Info from Wikipedia)

Teepee and pueblo heishe earrings by Littlwolf $245.

Feather charm necklace by Littlewolf $350.

Hinge bracelet by Littlewolf $825.

Sun earrings by Littlewolf $155.

Pueblo leaf necklace by Littlewolf $525.

Littlewolf Zuni charms necklace $575.

Just In - Hand Sewn Throw Pillows from Dana Smith

2012-01-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

Smith pillows

Black Mountain artist Dana Smith has been a quilt maker for over a decade. A former park ranger, she combines her love of nature with the Arts and crafts style. Images of a fallen leaf. a passing cloud and a tranquil mountain valley are all meticulously sewn to create handcrafted treasures from the heart of the Blue Ridge. These new pillows are adorned with leaves that are of hand painted and dyed silk fibers.

Quilted pillow

Infinity Scarf from Sherit Levin

2012-01-01T15:22:00.000-08:00

Levin Infinity Scarf

Just in from Sherit Levin - the Infinity Scarf.. The scarf if a large loop which can be worn many ways - loop it around your neck twice for a cowl neck look; wear it as is for a long loop or tuck one end through the other for thicker close to the neck look. You can even make a hod of it looping one piece over your head for a cozy style on cold days.

Sherit Levin Infinity Scarf

Glam and Glitter for New Years at the Grove Park Inn

2011-12-30T15:42:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for New Years Eve? The Grove Park Inn is having a huge bash this year with four bands. Whether you are coming here or going to a private party, the Gallery has all the glitter and glam you would want to wear.

Vermeil bracelet by Rebecca Hook

Rebecca Hook created this lovely vermeil bracelet with white and chocolate pearls, and dogwood blossoms. Add this stunning necklace by Willowsong with citrine briolettes and pearls and you are dressed for a big night on town.

Amolia Willowsong's citrine necklace

Kathleen Lewis's evening bags offer just the right size for your essentials and look perfect with any outfit. Sherit Levin's velvet cape warms you up for the chilliest night and still looks very glamorous. No outfit is complete without a Micki Chaet ring like this one with citrines and garnets.

Evening bags by Kathleen Lewis

Cape by Sherit Levin

Micki Chaet ring

Make your New Years resolution to buy American handmade this year! Happy New Year from all of us at Gallery of the Mountains! See you in 2012!

Wintry Warmth

2011-12-28T08:21:00.000-08:00

We got a dusting of snow last night and the wind is howling in the mountains today.

Janice Keeler shawl

What better way to warm up than cuddle in front of your fireplace with a snuggled under a wool shawl by Janice Keeler sipping hot cocoa from a hand made mug by J J Jucick.

J J Jucick mug

For a different twist on the usual hot cocoa try this recipe with white chocolate - you can use up those extra candy canes from the holidays!

Recipe for Snowflake Cocoa (from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

2 cups whipping cream

6 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 12 ounce package white chocolate chips

Garnish - whipped cream, candy canes

Directions:

Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla and white chocolate chips in a slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Stir again before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and candy canes.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T04:43:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from all of us at the Gallery of the Mountains.

American Handmade Gifts for the Home

2011-12-23T11:39:00.000-08:00

Pillow by Dana Smith,

The Gallery has so many wonderful American handmade gift for your home or for a loved one's home. Give a gift of a handmade throw pillow, framed print, whimsical metal art, a glass fairy ball, wood lamp or a pottery cat.

Arts and Crafts Press framed print

Simone Wilson's flower child

Glass Fairy Ball by Virgil Jones

Ginkgo cat by Cynthia Link

Lamp by David Koleshis

Basket by Joe Bruneau

We Have A Winner!

2011-12-21T10:03:00.000-08:00

Dabney Sue

Jeweler Dabney Sue Peterson picked the winner for her pearl drawing last Sunday at the Gallery. If you made a purchase of her pearls from the Gallery during the past few weeks, you were entered into the drawing. The winner was Delores Fink - a long time customer of the Gallery. Delores will get to choose one set of pearls from three lovely sets. Congrats to Delores!

Billie, Amber, Debra with Dabney Sue and the winning ticket!

Hand Made Leather Vest and Handbags by Lyn Lyndall

2011-12-19T07:01:00.000-08:00

Lyndall deer skin purse

For those of you who love the feel of leather, Lyn Lyndall had added some deer skin purses and a stunning leather vest to her line for the holidays! These would make special gifts for the women in your circle. Each piece is all hand made by the artist - the bead work and leather work.

Cowhide purse

Leather vest

Only 7 more shopping day until Christmas!!!! We are open as usual on Christmas Day from 9 to 5.

Hand Made Reindeer for the Holidays

2011-12-17T06:56:00.000-08:00

Leslie Bowman purses

Reindeer have long been associated with Christmas - they pull Santa's sleigh through the air to deliver toys to good children! The Gallery has some American hand made reindeer for you as gifts. Leslie Bowman hand quilts her reindeer purses with festive colors and trim for the holidays. And Simone Wilson has created her own reindeer including a Rudolf with piano key legs, bottle cap noses and all the whimsy you could want in a Christmas creature.

When department store employee Robert L May wrote the poem Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer in 1939 he may not have realized he was adding to a legend about the god Thor. Ancient Norse mythology tells of the legend of Thor, the God of Thunder. Thor was known to fly through the stormy skies pulled in a chariot by magical goats named Gnasher and Cracker. Sound vaguely familiar?

Simone Wilson reindeer

Did you know real reindeer are ruminant animals? Like goats, cattle, sheep, deer and giraffes, they are even-toed, cud-chewing, hoofed, usually horned mammals which have a stomach divided into four (occasionally three) compartments. Their hooves are large and sharp enabling them to travel across large distances and areas consisting of snow and ice. Both male and females have antlers although the males are usually larger. In North America reindeer are called caribou and are found mainly in Canada.

Join us in Camera Critters today. Show off your favorite animal!

American Hand Made Holiday Ornaments

2011-12-16T08:02:00.000-08:00

Display over the bellmen's desk.

The Grove Park Inn goes Christmas in a big way. Evey nook and cranny of the historic hotel is decorated with trees, trim and Santas. You can even get your holiday photo taken in the scene set up in the massive fireplace!

Lynda Banner rooster ornament

The Gallery goes all out too with lots of American hand made Christmas ornaments for every taste imaginable. All of them are locally made. Lynda Banner creates cute pottery ornaments; Simone Wilson's metal ornaments appeal to the folk art lover; and Robbie Diffey makes her lovely ornaments in brass.

Simone Wilson metal ornaments

Robbie Diffey brass ornaments

The Christmas tree in the Grand Hall, Grove Park Inn.

Jean Saake bell and wreath ornaments

If you want a memento of your visit to the grand Grove Park Inn, then Jean Saake's ceramic bells and wreaths with the Inn painted on by hand will be the ticket. For the pet lover Julie Calhoun-Roepnack' whimsical dogs and cats will be a hit. For a true American ornament try our cotton ball ornaments. Using scraps of colorful felt Cecelia Barbieri makes tiny wreaths to trim your tree.

Julie Roepnack pottery animals

Cotton ball ornament

Ceceilia Barbieri wreath

Let It Snow...

2011-12-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

Mista Whitson watercolor original

Let it Snow, Let It Snow!

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Al Ramirez giclee print

It's that time of year when the weather takes a turn for the colder and the flakes begin to fall. The past two winters have been snowier than normal with three times the normal snowfall for this time of year in many place in our county. Bundle up with our handmade hats of wool, alpaca and llama made by local fabric artist Janice Keeler. Wrap yourself in soft warmth with our chenille scarves by Trillium weavers.

Janice Keeler hat

Trillium hand loomed scarf

If you live in a warmer climate, then surround yourself with snowy scenes like the watercolors by Mista Whitson or giclee prints by Al Ramirez. Simone Wilson created these large metal snowmen and women for holiday decor - hang the on the tree or in your windows to remind you of the frosty weather you are missing!

Simone Wilson snow woman

Wilson snow man ornament

Cardinal print by Al Ramirez

Festive Holiday Accessories

2011-12-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

Kathleen Lewis plaid purse

Whether you are buying something for yourself or for a family member, the Gallery has just the right festive holiday accessory for everyone. Dressy purses, jackets, scarves, and jewelry all make thoughtful gifts.


Rachel Wilder ginkgo necklace in sterling

Rachel Wilder has added a new line to her collections - the ginkgo leaf. The ginkgo tree is a living fossil, having been growing on earth since the days of the dinosaurs. They are extremely hardy and resilient. Ginkgo trees growing near the atomic blast in Hiroshima survived, charred but alive and are still living to this day. No wonder they are considered "bearers of hope"

Rachel Wilder matching ginkgo earrings

Peter Lanphear chenille jacket , Karen Atwood loop scarf with the plaid purse

Kathleen Lewis flower pin

Do stop by Ruby Tuesday for more red!

Celebrity Shopper!

2011-12-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

The Gallery had a surprise celebrity shopper this past weekend! NBA star Dominique Wilkins who played for the Atlanta Hawks stopped by to purchase some locally handmade crafts. He knows the best place to shop in Asheville for American made, handmade - right here!

Floor Manager Debra with Dominique.

Bluebirds for Happiness - Chris Smith

2011-12-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

Chris Smith ornaments

Glass blower Chris Smith has some lovely offerings for the holidays season! From swirled ornaments to tiny vases and blue birds.

Smith ornament

Ever wonder about the origin of the saying bluebird of happiness? This is what I found.....The mythology of the bluebird of happiness has deep roots that go back thousands of years.Indigenous cultures across the globe hold similar myths and beliefs about the bluebird. It is a widely accepted symbol of cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, hearth and home, good health, new births, the renewal of springtime, etc. Virtually any positive sentiments may be attached to the bluebird.

In magical symbolism, bluebirds are used to represent confidence in the positive aspect and egotism in the negative. A dead bluebird represents disillusionment, the loss of innocence, and of transformation from the younger and naive to the older and wiser. (Info from Wikipedia)

Glass bluebirds

Tiny glass vases

Christmas Card Day is December 9

2011-12-05T19:27:00.000-08:00

Cindy Hendricks Santa

December 9 is officially Christmas Card Day honoring Sir Henry Cole of England who created the first Christmas Card in 1843. For years a very good friend would hold Christmas Card parties to get together with others and write our cards while sipping hot cider, cocoa and eating cookies. It made the time go by faster. Have your own Christmas Card party and choose some of ours!

Another Cindy Hendricks card

We have wonderful hand illustrated, block cut and hand made cards to choose from by artists Cindy Hendricks, Arts and Crafts Press, and Kathlene Ford Walters.

Rabbit by Arts and Crafts Press

Peace card - Arts and Crafts Press

Cat by Arts and Crafts Press

Dog and cat - Arts and Crafts Press

Angels by Kathlene Ford Walters

Walters vintage Santa card

Poinsettia card by Walters

We joined Ruby Tuesday!

Gifts for the Hostess

2011-12-03T08:03:00.000-08:00

John Burtner spreader $15.

The holiday season is upon us and we have some wonderful gift ideas for the hostess! All of our gifts are American made, locally made and handmade!

How about a metal spreader by green blacksmith John Burtner? Pair that up with a bar board by Phil Capper and add some local cheese and you have a super gift.

Candles are always welcome, especially beeswax which also cleans the air as well as emitting a warm fragrance. We have all sizes and scents.

Sunbeam Candles $20.00

Leaf mug by Lisa Conard.

One of Lisa Conard's leaf mugs teamed up with some delicious tea or hot chocolate would make anyone's day!

Capper bar board $12.

Or how about a soap dish by Will and Trish Byers with a tree carved into the dish matched up with one of our handmade soaps by Mernie Wortham of sweet smelling essential oils?

Byers soap dish $25. , soap $6.50

Handmade Soap Makes a Great Gift!

2011-12-02T06:43:00.000-08:00

Mernie Wortham soaps

Mernie Wortham creates her small batch handmade soap using botanical essential oils, organic herbs and flowers. She makes all of her soaps in her small home studio. Each bar contains essential oils, olive oil, palm kernel flakes coconut oil and shea and cocoa butter. So pampering for your skin!

Fiber Artist Lindsey Warf - What is Felting?

2011-11-30T08:47:00.000-08:00

Lindsey Warf felted soaps

You might have heard of felting, seen felted clothing or even worn a felt hat. Felting is a way to make fabric by compressing, shrinking and matting animal fibers such as sheep wool and alpaca fiber. It is an ancient process that is practiced the world over by many from nomadic peoples in Central Asia to artisans in Appalachia.

There are two main felting processes - wet felting and needle felting.

Wet felting

Wet felting is a process in which you shrink layers of animal fiber by aggitating them with hot water and soap. The crimp in the fibers latch together due to the friction and start shrinking down to a tight strong fabric.

Needle felting

Needle felting is a process using barbed needles to compress the fibers. You can create 3D figures or decorate fabrics using a small needle felting tool. There are commercial machines to make whole sheets of felt using this technique as well.

The Gallery has added a new fabric artist to their lines. Lindsey Warf grew up surrounded by the beauty of the West Virginia mountains She comes from along line of crafts people, and graduated from college with a BFA in graphic design. She found that design did not fill her need for hands on art.


Warf's felted hat

Felted hat

After college Lindsey went on a life changing journey to New Zealand and discovered a whole new world of growing food from seed and making fabric from sheep wool. She took a few felting classes, began experimenting with designs, styles and color, creating her line of hats and felted soaps. She also hand dyes the wool in small batches to get the most brilliant and original colors. Lindsey lives in the area and uses the wool from local sheep.

Felted hat by Warf

Customers love her jaunty hats and wonderful felted soaps. The felt on the soap exfoliates as you wash with the fabric shrinking around the soap as it gets smaller in size.

Crocheted Scarves by Janice Keeler

2011-11-29T15:50:00.000-08:00

Crocheted scarves by Janice Keeler

Fabric artist Janice Keeler has created these lovely crocheted scarves just in time for the holidays. Add a bit of color and panache to your outfit with these cotton ruffle scarves. Perfect gift for the women on your list!

Scarf by Keeler, top by Jude Stuecker

Hot Glass Artist Kristen Munoz

2011-11-26T08:29:00.000-08:00

Garden globe

Local hot glass artist Kristen Munoz has been working professionally at her craft since 1999. She began working in soft glass (borosilicate rod) but soon ventured into hot glass when a two week intensive at Penland School of Crafts in Penland , NC was offered. Kristen has taken this two week intensive every year since.

Munoz ornaments

Kristen spends her winters blowing thousands of glass forms and then come spring she begins a lengthy East Coast circuit of fairs and festivals. Her family travels with her and her children enjoy homeschooling on the road!

The Gallery carries her beautiful garden globs and ornaments - perfect gifts for any occasion!

Large globe

Shift Your Shoppping this Holiday - Buy Local!

2011-11-23T10:19:00.000-08:00

Lyn Lyndall handbag

Cecilia Tappan Minneha malachite cuff links

Jude Stuecker shirt

If you join in shifting those dollars to locally owned, independent businesses, we’ll all generate 2-3 times as much economic activity in our community than if we had spent our money at a national chain.

Nell Chandler necklace

By shopping at the Gallery, you will be shopping local and handmade, supporting local artists! We carry all media - jewelry, ceramic, wood, leather, fabric, - something for all budgets and tastes!

For more info on this shift your shopping movement - go to www.shiftyourshopping.org!

John Burtner metal spreader

Phil Capper bar board

Byers pottery soap dish and soap

Turkey Platters

2011-11-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

Banner platter

Several of the Gallery's potters make wonderful platters - perfect for serving turkey on Thanksgiving or Christmas. We also carry all the serving pieces you could want to create a stunning table setting. For a spiced up recipe - try this one from Emeril!

Canjun-Injected Spicy Turkey (courtesy Emeril Laggasse 2007)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon concentrated liquid crab and shrimp boil (recommended: Zatarian's)
1/4 cup apple cider
3/4 cup honey
1 (12-ounce) bottle beer
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground allspice
1/2 cup Creole seasoning
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup finely minced garlic
1 (10 to 12-pound) turkey, rinsed well inside and out, patted dry
4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 to 2 cups chicken broth, as needed for bottom of roasting pan

Directions

Make the marinade by combining the Worcestershire sauce, crab boil, apple cider, honey, beer, salt, allspice, Creole seasoning, cayenne, olive oil, and minced garlic in a blender and process until very smooth, about 5 minutes. Fill a large syringe* and inject turkey in the breast and thigh area, as well as the back, wings, and legs, with at least 2/3 of the marinade. You will have to fill the syringe numerous times.

Preheat the oven to 420 degrees F and line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil.

Season the injected turkey well both inside and out with the kosher salt and black pepper. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan lined with aluminum foil and pour the remaining marinade all over the turkey. Bake the turkey uncovered for 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, add 1 cup of the chicken broth to the roasting pan, and continue to bake the turkey until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the deepest part between the thigh and the leg registers 165 degrees F. (If the turkey begins to brown too much, tent loosely with aluminum foil until it is done. Also, add more broth as necessary to keep the bottom of the roasting pan from burning.)

When the turkey is done, remove it from the oven and set aside to rest at least 20 minutes before carving.

* Large syringes designed especially for injecting turkeys may be purchased at many grocery stores in the spice / marinade / seasoning sections; many folks inject turkeys before frying them.

Byer platter

Homemade Bread Day - Nov 17

2011-11-16T18:08:00.000-08:00

Gabriel Kline bowl

Today November 17 is Homemade Bread Day! Nothing comes close to the smell of fresh baked bread just out of the oven in making one feel comforted! Try your hand at a bread recipe today - the Gallery has all the necessary items you need - large pottery bowls, ceramic butter trays and wood spreaders and even handmade bread boards!

Butter tray by Len Lindsay and spreader

Simple Whole Wheat Bread
Ingredients
3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1/3 cup honey
5 cups bread flour
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon salt
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions
In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.
Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.
Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely
(allrecipes.com)

Cutting board by Chris Kamm

J.J. Jucick - Art for the Table

2011-11-15T10:55:00.000-08:00

Vase

The Gallery is very excited to add J.J. Jucick to our pottery lines. Primarily a self-taught potter, J.J. has studied with Asheville potter Gabriel Kline who is also represented at the Gallery.

Soup bowl and dinner plate

As a long admirer of art, J.J. tries to bring that restrained yet vivid spirit to his pottery through uncluttered and quiet forms, allowing each piece to serve as a canvas for his application of abstract shapes and time consuming glaze techniques. He believes that his bold use of color and simple shapes are works of art, stunning in their simplciity.

Small tray

J.J.'s clay is a propriety blend of three different types of clay. Each piece is twice dipped, with the two accent colors of yellow and red being done first, then is gingerly brushed with wax - a technique called wax resist. Each piece is then dipped again into the black. When the glaze dries, the black glaze that has been deposited on top of the red and yellow glaze wax resist is softly wiped off so that once the wax burns off in firing the black will not settle into the red or yellow. The bottoms are wiped clean of the black glaze and beautifully finished as well, trimmed to perfection and sanded with a fine grit to make it smooth.

Jucick mug

J.J.'s custom made collection for the Gallery is called "The Modernist Collection." Something this elegant and time consuming to create should be used daily and reveled in, each time.

Pumpkin Pie Spices - Pottery by Lynda Banner

2011-11-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

Butter dish by Terri Friday

Adding hand made dinner ware to your table makes your meal more festive. Lynda Gayle Banner offers many options for accessorizing your table - butter dishes, small vases, tile trivets or even spice bottles. Collect several spice bottles and display them on your counter top year round.

4" bud vase

Mix your own pumpkin pie spices -

Measure 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon into a small bowl or cup.
Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger.
Add 1/8 teaspoon of ground allspice or ground cloves.
Add 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
Stir to blend.
Makes 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.

Tips:

Use this blend in pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, cakes, cookies and custard.

What You Need:

1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger, ground
1/8 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp nutmeg, ground

(Info from About.com)

Corked spice bottle

Tile trivet by Friday

7" vase

Fall Leaves by Simone Wilson

2011-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Each leaf

Decorate your dining table with these lovely metal leaves by Simone Wilson. Each one is ready to be used as an ornament or just splayed out on the table under the dinnerware creating a handmade centerpiece.

Ginkgo

Oak

Dona Nobis Pacem

2011-11-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

We are proud to participate in the Blog Blast 4 Peace on November 4, 2011, hosted for the past few years by Mimi Lenox. Begun in 2006, the BlogBlast for Peace expanded over the years, from 52 posts to thousands spanning the globe. It is a movement to promote peace across the world - one blog at a time.

Below is a selection of local, handmade, fine Appalachian crafts for sale in our Gallery, featuring peace, love or both! Wishing everybody peace, today and forever!

Jude Stuecker coin purse $16.

Julie Calhoun-Roepnack cat ceramic ornament $22.

Robbie Diffey copper bracelet $45.

Robbie Diffey copper bookmark $38.

Mike Cowan garden sign $28.

Stacey Betts stained glass ornament $12.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-29T07:38:00.000-07:00

Amber and Debra in costume last year!

Ravens and crows are very much a part of the Halloween scene and for good reason.

Dana Smith pillow

Black, to Native Americans, is a color of magical power, and only to be feared if misused. Raven symbolizes the void - the mystery of that which is not yet formed. Ravens are symbolic of the Black Hole in Space, which draws in all energy toward itself and releases it in new forms. The iridescent blue and green that can be seen in the glossy black feathers of the raven represents the constant change of forms and shapes that emerge from the vast blackness of the void. In Native American tradition, Raven is the guardian of both ceremonial magic and healing circles. She is also the patron of smoke signals. (Info from Susa Morgan Black)

Fleece puppet by Lucy Boyd

Al Ramirez giclee print

Wood raven by Jay and Stephanie Jones

Leslie Bowman purse

With the raven in mind, enjoy this night of mysteries, voids between worlds and all things magical! Happy Halloween from all of us at the Gallery!

Camera Critters

Spiders, Webs and Bats for Halloween

2011-10-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

Mike Cowan spider

Nothing is creepier than spiders and bats and the Gallery has a great assortment of both! Mike Cowan's metal spider fits right on top of your Jack-o-lantern to achieve a spooky effect.

Julia Mann spiderweb candle

Julia Mann created a special Halloween line of spiderweb plates, bowls and candles - perfect for handing out candy to those Trick or Treaters or having a costume party at your house.

Mann spiderweb bowl

Got a festive occasion to go to this time of year? Add a little color to your outfit with an orange bow tie with lots of Halloween images.

Beau Ties of VT Halloween tie

Mann plate

Bats were once considered the souls of sleeping individuals because bats were seen at night and not during the day. Also because some species of bats live in caves, they were also thought to be connected with the Underworld and its mythologies about death.

Go batty with a grouping of our Simone Wilson bats made of metal and wood. Great to hang over your front entrance or inside from a ceiling light. Call or email us for more info or to order.

Simone Wilson bat

Black Cats, Cauldrons and Witches

2011-10-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

The Witch and her Flying Monkey!

The staff at the Gallery has been having fun dressing up for Halloween. Here is Sallie and Cheryl ready to celebrate as characters from the Wizard of Oz!


Julia Mann cauldron

What witch would be caught without her cauldron? Julia Mann has created lovely ceramic cauldrons of several sizes - great to use as candy bowls for the spooky holiday.


Linda Banner ornament

Every witch has her familiar, a black cat, with her at all times. Linda Banner and Julie Calhoun Roepnack both have made wonderful black cat ornaments - not just for Halloween but for your holiday tree as well. Come on in or call the shop to get great Halloween decor - everything from bats to spiders and much more. Check out the posts coming up for more ideas!

Roepnack cat ornament

American Craft Week - Lyn Lyndall

2011-10-19T07:59:00.000-07:00

Horse in black and white

Leather artist Lyn Lyndall has surpassed herself with her newest creations for the Gallery. Using her labor intensive methods, the fringe is all cut by hand and the beadwork and lacing is done by hand as well.. The bronze beads are from her great great grandmother's collection. The paintings are done with acrylic leather paint and include horses, owls, eagles and Celtic designs. Her Chincoteague pony hand bag will be a sure hit with the horse lovers. Each bag is lined with a beautiful fabric and has a pocket for your cellphone or keys. These bags are one of a kind and signed by Lyn.

Chincoteague pony hand bag

Stitching detail.

Eagle hand bag

Peridot beads on the Celtic bag.

Celtic hand bag

Great Horned Owl

Just in time for holiday shopping, Lynn created these wonderful horse ornaments - great for the tree or to use everyday for the horse enthusiast.

Hand made horse ornaments

Horse ornament

American Craft Week - Mindy McCormick

2011-10-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

Medium bowl

New artist to the Gallery, Mindy McCormick began working in clay because of her love of mosaic. Working with glass and found objects grew into an interest in tile and this in turn took her to ceramics and learning to use the potter's wheel. Her first functional pottery teacher was a raku artist and Mindy fell in love with this type of firing. Her art moves her through the year working on different things as each season comes and goes.

Pie plate by McCormick

Her pottery is functional first and foremost. Mindy uses white clay which she feels shows off color with a vibrant drama. She works in her home studio creating pots in small batches.Rather than try to make batches similar, Mindy focuses on making the pieces that relate to each other in form and design. Each piece is unique with its texture, color and elegant design.

Pour bowl

Small plate

Mindy believes that creating objects is a spiritual experience. Working with clay reminds her of her connection to the earth. "It is my hope to make companions for the cook as well as beautiful objects that have a ceremonial quality for the home. The simple act of using a handmade coffee cup adds a richer dimesnion to my experience of morning, while dining with hand crafted pottery turns an ordinary meal into an event."

Mini vase

American Craft Week - Dabney Sue Peterson

2011-10-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

Double white keishi pearls by Dabney Sue

Local jeweler Dabney Sue Peterson has a great passion for pearls and you will notice right off when you first meet her. She adorns herself with multiple strands of various sizes, earrings and often multiple bracelets too. As she says "Wear. love and enjoy the pearls you own. Life is too short not to wear great pearls!"

Dabney Sue travels the world to find the very best pearls. Her selected pearls have a deep lustrous quality and she specializes in some of the most unusual sizes, shapes and colors that you will ever see in this country.

Each strand has carefully matched pearls, is hand strung on silk in the old world way and is hand knotted. Her sparkling closures are very unique and add additional glamour to her necklaces and bracelets.

Gold keishi pearls

Peterson's 14mm peacock pearls

To celebrate American Craft Week, Dabney Sue will be on hand this coming weekend at the Gallery for a Pearl Extravaganza Trunk Show! She will be in the store Saturday October 15 from 11-3 and Sunday October 16 from 10-1.

This is a rare opportunity to meet the artist and talk with her about her pearls. If you have dreamed of a custom designed piece from her, this is your chance!

Pearls are a timeless classic fashion accessory - great gifts for first confirmation, bride, new mother, graduation - any milestone event in a woman's life. Dabney Sue believes pearls should be worn for any and every occasion, from your wedding day to the neighborhood BBQ with jeans and a T!

Don't miss this unique event to meet Dabney Sue this weekend!

Beautiful closure in silver or gold.

Brown 8mm pearls by Dabney Sue

Cream coin pearls by Dabney Sue

American Craft Week - Joe Bruneau

2011-10-13T15:14:00.000-07:00

Small melon basket by Bruneau

Regional mixed media artist, Joe Bruneau first started making baskets after taking an Appalachian Craft Workshop hosted by Warren Wilson College in 1983. As student in the art program here, he had the opportunity to study other types of basketry before discovering his two favorite - the melon and the potato basket.

For over 25 years, Bruneau has enjoyed playing with color, texture and shape in weaving his baskets. He typically uses grapevine, honeysuckle and wild rose as well as hand dyed rattan.

In 2006 one of Joe's baskets was featured in the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway.

Pom pom potato basket

Small Bruneau melon basket

Purple potato basket with glass beads

Honeysuckle potato harvest basket

American Craft Week - Stacey Betts

2011-10-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

Betts stained glass mirror

Stacey Betts joined the Gallery recently as a new artist. She creates small purse size mirrors using one a kind art glass from the finest glass makers. Stacey's mirrors are simple, and elegant in their design. She blends the traditional craft of stained glass making with her experienced eye for color and form obtained from a lifetime of art and design.

Blue and green glass mirror

Betts shades of green mirror

Ruby red glass mirror

Please do visit other great red posts at Ruby Tuesday.

American Craft Week - Chris Kamm

2011-10-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

Wood paper weights by Kamm

Always a favorite with customers, local artist Chris Kamm creates lovely wood boxes with quotes and verses inscribed on the exterior. They make great gifts for the graduate, student and for the men in the family. This year Chris has added two new lines to his successful wood creations - paper weights and cutting boards.

Chris Kamm paper weight

Each paper weight has two verses, one on each side with a play on words or a complimentary verse. The inscribed cutting boards add a little fun to an everyday chore. In this modern age, the warmth of polished wood offers relief from the digital, the virtual and the fleeting. With minimal care, his wood boxes, paper weights and boards will last a lifetime!

Kamm cutting boards

Cutting board by Chris Kamm

Inscribed box by Kamm

Chris Kamm maple box

American Craft Week - Amolia Willowsong

2011-10-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

Ruby and stitchtite necklace by Willow

Master Bead weaver Amolia Willowsong has been with the Gallery for many years and is one of our top sellers. Willow, as we call her, creates one-of-a-kind, organic and elegant necklaces, earrings and bracelets. After a career in advertising, Willow began bead weaving in 1990 after learning the craft from Native American friends. Her jewelry features sculptured bead work interwoven with natural semi-precious stones. She utilises Czechoslovakian glass seed bead with many disctive stones - rubies, amethysts, druzy, pearls and tourmalines. Her work has been describes as "water flowing over stones in a mountain stream" Perfect for this area!

Willow's denim lapis rough cut necklace

White stalagtite crystal by Willow

Willow explains how she works. "A new design begins with a gemstone. It can be a natural crystalline amethyst cluster, aqua blue Peruvian opal, faceted green tourmaline briolette or perhaps a bright orange/red sunstone. Selecting a palette of colorful seed beads to enhance the stone, I begin to work, attaching the beads to the gemstone's bezel, weaving one bead at a time into a freeform tapestry. I also include other small gemstones and tiny earls for texture and contrast."

Willow's turquoise and blue druzy necklace

Citrine cluster with purple druzies by Willowsong

World Heart Day - Sept. 29

2011-09-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

Jude Stuecker heart coin purse

World Heart Day was created in 2000 by the World Heart Federation, to highlight heart disease and preventative measures. We realize the importance of this day and are participating by featuring our heart themed handmade crafts.

Wood paper weight by Chris Kamm

The heart has also long been recognized across cultures as being a symbol for love, charity, joy and compassion. The Gallery has hearts in various media and forms - fabric, lovely rings, pins, bracelets as well as wood and ceramic. Show your loved one you care - give them a heart!

Robbie Diffey copper ornament

Ceramic frog ornament by Julie Calhoun Roepnack

Simone Wilson wood heart

Elvie Zell dog copper enamel dog pin

Micki Chaet rhodolite garnet ring

Heart silver bracelet by Jim Littlewolf

Wayne Wichern For National Fall Hat Month!

2011-09-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Leaf cloche

Back in the day, when hats were much more in style, September was the month when you put your straw hats away and took out your felted cool weather hats. The Gallery is celebrating Fall Hat Month by featuring our winter hat lines. Wayne Wichern is the king of felted hats - trained in millinery by professionals from years gone by, he retains the vintage flair in his lovely cloches and toppers. Each hat is handmade and finished with lovely details.

Riding topper by Wichern

Red topper

Another leaf cloche by Wichern

Wichern cloche

Playing Ruby Tuesday and Rednesday this week. Please visit them!

Happy International Rabbit Day!

2011-09-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

Cindy Hendricks greeting card

International Rabbit Day is celebrated the last Saturday or Sunday in September. The House Rabbit Society uses this day to promote the protection and care of rabbits both domestic and wild.

According to their web site : "On International Rabbit Day, we think about the many ways that rabbits bring joy to our lives, and also the many ways in which they are harmed, by hunting, eating, medical experimentation, product testing, fur-farming, and living isolated lives in outdoor hutches. House Rabbit Society's mission states that "ALL rabbits are valuable as individuals, regardless of breed purity, temperament, state of health, or relationship to humans. The welfare of all rabbits is our primary consideration. In line with our mission, we are against the exploitation of rabbits...Domestic rabbits are companion animals and should be afforded at least the same individual rights, level of care, and opportunity for longevity as commonly afforded to dogs and cats who live as human companions."

Leslie Bowman quilted purse

The Gallery carries many kinds of handmade rabbit items from cards to purses to pottery. If you are not a rabbit person - watch this video produced by the Rabbit Society and Amy Sedaris and then see how you feel! Plus it is full of great rabbit facts.

Lyn Lyndall painted leather handbag

Patty Bilbro 14" ceramic platter

Camera Critters

Hiking Sticks and Hip Pockets

2011-09-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hip pocket

September is a great time to hike - the weather is still warm but without the heat of summer and the trails are less crowded than during the peak summer months. What better way to carry you keys, cell phone and essentials than in Kathleen Lewis' hip pocket. Hand made from upholstery scraps, they fasten to your belt loops for hand free walking.

Many colors!

Here are some good hiking tips form Treadlightly.org.:

Travel responsibly on designated roads, trails and areas.

Stay on the trail even if it is rough and muddy.
Walking on the track edge and cutting switchbacks increases damage, causing erosion and visual scarring.
Walk single file to avoid widening the trail.
Spread out in open country where there are no trails. Spreading out, rather than following each other’s footsteps, disperses impact and avoids creating a new trail.
Flagging and marking trails is unsightly. If flagging is necessary, remove it as you leave. Consider using a Global Positioning System (GPS) instead of flagging.
Comply with all signs and respect barriers.
Buddy up with two or three hikers, reducing vulnerability if you have an accident.

Paisley print hip pocket

Tree spirit walking stick

Hiking sticks help keep your balance and add support while crossing over rocks or creek beds. These hand carved creations by Steve Duncan add some whimsy to your walk.

Highlander walkign stick

Bearded man walking stick

Outdoor Wednesday

Folk Art and Painted Birds - Why Fall Feeding Is Good For Birds

2011-09-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

Stephanie Jones Indigo bunting

The Gallery's newest artists Jay and Stephanie Jones create simple, straightforward and quiet works of folk art. All the birds are hand carved, painted in latex acrylic and signed. The wood is cedar, either found on the forest floor downed by storms or given to them by friends. The birds are carved by Stephanie and she takes great pride in their construction and painting. Jay carves the fish and turtles which are made from pine, and painted and signed by Jay.

Using Grandma Moses as an inspiration, the couple's work is also self taught, naive and colorful, based on the quiet beauty of the world around them.

Al Ramirez hummingbird giclee' print

Fall is a busy time for birds - some are preparing to migrate to warmer climes for the winter and others are checking out the best feeding spots for the cold winter months.

According to birdwatching.com, What you do as the days grow shorter lets the birds know that you want their business and invites them to come back when serious winter comes.

People who don't start feeding birds until severe weather arrives may be missing out. Fall is the season to begin, even though natural foods are plentiful and the birds like the tufted titmouse above may not spend much time at your feeder yet. They are out in the fields and woods, feasting on seeds and berries and well-fed insects.

Jones cardinal

Ramirez Indigo bunting

The birds that do visit feeders in the abundance of autumn are scouting. They need to be ready when cold weather hits. The red-bellied woodpecker at left was well acquainted with our feeding station before winter arrived.

Cold will increase their calorie requirements, right at the moment that food becomes harder to get. Insects stop flying and wiggling. Snow covers seeds. Ice seals away tree buds, wild fruits, and the insects that woodpeckers and nuthatches like to find under the bark of trees.

So they need to be ready. That's whey they're studying their resources in advance. Noting where food is available. Locating alternatives. Taking inventory of contingent provisions.

It's good to be included in their inventories. If the birds discover that your yard is worth visiting, they'll remember. And when that first storm hits, they'll show up. Hungry. Chirpy and chattery. Red and blue and black-and-white and yellow. Fun to look at on a snowy day.

Ramirez goldfinch

Local artist Al Ramirez creates stunning bird portraits of the local mountain species set with a seasonal background. They are sure to please the bird lover on your gift list! Each one is reproduced using the professional fine art giclee' method.

Ramirez cardinal

Jones goldfinch

Jones hummingbird

Mellow Yellow Monday

Ruby Tuesday

Black Bears in Autumn

2011-09-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

Lowell Mosely bear in wild cherry

The mountains are blessed to have an abundance of black bears. Maybe too many, as they seem to be moving into the city neighborhoods and making themselves at home like this guy here. This video was taken in downtown Asheville last year.

In autumn black bears begin to store fat and, usually in December, enter a winter den. The den is frequently in a site with heavy ground cover, and bedding material is sometimes gathered. Black bears, unlike some ground squirrels and rodents, are not hibernators. Unlike true hibernators, black bears are relatively easily aroused from their winter dormancy. Dormant black bears have decreased heart rate and respiration, but their body temperature declines very little. They remain dormant from two to four months during the year, even when the weather is mild.

Julie Roepnack's spoon rest

We have lovely bear themed crafts - Lowel Mosely's hand carved bear, Julie Calhoun-Roepnack's bear pottery in mugs, spoon rests and plates, new potholders from Joy Carfaro and stunning earrings in the native American style by Jim Littlewolf.

Bear mug

Joy Carfaro potholder

Jim Little Wolf bear earrings

Please join us for Camera Critters today!

Harvest Moon

2011-09-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

Linda Banner plate

Tonight is a full moon and it is also a Harvest Moon. All full moons rise around the time of sunset. In general the moon rises about 50 minutes later each day. As it moves in orbit around Earth, the Harvest Moon and Hunter's Moon are special because, around the time of these full moons, the time difference between moonrise on successive evenings is shorter than usual. Thus, there is no long period of darkness between sunset and moonrise around the time following these full moons. In times past this feature of these autumn moons was said to help farmers working to bring in their crops (or, in the case of the Hunter's Moon, hunters tracking their prey). They could continue being productive by moonlight even after the sun had set. Hence the name Harvest Moon.

The harvest moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. It is the first full moon closest to that equinox. When the night of the harvest moon coincides with the night of the equinox, it is called a "super harvest moon"

Often, the harvest moon seems to be bigger or brighter or more colorful than other full moons. The warm color of the moon shortly after it rises is caused by light from the moon passing through a greater amount of atmospheric particles than when the moon is overhead. The atmosphere scatters the bluish component of moonlight (which is really reflected white light from the sun), but allows the reddish component of the light to travel a straighter path to one's eyes. Hence all celestial bodies look reddish when they are low in the sky.
It appears larger in size because the brain perceives a low-hanging moon to be larger than one that's high in the sky. This is known as a moon illusion and it can be seen with any full moon. It can also be seen with constellations; in other words, a constellation viewed low in the sky will appear bigger than when it is high in the sky. (from Wikipedia)

Jude Stuecker purse

The lovely pottery pattern by Linda Banner shows the moon over the mountains in warm earthy colors accented by purple. She creates this special line just for the Gallery. The moon purse by Jude Stuecker is one of my favorite - depicting the loveliness of a moon rise over the mountains.

Blue Monday

September is National Honey Month

2011-09-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

Charlie

September is National Honey Month. Simone Wilson's Charlie the Bee Charmer makes the perfect spokesperson for honey bees and the honey they make. Made of colorful yellow and black found objects - metal scraps, kitchen utensils and wire, he is has a halo of honey bees circling his head.

The National Honey Board tells us that honey is a natural source of carbohydrates - the primary fuel the body uses for energy - which makes it ideal for your working muscles. At 17 grams of carbohydrates per tablespoon, honey provides an effective energy boost before, during and after your workouts… or any time you need a quick pick me up.

This recipe for Honey Energy Bars is an easy and delicious way to boost your energy levels. With three ingredients, you can whip this up in no time and be back to your workout routine before you know it.

Honey Energy Bar

Makes 36 servings

2/3 cup honey
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
4 cups granola mix

In 4-cup microwave-safe container microcook honey at HIGH (100%) 2 to 3 minutes or until honey boils. Stir in peanut butter; mix until thoroughly blended. Place granola in large bowl. Pour honey mixture over granola and combine thoroughly. Press firmly into 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Let stand until firm. Cut into bars. Makes 36 bars. (The National Honey Board)

Gov Perdue Shops at The Gallery

2011-09-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

During the recent Southern Governor's Conference, held at the Grove Park Inn, The Gallery had a special shopper stop by. Gov. Bev Perdue made some purchases from our all American handmade crafts.

Brother Wolf, ASPCA 100K Challenge and Local Crafts

2011-08-31T07:39:00.000-07:00

Chris Kamm box

These hand made quarter sawn white oak boxes by Chris Kamm make great gifts for students, fathers or anyone who loves quotes!

This is our final post featuring adoptable cats and dogs from our local no-kill shelter Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. They are competing in the Save More Lives ASPCA 100K Challenge 2011 which ends October 31. Please pass this post on to give them more exposure and hopefully help find forever homes for these homeless pets and many others. For more info on the contest or Brother Wolf, click on the pic in the sidebar or the tab under the header.

Gus is an adorable 4 1/2 year old Terrier mix. He is a very sweet and playful boy who just wants to have fun and be loved. Here's what his foster mom has to say about him: "He is doing amazing! He is incredibly smart and has not met a stranger yet. He does wonderful in the house, ZERO accidents. Walks good on a leash. The best snuggle partner! He would be a great dog for an older couple who wants an easy keeper. He knows sit, down, shake, wait, stay. He is cat proof safe... and does not bother my kitty. I did open the door one day and he sneaked out but I yelled his name and he came rushing back to me. This guy is amazing!" Won't you give him the home he deserves? To adopt Gus please call 828-505-3440.

Whopper is a VERY large 5 year old boy who is sweet and gentle. He's on a diet and needs to lose a lot of weight to be healthy, but is getting better every day. He has 'cauliflower ears' - so-called because due to old injury, they are bent over from scar tissue. It doesn't bother him at all and doesn't require medical care. Just gives him personality! Email his fostermom at bwarcatteam@gmail.com for more info or to meet this sweetheart.

Tzadi Turrou cat tile

Who wouldn't want a cat tile for there wall - collect a few and make a grouping of any of Tzadi Turrou's nature tiles.

Just in from Brother Wolf....

Our target Live Release Rate (includes adoptions, returns to owners and transfers to other agencies) was 245, and we are currently at 242 (last year we did 145 in August). Our goal is to save 300 more lives over the course of the challenge which runs August, September, and October.

Thanks you for all our your support and we look forward to September and October!

Puppets and Prints for ASPCA Challenge

2011-08-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Block print cat card

Our cat block prints by Arts and Crafts Press' Yoshiko Yamamoto will please the cat lovers out there. The card above looks great framed. Dard Hunter made the lovely frame for her Circle Cat block print below.

Circle cat framed print

We are devoting our August posts to help Brother Wolf Animal Rescue win the Save More Lives ASPCA 100K Challenge 2011 by boosting their adoptions. For more info please click on the Brother Wolf picture in the sidebar or the tab under the header.

Emma at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

Emma is a beautiful 12 year old declawed girl who needs a forever home - people who will love her and let her love them back. She's a talker and loves to be petted and brushed. She'll sit beside you on the coach and keep you company after a busy day of work. Emma had been adopted but was returned because she starting acting less playful and loving. As it turns out, Emma had developed diabetes and was feeling pretty badly. She had stopped grooming and her beautiful coat became matted and had to be shaved, but when it grows back she's just lovely. Emma needs an insulin injection once a day and she's doing really well. She's a sweet, loving cat who just wants someone to love. If interested in adopting her please call her foster mom Sarah at 828-713-0325.

Dog puppet

Lucy Boyd creates fun handmade fleece puppets. She has been creating toys since 1964. These sweet pups are approved as safe for children. Adults find them irresistible too.

Dog fleece puppet

Dugan from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.

Hi my name is Dugan. I am 9 years old and kinda shy, but only at first! I am a Chow and Golden Retriever mix. I like other dogs and children. I am a very nice looking dog that just needs a lap to lay on and a warm house to live in. I am in good shape for a senior dog, and enjoy taking walks and hikes, and do well on a leash. My foster mom says I have a "Golden" personality!! Want to meet him? He is currently in a foster home, so if you would like to set up a time to meet him please call 828-505-3440.

Please visit other Camera Critters posts.

Cats, Dogs, Ornaments, and Bow Ties!

2011-08-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

Linda Banner cat ornament

The Gallery is gearing up for fall and getting in the holiday ornaments from our local potters like these sweet cat ornaments by Linda Banner. She makes them in brown, cream and black glazes. A great gift for the cat lover.

Ceramic cat ornament

Continuing our month long promotion of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Asheville's only no-kill shelter, we are highlighting Simon and Ella today to help Brother Wolf compete in the Save More Lives ASPCA 100K Challenge 2011. For more info on the contest or Brother Wolf click on either the pic on the sidebar or the tab under the header.

Handsome Simon needs a home.

Simon is an 11 year old, very handsome kitty who was returned to BWAR when his family lost their home and couldn't find housing to accept pets. Simon was living with his brother, who passed away shortly before they were to be returned, a couple of small dogs and a 6 year old little boy. Simon does the cutest little trick where he sits up on his rear end and paws at the air like a puppy dog. Hopefully his foster momma can catch him on video soon, so everyone can see. This sweet, gorgeous, big hunk-a-kitty is really looking for his forever home, so he never has to move again and will have all the love her needs. Email Simon's fostermom to learn more about him at lisa.alford@me.com.

Goat milk soap

This great Dog Shampoo Bar of soap is the perfect thing to keep your dog flea free and skin healthy. It is made at the farm with goat milk, saponified neem oil, Castor oil, coconut oil, aloe butter, rice bran oil, flax and hemp oil. Blue Belle Farms is a regional award winning goat farm.

Dalmatian and fire truck bow tie

Beau Ties of Vermont makes their ties by hand, using fabric of all kinds. This is our favorite, with the bright red fire truck and Dalmatian dog. Got a fireman in the family or a firetruck enthusiast? This tie is sure to be a hit with them.

Ella is available at Brother Wolf.

Ella is a large, sweet, female English Pointer with a great big heart to match. She was found as a stray and had 11 pups. She is quiet, loving and laid back, but can be playful, too. She loves people and is great with older kids. Ella doesn't get on too well with cats and likes some dogs better than others. She is about three years old and is house-trained. She has a very strong prey drive, so she must have a fenced-in yard. Come meet this great dog at our Adoption Center at 31 Glendale Avenue, Asheville, NC 28803 or call 828-505-3440 for more information.

Elvie Zell Copper Enamel Jewelry for Brother Wolf

2011-08-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

Elvie Zell chihuahua earrings

August 20, 2011 is International Homeless Animals Day, sponsored by the International Society of Animal Rights. The keyword is neuter - so many animals are in shelters across the country due to pet overpopulation. Spay and Neuter - spread the word and pass this on to all your fiends and family.

Our artist today is copper enamel jeweler Elvie Zell who is a master at her craft. She amazes us with her detail in pins, pendants and earrings. Her love of and knowledge of cats and dogs comes through in each piece. Who better to end the second week of featuring cats and dogs for adoption at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville, NC? They are participating in the Save More Lives ASPCA 100K Challenge from August until October 2011. For more info on this and our no-kill shelter click on the sidebar button or the tab under the header. Now let's meet two wonderful homeless pets in need.

Candy available at Brother Wolf.

Candy spent her early years living on a back porch, so she was very nervous and shy at first, but she has really come around. Her foster mom says that even though Candy is a small dog, she has the personality of a large dog. She is very active and loves being outside if another dog or human is around. She takes a while to warm up to a stranger, but she does warm up. She sticks to her foster mom like glue, but still likes to go, go, go. Candy does well on leash and riding in a car. Her foster mom took her tubing, which Candy loved. Candy also loves playing fetch. Candy needs an active owner who will take the time to help her adjust to new surroundings and people. Because Candy is in a foster home, call first if you are interested in meeting her. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue's Adoption Center is located at 31 Glendale Ave., Asheville, NC 28803 or call 828-505-3440 for more information. Our hours are Mon.-Sat. 8am-8pm and Sunday...

Matching pendant

Cat/not a cat pin

Katie available at Brother Wolf.

At 12 years old, Katie should be spending her days lazing on a pillow in the sunshine, cherished by a devoted family in her golden years. Instead, she found herself homeless and abandoned. Katie’s previous owner passed away without plans for her care in place. She spent a month in the deserted home, a neighbor dropping by once in awhile to put out food. Aside from movers coming in and emptying the home, she was alone in grieving for her lost friend. Finally she too was packed up, and left at the local animal shelter. At her advanced age, and surrounded by young, outgoing cats, her chances of adoption there were slim. So Brother Wolf welcomed her into our family, and she’ll stay with us for as long as it takes until her new perfect person comes along. We’re only able to be there for her thanks to you! Katie is looking for very special people to be her new family. She’s on a prescription diet to maintain healthy kidney levels, and had been declawed so her joints are stiff from being unable to stretch naturally. But despite everything, Katie has so much love to give. After the trauma of her past she just wants a safe place to rest and a home to call her own.

Grey cat pendant

We are joining Camera Critters today so please visit them for more great pet posts.

August 17 - Black Cat Appreciation Day!

2011-08-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

Lyndall hand bag

August 17 has been declared Black Cat Appreciation Day to help dispell the myths surrounding these gorgeous house panthers. Did you know that black cats (and dogs) are the last to get adopted in shelters and the first to be euthanized? People believe silly superstitions about them because of their color.

During the month of August, we are featuring adoptable pets from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue to help this no-kill shelter in Asheville, North Carolina win the Save More Lives ASPCA 100K Challenge. For more info click on the pic in the sidebar or the tab under the header.

Five Reasons to Adopt Black Cats (and dogs):

You can always find a black pet in snow.
Black pets bring GOOD LUCK in many cultures.
Black goes with all styles of home decor.
Black is beautiful and comes in many shades.
You will be rescuing a dog or cat who may not make it out of the shelter alive.

To highlight black cats and dogs, we are featuring the soft buttery leather hand bags by artist Lyn Lyndall. If you love spooky things, her black cat bag depicts an amber eyed kitty with stark trees and a raven outlined in the background against a night sky. A crescent moon adorns the flaps with gemstones.

Keever from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.

Keever is a silky black fellow with a sweet, soulful nature. Bonding with people is his trademark. He will follow you around and sit on your lap. In between playtimes, he loves to be brushed and petted. He is good with other cats. We've had this little sweetie for over a year, simply because of his color and he gets stressed at adoption events, so he doesn't come to adoption events often. Please call his foster mom at (828) 281-2885 to meet Keever.

Black lab hand bag

Black dogs are slighted too at shelters, especially older black dogs, so we are adding them to our Black Cat Day post. If you have had Labradors, you know how sweet and playful they are. This one on Lyn's hand bag looks ready for a game of fetch.

Bear is ready to go home with you.

I am Bear, a lab/pug mix, and am around 3 years old. Once I get to know someone, I want to cuddle with that person. I would probably do best in a home with older children or an all-adult home. I like my quiet time, but I also like to play with other dogs. I am house- and crate-trained and know several commands. I have an awesome curled tail that is adorable. My foster family says I am good in the car, walk well on a harness and chew only things I should - like raw hides and bones (yummy!). Call the shelter for more information - 828-505-3440

Please pass this post on via Facebook, Twitter or email - help us find forever homes for these and all the animals at brother Wolf.

Pet Greeting Cards for ASPCA 100K Challenge

2011-08-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

Cat greeting card

New Hampshire illustrator Cindy Hendrick creates a full line of blank animal greeting cards, many with whimsical dogs and cats on them.. Each card has a descriptive verse on the back about the animals shown on the card. Her dog and cat cards are perfect for the pet lovers in your circle of friends. Today we will feature Sidney and Bacon of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue to promote Save More Lives ASPCA 100K Challenge. Help us help Brother Wolf win by Tweeting, or posting these pets online! For more info click on the pic on the sidebar or on the tab under the header.

Sidney appears to be a purebred Manx (tailless) cat. He's about 5-7 years old, a rescued stray, neutered with all his shots and in excellent health. He needs a special home, as he has feline leukemia.
Sidney loves to play, behaves wonderfully with small children, and is good with other cats. He's sweet-natured, gentle and non-destructive, and is the best snuggler in the house. Cats with feline leukemia can live healthy, happy lives for months or even years from the time they are diagnosed. ( I personally know a FeLV cat that lived 19 years with it.) We know that whoever gives this great guy a chance for a wonderful life - no matter how shortened it might be - will receive their kindness back from Sidney tenfold.

Sidney from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.

If you'd like to meet Sidney or learn more about him, call his foster mom Jennifer at 231-7205 or jennifer.freelance@gmail.com. To learn more about Feline Leukemia, go to www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html.

Sack race card

Cat sleeping card

Bacon from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.

Here is Bacon's story - "I was found as a stray by BWAR's president and founder. I was covered in fleas, my paws were so sore and I was skinny. I have been to the vet to be completely checked over and I am a healthy boy. The vet says I'm probably 8 - 10 years old. I have a cyst at the base of my spine and a BB along my spine that the vet sees no reason to remove at this time. I have a quirky personality that my foster family just loves. I am a true couch potato. I love to be rubbed down my sides and back legs - I just wiggle and grin! I'm a really sweet guy who deserves a forever home that will appreciate me. I am a bit of a digger so my family will have to have a secure yard. Please call my foster mom at (828) 778-3011 to meet me."

Please visit Camera Critters for more great animals.

Cynthia Link's Ceramic Cats and Dogs

2011-08-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

Cat with metal fish

Regional potter Cynthia Link has created a new line of her dogs and cats. they stand 19 inches high for the tallest with metal birds or fish and the small plain ones are14 inches high. The large dog is wider and stands 16 1/2 inches high.

Large dog

Cat with ceramic fish

Cat with bird

Smaller dog

We are continuing our support for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue of Asheville. North Carolina, a no-kill shelter. They are in the Save More Lives ASPCA 100K Challenge 2011 hoping to win the first prize to buy the shelter they are now renting. They need to rescue 300 more pets than they did during August - October of 2010 to win. Pleas help us help them - repost, Tweet or post on Facebook!

Grady from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.

I'm Grady, a sweet and energetic boy who loves to play. I spent the first years of my life on a chain and I'll need someone who is patient and will help me navigate my new surroundings and experiences. Luckily, I'm eager to learn and I have all the potential in the world. I really am a wonderful and deserving boy (and handsome, too!). I am actually very good on a leash and love to take hikes and go on runs with volunteers. I am also very relaxed while riding in a car. Please come to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue to meet me. I am definitely worth it.

Cat with bird

Sgraffito cat

Beau, neutered declawed male cat @ Brother Wolf.

My owner passed away and I was dumped at the shelter. I'm a little shy at first, but once I get to know you, I am affectionate. I love to be petted and get belly rubs. I ma declawed so must stay indoors. I'm available for adoption at PetSmart, 150 Bleachery Blvd, Asheville during adoption hours: Saturday, 12-4pm; Wednesday 6-8pm. Contact Karen (828-713-7883) to meet me and confirm I'll be there.

For more info on other pets available for adoption click on the pic on the sidebar or on the tab below the header.

Copper Cat and Dog Jewelery by Robbie Diffey

2011-08-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

Robbie Diffey copper bracelet

One more post this week featuring two pets from our no-kill shelter, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville, North Carolina. We are helping them win another round of Save More Lives ASPCA 100K Challenge by increasing their adoptions.

Local jeweler Robbie Diffey is an animal lover from way back and creates lovely unique embossed copper jewelry, bookmarks and ornaments with dogs and cats on them. A perfect blend of her two loves.

Colorful Dinga from Brother Wolf

Lovely Dinga is a sweet one-year-old Husky/Shepherd mix girl. She does well with both other dogs and children. She is taking an obedience class now and is doing very well. She would be a great family hiking companion. Come visit her at Brother Wolf shelter, 31 Glendale Ave., Asheville, NC 28803 or call 828-505-3440.

Leather copper cuff with dog

Cat bookmark

Cali from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

Cali is an 8 year old calico gal with very pretty markings. She is extremely affectionate and loves her sleep time - a very low-maintenance kitty who just needs your love. Her ears are deformed from hematomas (called cauliflower ears) that occur when the cat shakes or scratches it's head because of untreated infection, earmites, or trauma. Cali's ears are fine now and won't get worse, they just need to be cleaned once in awhile. Call Stacey at 828 713-5159 to learn more about this sweet girl, or stop by the adoption center to meet her!

Kitty ornament

Copper cat pendant on chain

Adopt, support and volunteer for Brother Wolf!

Camera Critters

Tuxedo Cats and Big Dogs

2011-08-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

Bobbie Carnell carved wood tuxedo cat

Local wood carver Bobbie Carnell does a great job in capturing the alert playfulness of a tuxedo cat in her figurine. Did you know tuxedo cats are more intelligent than other cats?

According to Dr. Magrathea Wallace, tuxedo cats (or TCs) are significantly more intelligent than regular cats (including all other breeds and varieties). Research indicates that this difference may be as great as 200%. Other cats living in the same households as TCs benefit from this and may see temporary increases in intelligence of 5-10%. (Info from About.com Cats)

This is Miles from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville, NC. His family had to move away but could not take him with them, so he is very used to being in a home. Miles is super sweet and loves to be loved on. He likes catnip, purring at deliverymen and being near his people. He needs extra special people to adopt him since he is on a special food for his tummy - he has irritable bowel syndrome and is currently eating Science Diet W/D or R/D wet food and this costs about $50-$60/month. Contact Brother Wolf at 828-505-3440 to make arrangements to see this super smart tuxedo cat in person, or email his fostermom at dwannataunton@yahoo.com.

Hand Quilted Dog Purse by Leslie Bowman

If you like big happy dogs this purse is for you - hand quilted by artist Leslie Bowman. For the real thing keep reading - Nakita may be your new best friend!

I'm Nakita, and I think I am a pretty good looking girl of one and a half years. Somehow I was hit by a car, but I have fully recovered now. People here say I play very well with other dogs. Because I am exuberant, they say I should go to a home with another big dog to play with or an owner who will hike, run or play Frisbee with me. They also say I am smart, love to play with toys and am good at entertaining myself. I am here everyday at Brother Wolf Animal Shelter in Asheville NC, so why don't you visit?

Please click on the picture on the sidebar for more great cats and dogs who need a good home.

Julie Calhoun-Roepnack's Pet Pottery Kicks Off the ASPCA 100K Challenge

2011-07-31T19:01:00.000-07:00

Roepnack mug

Trivet

Local artist Julie Calhoun-Roepnack carves into the surface of her pottery to create three colorful dimensional results. Her cats and dogs seem to jump off the pieces and into your life.

Her mugs, trivets and plates add a dash of fun - adopt one of these real live beauties from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue and add a dash fun and love to your life!

Snowball is almost two and a pretty little pure white kitty. She's a little shy but will follow you around begging for her head to be scratched. Email cats@bwar.org if you'd like to meet her.

Sebastian was a homeless boy who ended up at Asheville Humane Society with a terrible skin condition that was due to flea allergies. He hase a sensitive disposition because of his light hair and eyes and he is doing much better since being on Comfortis for flea prevention and eating dog food for sensitive pooches. Sebastian is approximately 1 year and 4 months old and just over 70 pounds. He has plenty of energy for exercise and play and he LOVEs water!!! He is very good with other dogs and loves people too! Please call his foster mom at 828.778.3011 or email her at beagleblvd@att.net for more information.


Platter

Colony Collapse Disorder in Bees

2011-07-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Jonathon's spoons honey stick

Bees are dying off in record numbers since the last decade. Bees are responsible for pollinating our plants - no bees, no food. To help with this dire situation the Gallery is donating a percentage of our income on Jonathan's Spoons hand made honey sticks towards research on Colony Collapse Disorder in bees.

Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is a phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive or European honey bee colony abruptly disappear. While such disappearances have occurred throughout the history of apiculture, the term colony collapse disorder was first applied to a drastic rise in the number of disappearances of Western honey bee colonies in North America in late 2006. Colony collapse is significant because many agricultural crops worldwide are pollinated by bees.

European beekeepers observed similar phenomena in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, and initial reports have also come in from Switzerland and Germany, albeit to a lesser degree while the Northern Ireland Assembly received reports of a decline greater than 50%. Possible cases of CCD have also been reported in Taiwan since April 2007.

The cause or causes of the syndrome are not yet fully understood. In 2007, some authorities attributed the problem to biotic factors such as insect diseases. Other proposed causes include environmental change-related stresses, malnutrition, pesticides and migratory beekeeping. More speculative possibilities have included both cell phone radiationand genetically modified (GM) crops with pest control characteristics,

though no evidence exists for either assertion. (Info from Wikipedia)

If you would like to find out more or learn what you can do to help save the bees, please visit the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign.

Lisa Conard honey pot

Camera Critters

More Whimsical Works from Simone Wilson

2011-07-30T09:15:00.000-07:00

Holiday ornament

Simone Wilson is known for her work in mixed media - wood, found items, metals. The Gallery has added new items to her collection. Her metal ornaments are colorful and whimsical. From the snowman to snow flakes, they capture the winter season perfectly.

Snow flake

Marionettes flower girl, butterfly girl and chef

Her large marionettes are perfect to decorate a child's room. The flower girl with her basket of posies, the butterfly girl sporting a set of huge wings and the chef with cooking utensils for hands are unique and entertaining. For a smaller piece, her fun vivid birds can either hang from the ceiling or sit on a shelf.

Jester

Simone's wood heart makes a great gift for an anniversary, wedding or to say "I love you" to that special person. Any of her works add just that special touch of whimsy to your home!

Wood heart

Birds

Snowman ornament

Christmas tree

Gem Mining and Minnehan's Cuff Links

2011-07-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

Onyx, mother of pearl, tiger's eye, malachite, unikite, lapis cuff links

Cecilia Tappan Minnehan uses a variety of gemstones in her silver cuff links - onyx, mother of pearl, tiger eye, malachite, unikite..to name a few. Did you know that the mountains of North Carolina boast many gem mines?

If you are a rock hound, a trip to the Gem Capital of Franklin, NC is a must. Gem mining is found a many locations across the mountains but Franklin is known as Ruby City! There are many gem mines located in the Cowee Valley north and west of Franklin.

Commercial mining in this area began in the 1800's when local people began finding red stones in their mining efforts. These were rubies which prompted a representative of Tiffany's of New York to come visit and report on the value of the rubies found here. A geological survey in the early 1900's discovered the area was rich in corundum - the mineral that makes up sapphires and rubies. It was almost as hard as diamonds and was used as an abrasive and bearings in many industries. Unfortunately the amount was too small to justify continued mining of the area. The mines then turned to tourism and mining for fun and profit.

Most of the mines have powered water sluice where you may sift through the dirt and rock called fluming that you obtain while prospecting in these gem mines. These mines contain rubies, gold, amethyst, aquamarine, sapphires, garnets and many other types of stones. The world's largest blue star sapphires were found in one of the mines in the Cowee Valley. This entire area is a gem hunters heaven.

Onyx, tiger's eye, green jasper cuff links

Malachite cuff links

Azurite, and malachite cuff links

Ivan Ivanoff's Old World Style Leather Handbags

2011-07-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

Shoulder bag by Ivan

New leather artist Ivan Ivanoff was born into an old world leather craftsman family in Bulgaria. He is the third generation to work with leather - his grandfather was a saddle maker, his father designed ladies handbags and his mother made handbags at home.

After Ivan escaped from Communist Bulgaria at the age of 26, he lived and worked in Italy and Germany before coming to the United States. He met his wife in Manhattan and worked for many leading handbag companies int his country over the years. The last one he was with was Dooney & Burke. After some travel in Europe, the family settled in South Carolina where he again took up his leather work. Ivan creates his own designs using the old world carftsmandship his grandfather and father taught him.

Ivanoff's handbag

Purple shoulder handbag

Accented with rattlesnake skin

Lovely butter color handbag

Briefcase style bag