Honoring Craftswomen for International Women’s Day
WOMEN OF THE GUILD
Our History of Promoting Women's Crafts
During the Great Depression, opportunities for women in the South were mainly limited to farm work or mill labor, with hardly any economic equality or security. The Southern Highland Craft Guild was a unique entity that helped rural women achieve independence through their craftwork and contributed to a widespread cultural movement throughout Appalachia. The individual craft-producing centers of the Guild hired women equally alongside men. Below are craftswomen of our Guild who have been nominated by our shops in honor of International Women's Day. Take a glimpse at these talented women and find their work in our Asheville shops.
From our Biltmore Village Shop...
I love the natural world, and am inspired daily by the beauty of these Great Smoky Mountains where I live. The changing of seasons, skies and weather are a constant source for my creativity. Each of my felted landscapes is totally unique and made entirely by hand, using pure wool primarily from Merino, Norwegian Pelsull, Romney and Corriedale sheep, with tussah silk, wool nepps and other natural fibers sometimes added as well.
Kristin creates her work by wheel throwing and hand building. Most of the time spent on each piece is in the surface decoration. All of the color is added using thick slips that she creates with colored clay pigments. A background color is painted on, then hand-cut paper stencils are applied with a contrasting colored slip painted on top. All pieces are dipped in a clear glaze and fired to cone 6 in her electric kiln.
Each piece is individually formed from a slab or lump of clay. Tina primarily uses her bare hands rather than tools, so you will see her finger marks on the pieces. The love of animals, both domestic and wild, are the essence of her body of work.
FIND THEIR WORK IN BILTMORE VILLAGE
26 LODGE ST | Asheville, NC
828-277-6222
MON-SAT | 10AM-5PM
SUN | 12 PM - 5PM
Meaning "enjoyment of freedom," Raku is an ancient Japanese technique for firing pottery. These decorative vessels come in three distinctly different glazes: a coppery metallic finish, black and white crackle, horsehair. Lynn has been involved in ceramics since high school and has managed to perfect the unpredictable outcome of Raku firing.
I love making the objects that people use during their daily rituals. The favorite coffee cup that starts the day, the serving bowl that completes a family gathering, the teapot that brings drama and humor to a collection. Pottery is meant to be used and touched for both the most humble activity as well as the most important. Each piece is from my hand to yours, as a tactile reminder to appreciate the moment and those you share it with.
FIND THEIR WORK AT THE FOLK ART CENTER
382 Blue Ridge Parkway | Asheville, NC
828-298-7928
Tuesday-Sunday
10am-5pm
For 100,000 years, humans have sought adornment with jewelry, as a talisman or symbol of beliefs, ideals and mythology. The ability of jewelry to convey both an individual sense of beauty and a tribal belonging inspires what I create. From my childhood days of dress up play, I have adored the feeling of wearing jewelry, and eventually the most economical way to add to my collection was to make it myself.
From my studio window seat I gaze with gratitude at my surroundings. Inspirations for new designs are abundant here: layers of these Blue Ridge mountains, the thin smile of a crescent moon, a pair of bunnies playing in a meadow, the elusive mystery of a black bear, the beauty of small spring wildflowers. Thank you for a few moments to share part of my world and my artwork with you...
FIND THEIR WORK ON TUNNEL ROAD
930 TUNNEL RD | Asheville, NC
828-298-7903
monday - saturday
10am-5pm
My work consists mainly of landscapes focused on the mountains and seasons that surround us her in NC. I try to capture the beautiful seasonal mountain vistas my customers see when the drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. My hope is that my work brings them back to a memory of when they first saw the amazing vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and takes their breath away just as it did to me when I first came to this area.
There is no shortage of love for our mountains from both locals and visitors alike, so its imagery often works its way into my prints. I love talking to folks at shows about our mutual love of the natural beauty here.
FIND THEIR WORK ONLINE
CRAFTGUILD.ORG/SHOP
828-298-7909