A History of Decorating with Tiles - Tzadi Turrou

Inspired by the natural settings of the the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, local artist Tzadi Turrou's 4" by 4" tiles of birds, rabbits and flowers are ready to hang or use as a trivet.  Bring one home as a gift or for yourself.

Since the time of ancient Mesopotamia, mosaics have been used to add color, texture, and pattern to homes. The historic art form, first used in the fourth millennium B.C., utilizes small pieces (called tesserae) of stone, glass, fired clay, or other hard materials to cover a surface, often to create a pattern or depict an image. Because the process was so labor-intensive, tile work was once found in only the most aristocratic houses. But now it is a versatile, hard-wearing, and practical option—ideal for kitchens and baths, of course, but also for walls and floors in other rooms as well as swimming pools.  (From Elledecor.com)

Have any of you bought Tzadi's tiles and displayed them up in a unique way?  We would love to showcase your pictures on our blog or Facebook page.  Email them to us or post them on our Facebook page! 

The Gallery Welcomes the Crossnore Weavers

Vibrant color selection of scarves

Since 1920 the Crossnore Weavers have created lovely articles like these rayon shawls and scarves in a variety of patterns used by the first settlers. Each piece is hand woven on a loom by the weavers of the Crossnore School in a tradition passed down through generations.

Crossnore hand loomed scarves

Weaving was taught to the local residents of this area  to help them create a means of making money selling their work. In doing this, they helped weave the tapestry of a rich Appalachian culture.  Now you too can bring home an exquisite handmade item rich in history. Each ticket is signed by the weaver of the piece so you know who made it. All profits from Crossnore Weavers go to benefit the Crossnore School, a private nonprofit children's home and  school.

Shawl colors

Crossnore weavers shawl

More shawl colors

Nell Chandler's Appalachian Mountain Vista Jewelry

Jeweler Nell Chandler has expanded her mountain heritage line depicting our beautiful Appalachians  to include some lovely necklaces and earrings embellished with pearls or precious stones.  Her original colors were the rusts seen in the top photo.  The newer pieces have the  lovely Carolina blue skies, fluffy white clouds and deep green of the trees.  You will not find these pieces anywhere else - just at the Gallery! For a unique memento of the mountains, call or email for more info!

Simone Wilson's Bird Lady

Simone Wilson dropped off her newest metal creation "Birdie Le Croix" with a bird cage for her skirt, birds perched in the cage, on her arm and hat.  Just lovely!  She also gave us some more birds, colorful pinks, oranges and greens!

Pocket Vases by Estela Shackelford

The Gallery is carrying a fun new line of pillow pot vases by regional potter Estela Shackelford.  Each one is hand shaped and decorated with colorful frogs, dragonflies, or imprints of flowers. These low vases hold small blooms like violets, buttercups and other fragile flowers. Just the perfect little gift for a hostess!

Welcome New Jeweler Olivia de Soria

De Soria's silver and pearl pendant

Local artists Olivia de Soria was born in Virgina but spent her early years in the Midwest where ingenuity, resourcefulness and creativity helped keep her entertained.  It was here that she fist picked up a pair of pliers and started bending and hammering at bottle caps and old scraps of wire to make wearable art.


Olivia's design process has been influenced by many cultural traditions from the Middle East to Central and South America.  She has researched, studied and experienced these cultures and their traditional adornments in order to understand the age long tradition of bodily adornment.

Tumbled stone pendant

She extracts sensual shapes and patterns from ordinary structures and life forms that surround her and reconstitutes them as necklaces, earrings and bracelets.  Her designs are made of sterling silver, fine silver, pearls, gemstones and enamel on copper.

Matching earrings by de Soria

Copper enamel necklace by de Soria

Earrings to match

Pearl and copper enamel necklace

Silver poppy pendant by de Soria

Matching earrings

May 8 - Iris Day

Letterpress printed card by Arts and Crafts Press

May 8 is Iris Day!  Today we celebrate these beautiful late spring blooms.  With or without a beard, iris are very popular garden flowers. 

This holiday seems to have originated in Japan.  Iris has spiritual importance in there because they are said to ward off evil spirits.  On Iris Day, Japanese people put iris flowers in  their baths to prevent illness.  They also put iris juice in their sake to ensure longevity!  Maybe it works!

Iris tile by Tzadi Turrou

Surprise  your Mom an iris card for Mother's Day, or a wonderful tile as a gift.  Linda Banner's purple vase would be the perfect color to show off a bouquet of iris!!  Happy Iris Day!

Linda Banner's vase

Kentucky Derby Day - Local Crafts for Horse Lovers

Horse in field handbag by Lynn Lyndall with peridot beads

In honor of Kentucky Derby Day, today's post features horse related fine crafts at the Gallery.  Lyn Lyndall creates her amazing leather handbags from beginning to end herself.  She cuts and stitches the leather, adds bead work and paints the exquisite animal portrait on the front.

Horse necklace in copper by Robbie Diffey

 Copper jewelry Robbie Diffey loves all animals especially horses and you can see this in the attention to detail found in her copper bookmark with leather trim and necklace.

Robbie Diffey's horse bookmark

Unfortunately horses are being given up for adoption due to a tough economy.  The local shelters will take horses and help find homes for them.  We featured Bre, a wonderful senior horse looking for a new home. 

Bre is up for adoption

Bre is a healthy 24 year old senior Arabian that is up for adoption at the Asheville Humane Society shelter.  Please help find a home for the lasts years of the lovely horse.  For more info go here.

Gifts for Mom by Fabric Artist Kathleen Lewis

Hip pockets by Lewis

Mother's day is coming up and what better gift that a lovely floral pin by Kathleen Lewis.  Wear one on your clothing, hat or dress up your summer handbag with a sweet handmade fabric  flower!  The Gallery just got in a new shipment of Kathleen's Hip Pockets in so many colors and fabrics.  These make walking around town or hiking a hands free activity - just clip the pocket to you belt bands and you are ready to go - no purse strap to worry about!

So many lovely new items coming in daily that will be perfect for Mom - come on by or email us if you see something that appeals on our blog!  We ship!!

Fabric floral pins by Lewis