Handcrafted Jewelry by Caroline Sandlin

A few years ago, while gathering artists for our Bloom’ in Art show, we were given the name of Caroline Sandlin, a jewelry artist out of Hollywood, South Carolina. Caroline dropped off her jewelry for the show on the front porch and then picked it up after we left the venue. Several years have gone by and only recently did we meet Caroline face to face at the Piccolo Spoleto Craft Fair. It was a joy to see her booth uniquely designed and her jewelry center stage. Caroline handcrafts all her pieces out of everything from sterling silver and copper to leather and pieces of pottery. Each piece is made by hand with the utmost care and creativity. Caroline's work is artsy yet classic at the same time. Here are a few pictures of her work. 

 -Liz and Kari

An Interview with Local Potter, Betsey Carter

The first time we saw Betsey Carter's work was on a visit to Cone 10 Studio. We were inspired by the simplicity, functionality and grace of her pieces. We had the honor of showing her work in a Bloom' in Art show and remember people quickly scoffing up their favorite mug, bowl, or meditation stone for themselves or as gifts for loved ones. Betsey's work is not to be missed. Her passion and honesty are ever-present in her art. 
Tell us a bit about your background as a potter.

I received a B.A. from Agnes Scott College, majoring in art, and my M.Ln. (Master of Librarianship) from Emory University. Additional studies in ceramics include: Gibbes Museum School (SC), with Susan Filley; Arrowmont School of Crafts (TN), with Julia Galloway; Haystack Mountain School of Crafts (ME), with George Bowes and with Philippe Barde.

Cone 10 Studio a is a great place for artists do their work and share their work with the community, can you elaborate on your mission at Cone 10.

We are a community of clay artists, promoting the ceramic arts and broadening the local creative culture, by providing studios, exhibition space, and educational opportunities. We share resources and maintenance of the common space. As a working studio and gallery, members produce individually created work, and at the same time, mutually support one another with information, ideas, and critique.

What inspires you daily to create such amazing pieces of pottery?

Mainly, I cannot imagine not working in clay. I find great inspiration from historical ceramics. I draw or take pictures of things I see as I go through my day, and make lists of ideas. I keep a tiny notebook with me to write down ideas, words, pieces of literature, things I hear or read that grab my attention.

Living in the Charleston area where there are so many amazing things happening locally, what are you favorite local sources of inspiration?

Recently I've become interested in reinterpreting the English porcelain vessels acquired by prosperous 18th and 19th century Charlestonians. You see these vessels on mantles and in antique shops - vases, and urns in colorful glazes, sometimes with pastoral scenes, often gold trimmed. I make similarly shaped vessels, incorporating literary passages and popular aphorisms, small drawings, and elaborate trim referencing these objects with a modern aesthetic. I see these as an outgrowth of my functional work. As fancy as they are, they are still pitchers, vases, plates, and bowls, and can be used as such.

What is your favorite part of what you do and what is your not so favorite?

Of course, making work is the best. Cleaning up is probably my least favorite part – but a clean clay studio is a healthy studio.

Where else in Charleston can your work be found?

Cone 10 Studios, Carolina Clay Gallery in Freshfields Village, Four Green Fields in Summerville, Charleston Crafts, Mepkin Abbey

What do you want to share with Charleston through your art?

I am drawn to functional art because I love knowing that an object I made can enhance someone's life; bringing a little beauty and grace to daily living -- a porcelain bowl of strawberries for the table, a restorative pot of tea, a sweet little pitcher of milk. I like to think that my work is both a reflection of and contributes to the conscious living and attention to beauty that is Charleston.

Do you have any special tips for new artists and potters out there?

Just show up every day and keep making work.

Thanks Betsey!

Functionality at it's best!

The perfect tea pot for a traditional English Tea.

OK so not the best picture. Early morning, no make-up, my three joys, and my favorite mug. A gentle reminder to always
BE KIND.

 Liz drinks her daily cup of joe out of this Betsy Carter mug. Another great reminder when raising tweens and a teen!


~Liz & Kari

Asheville's Heavenly Hummus

While shopping at Whole Foods, we came across a young gentleman handing out samplings of hummus. So, being the good citizens that we are, we partook in the sampling as well. Truly delicious hummus, in fact, some of the best we have ever tasted! Matt Parris' business, Roots food, is out of Asheville, NC. We had the good fortune of being able to spend a few minutes with him and discover more about the man producing this heavenly hummus (he even agreed to an interview). Later that week we emailed him some questions to answer. Here they are! 

Tell us a bit about your background on the “food scene”. 

Growing up, my family always had a garden and home cooked meals. Just being around real food and parents that could cook set the standard for what I consider to be quality.  

What inspired you to start your own business?

I was tricked into it.

Your “flavors” of hummus really make it stand out, how did you come up with such an interesting array of “flavors”?

Several of them are done by other companies as well, so a few are pretty common. But the other ones are the result of playing. That’s the part of cooking that I like the best; playing around with an idea and seeing how it works. Your intuition usually has a pretty good starting point, then you can tweak the results until it’s just right. There are a few really interesting, unexpected flavors that will come out soon.

Being from the Asheville area, I know there are so many amazing things happening locally. What inspires you most?

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) is an amazing organization. The slow food group here is really active.

But the biggest thing is the huge number of people that love real food. Growing it. Cooking it. Coming together around it just naturally builds community and fills that disconnect that is so insidious in our culture.

I think you mentioned that you grow some of the herbs and spices used in the hummus. Tell us about your ingredients and their origin.

Hummus is a difficult thing to source locally when you live in the Appalachians, but we still try. Lemons? No. We’ve had some experiments with a couple farms trying to grow garbanzo beans, which haven’t yielded great results. But what we can do is source a few things locally when they’re in season. Garlic, spinach, red bells, jalapenos… There are other products that Roots makes that utilize more local ingredients, but for the hummus, we have to take baby steps.

What is your favorite flavor and how do you like to serve it?

Chipotle is usually my favorite. I say usually because I do like them all in different applications, but Chipotle is my go-to. It’s an awesome sandwich spread. Or dipped with tortilla chips. Or…make a soup, take it off the heat and stir in hummus (like you would with cream) for a vegan way to make a creamy soup.


Thanks Matt!

Our favorite too!

Roots Catering and Wholesale
Phone: 828. 232. 2828
Fax: 828. 254. 4435
email: catering@rootsfood.com

http://rootsfood.com

Roots Cafe
185 Clingman Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801

An interview with Nikki Fitzgerald Wood of It Fitz Jewelry

 I was first introduced to jewelry designer Nikki Wood, owner of It Fitz Jewelry, when my neighbor had a trunk show to promote her beautiful designs. I bought a sweet pair of red beaded, drop earrings that spice up any boring outfit. Later, Liz and I invited her to show her work in one of our Bloom' in Art shows and she was a huge hit! She agreed to an interview with us and shares her love of jewelry design and life in the low country.

Tell us a bit about your background in jewelry making.

When I was little, I'd dig around my mom's jewelry box and pile all of her jewelry on and play dress up. Like every girl, the older I got, my love of jewelry only grew. I happened to go into a craft store one day and bought a few strands of beads and came home and made a necklace. I wore it to a going away party and got TONS of compliments. A lot of the girls that night mentioned that I should make more pieces and have a trunk show. I ended up having one and it was very successful. After a few more shows, I got a little more serious about doing my "hobby" on the side. A good friend of mine suggested I call my little jewelry company It Fitz Jewelry. My maiden name is Fitzgerald, and with a play on words, It Fitz Jewelry became the name of my now growing jewelry business. I try to have something for every woman. Whether it's super simple and dainty, to bold and colorful, one strand to ten strands, I try to have something that "fitz" every one.

What made you want to start your own business?

 I've always been EXTREMELY independent (if you asked my mother she would say that's an understatement). I always liked being in my corporate sales job, but felt like I was missing SOMETHING. I have a lot of self motivation and I'm a hard worker, but I wasn't getting much joy out of my job. I got laid off in my last sales job (when the economy headed south) and my husband was the one who told me to go for it. It had always been in the back of my mind as something to fall back on, but it kept getting put off. Now I had no excuse but to try. With a lot of love and support from my husband, mom and friends, I decided to just go for it! I ended up absolutely loving working for myself. I've recently branched out my jewelry making and I'm now doing kid's birthday parties. It's been so much fun watching children's creativity come to life when making their necklaces. I try to make the planning and the actual birthday party as stress free for mom and dad as possible. I provide all the supplies that are needed to bring out the creativeness and uniqueness of each child. Once I find out the theme of the birthday party, the pendant that goes on the necklace will be based around that theme (ie: princess, ballerina, animal, etc). Each child not only leaves with her jewelry as a party favor, but it’s something they made all on their own.

Living in the Charleston area, where there are so many amazing things happening locally, what are you favorite local sources of inspiration?

I'm actually a native of Charleston, so living here my whole life has always allowed me to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. This summer I have been obsessed with coral and big, colorful necklaces. Charleston is full of art in almost everything we see- whether it's boutiques, beaches, the battery, art galleries or any historical landmark,  my mind stays artistically stimulated. I love taking random colors and putting them all together and watching how it turns into a work of art. Somehow, all the colors seem to pull together.

What is your favorite part of what you do and what is your least favorite?

My favorite part of what I do is being my own boss!!! I would much rather have to answer to me, than someone else. Being your own boss makes you HAVE to be super motivated, dedicated, and have a willingness to bust your butt at all times. Even when you would MUCH rather be doing something else.  Creating and designing jewelry is obviously the fun part, but being a one woman operation can make life VERY busy! Not only do I do all the designing and creating of the jewelry, I do my own marketing, graphic design, bookkeeping and website design. It can be extremely overwhelming and stressful. I have to keep in mind that it's not always going to be fun doing the "business side" of things (like taxes, etc), but I know at the end of the day, it's totally worth it! Hard work and dedication have become an ongoing learning process for me. But, even with all the administrative things that go along with my job, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

What do you want to share with Charleston through your art?

One of my favorite things is when a customer buys a piece of jewelry and is smiling and excited about their new purchase. The economy is not what it used to be, and instead of going out and trying to buy new outfits, the right piece of jewelry can turn an old outfit into something that feels brand new. I want all of my customers (new and old) to feel a little bit happier after they purchase a piece of my jewelry. I would like to say to anyone who has a dream not to get discouraged but just keep trying. If I can start a business, anyone can!

Featured in the April 2011 issue of Health Magazine

Thanks Nikki! 

For more information on It Fitz Jewelry check out Nikki's website at www.itfitzjewelry.com or email her at Nikki@itfitzjewelry.com

Pawley's Island Hammock Master Marvin Grant

Marvin Grant is famous. His Pawley’s Island hammocks have received rave reviews from around the country. But don’t just take our word for it, take a peek in his workroom and you will find walls covered with letters from satisfied customers like John Ratzenberger (Cliff from the TV series Cheers) and Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond) along with hundreds of thank you notes from children who have come into the shop to see him at work. Marvin will take children right behind the counter and teach them how to braid bracelets, make sea shell holders and “thingie ma jigs”, and then he’ll show them how he weaves the hammocks.

Originally from New York, Marvin served in the Army and was stationed in the area. Twenty years later, and no telling how many hammocks later, he is still in Pawley’s Island and has been weaving hammocks for The Original Hammock Shop ever since. He even has a coffee named after him!

Here are some pictures from our visit with Marvin at the Hammock Weavers Pavilion. Our children were able to meet and learn from the great hammock maker himself!

Marvin at work

Learning to weave!

The finished products!

Ready to weave!

Marvin's Jump Start coffee

Letters of gratitude

Cliff and Marie

Marvin makes the cover of Coastal Living

More publicity and letters

Enjoying one of the many comfortable hammocks on display

 The Original Hammock Shop
10880 Ocean Highway (Hwy. 17)
Pawley's Island, SC 29585

Thanks for the memories Marvin!

Liz and Kari

Connor, Baylor, Mia and Scout

The Art of the Dance

My nineteen year old niece, Leilani, born and raised in Hawaii, has been dancing the hula since she was 4 years old. The first time I saw her dance was at my wedding in 1998. As a gift to her uncle and I she danced the hula in front of a crowd of 200 guests. It was the best gift we could have received. Everyone was amazed by the passion and love that exuded from such a young girl. This beautiful and bright young woman continues to share her love of hula with the world. While we are sharing my journey to Hawaii this week I knew I could not leave out the "art of hula". Hula is known as the "soul of Hawaii" shown through movement. Historical sources tell us that hula was originally performed by a god or goddess and therefore the dance is a sacred ritual. Below Leilani shares her knowledge and love for this ancient art in an interview.

Tell us a bit about your background, when did you start Hula dancing and where has your path taken you?

I started dancing hula at the age of four and never would my parents think that it would eventually become something that defines me and shaped me into the person I am today.

Tell us about Hula, it is more than a dance correct?

Hula has really become a lifestyle for me. There is never a break from hula, it is year long. The people who dance with me have become my family. During competition time, we are together what seems to be every day. We travel together and bond as sisters and brothers.

What inspires you daily to want to keep dancing and learning?

What inspires me to keep dancing and learning is every person who tells me how much they enjoyed my dancing. Their happiness makes me want to keep growing as a hula dancer.

Living in the Hawaii where there is so much beauty around you, what are your favorite sources of inspiration?

Huaka’i is a word meaning to journey or to take a trip. Sometimes when we are learning about a particular area, we go on a huaka’i in order to learn more about that place, its surroundings and its environment. Being able to see and feel exactly what the composer saw and felt back in ancient Hawai‘i is an inspiring source of inspiration. One of my favorites was the first time I went to the volcanoes on the island of Hawai’i.

What is your favorite part of what you do and what is your not so favorite?

My favorite part of hula is sharing it with others. When others are able to feel enjoyment from what I love, I feel like it is what I am supposed to do forever. My not so favorite part of hula is that because I invested my entire life into this lifestyle, I sometimes miss out on other fun things. Don’t get me wrong I love hula, but because it is always my first priority, some other things get put on the back burner. One example is that I missed my junior prom to go to a hula competition. Although it was a bummer not to go to prom, I don’t regret not going.

You have danced all over, what has been the most exciting place you have gotten to dance?

In Hilo, Hawai‘i there is a hula competition called the Merrie Monarch Festival. The Merrie Monarch is like the Olympics of hula. I was most excited when I first stepped on to the stage at Merrie Monarch. My dream was coming true at that exact moment. It was what I worked so hard for. That is why the Merrie Monarch Stage is the most exciting place I have gotten to dance.

What do you want to share with people through your art?

I hope that every person who watches me dance can see how hula brings me joy. I want them to share in the happiness of hula.

Hula involves learning more than just the art of the dance, tell us about what else it entails. 

Because  I danced hula, I began learning the Hawaiian language. Hula is all about telling the stories of ancient Hawai‘i through song and dance. Not every hula dancer is required to learn Hawaiian but I chose to in order to better understand the meanings behind the stories.

In Hawaiian there is a word Mana. Mana is a spirit or a divine power. Each person makes their own costumes and leis for hula to put their own mana into their adornments. Positive energy and spirit is put into the leis and costumes which will be reflected in the dances in which the costumes and leis are worn.

Mahalo Leilani!


(Leilani dances at Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea and her production company is Kawailanamalie Productions)

Our Love Affair with Lime Blue

With a mission to promote all things local,  we made a trip to Lime Blue. Lime Blue, located on Queen Street in downtown Charleston, makes one feel like they have taken "happy pills". From clay birds and owl (piggy) banks, to platters and paintings, everything is so full of life and personality. Shop owner and artist, Jeff Kopish, not only displays his own work in the gallery but that of other local and talented artists. Jeff and his trusty gatekeeper, Janey (his yellow lab), make everyone feel welcome. Our love for Jeff's work made us curious about what makes him tick so we twisted Jeff's arm and he committed to an interview about his shop and his passion for art. Below is the interview as well as some pictures from the gallery.

Tell us about your background. We know you also have quite a passion for gardening and horticulture. 

I studied microbiology, ecology, botany, and biology as an undergraduate.  As a sort of therapy, I took art ceramic classes.  I've always loved gardening.  I grew up reading seed catalogs with my Grandmother and planning our dream gardens. Nature has always been a huge influence in my life.

What inspires you daily to create such amazing pieces of art?

I'm not really good at being inspired daily... sometimes I feel "fallow" and don't have any new ideas and am afraid that I'll never have any more.

What are your favorite sources of inspiration?

There is inspiration all over. I think one of my greatest attributes is that I really notice things, and sometimes see them in different ways.

What made you want to open your own gallery? 

Opening the shop was purely accidental. I was one of Blink's (the store before me) artists. When she closed the shop, I stayed. I'm happy I did it in the long run, but it is a lot of work! 

Where else in Charleston can your work be found?

I am very fortunate to have been commissioned to do work for Taco Boy, Mepkin Abbey, and the Family Circle Cup. Nina Liu, on State Street, also has some of my pieces. She is a huge inspiration to me, along with loads of other local artists and friends. Charleston Gardens, Abide a While, and Tin Roof Studios in North Carolina also sell my ceramic works.

Thank You Jeff!

Fish made from recycled materials found around town

We both had to get a sweet bird towel

Great pendant lights, perfect for a girl's bedroom

A vase just right for displaying summer flowers

Shop Lime Blue!!!!!!

Cheese is Art!

While visiting the Charleston Farmer's Market, it is hard not to stop and sample everything you see. From homemade pickles to mouth watering jams, everything is so fresh and delicious! On a recent visit, we had the pleasure of sampling some pimento goat cheese from Giddy Goat - one word, AMAZING!  We chatted with owner, artist (she painted the above goat), and cheese maker, Farrah Hoffmire, and learned that yes, cheese is art! All Giddy Goat cheeses start with fresh hormone-free, grade A, goat milk delivered to them from local South Carolina farms. They infuse the cheese with an eclectic array of ingredients from crystallized ginger to green cracked pepper and sea salt. The final product is so pure and delicious that it was voted the winning ingredient to be used in the Charleston Food & Wine Festival, Top Chef Challenge! You can get Giddy Goat cheeses at the Farmer's Market as well many specialty markets and restaurants around town. For more information, please visit GiddyGoatCheese.com. Whenever you make a purchase, a portion of the proceeds go toward another one of Farrah's passions, filmmaking to make a difference! Stay tuned for more info on all of Farrah's exciting projects!

We love this variety pack that includes four flavors of goat cheese.

What could be better to bring to a party or pack for a picnic?

Come and sample all the flavors at the Charleston Farmer's Market!

An Interview with the "Bangle Sisters" of Earthly Artifacts

Last week, we made a trip to Earthly Artifacts located in the newly named "Coleman Village". We interviewed shop owners Lisa Churchill and Debbie Alfaro, also known as "the bangle sisters". Their sweet shop is located next to The Square Onion, a well known venue for delicious eats. From soothing soy candles to pots overflowing with herbs, Earthy Artifacts is a local treasure bringing all the best of local art to one amazing cottage. Lisa and Debbie’s vision and passion are so alive, we left feeling inspired and ready to plant!

First, a little background on the lovely ladies:

Lisa opened Plant'in Thyme, a local nursery, in 1999. She provided local gardeners with colorful flowers, lush plants, and her expertise until she closed the shop in 2006. Earlier, in 2002, she had purchased Earthly Artifacts and began to explore the art of making pots and planters for the garden. Debbie continues to display her planters in local shops throughout Charleston.

Debbie is a retired Swat Commander of the Mount Pleasant Police Department! She recently retired from 28 years of service to our town to explore the art of making candles. In 2008 Debbie injured her knee on an on duty “chase” which kept her out of work for 5 weeks. During her recovery, she was inspired by a vendor at the local Earth Festival to learn more about the benefits of using soy in candles. She spent the next few weeks researching and starting her own line of natural soy candles called “Breathe”.

Here is what these lovely ladies had to say about their shop, local inspiration, and so much more...


How did “The Bangle Sisters” get together?

Lisa and Debbie have been friends for years. But the decision to open a shop together occurred almost spontaneously! One day while on patrol, Debbie spotted a “for rent” sign on the cottage. She instantly called Lisa and asked her if she was ready to go into business and the rest is history.

What is your favorite part of what you do?

Lisa and Debbie agreed that they love the customers and meeting all the people that stop into the shop each day. They also mentioned that Earthly Artifacts seems to bring out the “kid” in their customers.

Do you have any local source of inspiration? 

While Debbie and Lisa are both inspired by local artists, they also mentioned how the concept of “farm to table” is stirring their inspiration.

What do you wish to share with the community?

They have no agenda except for supporting one another on a local level. Especially in this economy, they agree that they want everyone to do well. 

Describe your daily inspiration…

While Lisa is inspired by spending time cooking and utilizing all the wonderful herbs available at the shop, Debbie is recharged by relaxing in the garden and playing with her pups.

Right now the shop is overflowing with flowers, herbs, and veggies for your garden. Stop in and sit in the garden for a moment and you too will be inspired!


Visit  Earthly Artifacts
         411 B Coleman Blvd. 
         Mount Pleasant, SC

Here are some pictures from our visit

Inside the shop, a wonderland. From fairy houses, to jewels, and candles. Truly Magical.



Custom Made leashes for your 4 legged friends