Ikebana Flower Arranging

Arrange your flowers from a different perspective. The ikebana is a Japanese style of arranging that focuses on clean lines and simple forms instead of the traditional bunching of color that we normally see. In the ikebana form, the structure holding the plant has as much emphasis as the flowers, which creates a lot of possibilities as a center piece.

Its a refreshing minimalist take on flower arrangement and its enjoyable to let your imagination flow with each placement. With less to work with, arranging an ikebana takes focus and keeps you in the present moment. Experiment with sticks, grasses, and leaves. Some ikebana designs even incorporate an oil lamp, giving the design a nice soft light. Enjoy a new perspective on flowers with a ikebana.

Asheville Pottery, Unique Cookware

Asheville pottery is varied and prolific. The artistic community and abundance of raw material brings talented people to the area to work with clay. Lee Davis brings his years of experience to his unique variety of work, hand painted pieces as well as his Zen Collection with bamboo inspired wall sconces and water features. Here are some of the more unique Asheville pottery designs for the table that we have seen out of his studio, Birdfoot Ridge.

Brie Baker- this shallow round piece with small handles fits a 5-6” wheel of brie and bakes right in the pot. He suggests adding some Jack Daniels, brown sugar, and sliced almonds. Serve right in the pot.

Garlic Grater- this is a small flared dish with high sides, a pourable spout, and a rough bottom. Take whole garlic cloves and grate on the rough bottom, adding some olive oil and herbs for dipping. Either dip right out of the pot or pour into another dish. We suggest saving the other dish for something else.

Pillow Pot- here is a pillow shaped pot with three holes on the top for putting a flower in. It holds water and makes for a nice touch on an elegant table. Comes in many colors in addition to the hand painted white and blue.

Bread Baker- Good pottery is perfect for baking. It conducts and holds heat very well, which is why clay ovens bake the best pizza's. This bread baker creates a great crust and you can rise, bake, and serve your bread in the same pot.

Egg Scrambler- A small dish you rub with oil, crack your eggs in, and scramble with seasonings and whatever creative additions you like. Microwave for 30-45 seconds and away you go. Great for a bachelor.

In addition to those Birdfood Ridge produces some many unique Asheville pottery designs, including colanders, pitchers, hot plates, and various specialty appetizer stoneware. His work inspires creativity in the kitchen.

Local Asheville Pottery

Its a challenge to do justice to the pottery of Lee Davis and Erin Janow in a picture, but we're trying. The depth of color, weight, and style of these two very different craftspeople is amazing. Its tough to capture the color of the pieces under lamps, but so far we are getting a decent representation of Lee Davis' white and blue pieces. We are carrying a great selection of styles from both artists, including a garlic grater, brie baker, casserole dishes, plates, mugs, and pitchers.