
Some very WNC registries:
Asheville's River District Artists
Situated along the French Broad River mere minutes from downtown Asheville, the River Arts District is home to more than 100 artists. Many of them will work with couples on creating their registries. You'll find two examples of River District Artists that offer bridal registries listed below. However, head on down to the River Arts District any day of the week and discover the possibilities on your own. Find out which artists are open on any given day by visiting www.riverdistrictartists.com and clicking on "Calendar Open Studio Hours."
Hofman Studios
Register for gifts and/or wedding china at Hofman Studios. Artist Michael Hofman makes hand-built porcelain that he impresses with antique lace. Hofman says, "Often brides will bring in old family lace or perhaps extra lace from their own wedding dress for me to make their pieces with."
111 Roberts St., River Arts District. (828) 232-1401. www.hofmanstudios.com
The Potter's Mark Ltd.
The Potter's Mark offers handcrafted, functional stoneware, featuring a rare red glaze: "A piece of art you can use every day," says Potter's Mark artist Eileen Black. Couples can use the Web site or call to build a registry. Potter's Mark will work with a couple to design their own Web page, where their family and friends can go to order items.
The Cotton Mill Studios, 122 Riverside Drive, Studio A, River Arts District. (828) 252-9122. www.pottersmark.com
Common Housefly
A "toy store for the food conscious," declares Common Housefly's Web site. The shop offers pots and pans, tableware, glassware, bar accessories and much more. Proprietor Kerryn Davis says it's very easy to register at Common Housefly, "simply come by during regular business hours … and request a sheet to list [your] general info and 'wish list,' and it is then kept [at the store] for guests etc. to pull and shop with."
104 West State St., Black Mountain, N.C. 28711. (828) 669-0503. www.commonhousefly.net
New Morning Gallery
New Morning Gallery showcases a collection of American-handmade decorative and functional crafts — ceramics, furniture, glass and more — in a 12,300 square-foot, multilevel space in Biltmore Village. The gallery assists couples in building their own online registries.
7 Boston Way, Biltmore Village. (828) 274-2831 or (800) 933-4438. www.newmorninggallerync.com
Porter & Prince
Couples can make appointments to come into the store to discuss their bedding, bath and furniture needs. After a couple has selected the items for their "wish list," a registry is created. The couple's guests can then visit the store and choose from the list. Gifts can be picked up at the store when it arrives or shipped with a minimal fee. Gift wrapping provided for smaller items.
2 Hendersonville Road, Suite A1. (828) 236-2337 or (888) 431-2337. www.porterandprince.com
giveArtfully.com
An online gift registry based in Asheville that offers handmade art and crafts: original pottery, photography, textiles, handmade books and more. Creating a registry at giveArtfully.com is a free, one-step process. Much of the artwork is created upon order and allows the couple to be involved in the design process by selecting colors, finishes, styles and sizes.
(888) 696-6807. http://giveartfully.com
Want to get really Asheville, long after the actual ceremony? Many local artists offer registries for couples, who might then end up with a set of dishes both hand-crafted and unique. Forget department stores and work with independent local retailers who stock all manner of wares. And if you're curious what the process is like setting up a registry with an artist, rest assured, they've made it virtually stress-free.
Here's a sample step-by-step primer from ceramic artist Dawn Dalto:
"Normally I meet with the couple in person so that they can see the work and make selections. They tell me which pieces they want and how many. I then set up a special section on my Web site for them. It has each of the items that they selected and the quantity that is being requested.
Then their guests can visit the site and make purchases. I give them a link to their particular section that they can send to their guests, and if they wish I will put a link on my front page with a link to their page. Some couples don't want a link as they want it to be more private.
I give the purchaser the option of having the item shipped to them or I can hold it in my studio for them to pick up or even deliver it myself to the couple prior to the wedding if they are local and can ship too. I offer free gift wrapping also for wedding registries. I try to make is super easy for both the couple and their guests."
What are the advantages? Along with the convenience of registry, Dalto lists "getting a hand-made dinner service, tiles, wedding-day accessories that meet their theme and style, ease for their guests to purchase something the couple wants without hassle, free gift wrap, free local delivery."
1 thought on “Gifts we received”
This is a great article, I enjoyed reading…