As many of you know, Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley were hit particularly hard by Hurricane Helene on September 27th, 2024. My home and my pottery studio were both hit by trees that fell in the hurricane force winds, and my store was closed for many weeks as all of our utilities had to be restored from scratch. We did not have running water for 84 days, and our community came together like never before to help those of us still here survive and even thrive again.
My studio now has a new roof, and the kiln shed has been rebuilt and painted. I have been able to produce pottery since water was restored. However, I have been displaced from my home since the storm as the damage to my house was more severe. Mercifully - as I am writing this - 406 days after the hurricane - I am happy to report that all of the interior work has finally been completed on my home, and I will hopefully move back home in the next few days!
It has been a long and arduous journey to get this far, and I know deep in my bones that I would not be a potter still without all of the support from so many of you. Thank you for lifting up my business throughout the past year, and thank you for continuing to support me throughout this recovery period. Appreciate yall so very much.