Well, it has been a year...

Photo by Kavin Bradner Photography. 

So... hello there. Fancy meeting you here considering I have left this thing vacant for the past year. A LOT has happened and to be honest, I can't really go into detail. (Mostly, I have forgotten the majority of it all.) We are indeed a whole year older and my son, Levi, is also now two. With that, some changes have been made to Oak Leaf Pottery. I have phased out many shows and have picked up more wholesale and custom orders. My time has become quite limited with a little boy to look after. It took a lot of soul searching and praying over that decision, but I think (and hope) that overall our family is happy with the change. Another big change is our shop page. My lovely husband, Dan, has been updating that slowly and you should expect to see even more on there in the near future. One great thing that we were able to do is offer free local pick-up for those of you living in the area, or for those passing through. So make sure that you choose that when you place an order!

Photo by Kavin Bradner Photography. 

I am excited about some new partnerships that have developed with my wholesale part of the business. Give 'em a little looksie and stick with me for photos of their finished products on my Instagram and Facebook pages. 

My new partners in crime are:

Cooper River Roasters  Charleston, SC

Trout Lily Deli & Market  Asheville, NC

It's The Little Things  Spartanburg, SC

Archaic Pine  Rapid City, SD

I am very excited to be working with these businesses and couldn't be more thankful for their support! I have also picked up several dinnerware set orders, as well as a wedding registry! How amazing is it to be a part of a family's most intimate conversations and experiences, right?! I love making work for families to use in their homes. There is something really special about that. Thank you to those people who have been using my work in their homes or who are getting ready to- Congratulations and a huge shout out to my very first wedding registry couple, Salley and Randy! 

Well, I know that wasn't much, but Dan and Levi should be back from the park fairly soon so that is my cue to log off of here. I can't promise to post all that often, but I do hope to do it a bit more than once a year... yikes.

With love, Allison

Some exciting things have been brewing...

So first of all, I should apologize for my lack of presence on the blog and other social media.  I have been a bit less active online and much more active in the studio.  

One of my most exciting orders that I have been working on is for Hub City Tap House in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  First of all, let me just say that the guys who run this tap house are amazing.  The day I decided to walk in with my prototype beer mug I was SO incredibly nervous.  (I'm sure I had broken out in my red nervous rash all over my neck...) The Tap House had just opened recently and my husband and I loved the place so much I thought, "How cool would it be if these guys would use or buy my beer mugs?!" So I made a prototype, brought it in (all crazy nervous), and they loved it! They were so welcoming and excited.  I couldn't have asked for a nicer group to work with.  So a month later I had delivered their first round of mugs and they sold out like crazy! I am now working on their second order :) This has been such an amazing opportunity and blessing.  I couldn't be more thankful! 

I am also now working with The Urban Planter in Spartanburg, South Carolina which is another wonderful locally-owned shop!  I love to support local and really this notion didn't hit me until Dan and I moved to South Carolina.  Paul Desmond, his wife, and mother own and run this great little place together.  They make beautiful terrariums, fairy gardens, and their focus is live plants, so if you want a beautiful, lush, green arrangement that will last and last- they are the people to talk to!  This has been so much fun and I have been expanding my work to include air plant holders, hanging succulent pots, and fairy houses!

The other fun shop that I have been able to get some work into is Urban Digs in Greenville, South Carolina.  I feel in love with this little hip shop the moment I walked in.  Amy, the owner, has some great finds there- from ceramics to plants, jewelry to retro house wares- this is one neat place. Not to mention, she has the sweetest shop dog, Mattie! 

Green Springs in downtown Seneca, South Carolina is another fun shop that has been selling my pots. I recently supplied the owner with another batch for her many holiday shoppers. The store is quirky and vibrant and features nearly 20 potters and seven glass artists.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have met these people.  I am so thankful for their support as well as all of the people who I have met at all of the crazy festivals I have been participating in!  Thank you to my Oak Leafers - you know who you are! ;)

Ok... So one last bit here.  As a "Thank you" and a "Merry Christmas from Oak Leaf" I am giving away a set of three of my slab trees.  You may have seen this posted on Instagram and possibly Facebook already, but for those who have not- please LIKE us on Facebook to be entered to win.  That's all you have to do.  No strings attached.  No lie. Just Like us :) I will be announcing this TOMORROW, December 1! Hurry and enter! I am already working on my list of names to pull from!