Ballantyne Magazine covers news, events, real estate, restaurants, shopping, health, schools and business in the upscale Ballantyne Area of Charlotte, NC.
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BALLANTYNE | one tank trip for wedding gifts. "We have a whole range of people coming for all different reasons," Farrell says, adding that JLK Jewelry at Jugtown Pottery created this teapot. or wedding gifts. "We ha whole range of people com for all different reasons," Farrell says, adding that interestingly, Seagrove po is most well known outside of "Most of our customers from Virginia, North Caro South Carolina, Georgia, Tennesse and Ohi but we g them fro all over— interestingly, Seagrove pottery is most well known outsid the state. "Most of our customers come from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio, but we get them from all over — even overseas," she says. "Sometimes we joke that the overseas," sh says. "Sometim we joke that the Seagrove area is known internationally more than in North Carolina. People in England know us, but people in North Carolina usually don't." Farrell s Seagrove area is k internationally mo than in North Carol People in England kn bu p ople in North Ca u ually d n't." F ut pe us do Farrell says the busiest says the busiest WANT TO V SIT SEAGROVE? Check out the tips below to help you plan your trip to the Seagr Uwharrie National Forest. Get a map. A map of the s nearly two hours northeast of Ballantyne, just east of the Uwharrie National Forest. help you plan your trip to the Seagrove area, the pottery capital of North Carolina. Seagrove i is nearly two hours northeast ea, the pottery capital olina. Seagrove ANT TO VISIT SEAGROVE?I Check out the tips below to season is October through December, when potters are selling pottery for the holiday season faster than they can make it. There's a Christmas Open House scheduled for the area December 4-5, including lots of inventory and open kilns. However, the slow season of January and February is a great time to visit and pick from a fresh selection, Farrell notes. A Winterfest celebration is scheduled for the area in February. Handmade History The best part, Farrell says, is that there's something for everyone. "Right now there is a wide range of styles, which is what people really like. There are shops that are very modern. Ours is very historically based," she says. "You have a Pottery can be wall art, as is this piece entitled "Red Dung Pottery can be wall art, as is this piece entitled "Red Dung Beetle" at Bulldog Pottery. whole range of things: people who make pots designed for decorative use. Shops making very simple, functional ware that you could buy and use every day." Even before they met, the map and plan your trip while up there. Potters also will s maps, complete with pictu to interested visitors. Just a Plan your time. ou ca potter Mary Farrell, who ow area is essential if you don't plan on getting lost on rural side roads. If planning a trip in advance, download one of two area maps from the Museum of NC Traditional Pottery, www. seagrovepotteryheritage.com. This website, along with the Seagrove Area Potters Asso- ciation, www.discoverseagrove. com, also includes a listing of area potters so you can browse work beforehand and map out who you'd like to visit. If spontaneity is more your thing, drive straight up to Seagrove, pick a potter and request a 90 BALLANTYNE MAGAZINE map and plan your trip whi up there. Potters also will send maps, complete with pictures, to interested visitors. Just ask. Plan your time. "You can't see the entire area in a day," saysea in a day potter Mary Farrell, who owns and operates Westmoore Pottery with her husband David. "In a day you can see a lot of places, but not every one in one day. Each time a visitor comes, if they stop at one or two places they haven't stopped at, then they can gradually get to know the area and who they want to return to. "People who come here regu- larly end up with their favorite places," she adds. "They don't drive here for one place. They'll stop at fi ve or six places or more if they have time." DiscoverSea- grove.com also includes a list of area overnight accommodations. Dress comfortably. "You'll be In the Seagrove area, there are more than 100 potteries. walking around; wear comfort- able shoes — particularly if you want to poke around behind a kiln," Farrell says. "You won't be on paved paths necessarily." Consider bringing your lunch. "There are very few restaurants here," Farrell warns. Most potteries keep picnic tables for people to enjoy lunch." CELEBRATING TEN YEARS 2000-2010 Tote a camera. "Most places allow photographs," Farrell says. Enjoy. Many visitors to the Seagrove area have been coming for generations and buying pottery that's passed down through the family. Start a new tradition in your family this year and discover what the magic of Seagrove is all about. WINTER 2010-2011