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A new year always brings a sense of possibility. At Crisanthemum Studios, January isn’t about rushing forward — it’s about setting intention, staying curious, and making space for what wants to grow. After a meaningful first year on Main Street in downtown Pilot Mountain, we’re stepping into 2026 with excitement, creativity, and a whole lot to look forward to. Here’s a little glimpse of what’s ahead. Creativity will continue to be at the heart of everything we do in 2026. O

A Year in Review from the view of our Potter. As the year comes to a close, I find myself sitting with a feeling that’s hard to put into words — a mix of gratitude, pride, disbelief, and deep appreciation. This year marked our first year in downtown Pilot Mountain on Main Street, and what a year it has been. Crisanthemum Studios didn’t just open its doors — it found its people. From the very beginning, this space was imagined as more than a pottery studio. It was meant to be

Hi friends, As the year winds down and the days grow shorter, I find myself drawn to the gentle glow of the kiln — that quiet heartbeat of the studio that keeps burning through even the coldest days. The orange light spilling from its door feels like a reminder: there is warmth in the work, and transformation in the waiting. Clay has always mirrored life for me. It begins soft and uncertain, then hardens in the fire into something strong, enduring, and full of purpose. Every

At Crisanthemum Studios, every piece you see on a shelf or in someone’s hands carries the care of many hands—some you see, some you might not. Over time, I’ve come to lean into a vision where learning, growth, and shared creativity are just as meaningful as the finished pottery. This month, I’m excited to introduce you to Jerica, my apprentice potter — someone who’s quietly growing with me in the studio, making things behind the scenes that bring color, charm, and meaning to

There’s something timeless about receiving a handmade gift. It carries a warmth that no store-bought item ever could — a sense that the giver took the time to choose something meaningful, something that tells a story. At Crisanthemum Studios, we believe handmade pottery is more than a gift. It’s a piece of art infused with love, patience, and intention. Each mug, bowl, or ornament is shaped, glazed, and fired with care — turning raw clay into something that will be part of so

Hi friends, November has always felt like an invitation to pause — to breathe, to look around, and to recognize the good that quietly surrounds us. The harvests may be gathered, but gratitude keeps growing if we tend it. In the studio, gratitude shows up in unexpected ways. It’s in the warmth of the kiln on a cool morning, in the laughter echoing during a class, in the glaze drips that somehow turn out better than planned. It’s in the stories people share as they paint, the f

At Crisanthemum Studios, we believe that creativity connects people. Every person on our team brings their own light, laughter, and heart to the studio — and that’s what makes this space so special. This month, we’re excited to introduce you to Magon Sechrist, one of the creative souls who helps make Crisanthemum Studios the warm, welcoming place our customers love. Bringing Art and Joy to the Studio If you’ve ever been greeted with a friendly smile or found yourself laughing

At Crisanthemum Studios, we believe pottery is meant to be used and loved every single day. That’s why our motto is Handmade For Your...

Hi friends, Every October, the trees remind me that letting go can be beautiful. Here in northern North Carolina, the hills start to glow in shades of gold and crimson, and the air carries that first hint of woodsmoke. It’s the season when everything feels softer, slower, and somehow more honest. I see the same truth reflected in clay. There are moments when a piece I’ve spent hours shaping suddenly resists me — it collapses, cracks, or simply asks to begin again. It used to

At Crisanthemum Studios, one of the most joyful parts of what we do isn’t just making pottery — it’s watching others discover the magic...

At Crisanthemum Studios, pottery is more than clay and glaze. It’s about people — the hands that shape, the hearts that guide, and the...

At Crisanthemum Studios, our motto is simple: Handmade For Your Everyday. But what does that really mean? For us, it’s not just a tagline...

Hi friends, There’s something about that first crisp morning—the steam rising from a handmade mug—that feels like coming home. Coffee...

Hi friends, Clay has seasons, just like we do. Some days are for shaping. Others are for resting. Lately, I’ve been learning to honor...

Discovering the Joy of Creativity One of my favorite parts of running Crisanthemum Studios is seeing the look on someone’s face when they...

Handmade Art, Small-Town Heart When I dreamed of opening a pottery studio, I knew it had to be more than just a place to create. It had...

The Handmade Table Hi friends, Some of my favorite summer memories aren’t about where we were or what we wore—they’re about the tables we...

What Clay is Teaching Me Right Now! "The ‘Almost Ehh’ Collection — Perfectly Imperfect with Personality." (Every piece has a story, a...

On Motherhood, Creativity, and Coming Home to Ourselves Stepping out of her comfort zone and into creativity — Cris painting her very...