Ruth Gilmore Langs didn’t always work in her preferred medium of oil paints. Although she began painting in nursery school and was taught oil painting in high school, she ultimately studied film, TV and writing, while minoring in painting, at American University in Washington DC. Post college, she worked closely with her mentor and teacher, Kwok Wai Lau, a Chinese artist, which is how she truly began to blossom as an artist.
If you haven't heard, BIG things are happening over here at CLOTH & KIND. We just opened our brand new Showroom & Shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan! One of the things close to our hearts and at the core of this venture for us is to promote local Ann Arbor, MI (and Athens, where our Georgia team is based!) artisans. For us, Kate Tremel's lovely, organic ceramics were an obvious choice. We're thrilled to say that we are carrying Kate's pieces in the Shop, and are excited to introduce y'all to her and her work here.
Studying Spanish and Anthropology in undergrad, Kate came to love pottery after taking a couple community art classes. She took a time off of school and pursued her passion, studying pottery under a traditional ceramicist, specializing in large vessels, Josue Luis Yamunaque. After finishing college, Kate Tremel then attended graduate school Cranbrook Academy of Art, focusing her studies on mixed media sculpture the village pot. She even had a stint living in Athens, GA - what are the odds?! She is now a professor at the Penny Stamps School of Art and Design at the University of Michigan, located right in Ann Arbor.
Drawing inspiration from nature, such as moss growing on a rock, she is constantly stimulated by her surroundings. Kate is process-oriented, focusing her design on improvisation. In fact, she loves when a piece surprises even herself. Delving deep into the details of her process, Kate Tremel is fascinated by the intimate connection between maker and creation. She describes the sensuality of wet clay, the texture and form of clay reminiscent of skin. It is this deep relationship with her work that allows her to create pieces that are accessible and engaging to the viewer.
Her motto in design is simplicity. From the clean, simple lines of her nesting bowls, to the pierced vases and lamps, Kate Tremel has mastered sophisticated, intriguing ceramics, with a overall sense of uncluttered beauty, and we're wholly in love with her work.
We adore our local shops, creatives, and makers - both in Athens, GA & in Ann Arbor, MI alike! - and Thistle & Bess stands out as a truly unique spot that had us all hooked upon first stepping foot in this charming & lovely shop.
Growing up outside of Ann Arbor, owner Diana Marsh attended college at the University of Michigan and worked as an elementary school teacher in New York. But, her heart always yearned to open an eclectic, vintage-inspired boutique.
Beginning as a jewelry line based out of Brooklyn, NY, Thistle & Bess specialized in antique and vintage accessories. But, in the concrete, copy-cat culture of consumerism, Diana realized the need for diversity and creativity in the current marketplace. Thus was born the store of her dreams, a beacon of light in the jungle of mass-produced products, Thistle & Bess opened in the Kerrytown Market of Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2015.
Supporting artisans local and worldwide, Thistle & Bess boasts a vast collection of curated prints, jewelry, home accessories, and paper goods. When asked about her process of selecting new products, Diana said that she is always on a treasure hunt. On top of the never-ending search for new artists, she loves how her store has enabled her to get involved with the community and create friendships in the neighborhood.
We also couldn't resist inquiring about the store's name! With a rich family history traced back to Scotland and England, and a self proclaimed "history nerd," Diana hoped to incorporate these two aspects of her life in the name of her store. Thistle is the emblem of Scotland, known to be tough, yet beautiful. The latter half of the name, Bess, derives from the nickname for Queen Elizabeth I, "Good Queen Bess."
If you're not a fellow Ann Arborian, fear not! The curated collection of treasures is also available on their website. You can also peruse creative workshops ranging from a class on reading Tarot cards to a lesson on paper flower bouquets. Hop on over, check it out, you will thank us later.
PHOTO CREDITS //
Header and Bottom Two Photos: Silver Thumb Photography
Top Two Photos: Ava Sherick, CLOTH & KIND Junior Design Assistant
Beyond honored to have my home featured on Remodelista today as part of their Patterns & Prints edition this week. The lovely photographs were taken by Rinne Allen. Interior design and styling by yours truly + Tami Ramsay, CLOTH & KIND. Many thanks to Margot Guralnick of Remodelista for putting together this thoughtful and comprehensive look at my home and design sensibility!
I'm really excited about this new column, Loving Local, because there are so many incredible places in Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas that I've been wanting to tell you all about! Though we moved here nearly 2 years ago, it's only been since we completed the gut rehab of our home about 6 months ago and got moved in that I feel like I've settled in enough to get out and explore, and finally claim this quirky university town as my home. The first place that I've been itching to write about for some time now is METAL.
METAL is a full-service design and fabrication studio, co-owned by John Walters & Claudette Stern. They create super high quality pieces of sculptural, utilitarian and mechanical forms all from, you guessed it... metal. Their brick and mortar shop at 220 Felch Street in Ann Arbor is a place of pure inspiration, as you will see from the photos below, with lofted ceilings, exposed beams and white brick walls which create the backdrop for a mixture of high-end furniture, fine art, and vintage objects. But don't fret, if you can't make it here in person METAL also has a fantastic selection of goodies in their online shop, including their newly launched line of custom furniture.
METAL also does a significant amount of custom work, which is how I first came across them. I needed to have some shelving made for the kitchen in the home we were rehabbing. I knew exactly what I wanted and had the design roughly sketched out but needed someone who understood the material to work with me on finalizing it and actually producing the pieces. I was referred to John at METAL and as soon as I walked into the place and started talking with him I knew he was the guy to do the job. You know how you can just sense incredible talent & quality, almost like a gut instinct? That's how I felt. And I was right. The shelving that John made for me turned out perfectly and remains one of my favorite parts of our kitchen, as well as one of the things that people most ask about (while oooo'ing and ahhh'ing over them). They also helped me convert a beautiful old zinc washtub that I found at the Ann Arbor Antique Market into my laundry sink by mounting it onto the base of an old metal stool. It's another conversation starter in our home, for sure.
If you're in town visiting, John & Claudette would love for you to stop by and see their blacksmithing and fabrication in action, as well as peruse their shop's unique collection. You will be so glad you did.
METAL | 220 Felch Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 | 800.613.6385 | www.metaloffmain.com
IMAGE CREDITS | All photographs taken by Krista Nye Nicholas of CLOTH & KIND
