For our next “Local Maker Spotlight” we would like to introduce you to…

Cathey Chet of Muddy Llama Pottery

• How long have you lived in WNC?

My family and I moved here from California nearly 20 years ago. We loved California, but wanted to be closer to our families in the east. We had always heard about Asheville being the “Berkeley in the East” and quickly fell in love with it and the surrounding WNC area, deciding to make this our permanent home.

• What made you start your business?

I’ve been an Elementary School teacher most of my life, but always needed a creative outlet. Over the years I have taken evening classes in pottery and sculpture when time would allow me while raising my kids. As my kids got older and more independent, I began to take it a little more seriously and bought a wheel and kiln of my own. It wasn’t long before my three children approached college age, and I found myself looking for ways to bring in extra income to cover costs. Pottery seemed to be the logical choice, as has proven to be a good decision!

Since then my husband, Randy, has also started to get involved. He tests and mixes the glazes and does more of the creative hand built pieces, including the ” Tree of Life” designs and the Salamander and Frog mugs that we offer.

• What is something about your business that most people don’t know?

The most common questions I get about my business is about the ​name, “Muddy Llama”, and about my llamas themselves. ​

We have two llamas, Eclipse and Moonshadow. As a kid, I always wanted to live on a farm, but as an adult realized how much work a real farm is. I decided to make it simple, get creatures that were somehow different, and very easy to care for. Llamas were my answer. They really don’t serve any purpose other than fertilizing my garden and making me smile when they come running up to me when I go out to see them. Occasional walks off the property are also fun. Yes, they do spit, but only at each other, never at me, thankfully.

• When you are not working, what are your favorite things to do in WNC?

Other than being in my studio, I love to be outdoors. I try to run or hike everyday, usually with my dog, Sonoma. When the kids are home we try to find new trails to explore in WNC.  Spending time with family and friends, music festivals and camping are some of my other favorite ways to relax and take a break. Thankfully WNC has much to offer in these areas!

Come on down to the shop to see all of Cathey’s pieces! We have a variety of her glaze colors and offer some unique bakeware, mugs, and more. All of Cathey’s pottery can go in the dishwasher and microwave, making it easier on you to use and enjoy her work.

Where to stay in Asheville with your dog…

Have no fear if you don’t want to leave your dog at home while you travel to Asheville. The majority of Asheville hotels, inns, and B&Bs have stepped up their game to serve both humans and their furry counterparts. Our recommendations within Biltmore Village are the Cedar Crest Inn and the Double Tree by Hilton. Click here for Trip Advisor’s top rated accommodations for a pet friendly stay. Asheville also offers a dozen or so boarding services and day care facilities for those that need in-town care.

Drinking & Eating…

Asheville has no shortage of breweries, which are some of the most accommodating businesses when it comes to dogs. Inside, outside… they don’t care, as long as you’re enjoying yourself, your beer, and your dog is nice. One exception to this rule is for the few breweries that have restaurants in them, such as Sierra Nevada. However, they do have dog-friendly outdoor area similar to the plethora of Asheville restaurants with patios where you can also enjoy a nice meal with your pooch. So, rule of thumb, if an Asheville business has an outdoor seating area, there’s a 99% chance you can bring your dog. YAY! Our recommended brewery in the Village for you and your dog is High Wire’s Big Top Brewery. For a casual patio setting with excellent baked goods and coffee, we recommend Well-Bred Bakery where they offer homemade dog biscuits. If you are needing something more substantial, take your pup over to one of our favorite casual dining patios at the Village Wayside.

Outdoor Playtime & Sight-Seeing…

The Asheville area boasts seven off-leash dog parks such as French Broad River Dog Park, Azalea Dog Park, and Mills River Dog Park. After all that play time, your dog may need a bath! The River Arts District has a DIY dog wash where you pay based on the size of your dog. Your fee at the Soapy Dog includes all the supplies you need with no appointment necessary. But let’s face it, not everyone is thrilled at having to bathe their dog, there is a plentitude of grooming services in town.

If you and Fido are wanting to see the sights, Gray Line offers a historic trolley tour where you and your dog can hop-on and hop-off at various stops around the city. If sitting on a tour bus isn’t your thing, Downtown Asheville and Biltmore Village are great areas to walk with your dog and see the sights on your own. Maybe a hike in the wilderness is more your style. Dogs are always welcome on the trails in our parks, they just ask that you keep your pet on a leash or controlled at your side. Our favorite for the whole family is the DuPont State Forest. Although a bit Southwest of Asheville, this state park is full of trails and waterfalls for any fitness level.

Shopping…

How can we talk about a dog’s life in Asheville if we don’t mention TOYS and TREATS! Our top spots in town to take your pet shopping are the Patton Avenue Pet Company, and Three Dog Bakery where you’ll find baked treats, unique toys, and clothing. But don’t forget, when you visit us a MTN Merch to ask about our handmade leather leashes and collars. We also carry a convenient, foldable water bowl!

Needless to say, dogs have a pretty good life here in Asheville.

Local Asheville insight from Natives and Locals

While we do sell local goods and apparel here at Mtn Merch, we also moonlight as local tourist guides to the many guests that visit our shop. Since we have so many great activities and attractions in Asheville we can’t possibly share them all, but we figured we would put some of our favorites out there for you all to discover or maybe even rediscover.

Favorite Local Hike

Bearwallow Mountain Trail

How to get there- technically this is in our neighboring Henderson county, however, it gives you an amazing view of Buncombe county (which is where Asheville is located for those that are not familiar, we don’t hold it against you) and allows you to really feel and see how beautiful our Blue Ridge Mountains really are! Follow this link for directions and a little bit of historical information.

Lookout Mountain

How to get there- located in Black Mountain, Lookout is a favorite to many locals and can be a somewhat undiscovered gem to our visitors. What is great about this hike is that you also get to discover the cute town of Black Mountain and beautiful area of Montreat. Directions are fairly simple but again, here is a link to make it easier and to provide additional information.

John Rock

How to get there- this hike is located near the Davidson River and the Fish Hatchery just south of Asheville. The total hike is 5 miles but you can make it what you will as there are various off-shoots from the trail that you can take. Located also near Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock you could easily spend the entire day in this area. Here is a link for the directions and a smidge more information.

Favorite weekend Asheville Activity

Floating down the river

How to do this- depending on where you are traveling from and what equipment you might have this could vary. For the majority of us who do not carry personal watercrafts on vacation with us, there are a variety of places that will help you discover tubing excursions down the river. Check out Zen Tubing or The Asheville Outdoor Center. Also, consider floating your way down to the Salvage Station and pull your float up for a beer and if you time it right some live music!

Listening to live music

How to do this- Asheville has a lot of artists and musicians. They can be found on the street, in a restaurant, in a park, or at a music venue. There is literally music everywhere! But if you want to find out what is going on while you’re here and in the area you may or may not be headed to, download the DigLocal app or visit there site (here!) for all of your local info about what is happening and where!

Beer!

If you don’t know how to do this…we will still help. Asheville has approximately 26 (give or take) breweries (and this does not count those in our outlying areas!). What are you looking for? Here is our breakdown: Actually, while we were writing this we realized there was so much to say that we are going to dedicate an entire blog just to the subject, so check back with us shortly!

Our favorite aspect of Asheville is:

The local community. Everyone is very locally oriented and supportive of local businesses. They want their neighbor to succeed and do whatever they can to help make that happen. We are so thankful to live in such a supportive area and to be surrounded by such creativity!
The views. How many places can say that they have a beautiful Walmart? Asheville can. There is simply not a bad view in this town! The mountains. It’s where we live!! The smell of the mountain air. The cool breeze. We are surrounded by beauty on a daily basis!
The happy people! Everyone (for the most part) is happy and helpful here. Is it because we are in the South or because we are in Asheville?! There are a lot of transplants here so it seems that it is an Asheville thing. We all want to live here and we are all proud to live here. That makes a huge difference in the hospitality that you will find here.

Want more local information?

We have a lot of it here! Come see us…the gang at Mtn Merch love to chat!!

Local Charity Partnership with Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

If you can’t tell by now, WE LOVE WHERE WE LIVE! Asheville and the local surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains have so much to offer. And since we like to take advantage of where we live, we also like to give back and support our local area. Every few months we feature a local charity that we are involved with and produce a uniquely designed NCline tee shirt to help support their efforts!

Our NCline brand is one of the ways that we get show what we are really all about. It’s where we live! One of the ways that we are able to support and partner with the charities that we love is through producing a uniquely designed NCline t-shirt for each charity’s cause. Over the next few months we are featuring our partnership with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and a portion of all sales of this exclusively designed shirt go to support and encourage their efforts.

SAHC’s Saw-Whet Owl

Our current partnership with the SAHC spotlights the Northern Saw-whet Owl. This endearing species in featured on our exclusive NCline t-shirt (what a cutie!). Not only do these owls get their own t-shirt but the Northern Saw-whet Owl also had a beer named for them in the For Love of Beer and Mountains program! Highland Brewing’s Saw-whet Saison promises to have just as much attitude as these little owls do! Follow the link to learn more about the Northern Saw-whet Owls. And while you’re at it, support the cause by drinking a Highland’s Saw-whet Saison!

SAHC Owl Tee Shirt

Our limited edition NCline SAHC t-shirts will not be available forever! Help be an advocate for this great agency and support the cause (and look great doing it!). Designed locally right here in Asheville by Suz Roach (who is an illustrator and is working on a children’s book) these exclusive shirts are only $20 and $5 of each shirt sale goes to the SAHC. Stop by our store or order right here online before they are gone!

 About the Artists Series–Chestnut Forge and Furniture

Locally Designed and Crafted

We are lucky enough at Mountain Merch to not only carry an incredible selection of Asheville themed apparel but we also have an incredible selection of talented artisans and craftsman that round out our shop with their locally made goods and gifts. We are very proud of the talented individuals and companies that have chosen to partner with us locally and we wanted to be sure and share a bit about their stories with you.

We were introduced to Craig of Chestnut Forge and Furniture from our dear friends Joe and Lisa (McDinan) of Sanctuary Brewing Company, he was commissioned by them to create their tables, concrete bar top and other great fixtures that have a blend of hand forged steel and wood. Joe and Lisa have been dear friends of ours and we happened to independently choose to open our businesses at just about the same time, so we have been able to learn and share a good bit with one another. They are committed to craft brews and rescues and have a great space, great beer (coming soon), music and community events that are focused on positivity and giving back in the areas of animal rescue and responsible living. Back to Craig.

Craig is a retired Firefighter from South Florida who moved to Western North Carolina with his wife, Debbi 3 years ago. They built their farm and forge shop on a beautiful piece of property in Rutherfordton. Craig is a mentor, he has shadowed a few young folks who worked hard at crafting their skills, attending classes at Isothermal Technical and are continuing to grow in their skill level. Craig is somewhat of a savant in his own right. When we met him and were asking him to build us a few signs and a table that would hold some of our locally themed tee shirts, and locally made goods and a rack to hang NCline t-shirts, hoodies and apparel on we gave him quite a bit of creative freedom, as we just weren’t sure how to make it look great and be pieces of utility.

For this piece we said, we want sort of a tiered picnic table – check out the detail – and the A for Asheville!

Asheville “A” Frame Shelf

Since the fixtures our discussions with Craig have continued to be as fluid as the steel being melted and formed. We love working with him because he and his team brainstorm with us on what we think locals and visitors to Asheville might like to take home with them. So far, he has made bottle openers in the state of North Carolina, decorative leaves, candle-holders and coasters.

Locally Designed and Crafted

We have also worked together locally on some custom projects including this nifty collaboration between Ashevillain and Wicked Weed! Working with Craig and his team, the possibilities are endless. Whether you are looking for a piece for in your home, a local gift, something unique for your business, or a reminder of how amazing Asheville is please let us know (just visit our Contact Us page or come see us in person at our store in Biltmore Village!) we would be happy to start the conversation with you.