Love For WNC Fundraiser

What makes us different?

A quality garment you will love and cherish, and wear for years to come.
Our goal is to have you wearing it frequently and putting the advertisement of our artisans out there in real time. What’s the point of buying a cheap T-shirt that you’ll only wear to bed?
We'll be completely transparent with all of our funding and provide a clear and concise breakdown to where all money is going. Everything in our ability will be clear, concise and coming from Asheville.

Currently taking orders. Please expect 2 weeks until delivery. Thanks for being patient while we get up and rolling.

Please take a moment to learn more about the featured artists.

Max Trainque (Glassblower)
On September 27, 2024 Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina and hit Asheville, NC so hard that is resulted in complete devastation of many areas including the River Arts District. The River Arts District is where I make all my income. I am a glass instructor and glass artist at North Carolina Glass Center with my work featured in other galleries that were destroyed.

It has been 3 weeks since Hurricane Helene has stopped my main source of income that I get as a glass instructor at North Carolina Glass Center. In addition to that the River Arts District where I sell my glass art was destroyed resulting in loss of income from glass sales in multiple galleries and loss of actual inventory. Reopening of the North Carolina Glass Center and other galleries are likely weeks if not months away. I am also struggling because access to the supplies and tools I use has also been impacted from complete devastation of warehouses to oxygen being prioritized for medical needs.

Ken Ramsey (Tie Dye Clothing Artist)
Hello, my name is Ken Ramsay. I’ve been making and selling quality tie dye clothing for 3 decades. The destruction of Helene had wiped out all of my business from Hot Springs NC to Florida. I sell my wares mostly at festivals that were all cancelled. I also setup my wares is Hot Springs but the whole business district was destroyed by flooding. Local restaurant jobs are also all gone. The money I make in the fall and winter gift buying season is the income that takes me through the winter into spring. All my earnings goes towards household bills and startup money for the business for next season.

Thanks for listening,
Ken

Blue Lotus Design Studios (Jeweler)
Jennifer Suess has lived in Asheville since 2013, and began her business there in 2016. She is the owner and artist behind Blue Lotus Design Studios, specializing in creating elegant and one-of-a-kind, gemstone jewelry, using hand-selected stones, Sterling Silver and Gold. Her work is both refined and whimsical, and she aspires to spread beauty, joy, inspiration and hope through her creations. She has had her working art studio within Foundation Studios in the River Arts District for the past three years. This was her primary workspace, as well as gallery space, where she could display and sell her original jewelry, and also teach occasional classes. Sadly, Foundation Studios was located in one of the hardest hit areas during Hurricane Helene.

The majority of Jen's finished work/inventory was lost, including many intricate, multi-stone pendants, nine brand new Mala meditation necklaces (that had been completed and hung up only days before Helene) a collection of earrings, and her entire supply of bracelets and back stock for selling at art markets through the busy season and wholesale to local boutiques. Of the 62 pendants/wire wrapped necklaces that were in her studio, only 15 were recovered and salvageable. Jen additionally lost a considerable amount of supplies/materials, studio furniture and display items, and other business necessities.

Jen is now trying to raise money to be able to replace her lost materials and what is necessary to set up another studio space so she can begin to create a new collection and rebuild her business. As you can imagine, after losing so much right at the start of what's usually the busiest time of year for sales in Asheville, in combination with so many locals now struggling, and the lack of tourism resulting from the storm, Jen's income potential for this fall and holiday season has been severely impacted. Any funds raised will also help her to continue to pay her mortgage and living expenses during this difficult time so that she can remain in Asheville and help to heal and revive the arts community as well as the greater town.

Sabai Sabai (Women's Fashion)
Hi my name is Natalie, the owner of the clothing company Sabai Sabai. I am a mental health therapist who went rogue. Combined with my longtime fascination of traveling and clothing designing, in 2010 I started a company that focuses on slow fashion, multiwear use designs with bohemian & expression friendly fabrics. I design my clothing lines each year with my amazing crew of independent Artisans in Thailand, India & Nepal.

Over the years, I’ve been no stranger to adversity. In 2020, in the midst of a budding pandemic, I was diagnosed with cancer. The following year I went through surgery, treatment, radiation, chemo, and slowly began to rebound. Fueled by my patron’s support, the desire to continue helping my Artisans, and the determination to make up for lost time, I opened my very first retail store in downtown Asheville in December of 2023. Fast forward to the end of September 2024 when Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage to much of western North Carolina and my hometown of Asheville. Despite it all, I still believe in magic, purpose, and perseverance. I continue to serve as a mental health therapist and as a small business owner. I believe in the importance of creating businesses that create positive ripples, both locally and abroad, especially in this day in time. With your help, I will overcome the current challenges facing Sabai Sabai.

Company
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