Some day's are just good for all sorts of reasons, today was a warm (for October) sunny day, Chocolate chip cake, banana and raspberries for breakfast, followed by corn apple pancakes with maple syrup, (yes that's right all in one breakfast)Our last day in Chester, Southern Vermont. So we headed on down to DaVallia Arts and Accents a shop I have liked the look of since we first arrived. As soon as I walked into the shop I was greeted by a really nice guy called Michael, this is his and his wifes story.
Michael and I opened DaVallia in May of 2009. Owning our own gallery has always been a dream of ours. Both being artist ourselves, creating things together has been a staple of our relationship. We are always making things, designing things, or talking about things to make and design! We love creating almost anything and the idea of making something gorgeous out of nothing is very attractive for us. In 2005 my jewelry business was taking off and Michael and I found ourselves traveling throughout the east coast attending juried fine art shows and wholesale craft shows. We began to meet such a wonderful group of artist at these shows. We began to develop a little family of artists and each year that family would grow. We were ecstatic by the amount of creativity out there. We slowly started to gather a list of the artists we admired. When the opportunity for us to open a gallery came along we jumped at the chance. We were easily able to put together a shop filled with beautiful handcrafted work you don't see every day. This opportunity also allowed us to expand on our own art work. We love making one—of—a—kind pieces and having our own gallery to showcase this work has been wonderful. Thank you for supporting American Artist! Michael, Jessie, and Hayden Alon.
Now back to the amazing shop, some of you will know that I have a bit of a passion for Industrial furniture, I have blogged about it before. Well here is some of the fantastic industrial furniture that Michael makes.
Here is Michael a very very friendly talented person, those of you that know me know that I love anyone who is young, talented, and really excelling in what they do, Michael I feel fits right into this category. Please note the really cool lampshade behind his head, I loved it.
Here is the front of Davallia in Chester Vermont USA
Even the door handle is fantastic!
Michael also makes sculptures, this one is right at the front of his shop, this is the first thing I wanted to bring home.
I'm saving the best for last, not that these fantastic pumpkins aren't wonderful.
We chatted about the things we liked, kind of worn with a nice feel to them sort of things, the kind of thing that some people would just throw away. Well this display cupboard was found at the dump, its metal with lots of beautiful compartments and a pull out shelf, the sides of it are amazing. I was truly envious.
Now I told you I was saving the best for last, well here we go, I was blown away by these industrial pieces of furniture that Michael makes, how gorgeous are they? He told me this one is not finished yet, he wants to put some old thick barn floor boards on the top for the table, and some sort of shelf type thing for wine bottles underneath, sorry to not be specific but I was just taken away by looking at the table.
O.k so I also would like six of these around my table, also made by Michael. I apologise for the terrible picture but still wanted you to see them.
You know you could really go off people that make things you can't bring home in your suitcase, or that would cost a fortune to have shipped over to the U.K. Michael, seriously you made my day, I hope your shop goes from strength to strength over the next few years, you deserve to be a big success. I will continue to drool at your web site, and every time I look at my rusty tin birdhouse I will think of your industrial furniture, that sadly has not ended up in my home!