Update from Asheville

And a local gift guide

It’s been 2 months since the hurricane and we are still dealing with the aftermath…as we will be for a long time. The debris is beginning to be cleared which, somedays, seems to only show more of the devastation that was buried just below or behind it all. And some days it feels seeing the spaciousness return feels like a miracle. In Asheville, we have running, potable water, which I celebrate every time I turn the tap.

So many people are still navigating the loss of their homes, jobs and businesses. Restaurants and stores are opening again…but we don’t have the usual influx of tourists that these businesses rely on. One way to support the area is to spend some money here. The winter gift-giving holidays are just around the bend and there are great presents to be found in WNC! I wanted to share some of my faves.

Before I get to that, I do want to mention that a new Quest is a foot and will likely be unveiled next week. This one will arrive to you all at once…as opposed to letter by letter. If you are new to my world, my Quests are immersive journeys into the heart and truth of our being. They are make believe made real…and they are amazing. Be on the lookout!

Onto the gift guide!

These are all shops and products that I have bought from either for myself or as gifts.

Abacus Corvus — Beautiful, meaningful art…and creators of my most favorite oracle deck.

Asheville Tea Company — Their building was destroyed in the storm and their inventory lost. But you can pre-order now for a December launch of some new tea!

Belle Epoque Pottery — fun and beautiful pottery.

Broken Glass Artworks — Fun and beautiful stained glass. Much of their work was lost in the storm. I got the cutest stained glass ghostie just before Halloween.

C & Co. — Really lovely handcrafted skin care

Cara Mae Skin Care — Incredible for dry skin!

Cherry Tree Beads — A fantastic bead store out of Swannanoa.

Conjure Craft Chocolate — Unique and delicious chocolate.

Dancing Bear Toys — The most wonderful toy store.

Dynamite Roasting Company — A coffee roaster in Black Mountain.

Firestorm Books — a collectively-owned radical bookstore. After Helene, the folks here showed up in the most incredible ways.

French Broad Chocolates — Some of the best chocolates I have ever had. The liquid truffles are sweet perfection.

Madame Clutterbuckets Neurodiverse Universe — an awesome brick and mortar retail store staffed adults with developmental disabilities. They have the coolest stuff and the best stickers.

Malaprops — An amazing independent bookstore in downtown Asheville!

Moonlight Makers — Punny t-shirts and quirky decor. A fave of mine is a shirt with a taco that says, “Every now and then I fall apart”.

Mountain Made — They have tons of locally made products!

Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn — Popcorn in the most delicious flavors!

Provisions Mercantile — a brick and mortar shop that has great products from area creators. They had 2 spaces…one in West Asheville that is up and running and one that was in Biltmore Village which was severely damaged by the storm.

Serenity + Scott — a line of beautiful makeup that never irritates my sensitive skin.

Spicewalla — The best spices and spice blends from the folks behind Chai Pani and Botiwalla.

Spice Witch — Such good chili oil…and so much more!

SoulKu — Beautiful and inspiring jewelry.

Wrong Way Campground — Give the gift of travel and come to Asheville! While you are at it, stay in an A-frame at Wrong Way! They had a lot of storm damage but have been working so hard to re-open.

Please know that these are just a fraction of the incredible things created in this region. For more please check out these guides:

https://always.exploreasheville.com/love-asheville

https://avltoday.6amcity.com/culture/best-2024-holiday-gifts

https://www.ashevillechamber.org/news-events/the-asheville-shop-gift-guide/

With love and fire~
Jo Anna

P.S. The Asheville inspired Fat Lady is not for sale…but she might be soon!