Playing Dress-UP

By: Lorna Hollifield about 10 years ago

I changed the way I look at jewelry Monday night. I didn’t learn anything about measurements, techniques, or jewelry biz lingo really. I don’t remember the names of the gorgeous gems or stones I was tinkering with either. I didn’t want to know those things. However, when Asheville jewelry-maker, Nadine Fidelman invited me into her home, she taught me all I could ever hope to learn about why we choose to decorate ourselves the way we do.

At first glance jewelry is like looking out into a crowd of people. There are a lot of shapes, sizes, colors, and styles all running together into rainbow overload. The first thoughts are, ‘oh I see pretty things,’ and then we start searching for a focal point. It is in that search that we realize we’re being pulled towards certain things and we start to examine why. While I was zeroing in on a generally smooth black stone with a noticeable organic crack in the upper right corner I could overhear one of my side kicks talking about the jewelry.

“It’s not just beads, they’re individual pieces,” I heard my fellow playmate Kelly Allen offer.

At first I thought, ‘yeah, ok, there’s a lot of different jewelry here. I can see that.’ Then I took a breath and thought about that word individual. I realized what she meant, and that I wasn’t just looking at the pieces, I was meeting them. I went back to my black stone, noticing the gorgeous, crystal-esque inclusions the flaw revealed. I was in love. I thought of my own personality, how I like the rawness in life, and the beauty I find in truth. I also believe in fighting like hell and collecting battle scars…I thought of how hard it is being a writer and how far I still had to go in the world of manuscripts. I wanted that beautiful stone. I had found my connection.

Lorna’s Fave!

We moved the party to the carpet where the impossible not love, Nadine plopped right down with us, kicking her shoes off ready to dig in. She shared stories with us about where she had found inspiration for her work, and let her obvious passion for her trade seep out onto us. We started tossing necklaces and bracelets around, trimming ourselves in the jewelry like we did our mothers’ as children. We’d try a piece on in between sips of girly shelf white wine, and chat about what we’d chosen. I asked the other three girls what they thought of what they’d selected.

Nadine chatting with Kelly about healing stones

Kelly, who had remarked earlier on the individualism, was drawn to stones she knew to have healing qualities. As cancer survivor, officially in remission since January; she keeps her eyes peeled for items in nature than bode healing qualities. Her journey with her sickness, and attention to wellness has brought her upon her choices in jewelry. Out of those stones, one in particular jumped out at her.

“This one looks like a fishing lure,” she commented excitedly holding up the yellowish vertical stone,” like my Daddy used.” She set it down smiling. She had found her connection.

Whitney Thompson, a native Ashevillian piped up from the other side of the circle, holding up a gorgeous blue stone in a similar fashion. “This one reminded me of the sea,” she said. “It’s like when you’re little. I just wanted to take my flip-flops off. When I saw it I wanted to go to the beach and run around.”

Whitney explaining what she loved about the peice

: Whitney explaining what she loved about the piece

Whitney’s stone actually provoked a childhood memory to surface, making her feel carefree again as she had in her most innocent years. Whitney had found her connection.

The youngest of the group, Hannah, a 16-year-old, chose a piece unlike the rest of us, without a stone. Her piece was raw, twisted sterling silver wired, manipulated by hand into an untamed yet simple set of earrings. I chuckled thinking how the piece was like being a teenager, beautiful, unsure which direction it was going, and not as simple as it appeared to be. They fit Hannah just perfectly, and hung daintily on her young ears. She had made her connection. I wonder if she knew…

Dainty Hannah

While I was pondering this Whitney was perusing the backside of a necklace, “you know, their backs are just as pretty and detailed as their fronts.”

Nadine explained to the group how this is one of her trademarks. I thought how much it made sense because there are different sides to women…many sides. They are sometimes tucked away against our own skins for only us to enjoy and sometimes decided to be displayed so people can see our normally hidden sides. Nadine told us she’d even been in public and saw her creation flipped over, showing them from the opposite sides. What self-expression.

I learned something Monday night. Jewelry isn’t just embellishment, it’s an embellishment of us. Often times who we are is in the tiny details of the things we choose to let represent us. We weren’t wearing jewelry, we were wearing little pieces of who we are. I thought I was going to just play dress-up, and I did to an extent. I just didn’t know I would be using Nadine’s art to dress up as myself.

If you want to make your connection with Jewelry by Nadine check out her collection at the Kress Emporium in downtown Asheville.

19 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

If you’d love your own play date with Nadine call her 828-654-0993 or email her at nfidelman@pobox.com

Have an interesting story? Contact AskAsheville’s Lorna Hollifield at lornalh@gmail .com 828-280-1799

Find out more about Lorna’s writing journey at http://lornahollifield.com

Artimus

By: Lorna Hollifield about 10 years ago

I started hearing tales of the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash of ’77 from my father when pampers were still my favorite pair of pants. I knew who Ronnie Van Zant was before Big Bird, and my Sunday dinners at Mamaw’s house were really jam sessions that became my lullabies. My father’s hair was longer than my mother’s at that time, and all the men in my family sported bloody finger tips that were slaves to those beckoning long-necked instruments. At 27 years old, in the age of whatever it is music has become that I haven’t a word that qualifies, I can bank on every family get-together bringing me back to a place when it was pure. It’s a place I can only visit through my father’s time machine in a land that existed around the time my mother discovered boys. I go back whenever my now greying father and Uncle pick up their guitars, close their eyes, and try to perfect still, that long ever-growing famously tricky six-string solo in Free Bird.

Artimus Pyle, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s drummer, and only original band-member still touring traipsed into the Applebee’s in Candler, North Carolina, my hometown about two weeks ago.

“Lorna, you got to get down here, now,” My husband’s voice was urgent on the other end of the phone.

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“No. Artimus Pyle is here. We’re hanging out, and he’s cool as hell,” my husband’s speech was hurried.

“You’re lying!”

“No…”

“I’ll be there in five,” I replied with my mind reeling all the things I knew about this legend. I knew he had a house in Asheville, but what was he doing at an Applebee’s in the down-home Candler suburb of the artsy town?

When I walked in, I saw him immediately and I had to catch my breath a little. I was genuinely star-struck. I swear I could smell a faint trail of smoke permeating from his long burly hair, that grew like ragged wires from under his distressed leather cowboy hat. I wondered what the eyes from behind his aviator glasses had seen in the world of rock n’ roll, fame, and heartache. I knew his eyes would certainly tell the stories of things I had never and would never see.

When my husband motioned to him, and it was our time to finally meet, I don’t remember exactly what I said. It was something to the effect of how I grew up on his music, and was proud to keep the band alive in my generation…you know, the things you say, but trying to stand out all at once. In retrospect, I may have sounded rushed, and looked like a pre-teen meeting Justin Bieber.

When I handed him the clean white half sheet of paper the waitress rustled up for me, I first noticed his time-worn hands. They shook a bit as he started to write, “Laugh, Lorna. Peace, love, and happiness (in symbols). Artimus Pyle, Drums, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame 2006.” I took the sheet from him, perusing it in awe. Then, I noticed the initials, RVZ.

“You, signed Ronnie’s initials, didn’t you?” I asked, moved that he’d not omitted the lead-singer and founding member’s name.

“You wouldn’t even know my name had it not been for that man,” he replied seriously, “and after the crash I started signing his initials.”

I thought to myself what a class-act this man truly was to carry-on the memory of his fallen band-member and how proud I was to meet him. It was then I relaxed a little bit and started just chatting with him. I found out how he co-wrote my favorite Skynyrd song, Tuesday’s Gone, and how he was always drawn to Asheville, NC. We chatted about his respect for the philanthropic Asheville-born musician, Warren Haynes, and how he’d played with him here and there. He spoke of his son, River, and how proud he was of him. I was careful not to bring up the plane crash, though I was so painfully curious about his take on it. All I knew was that Van Zant and the Gaines members perished, and Artimus survived. I wanted to know more, and maybe he sensed it, because he went into the story all on his own.”

“You know, after the crash, there was just smoke everywhere,” he began, “and I ran to the barn to get help.”

“I didn’t know you were able to that,” I replied in awe.

He went on to describe the only things he remembered, and the whirlwind it became. I could tell some of it was cloudy to him, yet still felt as real as it had over 35 years ago. My guess is it was cloudy then.

After telling me to remember that money ruins everything, I gave him a hug, noticing an unimagined raw musk about him, and he went on his way. I rushed home and googled him immediately, seeing what else I could learn. I discovered when he ran from the plane wreckage to the nearby barn, the farmer’s son actually shot Artimus in the shoulder with an air-rifle because he was startled by his appearance. I learned he never stopped revering Van Zant and the other members, and had made the legacy of the band his life. I discovered he’d had ups, and downs, but understood the things that matter in life…, respect and downright allegiance to his band, family, art, and fellow man. He is yet another jewel tucked in these blue ridge mountains; an ARTimus form in Asheville that we’re forever proud to claim.

Artimus Pyle and Lorna Hollifield January 3, 2014

Gold

By: Lorna Hollifield about 10 years ago

We live in the technological age where everything is cutting edge and fast paced. Everything we do seems to be a part of some virtual quilt, with squares made of software, chips, and other small metal things I don’t understand. Sometimes I long for a purity, a breath in of a simpler time. I want to go to a place that still smells like the sweat on a farmers brow, or fresh dust from a hand saw. I want to be part of nature…kind of. Who am I kidding? I’m a generation X-er. Where can I get just a small taste?

My husband actually found that place for me in one his best romantic gestures yet…a horse and carriage ride through downtown Asheville. I was in awe when I saw the quaint carriage pull up beside me, led by the beautiful horse, Gypsy Gold. They’d just put the Christmas lights out downtown, and the air was just crisp enough to be comfortably cozy. I could hear the faint heartbeat of the drum circle in the distance, but was more romanticized by the sax player on the corner cranking out his bluesy rendition of “Winter Wonderland.”

When the horseman helped me on board, my husband handed me a rose and wrapped me in a blanket. I felt like Cinderella being swept away for a romantic evening, and could feel the other women on the street looking my way. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it.

As we took off, I took note of the antiquated clip-clop of Gypsy’s shoes against the pavement. This only grew more charming when he pranced over the cobblestone on Wall Street. I could smell his horsey musk, but not too much, and could hear the gentle creaking of the wooden carriage. However, the mixed aromas of Asheville restaurants permeating into the evening air reminded me I was still in our artsy civilization. I was viewing these 19th and early 20th century buildings from the transportation they were first seen from, getting a taste of what once was. However, I noted the modern hustle and bustle they were now pregnant with…oh what a yummy juxtaposition our Asheville is.

The three quarters of an hour spent on the horse was perfect. It was cozy, romantic, historical, and yet the perfect ambassador of modern-day Asheville. It’s a must-see attraction for locals and tourists alike. Sometimes experiencing old and new together is the best way to do it. This tour is a home-run, and reflective of the adorable horse’s name. This tour is simply gold…nice, slow, easy, gold.

On the Carriage!

horse2

For more information on this tour visit http://www.ashevillehorseandcarriagetours.com

Food, Beer and Beauty: Our Whirlwind Adventure with the Roaming Gnome

By: AskAsheville about 10 years ago

We at AskAsheville.com were honored to be the official host of the Travelocity Roaming Gnome during his wonderful roam around Asheville. The goal was to show him the best our beautiful city has to offer — from the mountains to the breweries, and the local eats to the local arts scene. In just a few short days, we and our pointy-hatted friend wandered everywhere. He experienced Mountain View massages, toured the Biltmore Estate, tasted as many pints as humanly (and gnomely) possible, stuffed his face with liquid truffles and duck tacos, and even learned to skateboard (kind of). Here are just a few highlights from his whirlwind adventure. First he soothed his weary hat at the Omni Grove Park Inn Spa.

omni grove park inn asheville

Then took the Architect’s Tour at Biltmore Estate, and got a crash course in shooting sporting clays and casting flies.

biltmore estate asheville nc

He scarfed down scrumptious breakfasts at Tupelo Honey Café, Biscuit Head and the Red Stag Grill.

asheville breakfast

Drooled over the lobster corn dogs at Rhubarb, devoured chipotle blueberry ribs at 12 Bones Smokehouse AND annihilated the Wild BBQ at Plant Restaurant. (He’s a gnome of many tastes obviously.)

asheville dinner

Then he washed all that dinner down with dessert at French Broad Chocolate Lounge and topped it off with a heaping scoop of salted caramel at Hop Ice Cream.

asheville dessert

He acted as a muse at Jonas Gerard Fine Art Gallery.

jonas gerard asheville

And attempted pottery at The Village Potters.

village potters asheville

He hunted wild foods with Alan Muskat, “philosoforager” extraordinaire of NoTastelikeHome.org.

alan muskat asheville mushroom man

And got an exclusive invite to check out Thrashville.org’s 3,000 sq. foot hand-built skate bowl.

asheville thrashville skateboard

He sipped everything from saisons to IPAs at Burial Beer Co., Highland Brewing, Wedge Brewing, Green Man Brewery, Wicked Weed and Hi-Wire.

asheville breweries

He went backstage with MOD SUN and D-Why at the legendary Orange Peel.

orange peel asheville

Took in the fresh mountain air at Pisgah National Forest.

biking in pisgah asheville

Then freshened up at the Grand Bohemian.

grand bohemian asheville

And somehow during his busy schedule, he even managed to deliver the weather (drizzly) with Sadie on 105.9 The Mountain.

105.9 The Mountain Asheville

All in all, we helped show the Roaming Gnome as much of the beauty, charm and vitality that our city holds as we could muster. And while he was here, we got to see sides of Asheville that surprised even us. Which is why when it came time for him to depart, we waved goodbye with a tinge of sadness. We’ll miss that 2-foot-tall bearded fellow and his zeal for travel, but we know adventure beckons him on.

farewell asheville

So with that we say, “Best of luck, little buddy. May the road treat you kindly, the beer be cold, and the wind forever be at your back.” You can keep up with all the Roaming Gnome’s future travels on Instagram and Twitter.

Gnome Crushing

By: Lorna Hollifield about 10 years ago

I was a little bit nervous. I noticed myself checking my make-up in the rearview mirror, and straightening my clothes obsessively. I’d waited all week to meet him. My hour was arriving and I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. This man is a legend, and I know everyone wants him. His origins are argued over, and remain part of his mystery. However, the mystery isn’t necessarily reason enough to be nervous. It’s the things he knows, the things he’s seen, and my thirst to know them. I want him to share with me, and let me in on his secrets (which I think he hides in his beard). I want him to tell me what he saw in the Bermuda triangle, or where the holy grail rests…I’m sure he’s the only one that knows. Most of all, I want to capture his spirit, and walk the streets of my own town with him, seeing it through the eyes of a legend. If he’d only let me loop my arm in his, and go for the ride. I feel like a schoolgirl, and I know now it’s official…I have a crush on the Travelocity gnome.

Legend says gnomes around the world have been captured time and time again to stand post in boring gardens, entertaining the small lives of the tomato plants. However, sometime in the 80s a group of good Samaritans, Robin hoods of the gnome world if you will, decided to take a stand, steal these gnomes, and release them into the wild. They then travel the world until their true homes are found again. The Travelocity gnome is no different. He’s been globe-trotting on his little gnome sojourn since 2005. He’s been all across America, Europe, and maybe Mars. However, last week, it was the mini-metropolis of Asheville that whispered to him. Man, this town must really have something…

I met him on a darkened street corner after barely missing him at Hi-Wire Brewery (where I hear he got a little tipsy). I was coming to meet him, but wasn’t quick enough, and that gnome, in his little nomadic nature, is like taping pudding to the wall. He’ll just slip away without warning and slide into unmarked crevices.

However, like ships in the night we passed briefly again. I found him stumbling down a sidewalk fresh off the dance floor at Scandals. He claims he was only there for Zumba lessons, though I wasn’t sure. However, I didn’t ask many questions, but just stretched out my arms. I knew we had but minutes. That famous portly creature leapt into my yearning embrace, and for a moment he was mine. I could smell the history on him like a thick French musk. His face and body had definitely taken a couple licks through the years, and he was wise to things I have no knowledge of yet. I felt honored to meet him, and perhaps more honored that he’d been drawn like a moth to a flame to this town. The magnet that is Asheville, NC, composed of quirk, beer, Southern Charm, beer, cultural diversity, beer, and an unparalleled charisma is now part of the patchwork quilt that makes up the adventures of this world-renown gnome. Now I think the real crush I have is just on Asheville. After all, Asheville drew the gnome.

Gnomy nose nuzzles