Before I get to today’s Hot Spot, I wanted to say a quick thanks to Cottage Life’s deputy editor, Martin Zibauer, and to art director Kim Zagar for coming up with this snappy new look for my blog! I think the page not only looks great, but I hope it reads better too, and will be easier to navigate. Please let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions for improvement. You might also want to check out our other blogs, including Martin’s own musings own cottage food, The Feast; Penny Caldwell’s posts on news and views from cottage country, Penny’s Blog; and our brand new Book Club blog that I mentioned yesterday.
I recently heard from reader (and Cottage Life office manager) Dawn Yager about a new design destination near her cottage, in Dorset, Ont., called Chetolah Fresh Air Studio.
My friend Lynn and I met Tara Gilchrist in her pottery studio this past weekend when we were walking through Dorset. Tara has been in the area for some time working as a potter, teaching classes for kids, and contributing to the art show at The Loft, just a millisecond away around the corner. She operates a booth at the Dorset Snowball, the local winter carnival held each February, and had a workshop there this year, showing kids how to work with clay. They made fridge magnets, which were hung in front of the cash at a height that can be appreciated by the short people who created them. She lives upstairs above her store/studio, which is almost right at Highway 35. Besides her lovely, functional plates, bowls, and heart-shaped cups, she carries jewelry made by local friends and artists (I’ve got my eye on a cute pair of earrings) and also offers clay classes. Great place to buy a gift and hang out for a bit! She made me a lovely cuppa on the house and is planning to sell coffee and tea to visiting customers.
Thanks for the report, Dawn, and for the lovely photos.
Chetolah Fresh Air Studio
Inside the shop
Some of Tara's wares
Fridge magnets made at the Dorset Snowball
The artist herself, Tara Gilchrist
Daisy, the dog in residence (I couldn't resist!)
