Our Artisans
Meet the Artisans of Nicole-Rhea | Artisan Crafted Homewares
Every artisan has a story. A story about how their life inspires their work and how their work inspires their life.
We believe that by sharing that story with you, it enriches the experience you have owning each piece. You begin to understand the love and the passion that goes into each artisan handcrafted piece that we carry. It becomes a conversation piece, a family heirloom, and a piece of artwork on your tabletop with a rich history to accompany it.
Below is a brief introduction to the artisans of Nicole-Rhea.
Over time we'll be publishing a series of profiles about each of our artisans that will dive into their work, their inspiration, their life and their story.
Terrafirma Ceramics (Ellen Evans)
Terrafirma Ceramics, located in the heart of New York City, has designed and produced handmade functional American Art Pottery since its inception in 1980 by artist Ellen Evans. Her acclaimed work has been featured in publications such Elle Decor, InStyle Magazine, The Oprah Magazine and many more.
Learn more about Ellen Evans and Terrafirma Ceramics
Sertodo Copper (Jonathan Beall)
Sertodo Copper was founded in 1997 by Jonathan Beall, and has workshops in Austin, Texas and Santa Clara del Cobre, Mexico, a village located high in the Sierra Madres Occidental of Southwestern Mexico. The tradition of copper work in this region has been passed down through generations for over 1000 years. After years apprenticing as a coppersmith in Mexico, Jonathan started creating his own designs that combine the ancient tradition with modern aesthetics and functionality. Their products are built to last for generations and include a lifetime guarantee.
Rockledge Farm Woodworks
Rockledge Farm Woodworks is a small, family owned Vermont farm which has been crafting exquisite custom wood products and furniture from the finest native wood for generations. Sustainably harvested, meticulously selected, and uniquely designed for you.
Wood & Button (Rory Joyce)
Rory is one half of the husband and wife team at Wood & Button. He and his wife Audrey left city life for a small farm in the mountains of North Carolina where they homeschool their children, tend to the farm and craft beautiful and functional wood and fabric goods for the home, kitchen and trail. Rory crafts uniquely designed cutting boards, spoons, plates and other kitchen utensil while Audrey creates high quality handmade sewn goods.
Four Leaf Wood Shop (Jack Gerard & Genevieve Barrere)
Jack and Genevieve moved to Ojai, California in April 2015 with a plan to try expanding on what had been a woodworking hobby and a dream to build something truly unique. Four Leaf Wood Shop was born as they began hand carving spoons, spatulas and knives with traditional hand carving tools. They eventually started incorporating unique design elements and inlays to their pieces to create a signature look. Some of their most unique pieces beautifully incorporate non-traditional materials such as turquoise, brass, marble, and purple cedar with more traditional hardwoods like black walnut, cherry and maple. Their unique designs set them apart from most woodworkers and ensures their work will be cherished for generations.
House Copper (Sara Dahmen)
While researching her book Doctor Kinney's Housekeeper, Sara became intrigued by the copper cookware of the 1880's and found that cookware today isn't made the way it used to be. She began apprenticing as a copper and tinsmith and set out to recreate the authentic copper cookware that has disappeared over time. With the help of small team of copper, tin and metalsmiths House Copper produces authentic American made copper cookware that will last for generations.
RockTimber (Janine Birch)
RockTimber Co. is where beauty meets function with handcrafted heirloom-quality slate and wooden home goods. Founder Janine Birch has always had a deep love and appreciation for the artists’ process – creating something so mean
ingful and distinct from simple materials and a single thought. Maybe it goes back to her roots as a video producer carving out stories from everyday life, or maybe it’s her appreciation for both old and new. Either way, it’s what drives her passion for simple, well-made goods.
“To me, stone is timeless and beautiful. Its raw-beauty fits into any home decor and can be used in so many ways. I like to think that where I live as well as my family contributes a great deal to my inspiration. As a mom I believe it’s important to share with my kids my passion and persistence as a maker. It fuels their creativity and gives them confidence to try harder and to keep trying – seeing that makes it all worthwhile.”
Janine resides in Eastern Pennsylvania with her husband and four daughters. She continues to expand her RockTimber Co. brand with her own designs and by collaborating with other like-minded artists.
Brasscopper (Arianna Morales)
Arianna Morales was born in Venezuela and grew up between Venezuela and Ecuador before moving to Houston, Texas where she started her studies in visual arts. She received a BFA in jewelry and metalsmithing from the University of North Texas in 2016 and now works from her home studio in South Austin creating unique home decor metal objects that explore form, texture and process. Her creations are inspired by nature and are made using diverse metals and metalworking techniques. You can find our collection of Brasscopper home decor here.
Lafayette Avenue Ceramics (Jillian Schimmel)
Originally from Philadelphia, Jillian moved to Phoenix to major in ceramics at Arizona State University. She loves working along side her small team in her Tempe studio, and sharing her passion and knowledge of sustainable living through her work.
Aside from making ceramics, Jillian is obsessed with hot yoga, baking brownies, and planning her next cross-country road trip.
Whiskey & Clay (Kimmy Rohrs)
Inspired by the far west texas sky and earth, Kimmy blends porcelain with stoneware to give each Whiskey & Clay piece a timeless desert feel. Her pieces are high fired in a heavy-reduction gas kiln - the outcome creates dark rust tones and brightly-developed glazes that give each its own identity.