The East Fork Journal The Journal

Two people smiling and standing outside a craftsman home.

The Key to Ending Homelessness

An introduction to our Q2 Community Partner, Homeward Bound

A black and white photo of Alex Matisse kneeling in front of large ceramic pieces in a wood kiln

Why Is It Called East Fork?

Alex Matisse, East Fork’s founder, on how the company got its name and why it represents a “little private victory” for him.

Various sizes of ceramic plates and tiny bowls in a rainbow of earthy colors are artfully laid out together against a white background.

Color Theory: Core Colors

Our Head of Design, Nicole Lissenden, shares the details of how we built our core color palette.

A person wearing a black sweatshirt is holding a ceramic terracotta mug with 2 hands.

How We Make The Mug

Want to know everything there is to know about how we make The Mug? It’s your lucky day. Get the behind-the-scenes on how we make our iconic ceramic mug.

A ceramic pottery factory with large kiln carts filled with pots, assembly lines, and two people working in the center.

Update on How Our Pots Get Made

East Fork’s manufacturing floor stands on the precipice of a big change. We’re preparing to move to a new clay body and glaze recipe that’s been three years in the making.

Clay Health

To us, clay is the stuff of pots, but clay can be utilized well outside the bounds of pottery, and has a wide spectrum of health benefits for us humans! Read more.
Still Life

The still-life is just that: life captured in a moment, an impossibility in exaggerated light, a bounty that exists forever, to remind you that nothing does. Set the table, get the lighting right, and eat everything on your plate. And don’t forget the wine.
Seconds To Some

We chatted with Cade, East Fork potter and Small Batch Studio Manager, about quality control and what makes a second.
What Even Is Slipcasting?

East Fork chats with Nick Moen of The Bright Angle about all things mold-making and slipcasting.
Come on Baby, Light My Fire

Odd Woods + Tender Earth. Cotton wick, soy wax, candles in gorgeous reusable vessels. East Fork x Joya Candles are a hunk of burnin' love.
Today's the Day

We've been working toward this all year: East Fork's flagship items are now 15-30% more affordable.
Recipe: Tajín Clásico

Guest post alert! This recipe was sent to us by Kendra Aronson, and we decided to share it, because she loves East Fork and we love Tajín. Match made in heaven. Enjoy!
The Asheville Dating Guide (Bonus Material Included!)

Four Asheville date ideas that make the most of our little mountain town. Plus, take a quiz to see if you are a match for a blind date with our CFO John Vigeland! Swoon.
Cocktail Recipe: Aviation-ish Sour

It tastes how a day-drunk nap in a springtime garden smells—you know what we mean?
Interview: Talking Book

A chat with locals Kris Hartrum, David Burr and Dani Harris to talk about their non-profit audiobook publishing house Talking Book and all things literary. Please enjoy this spirited interview with Asheville's premier book-heads that goes off the rails when their son Max finds a bug!
Library Picks: First Edition

A big shout-out to public libraries, y'all.
Thoughts on Flower Arranging & Ikebana

A very brief, amateur intro to the Japanese art of arranging flowers.
Grown-Up Picnic

Dionysus (the god of wine and unrestraint) comes rolling into Thebes with a hoard of long-haired groupies (The Bakkhai) just sort of feeling the energy.
Scenic Route No. 5: Giving Back

5 actions to take, 5 organizations to support, and 5 gifts you can buy that benefit something greater.
Down to the Brass Tacks

Lue Brass's handmade tableware, serving ware, and useful instruments are store staples that are made for the very purpose of bringing objects of beauty into the everyday.
Let’s Get Technical

Sending boxes and boxes of East Fork pots to places near and far over the past couple of weeks has us straight up giddy. Since online shopping can be tricky and knowing what to expect when you’re buying pots you’ll be using every day (we hope!) is crucial, we figured now would be a good time to give y’all a very thorough rundown on what our pottery looks like and why. Process-lovers, this one’s for you.
Recipe: Ribollita

A hearty, warming Tuscan soup with endless variations.Key components are veggies, tomatoes, beans, greens, and day-old bread, but every Italian family throws in a little something different.
Hint, Hint: Gift Picks from Team East Fork

We asked everyone on Team East Fork to choose their favorite objects in the store and tell us a little about why they think it'd make a great gift.
Scenic Route No. 2

Some weeks, walking around town and just watching the world turn feels like worshipping. Some weeks, it all collapses and it's truly a wonder we manage to keep going. Lately my weeks have felt like both.
Scenic Route No. 1

Give 'em a click to help yourself ease into your work week and don't be shy to share some of your recent faves in a comment down below.