Month: April 2025

Explore Andréa Keys Connell’s Motherhood-Inspired Sculptures

Recently, I was able to check out North Carolina sculpture artist Andréa Keys Connell‘s exhibit at Artspace in downtown Raleigh called “mom”. This body of work is reflective of Andréa’s own experience of motherhood through large-scale patterned ceramic sculptures and it is stunning. It is only up through this Sunday but Artspace is also hosting a special event called Arts on the Block this Saturday as well from 11am-3pm so that could be a good time to catch it while it is here, plus around the corner local indie bookstore Blackbird Books and Coffee is celebrating Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday with giveaways, tarot readings, a raffle and more.

If you aren’t able to catch this collection, CAM, the contemporary art gallery in downtown Raleigh, will be hosting an exhibit that she is a part of called Look To The West: Art in the Wake Of the Storm featuring work from artists from Western North Carolina which runs from May 1st to August 10th.

Easter Table Decor, Set A Pretty Table with Tableware from the Gather Goods Co Gift Shop

So many pretty items in the shop to set a lovely table (for Easter or anytime). Here are just a few we have in the shop and online:

This week the in-person gift shop is open Wednesday-Saturday 11am-5pm and closed for Easter Sunday. We are open online anytime.

Easter Basket Picks For the Kid-At-Heart

Grown up Easter basket picks for the kid-at-heart (three ways):

A Self-Care Basket filled with:
– A lavender eye pillow for soothing strained eyes
– Body oil for sandals and short sleeve season
– A journal for quiet contemplation
– A suncatcher for catching rainbows
– A pretty woven basket that can be repurposed around the house
– Bath salts 
– An art print that reminds her of her favorite flower

A Basket Full of Grown-Up Treats:
– A dried flower arrangement (that will last forever)
– Gummy candy that both grown-ups and kids love
– A colorful notepad for keeping track of all the things
– A sparkling non-alcoholic drink for the evening or Easter dinner
– A sweet and savory popcorn mix
– A pretty reusable woven basket for now and library books later

A Basket Full of Cute Things & A Relaxing New Hobby:
– A watercolor workbook for an easily accessible new project
– Watercolor paints to make it colorful
– Watercolor brushes for those who are ready to go the next level
– Swedish fish candy for a little treat
– The sweetest floral taper candles for bringing spring indoors
– London Fog drink concentrate for an afternoon pick-me-up
– A pretty striped woven basket (that can collect mail in the future)

Meet the Maker, Ji Ahn Kang, This Wednesday April 9th from 6-8pm at Gather Goods Co

This Wednesday April 9th from 6pm-8pm, local fine artist Ji Ahn Kang will be at the Gather Goods Co shop with a handful of her fine art pieces and prints. You can meet her and learn a little about her process which she will be demoing at this casual, laid back event. This is a perfect time to stop by the shop if our typical hours of Wednesday-Sunday 11am-5pm don’t allow you to come by due to work or other obligations. Feel free to stop by and let us know here if you’re coming.

Here are some of her pieces which can be purchased online in the Gather Goods Co shop or in-person:

I sat down with Ji Ahn and talked with her a little about how she came to this particular art style which looks like cake art but is actually made with a hard, resinous paint material. You can watch that video below:

You can also see a funny blooper reel here. Hope to see you at the shop on Wednesday evening!