Help us Rebuild Crazy Green Studios
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Hello, friends!
If you've found your way here via my GoFundMe, you'll see what follows is very much like my intro on that platform, with maybe a bit more details (the pre-edited version!). If you are here to make a tax-deductible donation through our fiscal sponsor the link will be here as soon as we are fully set up to receive online donations. If you'd like to donate by check, please contact me here for those details (and thank you!) |
A brief overview:
I’m Lori Theriault, owner of Crazy Green Studios in Asheville, NC. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene destroyed my studios — wiping out equipment, materials, and years of work. Thanks to incredible friends, fellow artists, and grants, I’ve kept creating in temporary spaces and begun rebuilding over the past 18 months. You can read more about my hurricane story and some of what I've been doing the past 18 months here.
I’ve found a new permanent studio and gallery space — outside the floodplain and ready to become home for Crazy Green Studios again. We are in the process of securing the lease, but before I can reopen, the space needs essential renovations: electrical and kiln wiring, ventilation, plumbing, lighting, light renovation, and basic studio furniture and materials.
This fundraiser will help cover those upfit costs so I can move in, restart full production (and fulfill orders already on the books), and launch the gallery and community programs that are at the heart of Crazy Green Studios.
Crazy Green Studios has never been just about pottery – it’s about community. Each piece made here doesn't just support me - it supports the local artists I hire to work in the studio. It supports the artists whose work will be carried in the gallery - many of these artists lost some combination of studio space, gallery space, and/or inventory and are also finding their way back post-hurricane. Our supplies and materials are sourced as much as possible within a 1-2 hour drive from Asheville. Our community stretches out to each customer, by adding to the mission of their shops, or in collaboration with chefs and food professionals, by adding value to the experiences they create. Our clients often talk about "having coffee with" our mugs, or how the beauty and thoughtfulness they know goes into the making of our work inspires the same in the food they prepare. Our work brings handmade, functional art into daily life and makes strong contributions to our local economy.
I’ve found a new permanent studio and gallery space — outside the floodplain and ready to become home for Crazy Green Studios again. We are in the process of securing the lease, but before I can reopen, the space needs essential renovations: electrical and kiln wiring, ventilation, plumbing, lighting, light renovation, and basic studio furniture and materials.
This fundraiser will help cover those upfit costs so I can move in, restart full production (and fulfill orders already on the books), and launch the gallery and community programs that are at the heart of Crazy Green Studios.
Crazy Green Studios has never been just about pottery – it’s about community. Each piece made here doesn't just support me - it supports the local artists I hire to work in the studio. It supports the artists whose work will be carried in the gallery - many of these artists lost some combination of studio space, gallery space, and/or inventory and are also finding their way back post-hurricane. Our supplies and materials are sourced as much as possible within a 1-2 hour drive from Asheville. Our community stretches out to each customer, by adding to the mission of their shops, or in collaboration with chefs and food professionals, by adding value to the experiences they create. Our clients often talk about "having coffee with" our mugs, or how the beauty and thoughtfulness they know goes into the making of our work inspires the same in the food they prepare. Our work brings handmade, functional art into daily life and makes strong contributions to our local economy.
Timeline of what happened:
• Hurricane Helene destroyed my studios, equipment, tools, materials, and inventory (September 2024).
• With generous support from friends, other artists, grants, and a fundraiser, I was able to sustain myself and begin replacing equipment and tools while also redesigning my body of work for mid-range electric firings. Prior to the storm, my work was predominantly fired in gas reduction kilns, although I had begun developing work in mid-range electric kiln firings in anticipation of expanding my wholesale line. Knowing that it would be economically more practical to rebuild with only electric kilns, that groundwork served as the starting point for a whole new line of work (Most all of 2025).
• I launched an initial wholesale line on the Faire marketplace, participating in an online market last July where I received orders from seven new clients.
• I registered for and attended my first in-person wholesale show in February 2026 where I took orders for nine more new clients in spite of not having a dedicated production space (yet).
• While working at a smaller capacity in temporary spaces, I fulfilled orders for new and existing clients throughout 2025.
• I am rebuilding and expanding client relationships and developing new wholesale accounts, taking provisional orders and lining up new accounts that will be more fully pursued once we are in our new space.
• With generous support from friends, other artists, grants, and a fundraiser, I was able to sustain myself and begin replacing equipment and tools while also redesigning my body of work for mid-range electric firings. Prior to the storm, my work was predominantly fired in gas reduction kilns, although I had begun developing work in mid-range electric kiln firings in anticipation of expanding my wholesale line. Knowing that it would be economically more practical to rebuild with only electric kilns, that groundwork served as the starting point for a whole new line of work (Most all of 2025).
• I launched an initial wholesale line on the Faire marketplace, participating in an online market last July where I received orders from seven new clients.
• I registered for and attended my first in-person wholesale show in February 2026 where I took orders for nine more new clients in spite of not having a dedicated production space (yet).
• While working at a smaller capacity in temporary spaces, I fulfilled orders for new and existing clients throughout 2025.
• I am rebuilding and expanding client relationships and developing new wholesale accounts, taking provisional orders and lining up new accounts that will be more fully pursued once we are in our new space.
Why a fundraiser now:
• I have found a studio home which includes space for a small gallery that will showcase my work and also carry work by other local artists. It’s a great location with ample parking and is located next to another thriving arts business with a fine craft gallery.
• This space will require at least 2 months of renovation and upfits.
• I have spent the past six months identifying contractors, planning layouts with an architect, and gathering quotes for upfits.
• Lease delays have stretched savings set aside for deposits and renovations.
• I am applying for all available grants and will apply for financing once we have the lease secured. This fundraiser will help to bridge the gap so we can begin work quickly once the lease is signed.
• This space will require at least 2 months of renovation and upfits.
• I have spent the past six months identifying contractors, planning layouts with an architect, and gathering quotes for upfits.
• Lease delays have stretched savings set aside for deposits and renovations.
• I am applying for all available grants and will apply for financing once we have the lease secured. This fundraiser will help to bridge the gap so we can begin work quickly once the lease is signed.
Planned upfits and expenses (fundraiser priorities):
• Power panel replacement and upgrades (some grant funds are dedicated to this, but only cover approx. 25%)
• Electrical renovation, hard wiring of kilns
• Kiln exhaust system installation
• New sinks and plumbing upfits for work area
• Carpet removal and light interior renovation in workspace
• Track lighting for gallery
• Light renovation and painting for gallery
• Additional studio and gallery furniture (carts, shelves, etc.)
• Point of Sale equipment
• Exterior signage
• Materials restock (clay, glaze materials, shipping supplies)
• Permits, inspections, and associated fees
• Administrative costs, graphics, print collateral
• Payroll during upfit and load-in phases
• Electrical renovation, hard wiring of kilns
• Kiln exhaust system installation
• New sinks and plumbing upfits for work area
• Carpet removal and light interior renovation in workspace
• Track lighting for gallery
• Light renovation and painting for gallery
• Additional studio and gallery furniture (carts, shelves, etc.)
• Point of Sale equipment
• Exterior signage
• Materials restock (clay, glaze materials, shipping supplies)
• Permits, inspections, and associated fees
• Administrative costs, graphics, print collateral
• Payroll during upfit and load-in phases
Business:
While it has been at a diminished capacity, I have not stopped working over the past 18 months, and I have existing and new clients with orders waiting to be fulfilled:
• Wholesale production for Asheville restaurant - ongoing order fulfillment
• Nine new wholesale accounts with written orders - waiting for order fulfillment
• Secured order for regional restaurant (Carrboro)- waiting for order fulfillment
• Service ware planned for regional restaurant (Flat Rock) - waiting for re-open to confirm orders
• Additional new client relationships waiting for studio re-opening for new orders
• Online wholesale market with exposure to over 30,000 buyers
• Invitation to join a second online wholesale marketplace
• Retail gallery sales in high traffic location
• Commissions on sales of other gallery artists
• Planned workshops and studio events
• Wholesale production for Asheville restaurant - ongoing order fulfillment
• Nine new wholesale accounts with written orders - waiting for order fulfillment
• Secured order for regional restaurant (Carrboro)- waiting for order fulfillment
• Service ware planned for regional restaurant (Flat Rock) - waiting for re-open to confirm orders
• Additional new client relationships waiting for studio re-opening for new orders
• Online wholesale market with exposure to over 30,000 buyers
• Invitation to join a second online wholesale marketplace
• Retail gallery sales in high traffic location
• Commissions on sales of other gallery artists
• Planned workshops and studio events
How you can help:
• Donate through our GoFundMe campaign
• Make a tax-deductible donation through our Fiscal Sponsor, The Village Potters Foundation.
(Checks should be made payable to The Village Potters Foundation, with the memo "for Crazy Green Studios")
Reach out to me for details on how to make those donations.
• Reach out to me if you would like to discuss direct support options.
• Share this page or our GoFundMe campaign.
• Join the mailing list below to get updates on our progress and re-opening.
From the deepest place of gratitude — thank you for helping me rebuild, create, and share again.
Together, we can bring Crazy Green Studios home, stronger, safer, and more sustainable.
• Make a tax-deductible donation through our Fiscal Sponsor, The Village Potters Foundation.
(Checks should be made payable to The Village Potters Foundation, with the memo "for Crazy Green Studios")
Reach out to me for details on how to make those donations.
• Reach out to me if you would like to discuss direct support options.
• Share this page or our GoFundMe campaign.
• Join the mailing list below to get updates on our progress and re-opening.
From the deepest place of gratitude — thank you for helping me rebuild, create, and share again.
Together, we can bring Crazy Green Studios home, stronger, safer, and more sustainable.
