East Fork
Location | Asheville, NC
Category | Pottery & Home Goods
Founders | Alex and Connie Matisse & John Vigeland
American Made
East Fork | Story
Alex set out to learn and apprentice in pottery, then he met Connie at a farmers market and they immediately moved in together and got started on what would become East Fork. I can definitely with this because my husband and I also moved in together after a few weeks, so I feel like I can completely imagine how they built this together. East Fork was officially founded in 2010 by Alex and Connie Matisse, John Vigeland joined in 2013 after a weekend of drinking wine and reading poetry together.
East Fork | How it’s Made
They use minimally refined clay from the Southeast US, which also helps create the distinctive brown speckled surface their pots are known for. The mill that they use was made in 1949, where it was first use by a pottery factory in Pennsylvania, then one in Indiana and now East Fork. If you want to read more about all the details and ins and outs of the process you can learn more here, or go visit and take a tour. It’s also wonderful that all of the packaging is plastic free—they use a special, bubble wrap alternative called Geami, that performs even better than bubble wrap. LOVE THIS!
East Fork | Why they Matter
It’s so much more than pottery. Yes, it is absolutely gorgeous. But there is one thing that makes them stand out among their peers and even the big box stores. We all know that buying from a small business has more of a 1:1 outcome. There aren’t just big investors making more money behind the scenes. They are creating jobs, and the important part is that they are creating good jobs. They are clearly focused on trying to do the right thing by their employees in regards to race, gender and equity in ways that I have never seen such transparency around. I cannot do it justice here, so definitely read more on their site,
East Fork | How to Use & Style
I love the organic and natural weight and feel of East Fork. It simply doesn’t look like anything you could buy in Target and it’s clear that it is made with love and care by real people. When I was a kid we had fine china that only made an appearance on holidays. Now I live in a much smaller home than my family did growing up and we simply don’t have the space for an extra set of plates and bowls that are only used a few times a year. I’d rather have nicer everyday table settings that we can enjoy year round and just add more table decorations to feel festive during holiday meals.