Greendale’s pastoral country roads are dotted with bustling little shops and workshops that are always happy to have a visitor.
But once a year, local farmers, food producers and artisans all band together to bring in a bevy of visitors, ready to show the very best of what the area has to offer. The Greendale Country Sampler is coming up on Aug. 19, with 11 farms, stores and shops eager to welcome in new and returning customers.
This year, Pottery by Kelly (42452 Adams Road) is back on the tour. While this potter is somewhat new to the scene, Kelly McQuhae quickly devoted herself to the medium and has been prolifically creating intriguing, functional pieces. She runs a showroom at her home-based shop, open by appointment.
“I don’t have a sign on the road,” she says. “This is a hobby/passion for me.”
But she enjoyed being a part of the Sampler two years ago and is happy to be involved again. While she’s always been a keen crafter, keeping busy with sewing, knitting, crocheting and tole painting over the years, once she tried pottery, she was hooked. Another lady she knew was taking an eight-week pottery class, so they joined together.
“I haven’t stopped since!” McQuhae says. She stopped going to classes a few years ago, but still attends an art school session every summer with master potters.
“You never master it, you’re always learning,” she says. “The course I took in the summertime, it was all about cups and handles, whisky cups, shooter cups, handles on cups.”
She learns tips, tricks and techniques and works them into her own personal style. McQuhae admits that’s something she can’t define.
“I don’t know what my style is,” she says. “I just try to bring life to the pot.”
And she does that by trying for bright colours, pastel colours and other interesting glazes. It’s something she thinks about constantly.
“Pottery is my number one thing that’s always on the brain,” she says, as she tries new techniques and new glazes.
She’ll be working at her studio and open to the public during the Greendale Country Sampler, and invites people to come and watch as she works her clay on her wheel. And the Sampler is a perfect chance for those who are curious to get a close-up look.
“Mostly people want to see the wheel go round,” she says.
There are 10 other stops along the Sampler’s trail. It’s a self-paced day, running from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. on Aug. 19. Flyers with maps and addresses are available at each of the stops along the way. The stops include The Local Harvest Market and Anita’s Organic Grain and Flour Mill at at 7697 Lickman Road, Chilliwack River Valley Natural Honey at 43476 Adams Road, Smits & Co.W Farm Cheese at 5787 Lickman Road, New Moon Tea Co. at 5680 Lickman Road, the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Society at 5200 Sumas Prairie Road, Greendale Herb and Vine at 6386 Chadsey Road, 5 Acres Ranch at 6289 Blackburn Road, Rustic Soap Co. at 42537 South Sumas Road, and finally Chilliwack Corn Maze and Pumpkin Farm at 41905 Yale Road West.
For details on what will be featured at each spot, visit greendalecountrysampler.com.
@CHWKcommunity
jpeters@theprogress.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
