Linda and Jim Dalton are a husband and wife team of ceramic artists who create one of a kind, high end functional and decorative pottery, both wheel-thrown and hand-built, at their studio just minutes east of Seven Lakes. Open by appointment, their studio has become a popular destination venue for Seven Lakes residents to bring out of town visitors as, well as visits from regular patrons and collectors.
Their 8th Annual Fall Studio Sale, to be held Friday – Saturday, October 27- 28, and November 5-6, from 9-5. As in past years, a silent auction will benefit Family Promise of Moore County. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to them. This Fall’s feature is a grouping of three horsehair pieces.
An additional attraction at this Fall’s sale will be a gift with a $50 or more purchase of a vase like the small one pictured given to the first 10 customers daily. (retail $42). A full range of colors will be available.
Linda has been fascinated with pottery since visiting Seagrove in the late 70’s. She had never seen pottery made and was committed to learning it. Working and raising a family competed for her attention, but when her twins left for college she could take classes. From a wheel set up in a corner of Jim’s garage workshop, the studio expanded over time to fill the entire garage.
Jim retired in 2004, and they decided to move to Moore County. They found a large wooded tract with dogwoods, wildflowers, ferns, wild birds and all sorts of game just off Doubs Chapel Road. Working with Mark Stewart of Stewart Construction and Development, and with priorities firmly in place, they built their pottery studio first and rented on the North Side while Mark built their dream home.
Moving in June of 2005, the impact of living so much closer to nature soon had an influence on their work. The pottery pieces were decorated with wild ferns, leaves from native plants and bits of interesting limbs and knots.
They excel in the area of custom work and commissions. Custom horsehair pieces use the hair of a specific horse and are of special interest to many equestrians. They also create custom trophies for golf, tennis and croquet tournaments, and car shows.
