Meet Gene Pease | AppalachianGap An artsy shop & studio, with classes!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gene Pease and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gene, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

I have been making and selling my products in galleries, online and at festivals for many years. Selling under a tent in an art festival atmosphere was fun. Being in galleries is great for the ego. Selling online reaches a great many people. Teaching people how to do things they think they can’t do truly rewarding and amazing! Demonstrating and talking to people is always fun. I like old fashioned fiber products that are made locally. I like setting my own schedule, and rules. Yes, I’m a bit of a control freak. SO, I decided it was time to put all the best of what I’ve done in a shop of my own while also promoting locally made items, and teaching classes. So far, seems a perfect match!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I’ve had many jobs since I was 14. I was a train engineer at an amusement park, secretary and a waitress to name a few. My profession, from which I recently retired after 40 years, was Educator. Actually, I am still an Educator just not in a formal school setting anymore. I became an Educator of people who learn differently after a medical doctor told my Aunt that her child with Downs Syndrome had no hope at a wonderful life. My cousin Michelle went on to become a winner in the International Special Olympics. I learned early on that when you are learning something you will learn best if you are taught in your style. We do not all learn the same. I want people to know that what society tells them, isn’t necessarily true. I was told I had no artistic ability and I believed it for 50 years. I don’t believe it anymore. I’ll be the first to say I do not have the skill of Bisa Butler or Georgia O’Keefe, but that’s OK! I still make beautiful things and teach other people they can do the same thing. One of the things I do that is very different is my fabric baskets. There is no sewing, no glue, no machine involved. I weave fabric, mostly recycled fabric, around a cordage, not unusual, but the cordage I use is unusual. I use plastic shopping bags! You will never see them, but I have used over 8,500 plastic bags in my baskets over the last 15 or so years. I make and sell well made fiber art. I help to keep alive ways of working with our hands to make things we need. Other makers do the same when they sell and demonstrate at AppalachianGap An artsy shop and studio, with classes.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Kayak in the mornings at any of the local lakes. Or hike at any of the state parks in the area. Then again, go find all the beautiful waterfalls we have. Maybe you’d like to fish. I’ll cook it and eat it when you’re done.
Go to any of the art galleries, fiber shops and pottery shops in the afternoon.
Take a class at any one of those places in the evening.
Later in the evening, check out all the wineries in this area! Oh my!
We all have such different tastes in food! I like to try new foods. My husband likes the tried and true. Dining, well, we are a pretty rural area, that’s why all the outdoor activities. However, there are good places to eat, just ask the locals when you get here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Yes, of course big shout out to my husband of 48 years who supports all my craziness. My friends, especially the one that lives down the street and goes crazy with me sometimes. My family, all of them, in so many ways that are unmeasurable. Yes, they all have physically helped, emotionally supported, given me lots of honest input. I want to also say that difficulties in life have spurred me to do things. I had a health scare a while back that reminded me that life is too short to put things off when I don’t have to. People in my life that challenged me in a negative way have also been very helpful, in the long run. People who have passed on also keep me going as I think of them and what I learned from them. No, none of us does anything without learning from others. By the way, this also includes all those books, websites, and internet videos I’ve learned from!

Instagram: @appalachiangap

Facebook: appalachaiangap an artsy shop and studio

Other: email: appalachiangap@icloud.com
phone: 762 230 8600
address: 1429 Washington Street Clarkesville, GA

Image Credits
Photos by Gene Pease