Help Emelie and Bressler Restore Their Craft in Asheville

Hi everyone. First, I want to say myself, my husband, and our two pets are safe with family in Louisville. On Friday, September 27th, we experienced a catastrophic flood at our home at the River Mill Lofts in Asheville, NC due to heavy rainfall followed by Hurricane Helene. Our first-floor apartment on the Swannanoa River was completely destroyed along with everything in it.

I am a weaver, Southern Highland Craft Guild member, and RADA board member with a studio in the River Arts District. My weaving business is Lunadendron. I make handwoven wearable art and wall hangings on floor looms. My husband, Bressler, is a carpenter. Our focus right now is getting on our feet, getting back to weaving as soon as possible, and helping rebuild Asheville when we can safely return.

Thankfully, my studio at Pink Dog Creative in the River Arts District took minimal damage. Most of the RAD and Biltmore Village, where I work part-time at a gallery, are badly flooded. My main production loom and some handwoven products are in good shape.

Most of my work happens in my home studio, which flooded 3-4 feet. I lost nine looms, a heavy-duty sewing machine, a serger, many pounds of weaving yarn, a warping reel, 3 warping boards, dozens of rare and out-of-print weaving books, works in progress, samples and weaving from the last 12 years, shipping materials, two canopies, and festival displays, among many other supplies for my weaving business. We also lost thousands in tools for Bressler’s carpentry and all our personal belongings. We lost everything in the apartment. The flood waters in the apartment are contaminated with gasoline and propane from the gas company yards away from our apartment complex. The level of destruction was beyond shocking and devastating.

The funds from this will be used for necessities, getting back to weaving, and replacing tools needed for framing and building asap. We have donations for clothes, furniture, and some weaving equipment lined up. We are going through insurance and looking into FEMA, CERF+, and other available resources for craft artist assistance, but understand these avenues will take time. Many people have been badly affected by Hurricane Helene. This fundraiser is for immediate assistance. Any funds raised beyond the immediate need and goal will go toward assisting artists and studios in the River Arts District, which is home to over 300 working artists.

Bressler and I thank you for any donations and kind words of support. We are grateful to have escaped a dangerous situation with our lives and pets. We are very lucky to have moved our truck to higher ground just before major flooding and to have found a route out of western North Carolina to our family in Kentucky. Asheville will take time to rebuild and we want to do our part to revitalize our vibrant arts community.

With love and gratitude,

Emelie Weber and Bressler Wade