These woodland works of art are on our wish list this year.
This article first appeared in Traverse Northern Michigan. Find this story and more when you explore our magazine library. Want Traverse delivered to your door or inbox monthly? View our print subscription and digital subscription options.
For potter Rachel Liebler, art imitates life along Cold Creek.
Liebler, a 35-year-old mom and potter of 17 years, is crafting whimsically wonderful porcelain ceramic pieces in her Beulah home studio, nestled along a trickling tributary that feeds into Benzie County’s Crystal Lake.
It’s this idyllic Northwoods setting that provides endless inspiration for Liebler. So much so, that after leaving her job to focus on being a full-time mom back in 2017, she decided to turn her passion for pottery into a small business: Cold Creek Arts.
Photo by Rachel Liebler
Liebler’s hand-thrown functional art is a direct reflection of the beauty found among Northern Michigan’s flora and fauna. Think mossy mushroom coffee mugs, dandelion candlestick holders, wild strawberry-studded plates and trillium trinket dishes.
“I have a deep love for all of our gorgeous seasons and the nuances that make them special,” Liebler says. “All of my work is greatly influenced by these changes and what they bring, so you will see different animals, plants and themes depending on a collection’s release date. This summer, I was heavily inspired by blueberry picking and fishing with my family.”
Photo by Rachel Liebler
Hiking, gardening and reading fairy and folktales are also sources of joy and creativity for Liebler. While she loves all of the North’s creatures, she admittedly is drawn to the animals she observes by Cold Creek and in her own backyard—chipmunks, chickadees, owls, rabbits, toads, foxes and deer.
“We live in a very special part of the world, and I hope my art can remind people to find the magic and peace in it,” Liebler says. “Hopefully our children will, too.”
You can find her one-of-a-kind treasures at Nature Walk Studio in Empire and Oliver Art Center in Frankfort. Liebler also does small-batch releases through her Etsy shop (ColdCreekArts), and her next update is slated for late November/early December. After that, she’s planning a spring release in April 2025. We can’t wait to see what kind of woodland beauties she’s been dreaming up.
Photo by Rachel Liebler
Photo by Rachel Liebler