Down Creek Gallery

06/13/2026

I have been patiently waiting for Michael Hopko’s newest sea creature to arrive at the shop!

Mike and crew have been working on new designs over the winter and have created a beautiful new Humpback Whale. This guy is big and absolutely stunning in person. You really must come see him in person to appreciate all the details, texture, and the color….the blue is to die for!

Made entirely of blown glass, the whale comes perched on a blown glass wave with fun textural details and a dowel rod for support. He can be rotated into various positions and angles on the stand.

And yes, shipping is available!

Humpback Whale – Blown Glass – 11.5W x 11.5H x 17L - $1,000

06/03/2026

The fabulous Lori of Fab Fish Coastal Carolina made a visit to the shop to drop off new pillows!

Lori uses vintage fabrics to create her one-of-a-kind throw pillows that will jazz up any bed, couch, or chair. This trip she brought down a variety of lumbar pillows in fun colors and patterns along with her signature fish pillows and “catfish” catnip toys for the kitties. Lori likes to experiment with different types of fabrics, textures, and appliques which she has applied to her new recycled burlap rice shopping bags!

05/29/2026

We have new pottery from Midnight Sun Pottery!

To our surprise, Garold decided he was only semi-retired from creating pottery this year and offered to make us a small batch of his most popular pieces. We have the very popular microwave omelet cookers, stamped mugs, chip & dip plates, microwave bacon cooker, berry bowl, and bird houses/feeders. Most pieces are made in the Blue Ridge glaze as it reminds us of the sea and sand.

We have limited quantities of each style, so if you see something you like, grab it before it’s old out!

05/28/2026

Are you ready for some smell-good products?

Kelly of Beauty & Bliss has created a signature scented candle just for the gallery! Made with a soy base and all-natural fragrance, this light and airy cotton linen scent will have you feeling refreshed and relaxed. We have a limited amount of candles, so make sure you grab yours before they’re sold out!

We also have a variety of goats milk soaps with natural fragrances and various scented car diffusers that smell divine!

All of Beauty & Bliss’s products are handmade in Engelhard NC with all natural fragrances and ingredients.

05/23/2026

Join us today down at the Berkley Barn for the Fireman’s Ball! BBQ dinner, silent and live auctions and live music from the Dune Dogs!

Today’s the day for one of Ocracoke’s favorite Memorial Day weekend traditions — the OVFD Firemen’s Ball! 🔥🚒

Head to the Berkley Barn this afternoon for live music, auctions, a pig picking, dancing, and plenty of island-style fun, all supporting the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department. Whether you’re a longtime attendee or joining for the first time, it’s always a good time for a great cause.

We’ll see you there, Ocracoke! 🎶🍻✨

05/13/2026

Look who swam in this morning!

Michael Hopko and crew have been busy making their popular blown glass octopuses for the shop. This year features a new webbed octopus! The webs are available in limited colors with dichro (glittery) glass in the seated position. These guys are a must see in person!

We also have the standard sitting and walking octos in fun colors with more on the way. Pricing details listed with each photo.

Please keep in mind that each piece is handmade and will vary in size and orientation of tentacles.

Just a reminder, octopuses are sold on a first come, first serve basis. No holds. They can be shipped anywhere in the country and travel well.

05/02/2026

It’s Mighty Milly Day on Ocracoke! 🧡

Brave the rain and wind to come support Milly and her family while they navigate through Milly’s fight against Leukemia.

Join us at the Fire Station for a fish fry with all the fixings, bake sale, raffle, and tshirt sale at 4pm. All proceeds go to the family.

Followed by a Mighty Milly Afterparty at 1718 Brewery featuring the Dune Dogs at 7pm. All beer sales will go directly to the family.

Come support this brave girl and her sweet family! It takes a village 🧡

04/29/2026

I am obsessed with these bud vases from Nice Time Glass!

Each bud vase is created out of blown glass in 9 fun colors that will fit perfectly into any home or office space. Vases feature a grooved design that mimics the mountain range of Western NC. As with all handmade items, slight variations in size and color may occur.

Nice Time Glass is a woman owned glass studio based in Asheville NC. Glass artists Kathryn Adams and Haley Jelinek bring years of experience in the fine arts industry to their new studio where they combine their styles into functional designs that enhance the living space using clean lines and inspirations from nature.

Be on the lookout for more designs from Nice Time Glass this season!

Bud Vase – Blown Glass – 3.5”x3.5” - $55/each

04/28/2026

New arrivals from NC painter Donna Robertson!

Donna was able to visit the shop and hand deliver a small collection of new oil paintings. She brought a couple of her “skinny” paintings that are perfect for those narrow spaces or for stacking a few for a coastal series, along with two larger size landscapes and a fun tryptic. Donna enjoys painting the beauty of the NC coastal landscape and often incorporates the ocean, marshes, boats, and wildlife found on our coast.

04/23/2026

New arrivals from Suzanne Stark!

Suzanne is a Hatteras Island artist that likes to dabble in various mediums including acrylics, oil, and watercolors. We picked up 5 new oil paintings for the shop featuring scenes from both Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Being smaller in size, these paintings are perfect for those with limited space and easy traveling. Each painting is framed, which allows paintings to be hung on the wall or placed on a flat surface like a bookcase or tabletop.