our team
Courtney Pernell
founder and owner
As a potter and artist in Raleigh for more than 20 years, Courtney Pernell has created a space where local makers are supported, and the community is engaged and connected. Bayleaf Market is the culmination of a lifelong belief that we need a place to gather and feel known, and we need to feel part of our local community. Despite facing many difficulties, Courtney still believes the world has magic and goodness, and she wants you to feel that peace when you visit the market. She loves getting to know her makers and customers, and most enjoys the conversations she gets to have with them!
Vanessa Carter
sales associate
With a background in HR, office management, and customer service, Vanessa is responsible for several administrative operations for the Market, as well as sales. After ten years as a stay-at-home parent, Bayleaf was the perfect oppportunity for her to return to the “working world” in a peaceful, yet fun environment. You can find Vanessa at the front desk chatting up customers and admiring the creativity of the shop’s many talented makers. She believes strongly in the community building mission of Bayleaf Market and that we must take care of each other. In her free time she enjoys watching with her kids play sports, meditation, finding the lowest possible price on an item, and getting involved in mutual aid efforts.
Tori Shelton
sales associate
Tori has been at Bayleaf since the fall of 2023, when she first started selling her pottery with us. She loves a good to-do list, creating pottery on the wheel, and a cup of hot tea. After being a stay at home mom of three for many years, she loves this fun chapter!
Joel Tesch
sales associate
Joel Tesch is a full-time artist whose vibrant work has captivated collectors across the US, UK, and Asia. A native of Raleigh, NC, Joel’s journey has taken him from Atlanta to San Francisco, London, and back to the Raleigh in 2021, where he now lives with his wife and three daughters. A proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he has made his mark in the local art scene through gallery exhibits, markets, and festivals. Joel’s artistic practice revolves around three core themes: pop art figures and portraits, abstract works, and evocative landscapes. While his subject matter varies, his signature style remains constant, defined by bold colors, striking contrasts, and a sense of fluid movement. These elements come together to create art that invites viewers into a world of both familiarity and mystery.