MEET THE CRAFTERS
Made In NC
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Blue Lime Jewelry is rustic, unique, and one of kind design that can be enjoyed for many years to come.
Dear Life Designs was spawned from my need for a creative outlet and through the encouragement of my friends. I've gathered inspiration for each of these hand-crafted items from my coastal surroundings, conversations with friends, daily encounters with strangers and random thoughts.
Most of the materials for my jewelry consist of aluminum, copper, bronze and used skateboards. I also use broken/unwanted old jewelry as accents for the metal stamped pieces. I also use old crates and pallets to make picture frames. - Jennifer Mangiacapre
Candy Pegram Art - Reclaimed wood is my canvas. Then I apply layers of latex paint over the wood. The subjects are painted on in a folkish pop style. The wood is sanded to show the layers of colors. The wood is sealed with wax. The wax protects the wood and gives it an instant patina.
My aesthetic tends toward fat yarn, chunky stitches, and natural fibers blended with acrylic for care-free machine washing and drying. I make blankets, pillows, crocheted jellyfish, and numerous clothing and accessories items.
I am an active craftsperson in the Wilmington area, selling my products in several retail outlets and at local farmers' markets and arts fairs. I'm a founder of and the president of Handmade Wilmington, as well: a local not-for-profit group that brings together local artisans in a spirit of community, collaboration, and cooperation.
Somebody once told me that the emotions of the artisan become part of the object being created, so I always approach my work with happy intentions, and I believe positive emotions carry real weight in making the world a better place. - Lea Bullard of Chucklefish
I have discovered gourds to be an amazing medium to work with. They lend themselves to painting, carving and pyrography. I use all three of these crafting techniques to create my pieces, many in a "folk art" type style. - Debb Chiappisi
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YouMeUs is handcrafted jewelry made soley by Wilmington, North Carolina Artist, Robin Macek. All pieces are made with great care and love for the process. No two pieces are alike, so you will truly own a one of a kind work of art.
Sea La Vie
Sea La Vie - Handcrafted Beach Art
Bill Medley specializes in hand painted glass windows, with various sizes and numbers of panes. He usually uses old window frames, and works the wood also.
Stitch Stitch Bloom - Hand-sewn florals for home, hand and heart!
Fabric flowers and custom floral bouquets made from ribbon and fabric for bridal bouquets, home decor, gifts, and more.
Lativa,Accents & Art, is a brand that focuses on the creation of unique jewelry pieces being conscious about the environment as well. Jewelry pieces are made out of recycled materials, which are not repeated; meaning you will be the only one that owns the piece you'll buy.
You will find here the most unique, rare and ethnic objects and accessories. Every piece has been created with organic elements such as nuts, seeds, lucky beads, taguas, molas and natural fibers.
Every piece is totally unique and I can promise you'll receive tons of compliments wearing them, guaranteed!
LATIVA Coffee Company
Lativa Coffee Company is a small business in Wilmington, NC. We offer artisan roasted coffee in small batches and is handroasted locally. We offer Premium Colombian Coffee, Espresso & Decaf.
Our quality is 100 % and we take care of our costumers very well. Coffee is our passion!
Three Little Birds Soap Company was hatched in 2010 when friends Mandy Currier & Jenni Battle got together to get creative and have some fun in the kitchen. Mandy had been making soap for her family for years and Jenni was eager to learn the craft. They put their minds together to create new recipes and the idea to start a business was born.
Our soaps are handcrafted in small batches using the cold process method. We carefully formulate our unique blends to nourish the skin while using only the highest quality natural ingredients such as moisturizing oils and therapeutic botanicals and extracts. We are friends of the earth and pledge to conduct our business in an environmentally respectful manner emphasizing the use of recycled materials wherever possible in our packaging along with the use of natural and organic ingredients. We do not test any of our products on animals, our family and friends are willing enough to test these out for us!
We make our soap right here in Wilmington, NC. Every part of the process is done by us, including soap production, the design and printing of our labels, and packaging our products. We are proud of our soap and sell them in local markets and retail shops as well as on Etsy. We are also members of Wilmington’s newest artisan collaborative, Handmade Wilmington.
Unique handcrafted jewelry made from copper, aluminum, leather, wood, gem stones and recycled items.
We are a small, independently owned boutique that believes cool and stylish men & women should have access to beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces without the sacrifice of materials, design or fit. We design, and sometimes produce everything at our studio, or send it to local vendors. We work very hard to make sure everything is Made in USA.
We also offer an opportunity for everyone to LOOK GOOD + DO GOOD by adding our favorite charities as an option to add a donation during check out. 
More recently, in my effort to work with a focus on environmentally friendly pieces, I have been creating jewelry made from recycled liquor, wine, beer & water bottles--these pieces have a very organic look & take on a life of their own when they come out of the kiln. The shape dictates what style of jewelry they become.
While taking pride in my beautiful handcrafted pieces of jewelry, I also take care to package my pieces in environmentally friendly materials. All cards & packaging are 100% recycled materials as well as being made in the USA.
Steven Moore
concrete planters, concrete benches, candle holders, and tables made using glass, color, and acid stain
A & J Designs
Ceramic and crystal glazed light switches, tiles and clocks
Copper, glass, beaded jewelry
Wall Lyf
Wall Lyf was created from a passion for furniture & art - I had a true desire to give wall hangings and decor a voice of their own. Decor communicates boldly, and is a reflection of personality, culture, style, and the things one loves. When Wall Lyf was birthed, my family was at a place where we valued style and nostalgic furnishings, and I brought interior design-style to our home without paying for high dollar, eclectic, refurbished home decor.
The love for creating art was born while running through my neighborhood, and almost tripping over a pile of scrap wood on the side of the road. My first love was, "a door!" My vision for creating fun, unique art was born, and I began fulfilling custom-requests for many Wilmington homes, and businesses.
The saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” certainly rings true in this situation. Today, I am a dumpster-diving queen searching for beautiful antique doors, and my signature style is creating chalkboard pieces with unique hooks from old doors.
CJ's Sea Shop
Claymations, Pottery, and Fabric Crafts
Pottery and Fabric Crafts - Christa has been working with clay for 18 yrs. Betty has been doing crafts for 30 yrs. Fabric items include burlap wreaths, unique lamp shades, flower pins, linen pillows and dried floral wreaths that have natural materials found in the garden.
I am a Wilmington native that loves to incorporate my local and state inspired roots with my knowledge of Clinical Aromatherapy. Since 2009, hours of research and experimental batches all evolve into what is now called Southern Roots. Everything from soaps to lotions and cremes to baby oil and lip balms are made in small batches using high quality all natural and organic ingredients.
Haute New Vintage
A fresh, new, fashion forward take on vintage jewelry.
I have been collecting jewelry for many years and started making jewelry from thrifted vintage jewelry. I find pieces at estate sales, thrift shops and antique stores all over NC. I use vintage and new findings and chains to make one of a kind, repurposed pieces. I like to turn brooches into necklaces and earrings into pendants, for example. - Laura Taylor of Haute New Vintage
Southern Charm Red Neck Wine Glasses
Handmade 'Red Neck Wine Glass'
made in NC by Northern transplanted Southern Red Necks
each glass holds 16oz and is 9.5" tall
hand wash recommended
$8.50 each
We create handcrafted artisan soap. Our take on soaps are colorful and very nourishing to the skin. We also create a lovely line of moisturizers and Specialty Bath Cupcakes.
Sarah Garguilo
HALF UNITED
HALF UNITED was founded in the true spirit of giving; giving equally as much as you receive. HALF donates 50% of the profits from each product to solving the international Hunger Crisis and it’s root causes. By designing and creating meaningful products in-house (at their headquarters in Wilmington, North Carolina) they can not only support their local small business community, but make a revolutionary change in what is means to UNITE.
Coastal Creations
Coastal Creations is a new endeavor by Amy Mangus and Flora Smith. Amy has always had a passion for art and channels her creativity by helping brides plan the weddings of their dreams.
Flora, a Memphis native, attended design school in California. She later founded, Somatic Optics, featuring her custom designed sunglasses.
Flora and Amy enjoy figuring out how to make their favorite things (jewelry, home goods, distressed furniture).
Erin Mitchell
Erin Mitchell makes very original handmade clothing, using any fabric that inspires her! She loves to find interesting vintage dresses and have fun with her pieces.
Seven Finches is the brand behind the creative mind of Mistie Doren. With an aesthetic for vintage-modern, a bit of whimsical romance, and a flare for out of the box design, each item is created with care and originality in mind. Each piece is created from a bit of old & new, ranges from one of a kind, to multiple quantity.
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Please note we put the SHAB in SHABBY, everything is distressed and weathered and we love the imperfections in the wood and believe it's what makes each piece unique, and the fact that we prefer to use repurposed or upcycled wood also ensures our pieces may be similar, but NO TWO ARE EXACTLY ALIKE.
Renato
Ceramics and Clay Art
I am an artist, recently returned to my home state of North Carolina where I was born and raised. I attended college at East Carolina Universtiy and recieved a BFA in Painting and Drawing. After college, I traveled west to Texas and then Colorado, and eventually ended up in California. The west coast is full of beauty, and I was inspired to start capturing the beauty of the land and ocean I had fallen in love with, along with continuing in figure painting.
I also began learning soldering techniques and how to combine the stunning forms of sea life with the elegant, rustic beauty of antique bottles. Finding beautiful combinations of these two elements has become one of my favorite endeavors. From picking out the perfect bottle for each shell, to selecting the stones or crystals that would best suit a cross, I love discovering the possibilites. And because of the uniqueness of every shell, bottle, and stone, no two pieces are ever exactly alike. - Joanna Frye
Alter Ego Designs
Most of my one-of-a-kind designs are beaded using a variety of materials including glass, clay, acrylic, pearl, crystal, stone, metal, shell, nut, seed and much more. Although I make many different types of accessories, the bulk of my creations are necklaces, bracelets, and earrings ranging from quite conservative to ultra trendy. - Jameka of Alter Ego Designs
The Feathered Belle
My interest in screen printing began with Poemtree. I combined the screen print with my love for sewing. The Poemtree messengers became my niche. What I love about screen printing is that I get to create my own message to share with everyone. With Poemtree, my message was Always Listen Always Love. It was a motto that inspired me, and it can be fitted to each individual. Whatever inspires you… Always…
My most popular item is my handmade and hand screen printed messenger bags. I have one screen print I have been using called the "Always" print, it's a record with a feather. Now I have a line of shirts, tank tops, aprons, and pillows. I pick out all the fabrics and cut all the patterns. I also make feather and fabric earrings. I use the leftover fabric to create the fabric earrings!
We have been creating jewelry for some time now and have fallen in love with the idea of creating jewelry for the spiritual, healing and energy aspects of the gemstones we use as well as the Beauty they provide! The Indigo Soul creates handcrafted jewelry from Earth, unique Artisan beaded jewelry and other types of creations. We are truly inspired by Nature, guided by Divine Energy & grounded in Love. Our belief is that Mother Earth has graciously provided us with the most extraordinary gifts in materials and resources to use from nature that are both beautiful and beneficial to us. Most of our jewelry & beaded creations have been made with, and/or combined with gemstones for their ancient metaphysical properties or spiritual meanings, so that the beauty of each piece goes beyond its surface and physical properties and speaks to your heart. The greatest effort is made to make every item unique, incorporating individual, often unexpected final touches so that each piece says something significant about the person wearing it. Our pieces incorporate various mediums including sea glass, wire work, semi precious stones & crystals, and of course beads. We source all our beads and findings personally and pride ourselves in choosing quality items. We can provide unique jewelry for every day as well as special occasions. Our unique designs are handmade and affordable. We only use quality metals including Sterling Silver and 100% natural Copper.
Ryan Stokes Art
I have been working in the graphic arts field for the past ten years, and from that experience and personal tenacity I decided to start RSA (Ryan Stokes Art) as a way to showcase my unique works of art.
I have experimented with many different mediums from painting, wood building, stone sculptors and photography. My art is a reflection of what is going on in my life and the inspiration of the natural beauty of this great state. My most recent works are created on reclaimed wood from the Cape Fear region. I came up with a unique process of using a combination of different paints and stains to create abstract images. This creates a rich surface texture and makes the images pop off the wood, creating depth. Specific areas are left bare to let the natural beauty of the wood shine through. - Ryan Stokes of RSA
A unique accessories boutique - hair accessories and pins for women, infants and children, which can be used for photo props, weddings, baby showers, and great gifts.
L.A.Chic offers a variety of unique and eclectic handcrafted items, painted furniture and vintage collectables.
Our specialty is Nature Inspired Decoupaged Items, Re-purposed and Re-imaged Furniture, Lamps and Chandeliers and more.
Paty Rivas
Winks & Whistles
Casey Crespo
Weatherwood Arts
7 years of learning at workshops, glass, sandcasting, floatglass, enamel, jewelry, design, painting, watercolors, etc. Paty has exhibited at many art expos in mexico as a solo artist and in the community
She enjoys making one of a kind art pieces, from the design to the complete creation.
Winks & Whistles
Winks & Whistles - sewn goods, purses and bags, working mainly with batiks, stuffed animal "Cuddle Creatures", healing hazelwood and magnetic jewelry, and more!
Casey Crespo
I have been designing and making clothes from a very young age. After a degree in Fashion Design and years of working in the entertainment industry, including Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" and "One Tree Hill," I have decided to pursue my own clothing line which has been a long time dream of mine and my greatest gratification to date. I strive for my clothing to be extremely comfortable, versatile, and flattering. My leggings in particular have given me the most success, here in town and on my Etsy Store. Every piece is hand made one at a time here in Wilmington.
Weatherwood Arts
Weatherwood Arts produces fine quality stained glass lamps with unique hardwood frames and lit bases. Lamps are available in a variety of colors and wood species. All lamps are priced at $375.00. Product details and photos can be found on our website at www.weatherwoodarts.com.
Sound Side Carpentry
I am a carpenter by trade, love wood. Begun by making furniture for our home because I could find the wood for free, and we needed a table, bookcases, etc. Products built with 100% reclaimed wood, either from tobacco barns, old homesteads, or from downtown Wilmington.
Guttersnipe Press
Guttersnipe is a Wilmington, NC based letterpress printing company; specializing in hilarious letterpress greeting cards, framable prints, and gift items. The product of the semi-deranged brains of a crotchety-old young couple, Steve Lusher and Melissa Ison, Guttersnipe strives to combine the feel of hand-fed letterpress printing on fine, recycled papers with a snarky, irreverent view of the world. Although the company is merely nearing the end of it's first year in business, Steve and Melissa have already obtained wholesale customers throughout the United States and Australia. With big plans for the future, Guttersnipe Press is partnering with Lady Pilot Letterpress and Lativa Coffee Co. with a mission to "bring the funny" and become part of Wilmington's next wave of independent local business.
Susan's Garden
Skip Schlitzkus
Skip hand paints beautiful tropical scenes on 55 gallon rain water collectors.
He lives and produces them at Wrightsville Beach.
He lives and produces them at Wrightsville Beach.
Kopious Jewelry Collection
The KOPIOUS aesthetic is a contemporary-bohemian style, one that exhibits a variety of colorful and artistic expressions, while incorporating clean and defined lines. Combined, these two styles create a sence of fashion forward sophistication with a fun and edgy twist.
The jewelry collection is named KOPIOUS, it means liberal, plentiful and in abundance; describing how she views the art & design world.
Alexandra Underwater
The ocean and it's inhabitants inspire my creativity. All of the shark teeth I find diving locally off NC in over 100ft of water. Many of my paintings are mixed media and include recycled items found on beaches and underwater.
Lovely Green
The LovelyGreen philosophy of personal care and nutrition takes a pure, holistic and wholesome approach, for total well-being.
We also proudly support our local community, farmers and businesses!
All products are packaged with earth conscious materials so we can feel good about taking care of ourselves and reducing our impact on the environment.
Products currently include: bath bombs, face masks, lip balms, tinted lip balm, hand blended organic tea, body scrub, body butter, baby products
Busarin's Jewelry & Accessories
Busarin's jewelry & Accessories was founded in 2012 by me, Busarin Jungers. I was born to a handmade jewelry business family in Thailand. My everyday duty after school was to help my family do the beads work and help created styles and material used. I moved to the United State 2 years ago and didn't want to give up on my jewelry passion. So, I started to make jewelry and started going to crafts fairs. My jewelry are mostly made of semi-precious stone beads, glass beads, brass beads , crystal beads & pearl. What makes it unique is that I use natural supplies like waxed cotton cord and silk thread instead of sterling silver wire. So, if you are those who seek for something unique, high quality & artistic, you will never be let down.
Lew's Jewelry
I have been making a variety of handmade jewelry for 7 years. I am self taught and have recently discovered enjoying metalsmith fabrication. Most pieces are silver/copper and gold-fill with a variety of semi-precious and precious stones. A majority of my work resolves around custom keepsakes and everday wear pieces, but I love the opportunity to share already made items at art shows and craft fairs. So many of these keepsakes are created from my own inspirations. One of my favorites parts of designing is that my customers have found their own personal connection to pieces and have shared their journeys with me. - Sarah Russ of Lew's Jewelry
Lew's Jewelry
Shelby Gorski
