The South is full of creatives and makers, creating artwork, jewelry, gifts, and products that showcase the beauty of the region. You can purchase them at local shops and markets but many are also on Etsy.
We’ve highlighted some of our favorite Southern makers to shop from this holiday season. All images property of the shop owners unless otherwise noted.
Kerry Walker, Arab, Alabama
The majestic Victorian birdhouse resembles a real home but is a place for the many species of birds that call the region home. It’s made of pine with a distressed finish and comes in your choice of four colors. The shop also creates other birdhouse designs like country churches and rustic barns, along with wooden toys
Hank Barnes, Rogers, Arkansas
Hank Barnes crafts incredibly colorful stained glass artwork to be hung in your home. Each item is handmade in Northwest Arkansas. The Stained Glass Window Panel features a rainbow of colors with geometrical patterns that catch the light.
Emerson Soaps, Melbourne, Florida
Handcrafted soaps like the Thieves Blend make for a great housewarming gift since they are made with all-natural ingredients and are vegan. It has a scent of rosemary, eucalyptus, lemon, cinnamon, and clove.
The shop also sells other varieties, including French lavender and sandalwood sea salt. They also make solid shampoo, which is great for travel.
Claire Magnolia, Atlanta, Georgia
The Leather Photo Album is the perfect gift for anyone in your life, especially when filled with family photos. It has a soft cover with a leather strap closure with photo sleeves and acid-free paper inside. Claire Magnolia from Atlanta makes other leather goods like guestbooks, wallets, journals, bracelets, and coasters.
The Birch and Buffalo, Bowling, Green Kentucky
Made of reclaimed oak, the Brixon Geometric Wood Wall Art features a geometric design and chestnut stain. The Birch and Buffalo also makes customized wall art and signs, festive designs, and even a geometric wood tray.
Bayou Glass Arts, Shreveport, Louisiana
The stunning Wish necklace contains seeds from a real dandelion, made in Shreveport. It comes with a long, antique-style chain and your choice of the number of dandelion seeds.
Bayou Glass Arts also makes jewelry with flowers and gems along with magnifying glasses as well as custom pieces.
McCarty’s Pottery, Merigold, Mississippi
McCarty’s Pottery dates back to the 1950s when Lee and Pup met at the University of Mississippi. They used native clays from the home of William Faulkner.
Today they operate out of a barn in Merigold and sell highly desired works of turquoise, blue, and earth-toned pieces like plates, mugs, and even decorative works. People travel from all over to shop at their store and pick up their discounted items at the annual sale.
Asheville Tea Company, Asheville, North Carolina
Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, so Asheville Tea Company founder Jessie Dean sought to bring tea culture to Western North Carolina.
She started her company in 2015 and now has many styles including chamomile lavender, hibiscus mojito, and Asheville Grey. They also sell blends from the native Yaupon plant, the nation’s only native tea plant. The spiced apple butter blend is another favorite.
Merkari Pottery, Greenville, South Carolina
The four-piece hand-painted Peony Sugar and Cream Set makes for the perfect gift, including a butter dish, sugar jar, cream pitcher, and a plate to hold them all.
The items are microwave and dishwasher safe. The shop from Greenville also sells ornaments, jewelry, mugs, plates, and bowls.
Xinh and Co Goods, Nashville, Tennessee
Seagrass baskets like the Noir Stripes Seagrass Belly Basket have a storied tradition in the region, especially in coastal Georgia and South Carolina. The basket comes in multiple sizes. Xinh and Co also creates other rustic baskets, knit blankets and clothing, and wooden utensils.
Bent Mountain Barn Quilts, Bent Mountain, Virginia
Barn quilts are a traditional artwork of Appalachia, commonly featured on bars with the designs of quilts. A number of artists create them around the region.
Bent Mountain crafts colorful barn quilts on signboard with exterior paints that will withstand the outdoors. You can also purchase optional hardware for hanging it up and commission your own work with desired colors.
This Is My South, Atlanta, Georgia
Don’t forget about our products! In addition to This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States, we sell prints of our photos through SmugMug.
Purchase our favorite images of the South to hang in your home! You can get them in the form of fine art prints, canvas prints, ornaments, and other keepsakes.
PIN IT
The Essential Gifts from Every Southern State
Choose something for every person on your list from these Southern shops.
Made in the South Holiday Gift Guide
Southern makers have the perfect gifts, ranging from jewelry to prints to pottery.
Leave a Reply