Southern Made: Fantastic finds from throughout the South

By Linda Jerkins

For the AJC

Southern Made favorites this week include: dreamy chocolates from Fort Myers, Fla., oh-so-soft scarves made in Atlanta and one-of-kind briefcases from Texas. Consider these red-hot finds for your Valentine -- or for any other red-letter day.

Sweet spot

For love at first bite, try chocolates from Norman Love Confections. Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, the company creates and sells handcrafted chocolates that are edible works of art. The 25-piece Signature Chocolate Gift Box ($48.50, plus tax and shipping) features a fresh and preservative-free assortment of dark, milk and white chocolate and truffles. The popular collection comes in a green gift box wrapped with a brown and gold ribbon. If you are a dark chocolate lover, drop hints about the new “BLACK” collection, which includes five dark chocolates made with cocoa beans from the world’s five premium growing regions. The thin chocolate shells are filled with a velvety chocolate ganache. Consumer Reports recently rated the company’s tasty 25-piece chocolate collection as excellent. Check www.normanloveconfections.com.

Heart felt

Scarves are now a year-round fashion accessory. In midwinter, the right cheery scarf will keep you cozy. It also will brighten up your black coat or outfit. For warmth and a touch of whimsy, try a soft, colorful scarf from the Felted Heart in Atlanta. Owner Mary Sweeney fashions a fanciful “green” line of repurposed wool clothing and accessories for women and children. Her fun, 8-foot-long scarf ($60) is made of lamb’s wool and cashmere. It’s available in a pick-me-up combination of pink, red and gray -- or colors of your choice. In the children’s collection, the sweet, felted wool ponchos ($49) and ear warmers ($18) are big hits. So are the cotton tees ($24) with the wool appliqués. Available at www.feltedheart.com and the Beehive Coop, 1250 Caroline St., Suite C120, Atlanta, or www.thebeehiveatl.com

In the bag

A briefcase must be functional. But it also should reflect your style and personality. For a certain type, the classic briefcase from the Texas-based Saddleback Leather Co. is a perfect fit. Made of thick, full-grain leather, the Indiana Jones-style briefcase ($519 and up) is meant to last -- and comes with a 100-year warranty. The vintage-looking bag comes with a convenient handle at the top, plus an adjustable and removable shoulder strap, which you can use to convert the briefcase into a backpack. Inside, there are several pockets for pens and gadgets and two large compartments. One is roomy enough for most laptops, but measure first to be sure.

For many, the downside of the briefcase, which is available in three sizes and four colors, is that it is heavy. Empty, a large, 16-inch briefcase weighs 7.5 pounds. The briefcase is the best-seller -- mostly among men. But the San Antonio company also makes leather luggage and accessories, such as wallets and the new leather iPad case ($104). Also new: tote bags ($412 and up) for women. Check www.saddlebackleather.com

The South’s best products

Do you have favorite finds from across the South that you give as gifts, buy for your home or rave about to friends? If so, please share them with us. Send your “best find” to ljerkins@bellsouth.net. In the subject line, write Southern Made. Please include your name and contact number.