Inspired by nature
Cumberland Island, the southernmost barrier island on the Georgia coast, plays a big role in the work of jewelry designer Janet “Gogo” Ferguson. The island is her home. But it is also a place where she finds inspiration — from the bones of animals to the shells and seaweed that wash ashore — for her elegant and eclectic works of wearable art.
A Carnegie descendant, Ferguson has designed jewelry for the rich and famous, including the wedding bands for the late John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who were married on the island.
Now one of Ferguson’s new pieces, the Oxidized Seaweed Cuff, is available in the gift shop at the High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St., in Atlanta. The cuff ($100, pictured) is handcrafted in Alpaca, a metal alloy that is a combination of copper and nickel.
Also for sale are her coastal-themed ornaments ($25 each). Choose a sand dollar, starfish, bean pod or clamshell.
The gift shop items are being offered in conjunction with the exhibit, "Gogo: Nature Transformed," at the High Museum from Jan. 19 to June 23. The exhibition will feature 63 of her works, including a new piece for the museum: a 6-by-8-foot wall sculpture inspired by seaweed. For information, visit http://museumshop.high.org.
Hot cakes
Judy Chancey has loved baking for as long as she can remember. But the Atlanta woman never thought about turning her passion into a business. But in late 2010, Chancey started JudiCakes. Using her own recipes, fresh ingredients and keen sense of taste, Chancey started with a cranberry cream cheese pound cake.
The tart and sweet cranberry cake is a favorite of Jacque Digieso, executive director of The Cottage School in Roswell. Digieso, who recommended JudiCakes to us earlier this year, is also partial to the apple caramel.
Chancey’s best-selling cake is caramel sea salt. But other, not-to-be-missed flavors include ginger spice, apricot and lemon with rosemary. For a summertime party or hostess gift, grab the blueberry-orange or Melba (peach with raspberry).
Wrapped for giving, JudiCakes are offered in three round sizes: 4 inches, 7 inches and 9 inches. Prices range from $4.25 for the popular baby cake to $26.95 for a 9-inch apricot cake. Find JudiCakes at area Whole Foods Markets or online at www.judicakes.co
Go-to bags
Intrigued by the idea of making his own bow ties, Matt Weaver bought a sewing machine two years ago and taught himself to sew.
Though his bow ties were a hit, Weaver decided to move on and make bags for men and women. He upgraded to an industrial sewing machine and has been making his sturdy, waxed canvas bags ($125) ever since. The handles, made from local leather, are attached to the bags with hand-hammered copper rivets.
With their classic look, they are a great go-to bag for work, weekends or everyday errands. Visit andovertrask.com. To order a bag, contact Weaver at andovertrask@icloud.com.
