Midsection mosaics
Singers Amy Grant and Steven Tyler like his intricate, one-of-kind belt buckles. So do movie stars like Cameron Diaz. The artist behind the bedazzled buckles is Paul Pearman of Augusta. To make his mosaic belt buckles, Pearman combines gemstones with recycled and found objects, such as shark teeth, fossils, stained glass and vintage jewelry. The custom mosaic buckles come in many shapes, including best-sellers such as the butterfly, paisley and heart and skull. The metal used is all hand-forged. Most of Pearman’s buckles start around $495.
See more of Pearman’s work at www.mosaicbuckles.com.
Treasure chest
When it comes to furniture design, Birmingham’s Bobby Michelson makes functional pieces of art. His solid wood furniture has a contemporary look, but it is crafted with old-world details like hand-cut dovetails. Michelson’s attention to detail carries over into the woods he chooses to make a bed or bench. Though he honors all wood, the Alabama craftsman prefers exotic varieties, such as curly maple and curly cherry. The “Treasure Chest” is made from bird’s-eye maple, Honduras mahogany, ebony, maple and Australian lacewood. The drawers are lined with ultrasuede. The unique chest with the beveled mirror is $15,000. Michelson also makes smaller pieces, including hand mirrors ($90), menorahs ($195), lamps ($350 and up) and small tables ($800 and up). Visit www.bobbymichelson.com.
Ocean inspired
Many artists are inspired by the colors, light and textures of coastal areas. Nancilee Woodyard Overdyke, a custom jewelry designer and metalsmith, is no exception. The Gulf Breeze, Fla., artist produces a line of jewelry called Nankaii, a variation on a Hawaiian phrase (nani kai), which means “beautiful ocean.” In her pieces, the 2004 SCAD grad uses nylon-coated steel — layered, looped and linked — with a combination of precious metals, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals and some repurposed objects. Her rings and earrings are under $100. The “Rock Ring” is $45. It is made of sterling silver, pink tourmaline and nylon-coated steel cable. Visit www.nankaii.com.
The South’s best finds 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 suggestion to: ljerkins@bellsouth.net. In the subject line, write Southern Made. Please include your name and contact number.
