Summer favorites include wedding flags and banners, seaworthy beach bags and dishware to brighten your outdoor table.
I-do banners
Liz Jahn has a day job as a graphic designer at Arby’s Restaurant Group in Atlanta. But last year, the Georgia grad came up with a creative project for her weekends. Jahn started Liddabits, which makes celebration banners and flags for parties and special events. Her custom wedding banners have been wildly popular. Great as wedding favors or center pieces, Jahn’s mini-flags are a fun option to throwing rice or blowing bubbles as the bride and groom trot off. Printed on textured card stock, banners, flags, photo props and cupcake toppers can be tailored to your party’s theme and color scheme. Top colors this year are pink, coral and orange. But yellow and gray are still in demand.
Depending on the length of your message, banner prices range from 99 cents to $3.99 per panel. Photo props range from $5.99 to $9.99. Flags range from 99 cents for cupcake toppers to $8.99 for 12-inch flags. For information, visit Liddabits.etsy.com or email Jahn at liddabits@gmail.com. Also see her at the Stables Market at Serenbe on June 23-24.
Dish up
It is bold, bright and popular as ever with collectors and brides to be. And last year, it celebrated its 75th anniversary. Fiesta dinnerware is made in West Virginia by the Homer Laughlin China Company, the largest remaining domestic plate, saucer and cup maker in the United States.
The four- and five-piece place dinnerware settings ($28.99) continue to be most popular. Not only is the dinnerware lead-free, but it is also microwave and dishwasher safe. And with more than 50 pieces in the line, you can choose one piece for a gift order. Just what you want for your own collection – like the salt-and-pepper set ($15.99). Fiesta’s range of colors also makes it fun to mix and match pieces. Since 1936 when it was introduced, Fiesta has come in 43 colors. In 1936, it was red. The 2012 color is flamingo. Over the years, top colors have included lemongrass (2009), scarlet (2004), sunflower (2001) and cobalt (1986), followed by tangerine (2003) and turquoise (1988). A few pieces from the 75th anniversary marigold collection are still available. A deep dish pie plate is $16.99, but there are other pieces. If interested, place an order before the company retires the limited-edition color on Dec. 1. Visit www.homerlaughlin.com
From sails to totes
Ella Vickers grew up in Beaufort, N.C., in a family of avid sailors. At 8, she first sailed on a Spritzle with her father and uncles and she has been sailing ever since. As a first mate on the yacht Columbia years ago, Vickers was inspired by the power of the vessel’s sails. During one off-season, the yacht needed to have its sails replaced. Vickers asked for the old sails and recycled them into new tote bags for herself. Vickers never intended to start a business. But when people offered to buy bag after bag off her shoulder, she did.
In 1998, Vickers started making the bold, water-resistant totes from recycled sailcloth in Wilmington, N.C. In 2005, the company became the Ella Vickers Recycled Sailcloth Collection. The medium and large zippered and open totes are top sellers. A medium open tote is $88 and a large zippered tote is $158. The sturdy wine bag ($55) and spinnaker shower curtains ($100-$120) are popular additions to the graphic collection. As graphics go, the large red stars and numbers are in demand on the eco-friendly totes. People often ask for custom numbers, signifying special dates, such as birthdays and anniversaries. But numbers 3 and 8 are popular requests.
The totes are available at www.ellavickers.com. If you are in the Wilmington area this summer, visit the shop at 311 Judges Road. In the Atlanta area, find some styles at The Honeybee (on facebook, visit The Honeybee) in Smyrna. Wine totes can be found at the Buckhead location of Sherlock’s Wine Merchant, 3401 Northside Parkway, Atlanta.
Best of the South
Do you have favorite finds from around 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 suggestions to: ljerkins@bellsouth.net. In the subject line, write Southern Made. Please include your name and a contact number.
About the Author
