Southern made

In 1997, Christopher Bailey began repurposing industrial elements into furniture in San Francisco. In 2000, the self-taught artist brought his business back east. At his studio in Panama City Beach, Fla., Bailey uses steel, cast iron, rivets, reclaimed wood (some from bowling alley floors) and mechanical elements (vintage gears and wheels) to create his bold, functional pieces for his company, Industrial-Chic. Take his 48-inch-round wine tasting table ($1,495). Originally, it was a textile mill cart, used to transports spools of thread around the factory floor. Bailey gave the old cart new life, creating a textured table, made with steel and hardwood, that can display 32 bottles of wine. One of Bailey’s newest designs is an adjustable table, that can convert from dining to bar height. Prices for his custom, iron-based tables range from $795 to $3,895, depending on size. Other designs include kitchen islands, lighting and oversize cabinets. Find Industrial-Chic furniture at Kudzu Antique Market (www.kudzuantiques.com) in Decatur and Paris on Ponce (www.parisonponce.com, in Atlanta’s Midtown area. Also visit www.industrial-chic.com.

Baby on board

Four years ago, Jessie Rivers had a baby and started a home business, sewing clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers. Bubby’s Handmade was named for her son's nickname.. Earlier this year, Rivers decided to try something new. The Berry College grad started Bubby’s Handmade Home to sell her line of trendy subway art. For a nursery wall or desk-top easel, her handmade “Birth Boards” have been a hit. Colors in the 8-inch-by-8-inch boards ($25, plus shipping) can be customized to match your nursery and provide a fresh approach to a framed baby announcement. Rivers also designs art with positive or inspirational phrases, such as the black and white “Mother Theresa Quote Board” ($45, plus shipping). It measures 17 inches by 22 inches. For other designs, visit http://bubbyshandmadehome.etsy.com. Also find her creations at The Beehive collective (www.thebeehiveatl.com) in Atlanta and at the Inman Park Festival April 28-29.

Color-happy jewelry

As a child, Amy Gresens used to manipulate her mother’s costume jewelry to make her own works of art. Now she creates her own. The former advertising and marketing exec and instructor at the Spruill Center for the Arts in Dunwoody, uses precious metals, geometric shapes and materials such as resin and felt, in her colorful jewelry. Her handcrafted collection is clean, simple and versatile. The resin earrings, particularly the clear and metallic gold combination, are top sellers. . Jewelry prices range from $50 to $105 for necklaces to $38 for earrings. Rings run $65 to $85. Find jewelry at her company site at www.element47designs.com. Also visit The Beehive (www.thebeehiveatl.com) and the gift shop at the High Museum of Art (www.high.org) in Atlanta. Gresens jewelry also will be available at the Alpharetta Arts StreetFest (April 14-15) and the Inman Park Festival (April 28-29).

Share your Southern finds

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 suggestions to: ljerkins@bellsouth.net. In the subject line, write Southern Made. Include your name and a contact number.