Just your type
Even modern Southern women go for monograms. Just ask Kelly Shatat, a pharmacist-turned-jewelry designer. Shatat started Moon and Lola, a North Carolina-based jewelry and lifestyle brand, best known for its colorful acrylic monogram necklaces and other personalized accessories.
The company: Founded in 2003 in Raleigh, N.C.
The name: Moon and Lola originated from nicknames that Shatat (aka Lola) and her best friend (Avis, aka Moon) used for each other in college.
The founder: The Raleigh native earned her pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She worked as a pharmaceutical sales rep and clinical pharmacist before she began designing and handcrafting jewelry.
The main goods: Monogram necklaces ($48 and up) and earrings ($38 and up).
Other favorites: Statement mugs ($28) and pillows ($68).
Materials: Acrylic, 14-karat gold, gold filled, sterling silver.
What's popular: The original acrylic monogram necklace. Best-selling acrylic colors include: tortoise, blonde tortoise, hot pink, ebony, robin's egg, turquoise and tiger's eye.
Fun requests: Made custom brooches for a ladies flying club and a custom ladybug necklace in 14 karat for a grandfather.
Bridesmaids like: The monograms and the best-selling Lynbrook earrings in three sizes ($48-$78). Also, the Preston charm bracelet ($68-$84).
Where to buy: www.moonandlola.com. Also at several shops in the Atlanta area, including Swoozie's, 4285 Roswell Road, and Poppy's of Atlanta, 56 E. Andrews Drive N.W. (poppysofatlanta.com). Check the website for other locations.
Inch by inch
Children grow up fast. But instead of making pencil marks on your wall to chart their height each year, hang a ruler-style growth chart from Georgia-based Little River Designs.
The founders: Sara Alread, a 2009 University of Georgia grad, and her parents (Deb and Jim Kay) run the business on St. Simons Island.
The name & inspiration: The company was named after Alread's nephew, River, since the first wooden ruler was made for him.
The goods: Made of pine up to a maximum of height of 6 feet 6 inches, growth chart rulers are $78 (unpersonalized) and $98 (personalized). Add a child's name and birthday or family's name (up to 20 characters allowed). Stained and painted by hand, rulers come in natural (most popular) or white and feature a keyhole on back for easy hanging. Prices include free shipping in the United States.
Other favorites: Wooden wedding signs ($35-$45).
Big break: In April 2013, a week after launching its website, the company was featured on Swiss-Miss.com by Tina Roth Eisenberg. "She is an inspiration to me as a designer, mother and entrepreneur," Alread said.
Fun request: Growth chart rulers for grandma's house.
What's next: A new stain and personalization options for the rulers. Also expanding its wedding sign line.
Where to buy: littleriverdesigns.com and etsy.com/shop/littleriverdesignsga
A Lowcountry treasure
Goat Island is a small island located on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway near Charleston, S.C. Accessible only by boat, the island is home to Sarah Sanders and her special-occasion Goat Island Treasure Boxes.
The artist: Sanders grew up in Greer, S.C., and moved to Goat Island in 1969. She was the first full-time resident after the passing of Blanche and Henry Holloway. A former teacher and coach in the Charleston school district, Sanders rarely missed a day of teaching, even though islanders had no phone access for many years and her commute involved a boat ride across the waterway. She paddled by canoe in the morning and returned the same way to her humble home each evening.
Background: Sanders has always enjoyed woodworking and painting. Her best friend, who had a picture-framing business, started giving Sanders scraps of wood molding, which Sanders turned into her now well-known Goat Island Treasure Boxes. She cuts, glues, nails and paints each box by hand on Goat Island. Then Sanders transports the boxes from the island across the Intracoastal Waterway by boat.
The goods: There are about 30 different styles of boxes. They are available in two sizes and range in price from $69.99 to $99.99. Many of the boxes are signed, numbered and dated by the artist.
Materials: New and reclaimed wooden picture frame molding with complementing suede inserts and custom-designed finials on the top.
By the numbers: Sanders made her first box in 2003 and has made approximately 2,000 a year since then.
Haute boxes: The most popular boxes highlight culturally important themes of the coastal area, including Charleston hospitality, wildlife, and the heritage of local islands. Custom finials include sand dollars, sea turtles, waterfowl, and the South Carolina palmetto moon.
Claim to fame: One box was commissioned for the set of the TV series "Army Wives." Sanders has made special boxes for charities, including the South Carolina Aquarium.
What's new: Rustic molding and the "Sullivan's Island" box, which is gray driftwood with dolphins jumping from the water.
Where to buy: Check www.goatislandtreasureboxes.com or visit www.charlestongiftsonline.com.
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, send your suggestions to: lljerkins@gmail.com. Also find more Southern-made products, featured in the AJC, at Southernfinds on Facebook or twitter@southernfinds1.
