Pretty papers
Tennessee paper goods designer Karen Adams is known for her fresh and feminine designs.
The company: Karen Adams Designs was founded in 1999 in the guest house of Adams' 1920s home in Memphis. The company later moved into an old furniture factory building on Broad Avenue in the Memphis arts district.
The founder: Adams, a Memphis native, attended the Rhode Island School of Design and majored in fashion design. After college, she worked in New York City at J. Crew. When she started a family, Adams started doing faux finishes and murals for interior designers. When her family moved back to Memphis, Adams became involved with some nonprofit organizations and started designing invitations. She created a buzz for these events — then a company for herself.
The main goods: Paper goods, including stationery, greeting and place cards, gift tags and journals, with original illustrations and often with a touch of glitter or gold foil.
What's popular: The Limited Edition calendar ($175) for ultra-special gal pals or paper lovers and desktop calendar ($59).
Other favorites: Seaside notecards (eight for $29.50); Mousie Mousepad ($16); Good Word pencils ($6); Hi notecards (10 for $18); and Hello Sunshine notecards (10 for $25).
Claim to fame: Designed the Britney Spears 21st birthday party invitation — and sworn to secrecy.
What's new: Coloring book ($28) for your inner child and colored pencils ($16).
Where to buy: KarenAdamsDesigns.com. In the Atlanta area, check various shops, including the Merchant at Howell Mill, 993 Marietta St., Atlanta (themerchantatl.com), and Paces Papers, 110 E. Andrews Drive., Atlanta (pacespapers.com).
Hide & chic
Atlanta native Lynn Kemp did what many of us want to do: turn a hobby into a business. With an eye for mixing color and texture, the former Macy’s buyer first created jewelry with a cult following. Last year, Kemp designed a fashion-smart line of leather, canvas and cowhide bags.
The companies: GawdyBobbles is an artisan jewelry company. Canoe Bags creates clutches, totes, and overnight and bucket bags. Both of Kemp's companies are based in Blue Ridge, Ga., where she now lives and works.
Best-sellers: Bucket bags ($245-$295); overnight bags ($295-$395); and Mini bags ($65-$110). Bags can include cowhide (hair on hide), canvas and pieced distressed leather. In the jewelry line, leather bangles ($35 for a set of five).
Fun request: Make three ski bags, all of hair on hide, for a trip.
As seen in: Jewelry on models in Sports Illustrated magazine's swimsuit issues for four years in a row (2012-2015).
What's next: Envelope-style cowhide bags with tassels.
Learn more: www.canoebags.com and www.gawdybobbles.com
Where to buy: GawdyBobbles and Canoe Bags store, 624 E. Main St., in downtown Blue Ridge. In the Atlanta area, check Huff Harrington Home, 102 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta (huffharrington.com); Peridot's two locations, 3193 Roswell Road, Atlanta, and 1183 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta; and Sugarboo, 804 Town Blvd., Suite 1070, in Brookhaven.
Farm fresh
In the barn behind her Georgia home, Marci Scharko makes all-natural soaps, body products and candles that are always in season.
The company: Turnrow Bath Body & Home was started in 2013 in Tyrone, Ga., by Scharko, who saw a growing demand for body products with fewer ingredients. The small company, run by family and friends, uses locally sourced ingredients from Scharko Farms and other Atlanta-area farms.
The main goods: Vegan-friendly bath and body goods include soaps, oils, lip balms, plus soy candles.
What's popular: Candles ($8, $15 and $24) in year-round scents, including Havana, Mint & Lime and Big Sur. For spring, try Lemon Verbena or Sweet Orange, Rosemary & Geranium. Also in demand: Tea Tree & Peppermint Detoxifying Charcoal bar soap ($5).
Other favorites: Lip balms ($3).
Where to buy: www.myturnrow.com and some Atlanta-area farmers markets, including the Green Market at Piedmont Park on Saturdays, plus Grant Park and the new Westside Provisions (starts May 17) markets on Sundays. Also find Turnrow products at the Hawkins & Clover salon and apothecary, 318 Cherokee Ave., in Grant Park.
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: lljerkins@gmail.com. Also find more Southern-made products, featured in the AJC, at Southernfinds on facebook or on twitter@southernfinds1.
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