Get the boot
Atlanta native Sarah Green trained as an architect, but now she gets her kicks from making shoes.
The founder: Green graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City with a degree in architecture and a focus on Affordable Housing. In 2010, she was living in New Orleans, working as a designer at an affordable housing nonprofit and at several furniture shops, when she decided to learn the craft of shoe making. In 2012, she returned to Atlanta to set up her shoe-making shop.
The company: Atlanta-based Cord Shoes and Boots makes classically styled, handmade leather footwear and accessories using traditional construction methods.
The goods: The popular Mercer boots ($495) for women and men in Black or Carolina Brown are fashionably functional. Also sandals ($150 in spring and summer) and leather accessories, such as wallets ($38), key fobs ($18-$24.50) and clutches ($98).
Big break: Selected as a finalist in the 2014 Martha Stewart American Made Awards in the Style category. The American Made program, which celebrates the local and handmade, also has an audience choice award. To vote, go to marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominees (and search: Cord). Voting is open until Oct. 13.
Claim to fame: Green worked and studied with master shoemaker Perry Ercolino in Doylestown, Pa.
What's next: Chukka boots for men, plus casual shoes and boots for women.
Where to shop: Cordshoes.com
Added value (for dog lovers): The dog-loving company gives 2 percent of its profits to the nonprofit Atlanta Underdog Initiative (atlantaunderdog.com).
Bag men
When Texas brothers Blake and Bryce Leggett graduated from college, the economy was in turmoil. Faced with the uncertain job market, the new grads and avid outdoorsmen struck out on their own.
The company: The White Wing Label started in 2010. Based in Eden, Texas, the small company makes rugged yet refined luggage and accessories (gun cases, too) for men.
The founders: Bryce and Blake grew up in West Texas. Blake joined the military out of high school and served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 20th Special Operations Squadron. After his service ended, Blake headed for Texas A&M. Bryce graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in business administration.
The name: Named for the white-wing dove, found in desert habitats.
Top sellers: Slim leather wallet ($45) and the soft-sided, leak-proof cooler ($210).
Other favorites: Shave kit ($126.50), medium duffel ($368), and the redesigned messenger bag ($448.50). Every made-to-order product can be personalized.
Materials: Vegetable-tanned Bridge leather and No. 8 cotton duck. Fittings are solid brass. Zippers are YKK military grade.
Unusual request: Man's diaper bag. "Geez, we should design one because we get requests for it all the time," Blake said.
Where to buy: At www.whitewinglabel.com. In the Atlanta area, find White Wing products at Onward Reserve, 3072 Early St., Suite 200 (www.onwardreserve.com).
B is for beads
Atlanta’s MacKenzie Williams designed her first strand of blessing beads in 2012. She later gave them to a friend — as a sercy, or small gift. Word spread about the beads. And Williams was in business.
The company: The Sercy Studio in Atlanta offers large, hand-painted wooden blessing beads with clay pendants (heart, feather or cross). The bead strands, which are about 30 inches long, are designed to be a home accessory. Place them on a dresser or shelf or hang over a favorite chair.
The founder: Williams, now a mother of two young children, graduated from the Marist School and the University of Georgia, where she studied fine arts.
The goods: Blessing beads ($68), baby blessing beads ($42), keychains ($22) and Christmas ornaments ($28).
Materials: Hand-painted wooden beads and handmade, one-of-a-kind clay pendants strung together with twine.
What's hot: Blessing beads in neutral colors and personalized baby blessing beads.
What's next: Necklaces, because people always try to wear blessing beads, which are a home accessory and not designed to wear.
Where to buy: www.thesercystudio.com. In the Atlanta area, find beads at Huff Harrington Home, 102 W. Paces Ferry Road (huffharrington.com); and Crafted Westside, 1000 Marietta St. N.W., Suite 102 (craftedwestside.com). Also at several upcoming artist and holiday markets (check website for locations).
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 send your suggestions to: lljerkins@gmail.com. Also find more Southern-made products, featured in the AJC, at Southernfinds on Facebook or twitter@southernfinds1.
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