We were on the hunt for handmade goods at AmericasMart in Atlanta last week -- a 3-building, 18-floor dizzying compound filled with everything a consumer might desire. Here's just a sampling of the new artists and hand-crafted items we're bringing back to Sweet Mabel:
1. The artisans at Utah's Rustico Leather hand craft keepsake leather-bound journals, combining select leathers from US tanners & recycled papers. We especially like the Epiphany, complete with a leather pencil pocket so you're always prepared for those moments of genius.
2. Monkeys Always Look hand stamp old silver flatware with witty and practical words in their San Diego studio. ("Stinky" is among our favorite!) We'll be bringing in their herb, cheese & garden markers.
3. Trinket Foundry in Minnesota has taken recycled bottle cap & glass jewelry to a whole new level! They meticulously saw old bottles and vases into colorful odd-shaped rings, then tumble them for a full week to achieve a beautiful soft luster. Bottlecaps are molded into round beads to make fun necklaces for all ages.
4. We've always cracked up over MikWrights' vintage polariod greeting cards and their outlandishly provocative captions. We were excited to see these zany images now being printed on 100% recycled coasters & tea towels, perfect gifts for the fun-loving host.
5. Dryads Dancing salvages colorful discarded wood in their native Georgia and crafts it into decorative home furnishings. Come check out their new Boho frame, playfully adorned with up cycled fabric garland.