This November, we are getting back to our roots. We teamed up with brands East Fork Pottery, Twin Denim Co, Forest Creature Dolls for this gift guide and an accompanying giveaway. All companies are either founded by Ashevillians, or based in the area.
With an eclectic product offering spanning from children’s dolls and costumes, to locally-made pottery sets, to custom-made denim, to artisanal-made Argentine wall hangings, we all share a love for hand-made, whimsical, playful, and beautiful products. We’ve put together a gift guide so to help you gift local, unique, and out-of-the-box this holiday season while supporting small businesses and dedicated, passionate entrepreneurs and craftspeople.
East Fork Pottery
We encourage you to check out “The Mug” for all of the early-birds and coffee lovers, they also offer a range of plates, bowls and more as well as kitchenware and home goods.
The creation of Alex Mattise, East Fork designs, manufactures, and sells thoughtful, durable ceramic dishware in Asheville, North Carolina. The only thing better than their products may just be the way they do business, carbon neutral, and a certified B-Corp, East Fork is known for paying its employees a minimum of $22/hour, and frequently partner with non-profit and grassroots organizations keen on making the world a better place. Grab some amazing pottery at eastfork.com.
Forest Creature Dolls
Allow us to suggest any of the hand-dyed Forest Creature stuffed dolls, made by hand in Asheville, NC. Forest Creatures tend to sell out fast, so sign up for their newsletter if you want to know when they launch a fresh batch!
Joti Marra weaves magic out of cloth and thread and transforms ordinary materials into dreams, creating quality, handmade goods for children. She created Forest Creature dolls to foster and nurture a child's imagination through the toys they make. Head to forestcreaturestudio.com for all the dolls and more.
Jack Be Nimble
If you are looking for something special for kids, look no further. Founded by Sarah Jastram, Jack Be Nimble was born out of a search to find high-quality dress up costumes that pushed the boundaries of the typical princess/superhero narrative, while focusing on independent, nature-based play.
Might we suggest these handcrafted green Forest Fairy Wings and Acorn Costume. Jack Be Nimble costumes inspire open-ended play for children of all ages and are Made using natural fibers in our Asheville, NC-based studio. Check out the full line at jackbenimblekids.com.
Fields Outfitting
Founded by Asheville native Ryan Volatile, and Argentine Nicolas Pedalino, Fields was Created out of love for the warmth, humor, and openness of Argentine culture that enchanted Ryan and has kept him in Buenos Aires for the past 10 years. Fields proudly offers a collection of their signature Field Pants, as well as a collection of meticulously designed local products made craftsmen and creators in their community.
For anyone looking to add a bit of character to their walls, and bring their home closer to nature, we suggest The Decorative Chané Masks. Hand-carved out of Palo Borracho wood and hand-painted using traditional techniques by skilled artisans from the Chané indigenous group in Salta, Argentina, they make for fantastic decorative pieces. Check them out at fieldsoutfitting.com.
Twin Denim Co
Twin Denim Co makes custom denim apparel using a mix of premium selvedge and upcycled goods. Send them a message to get a custom-made apron for the chefs in your life, or a pair of jeans for the selvedge heads. They also offer denim totes, jorts, shackets, hats, and more. Check them out on instagram @twindenimco.
