Doing some last-minute shopping? Give the folks on your holiday list gifts from our great state by supporting these Alabama makers and artists. Just click, shop and ship some merry and joy this year.
These Socks Rock
Soft and super cute, both brightly patterned Zkano [https://zkano.com] socks and the sophisticated footwear from its sister brand, Little River Sock Mill, are made for comfort and for looking good. Plus, they’re made in Fort Payne, Alabama, by a family owned company. And you know what’ll really knock your socks off? They’re made with certified organic cotton sourced from the South, and the colors are created using low-impact dyes, also made in the South. So wearing a pair of these socks makes you stylish, sustainable and full of state and regional pride!
Natural Beauty
When Tenesha Carter found out her son had eczema, she snapped into action, searching for ways to help her son. After a lot of research, she learned eczema’s issues are often linked to and exacerbated by certain ingredients in skincare products. She also realized she could create the natural, soothing products he needed. In 2012, she started Aqualime Skincaren[https://aqualimeskincare.com] to do just that. Aqualime’s lotions, scrubs, masks, soaps, mists and more contain naturally derived and botanical ingredients, including pure essential oils, that soothe and ease eczema symptoms but are also great for anyone’s skin. “I always try to include a botanical ingredient in every product like dried lavender buds or rose petals. They not only look beautiful but give the products and extra boost from the natural benefits,” Tenesha said. Aqualime’s sugar scrubs pull double duty, exfoliating and moisturizing thanks to a blend of natural coconut oil and Vitamin E. Tenesha loves the Lavender Lime scrub.
Suds-sational
Getting clean has never looked, smelled or felt so good thanks to Fairhope Soap Company’s [https://fairhopesoapcompany.com] shea and cocoa butter soaps, goat’s milk soaps, effervescent bath bombs and liquid foaming soaps. The swirls of “tie-dye” colors on the bar soaps are eye-catching, while the fresh and sometimes fruity aromas are equally appealing. The bath bombs are fizzy fun. And the super convenient clean of the liquid foaming soaps is amplified with heady scents like elderberry, jasmine and satsuma.
Noteworthy
Why send a simple “thank you,” “congrats” or holiday card when you can send a work of art? Created using a traditional and tedious method called quilling, the 3-D images of butterflies, flowers and more on Quilling Card greeting cards are rendered in colorful and delicate swirls of coiled paper. Quilling is an ancient art that emphasizes creativity expressed in a time-honored, hand-crafted form, refreshing in contrast to today’s fast-paced, digital world. Founded in 2011 buy husband and wife team Raphael and Huong Wolf, Quilling Card is renowned for the quality of its quilling work, with each card taking nearly one hour to complete. And all of its products are fashioned in a Fair Trade Certified factory by its 400 artisans, who have been given the opportunity to turn their love for this art form into their livelihood. We’re pretty partial to the special pink butterfly card [https://quillingcard.com/products/quilled-joy-to-life-pink-butterfly-greeting-card?_pos=7&_sid=5331c895e&_ss=r] from the company. Proceeds from its sales benefit the Joy to Life Foundation!
300-Plus Pages of Our Amazing State
The recently published book “An Amazing Alabama” [https://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Alabama-county-county-journey-ebook/dp/B09BDMMBK3] showcases our great state, spotlighting some of its most popular places as well as its hidden gems, all through the lens of author and retired United Methodist minister, Dr. Karl K. Stegall. Part personal travelogue and part trivia book, “An Amazing Alabama” invites readers to travel the byways and backroads of the state to discover the aspects — natural beauty, great diversity, rich history and much more — that make it so amazing. On this journey, Stegall shares stories, lesser-known facts and interesting tidbits from his deep well of knowledge, putting emphasis on the state’s most valuable resource, its people. For Stegall, a lifelong sports fan (who is currently the President of the Central Alabama Sports Commission), this focus includes many of the legendary sports figures who hail from Alabama. This book makes a special effort to find and highlight the origin stories and notable accomplishments of greats in University of Alabama and Auburn University football lore, Alabama-born Olympians and hall-of-fame record-setters, as well as national treasures with Alabama roots like Hank Aaron. He also delivers interesting information about the state’s iconic political figures and the cultural contributions of other Alabama natives, including musicians, artists and more. In each chapter, Stegall’s thoughts are accompanied by beautiful color photography; most of the images were captured by his wife and travel companion, Brenda.
Outside the Box
About seven years ago, retired teacher Scott C. Moody was looking for a creative outlet, and the lover of all things wood decided to start making hand-crafted frames from oak and other woods in his garage in east Alabama. His company Chirpwood [https://chirpwood.com] was born. But the custom work proved time intensive, and Moody realized he needed to venture outside frames’ four sides to find a more successful and sustainable business model. The first addition to his traditional frame offerings was the innovative TwoStick frame. Two sleek rails handmade from Alabama oak and pine subtly outline the top and bottom of a photo or print, allowing customers to elegantly and easily (and affordably) hang their art but also putting the focus on the work itself. The Two-Stick system is now patented. During the pandemic, Moody pivoted again, riding the wave of “paint by number” kits popularity but elevating the concept with Chirpwood’s “Paint by Shadows” kits. They include a greyscale image of licensed art printed on a canvas, paint and brushes, plus detailed instructions suitable for beginners, allowing every customer to unleash their creativity while also getting guidance. Chirpwood just launched a Paint Your Pet by Shadows kit too. And the purchase of a frame or paint kit doesn’t just benefit the Chirpwood business; Moody also uses his company to support a program in Africa called Bridge2Rwanda that’s helping educate resident students and create a talent pipeline that will allow them to tackle the issues Rwanda is facing.