This post is one of those unique local artisans that has truly mastered his craft. Reed Moore is a master blacksmith who operates his forge outside of Florence, SC. Red Forgeworks specializes in producing carefully engineered, hand-forged kitchen knives, tools, and iron furniture using traditional methods.
Read MoreWhen we come across companies that are actively targeting real-world issues like hunger, our hearts leap for joy. Over Christmas, Elleanor received a beautiful handcrafted doll from her cousins made by the incredible family-owned business Cuddle + Kind. The dolls come in so many adorable varieties for boys and girls and are made by artisans in Peru. As a fair trade company, Cuddle + Kind employs local artisans that hand knit, loom, embroider and crochet vibrant and whimsical dolls. Even more inspirational is that every doll provides 10 meals for children in need!
Read MoreOnce again we find ourselves surrounded by more fantastic locally made products. We introduced you once before to the Jack Rudy Cocktail Co., and here we have another product that we love and that we can't wait to get out there for you check out and sample yourselves. Check out the full post for our Bourbon Sweet Tea Sour recipe featuring one of Jack Rudy's latest offerings!
Read MoreWorthless. Invaluable. Overlooked. Sadly, the same characteristics associated with this copper coin are the labels that many women today put on themselves. One organization, though, is on a mission to restore the dignity and worth of women, and their impact starts with a penny.
The Soteria Initiative was founded by Khue Paige as a jewelry company that give pennies a new purpose (on necklaces) and provides employment to women in Phoenix. Their goal? To empower women to break the cycle of abuse and exploitation -- because in their words "freedom is worth every penny". We couldn't agree more!
Read MoreAdvent Guest Post: Christ came in the flesh and dwelt among us. Although the creator of the world is the true King, he came not with pomp and majesty but in the complete humility and helplessness of a baby. He came in a lowly stable. He came that I would have eternal life. In this fact, I can have great joy in preparing for Christmas Day.
Read MoreThere is something to be said about ideas that are created around kitchen tables. Perhaps it's the inviting and communal qualities of a kitchen that sparks the most thoughtful and life-giving conversations. Whatever the magic, Jacquie Moesel, founder and designer for Moesel Clothing, was having one of those talks around the table with a close friend when the opportunity to employ her passion for social change was brought to life. More than just a children's clothing business, Moesel employs artisans in Lima, Peru to craft quality pieces that tie in both traditional hand-sewing and the beautiful colors of the country.
Read MoreA few months ago, I crossed paths online with Lisa Stoltzfus from The Mustard Seed Marketplace after our mutual-friend Kristine Rego linked us together. Lisa's business for providing a local and online storefront with ethically-made accessories, apparel and home goods embodied our mission statement so perfectly. Read only a few sentences of her story, and you'll fall in love with her heart for others, and her courage to follow the path God had placed before her. Add in her dreamy family farm, a barn that hosts her local shop and her adorable puppy Merle and you can say we were a bit smitten with the Stoltzfus family.
Read MoreI remember one Sunday, feeling desperate to hear the Christmas music, I packed up my sick child, paced the floor of the lobby during the service, and left before the service was over. It was a very lonely feeling that year. But the beauty of that year, is that it forced me to realize that I didn’t have to be in a church service in order to prepare my heart for worship. While it’s helpful to have others around you as you worship, God desires to meet us in our solitude as well.
Read MoreLauren and Nate Morgan, a husband and wife team, recently created the Lauren Morgan Co., a business focused on designing an American-Made rain coat of the highest quality and design. They live on Martha's Vineyard, a beautiful island off the coast of Massachusetts.
Read MoreJust a few months ago, I was introduced to Sela Designs, a beautiful, handmade jewelry business that uses 100% of profits to giveback to organizations that are rooted in life-giving work. Ashleigh, the owner, designer and maker behind Sela, uses her talents to create pieces that are giving back in a powerful way.
You can imagine the joy that filled my heart when I learned that Sela Designs financially supports a children's home in Ethiopia. This heartbeat I feel for Africa and the desire to find thoughtfully made products intersected in a beautiful way that can only be God.
Read MoreAs I step to the Christ candle on the Advent wreath, I light my candle, share the light with the ushers, and watch as the light travels along the rows, and gradually fills the room with light as we sing “Silent Night, Holy Night.” It gives me joy in a way I can hardly describe, to see the faces of dear friends and strangers light up as we sing. There is so much darkness in the world, and I need the reminder, that Jesus, God with us, the light of the world, has come and will come again, and that the darkness will not win.
Read MoreWe're back with more from an amazing Charleston based company, Bittermilk. This is our second post featuring Bittermilk and we're so excited about it! It's getting very close to the holidays and we can promise you that this product makes for an excellent gift. If this were under our Christmas tree, or in our stockings, it would make for a mighty fine holiday, indeed.
Read MoreI recently had the wonderful opportunity to meet Nat Bradford. Nat is a talented man, and one of those talents lies in sowing. Saying that he has a green thumb doesn't do him any justice, though. After meeting with Nat on his farm, watching him work, and listening to the things that he's passionate about, I know that he most likely bleeds green. If it can be planted, Nat can make it grow and produce.
Read MoreGuest Post by Susie Walrond:
In a world where our attention is jerked around by media, it's crucial for me to be intentional about knowing Jesus and making Him known both in my home and to the world. I want my children, and my grandchildren, to understand that we--all people--are the reason He came. The reason He's here and coming again. Advent.
Read MoreAt Christmastime, it often feels a bit challenging to make our shopping list for others, while at the same time balancing our desire to purchase intentionally. The stress that comes with selecting a perfect gift, yet also knowing it's origin is tough. But there is a dream solution...and Molly Acord, owner and founder of Fair + Simple, is the genius behind it.
Through her love for all things fair trade, Molly developed a simple shopping option that allows customers to purchase gift cards that can be redeemed by their friends or family for any item on their beautifully curated site of ethically sourced products. We loved this concept so much, because it provides a thoughtful and easy gifting option, and creates a fun and meaningful shopping experience for the person receiving the card.
Read MoreWe love the city of Greenville, SC. Since our first visit, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we fell in love. We found ourselves in a mountain oasis of sorts. We had no idea that we would find such a wonderful place, filled such warm people pursing spectacular things. As if it wasn't enough that we found amazing breweries and a local cafe serving and selling everything local, we also were attracted to how Greenville allows everyone to enjoy the great outdoors and is the most dog-friendly city we've ever stepped foot in. Through are own explorations, we found a man who is helping to bring back a piece of the American past, one pair of jeans at a time. We were so fortunate to sit down with Bill Mitchell, the owner and operator of , and pick his brain about why what he's doing is so important -- not just for himself, but for Greenville, South Carolina and America. Starting out eight years ago with only a used sewing machine at his side and video tutorials to guide him, Bill redefines the meaning of self-taught. His journey to building Billiam Jeans from the bottom up is a narrative that will inspire anyone to pursue a creative calling.
Read MoreNEVA is the kind of business that you can easily get behind, because their passion is women empowering other women. As a female-owned and operated business, teammates and leaders Sacha and Sara are reinventing the quality, craftsmanship and beauty of athletic pieces, all-the-while implanting words of encouragement in the hearts of their customers. This U.S. based company bridges the art of hand embroidery with women's clothing, each item carrying a positive and empowering message.
Read MoreI can remember the days of curling up in my bed, flipping through teen magazines and reading the latest DIY beauty tips. It always fascinated me to discover new and unusual remedies -- everything from avocado and mayonnaise as hair conditioners, to homemade toners and face masks made from citrus and pantry items. While they were always fun to experiment with at home, I can’t say I that I really understood the benefits of using natural ingredients until I became a mom.
Read MoreA recent family trip took us to McIntosh Farms, where we met At McIntosh. At’s Family has owned McIntosh farms dating back to the Revolutionary War time frame. At is an eighth generation farmer and has lived here in South Carolina all his life. At now owns and operates 1000 acres of farmland and rotates his fields with peanut, corn and of course cotton. At’s crop rotation ensures that his cotton yields will be as high as possible and that he will end up with the highest quality of cotton -- a vital piece for his "farm to shirt" concept for his business Homegrown Cotton.
Read MoreBe Pure Beauty, founded by Girl Boss and Visionary, April Manring, provides carefully researched natural products helping others discover "beauty from the inside out." April and her team have a darling storefront in Chapel Hill, N.C., but also offer an online option with their products, services and resources. April's amazing background and story that brought Be Pure Beauty to life is really inspiring, and will have you seeing self-care and beauty products in a whole new way!
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