★ About the Awards ★
 The Made in NC Awards shine a spotlight on North Carolina’s incredible artisans and creative craftspeople. Perhaps you’re a talented bladesmith crafting chef’s knives out of vintage farm tools, or you’re a potter shaping Carolina clay into one-of-a-kind pieces of art, or you’re a woodworker building birdhouses out of old tobacco barnwood. Maybe you sell honey infused with locally grown ingredients at the farmers market, or you make ravioli filled with scratch-made pimento cheese, or you brew a seasonal beer that your customers can’t get enough of. Whatever it is that you proudly make and sell in our state, we want to celebrate you and help you show it off to folks from mountains to coast.
The Made in NC Awards shine a spotlight on North Carolina’s incredible artisans and creative craftspeople. From talented bladesmiths crafting chef’s knives out of vintage farm tools and potters shaping clay into one-of-a-kind pieces of art to woodworkers building birdhouses out of old tobacco barnwood, our state is home to countless makers who shape our cultural landscape. Whatever is proudly made and sold in our state — whether it’s the culinarians who sell locally infused honey or ravioli filled with scratch-made pimento cheese at the farmers market or the breweries making a seasonal beer that customers can’t get enough of — we want to show it off to folks from mountains to coast. |
 ★ Craft
This category includes decorative artisan items that aesthetically enhance our everyday life, from bespoke stationery to hand-poured candles to decorative glass and pottery to visual art like wall prints, and much more.
Entries may include:
- Paper
- Decorative pottery
- Decorative glass
- Artisan textiles
- Fine basketry
- Woodwork
- Metalwork
- Instruments
- Candles
- Artisan soap
- Body products
- Other decorative items
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 ★ Drink
Think freshly roasted coffee beans, sparkling cider, blackberry mint syrup, and aromatic bitters made with locally sourced botanicals. Wine, beer, juices, spirits, cocktail mixes, sodas, craft cocktail ingredients, and anything else we can sip are welcome.
Entries may include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
- Juice
- Tonics
- Wine
- Beer
- Spirits
- Cocktail mixers
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 ★ Food
Do people tell you they can’t live without your barbecue sauce? Is your caramel cake a local legend? We want to try it! From pies and cakes to cheese straws and chocolate bon bons, spicy mustard and strawberry pepper jelly to fresh baked bread and country ham, this category covers all food items — canned or jarred, sweet or savory, baked or fried.
Entries may include:
- Sweet (candies, desserts, baked goods, etc.)
- Savory (crackers, breads, meats, cheeses, etc.)
- Sauces, spreads, and condiments
Note: We cannot accept raw foods (fruits, vegetables, etc.) |
 ★ Home & Garden
Perhaps you build incredible rocking chairs or whittle beautiful serving utensils from reclaimed wood or create delicate porcelain tea pots. This category is for products that serve a purpose inside — and outside — your home, from floor lamps, rugs, cozy woven blankets, and coffee tables to chef’s knives, cocktail smokers, stir-fry pans, and functional dishware to fire pits, Adirondack chairs, and bird baths.
Entries may include:
- Furniture
- Rugs and floor coverings
- Lighting
- Home decor
- Functional dishware and serveware
- Kitchen tools and utensils
- Cleaning and laundry products
- Toys and games
- Hobby and recreation
- Tools for home or garden
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 ★ Style
This category is for all you makers, artisans, and designers who know more than a thing or two about the ever-evolving world of fashion. Whether you produce garments made from local cotton, create unique jewelry, or are an expert in leather goods such as wallets and bags, your work belongs here.
Entries may include:
- Jewelry
- Apparel
- Outerwear
- Accessories
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