★ 2020 Winners ★

★ Craft Category and Overall

Wild Clay Floor Vessel by Motyl Pottery

Made from 100 percent North Carolina clay dug by Tori Motyl in Burnsville, the Wild Clay Floor Vessel measures 28.5 inches tall. After throwing in sections on a pottery wheel, a slip surface made from watered-down clay was applied and tooled while rotating on the wheel to give it a texture that speaks to the fluid nature of the clay. Firing in a reduced environment gave it flashes of red and orange on an otherwise black surface. Based in Asheville, Tori uses wild clay and a variety of throwing, cutting, carving, and ripping to showcase the highly textural properties of clay. Learn more about Motyl Pottery.

Honorable Mentions

• Guaneri del Gesu Copy by Joe Thrift Violins
• Old Salem by Ann Harwell Art

★ Drink Category

Bourbon Barrel-Aged Wildflower Mead by Honeygirl Meadery

Honeygirl Meadery’s Bourbon Barrel-Aged Wildflower Mead is an evolving and deeply satisfying sipper, with medium to full body, pleasant alcoholic warmth and silky smoothness. Made exclusively from North Carolina wildflower honey, fermented and aged to bring out rich, deep notes of dark honey, buckwheat, and brown sugar treacle, this gorgeous amber mead is then further aged in a bourbon barrel from Durham’s Mystic Distillery. Each bottle of mead is handcrafted and hand-bottled in their downtown Durham facility. Learn more about Honeygirl Meadery.

Honorable Mentions

• Elderberry Yaupon by Asheville Tea Company
• Mrs. Ruth’s Blackberry Mint Syrup by Mrs. Ruth’s Jams
• Midnight Moon Apple Pie Moonshine by Piedmont Distillers

★ Food Category

Providence by Goat Lady Dairy

Goat Lady Dairy has been making artisan goat’s milk and cow’s milk cheeses since 1995, and helps sustain five family farms in North Carolina. An aged goat milk cheese with a natural rind, Providence evolved out of experimental batches of a Tallegio-style cheese that Goat Lady Dairy made years ago. Providence is the perfect table cheese to pair with cured meats, olives, or membrillo and can be used as you would use Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, or Manchego. Learn more about Goat Lady Dairy.

Honorable Mentions

• Cottonbell by Boxcarr Handmade Cheese LLC
• Flying Pepper Mustard by Valley Brook Farms LLC

★ Home & Garden Category

Battleship Teak Large Chef Knife by Nicholas Nichols Knives

With handles made from reclaimed teak wood from the deck of the USS Battleship North Carolina after the deck was replaced in the mid-1990s, each Battleship Teak Large Chef Knife is a piece of history. As a classically trained chef, Leland-native Nicholas Nichols knows the importance of high-quality knives. His love affair with metal began at an early age, and he quickly found his passion in knifemaking. Learn more about Nicholas Nichols Knives.

Honorable Mentions

• A Patented, Handcrafted, Ergonomic Rocking Chair by Robert Bragg Designs
• The Pineapple by C Lamb Creations

★ Style Category

Riverside Hi by Opie Way

A classic silhouette, the Riverside Hi sneaker is made with six ounces of unlined vegetable-tanned leather, a suede heel counter and toe cap, and PORON insole for lasting comfort and is finished with hand-beveled edges, a copper rivet on the tongue tag, and waxed cotton laces. Most of the magic happens by hand in Opie Way’s small factory in Asheville to ensure each shoe fits perfectly. Sourcing materials as close to home as possible, Opie Way wants to change the way people look at footwear and provide an everyday shoe made in North Carolina. Learn more about Opie Way.

Honorable Mentions

• Double Lace Earrings by Laura Wood Studios
• “Pisgah View” Mountain Ring by Tom Reardon and Kathleen Doyle

★ 2019 ★

★ Home & Garden Category and Overall

Rocking Chair by Wheeler’s Chairs

Following traditional methods of post and rung construction passed down from Colonial times, Wheeler’s Chairs ladderback chairs and rockers are handcrafted from native Appalachian hardwoods sourced from local hardwood suppliers. Built in Millers Creek, this rocker features walnut posts; red oak rungs, arms, and runners; spalted maple backs; and a hand-rossed and woven hickory bark bottom. Learn more about Wheeler’s Chairs.

Honorable Mentions

• Handcrafted Three-Legged Puzzle-Piece Stool by Elegant Creations
• Genesee Tables by Owl in the Poplar

★ Craft Category

Mid-Century Modern by Koolbird

Inspired by the 1950’s interior designs, Charlotte-based Koolbird integrates mid-century modern elements into bird houses. Koolbird bird houses are eco-friendly and are made from a variety of tropical hardwoods. With Mark Ellis’s background in the furniture business, these retro birdhouses are well built, firm, and stylish and will complement the exterior design of any home. Learn more about Koolbird.

Honorable Mentions

• Canestorition by Samuel Spees
• Crystalline Vase by Frank’s House of Mud

★ Drink Category

Lemon Elderflower Hard Cider Spritzer by Noble Cider

Located in Asheville, Noble Cider uses locally grown apples to create innovative and delicious craft hard ciders. Their hard cider spritzers offer drinkers a fantastic and fruity, gluten-free option made with hard cider, real botanicals, and filtered sparkling water. The Lemon Elderflower Hard Cider Spritzer is fermented from freshly pressed apples is mixed with organic dried lemon peel and dried elderflowers for an infusion that’s crisp, bright, and lightly floral. Learn more about Noble Cider.

Honorable Mentions

• “Sycophant” Orange and Fig Bitters by Crude Bitters and Sodas
• Blue Shark Vodka by Blue Shark Vodka

★ Food Category

Bourbon Honey Chocolate Truffle by Little Bird Chocolate

Little Bird Chocolate proudly creates small batch chocolates in Winston-Salem. Their Bourbon Honey Chocolate Truffle is definitely one to savor and is full of North Carolina ingredients. The 70% Venezuelan dark chocolate, sourced from Winston-Salem’s Brasstown Chocolate, is blended with fresh cream and Fool’s Gold Bourbon Honey, which combines Forsyth County-harvested honey with bourbon from Seventeen Twelve Southern Spirits in Conover. Learn more about Little Bird Chocolate.

Honorable Mentions

• Sassy Sesame Teriyaki Mushroom Jerky by Haw River Mushrooms
• Shooters by Dillsboro Chocolate Factory

★ Style Category

Classic Patchwork Pack by Amber M. Jensen (formerly of ha!)

Made entirely by hand in Marshall, the Classic Patchwork Pack was inspired by regional textile traditions with an eye toward the colors, shapes, and textures experienced during Amber’s hike across the Blue Ridge Mountains. Designed with the intention to create an equally utilitarian and stylish backpack for men and women, the pack rolls up to reveal an interior pocket for laptops and a durable cotton canvas lining. Learn more about Amber M. Jensen (formerly of ha!).

Honorable Mentions

• Evening Lace Tencel Shawl by Lamb on the Loom
• All-Paca Fleece Hoodie by Appalachian Gear Company

★ 2018 ★

★ Art Category and Overall

Old Hickory by Recycling is for the birds!

This exquisite birdhouse incorporates rural North Carolina materials in a unique and useful way. The house itself is made of wood sourced from a farmhouse, corn crib, and general store dating back to the early 1900s. The glass windows and tin roof are from farmhouses built in the 1800s, and the base is from a tobacco barn circa 1940. All of the materials came from Jones, Pitt, and Craven counties, and the birdhouse took 124 hours to complete. Learn more about Recycling is for the birds!.

Honorable Mentions

• NC Tobacco Leaf Platter by Two Creeks Pottery
• Archtop Tenor Guitar by Lichty Guitars

★ Food & Drink Category

Sweet Potato Crunch by Jenni’s Ugly Chocolates

Homemade in Greenville, this gourmet candy features ingredients from a number of North Carolina farms. The bonbon-style treat gets its namesake crunch from a base of toasted pecans and toffee bits, while the creamy sweet potato filling is infused with vodka distilled from sweet potatoes. Whether these chocolates are “ugly” is debatable; what’s not is that they’re delicious! Learn more about Jenni’s Ugly Chocolates.

Honorable Mentions

• Peach ’Shine Jam by Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon
• Buttercup by English Farmstead Cheese

★ Home & Garden Category

Mountain Laurel Mirror by Bryson Mountain Studio

These unique frames are constructed of mountain laurels harvested from the remote mountains of North Carolina. Each piece of wood is sliced, cured, and then carefully designed to fit the glass it will hold, ensuring that those who view themselves in the mirror will also be able to catch a glimpse of our state’s forested hills. Learn more about Bryson Mountain Studio.

Honorable Mentions

• Base Trio Modular by Flitch Furniture
• Cedar Floor Lamp by Waterlife Art

★ Style Category

Ginger Handbag by ShoeBeeDo

One of ShoeBeeDo’s most popular designs, the Ginger bag is made from strong, durable bull hide that wears to a beautiful patina with use. The bag comes in a wide array of colors, features a main compartment big enough for the necessities, and has a special back pocket for keeping your phone handy. Complete with a wide, adjustable strap for cross-body wear and a unique dial-lock clasp, the Ginger Handbag is the perfect travel companion for any North Carolina adventure. Learn more about ShoeBeeDo.

Honorable Mentions

• The Boatgirl Weekender Bag by Boatgirl
• 18K White and Yellow Gold Ring by Jacob Raymond Custom Jewelry

★ 2017 ★

★ Art Category and Overall

Vessel Sink by Blue Mountain Bowls

Carl Pittman, owner of Blue Mountain Bowls, has held woodworking near to his heart since childhood. As an artist, he works with locally sourced wood to create products that serve both practical and decorative purposes. Learn more about Blue Mountain Bowls.

Honorable Mentions

• Custom Wing Bone Turkey Call by Grand Slam Turkey Calls
• Reclaimed NC Coffee Table by Ellie Acorn Design Company

★ Food & Drink Category

Old North Shrub by The Chef’s Farmer

Jamie Swofford, a former chef turned farmer, is passionate about providing fresh ingredients and flavors to chefs across the Piedmont. Old North Shrub, The Chef’s Farmer’s first shelf-stable product, reintroduces a centuries-old beverage to North Carolinians that can be enjoyed by all ages. Learn more about The Chef’s Farmer.

Honorable Mentions

• Flying Pepper Tobago Infused Vodka by Fair Game Beverage Co.
• Lady Edison Extra Fancy Country Ham by Lady Edison

★ Home & Garden Category

Plantation Lumbar Rocker by Troutman Chair Company

Originally founded in 1924, Troutman Chair Company products can be found across the state wherever a good rocking chair is needed — from a front porch to the Charlotte-Douglas airport. More than 20 pairs of hands touch every rocker before it leaves the manufacturer, one of the many reasons why the chairs are cherished for generations. Learn more about Troutman Chair Company.

Honorable Mentions

• Signature Chef Knife by Nafzger Forge
• Ambrosia Maple Box by Ray Jones Woodcrafts

★ Style Category

Button Downs by Ole Mason Jar

Ole Mason Jar is more than just menswear; it’s a socially conscious lifestyle brand. Originally college roommates, co-founders Filipe Ho and Bradley Rhyne channeled their entrepreneurial spirits into bringing the textiles industry back to North Carolina and have shaped the clothing market in Charlotte in the process. Learn more about Ole Mason Jar.

Honorable Mentions

• Tahitian Teardrops by Emily Triplett Jewelry
• Leather Goods by Blythe Leonard LLC

★ 2016 ★

★ Craft Category

Carved Rhododendron Root Burl — “Mountain Shells” by Waldroup Woodworks

The Waldroups seek out wood with imperfections, such as burls and knots, and turn them into stunning and functional pieces. Made from locally salvaged or harvested wood from the mountains of western North Carolina, each piece of wood is chosen for its shape, color, and grain patterns. Using chain saws, a lathe, power grinders, hand chisels, and sanding techniques, the Waldroups strive to produce a finished piece with curves and shapes they see in the natural world.

Honorable Mentions

• Collection of Sculptural Baskets by Matt Tommey
• Floral Tea Set by Kate Johnston Pottery
• Birch Bark Photo Album by Three Trees Bindery

★ Food & Drink Category

Salted Honey by Cloister Honey

Cloister Honey has more than 50 beehives in Charlotte and specializes in creating handcrafted, small-batch, gourmet honey products. The company’s flavored spreads, from Salted Honey to Arbol Pepper-Infused Honey, separate them from the hive. Dreamy wildflower florals and a pinch of sea salt in Cloister Honey’s Salted Honey give this savory honey spread a personality of its own.

Honorable Mentions

• Vanilla Peanut Sorghum Butter by Big Spoon Roasters
• TOPO Organic Eight Oak Whiskey by TOPO Distillery
• Pit Boss: Smoked Southern BBQ by No Evil Foods

★ Home Category

Basket Weave Baby Blanket by Echoview

Echoview, whose woven textiles are sustainably made in Weaverville, honors America’s pioneering past but always has an eye on the future. A true classic, Echoview’s Basket Weave Baby Blanket is inspired by a pattern in every knitter’s arsenal — a simple all over in-and-out jersey stitch, which gives the blanket a woven look that is reminiscent of old-time wicker bassinets. Created with super-soft, eco-friendly, organic Supima cotton, the blankets are not treated with any chemicals in order to keep them safe for you and your family.

Honorable Mentions

• Stir-Fry Pan by Studio Weyh
• Bark House Poplar Bark Shingles and Wall Panels by The Bark House at Highland Craftsmen Inc
• Black Locust Adirondack Chair by Appalachian Designs

★ Style Category

American Made Handbags by R. Riveter

R. Riveter creates more than just high-quality handbags. It also creates jobs for military spouses all over the county. The parts and pieces of every R. Riveter handbag are inspired by or made from authentic military materials and are crafted by the hands of military spouses stationed coast-to-coast. The final products are assembled by local military spouse operators at R. Riveter’s FabShop in Southern Pines.

Honorable Mentions

• Raleigh Denim by Raleigh Denim
• Caramel/Burgundy Traditional Weekender Bag by Blythe Leonard LLC
• Pass the Gravy T-Shirts by Pass the Gravy