Rain or Shine, Charleston's Community Finds Strength in Creativity

The sun just came out in Charleston YAY!!  We hope it will dry up all the water we have experienced from the terrible flooding all across South Carolina. It seems Charleston has been in the news a lot lately, sadly for negative reasons. Our hearts go out to all that have been affected by the recent events and we hope that the sun will keep shining and lives will be repaired quickly. As seen in the tragedies and hardships of the past, we banded together to help one another make it through this last natural disaster.

We thought it would be uplifting to share some positive news about the city we call home. We are so proud to be a part of the Charleston community, especially one that is home to so many other talented creatives. It is such an honor to be a finalist in the 2015 Martha Stewart American Made awards, and we're thrilled to be included with several other makers from the Holy City. In this blog, we're highlighting our fellow American Made Charlestonian finalists and introducing you to the impressive businesses they've built along with the positive effect they have on our community.

First is Capers Cauthen, the Charleston born-and-raised carpenter behind Landrum Tables. These are not just your run of the mill kitchen tables. All of Cauthen's pieces are custom made with wood discarded during the demolition of old, historic buildings. By using this material, he not only creates a unique table with the nuances of aged wood, but also keeps alive a memory once belonging to that particular home. His tables can be seen in several establishments around Charleston, including Two Burroughs Larder, The Fat Hen and Bull Street Gourmet.

Images source: http://landrumtables.com/

Next on the list is Kaminer Haislip, a designer putting her own contemporary take on the art of silversmithing. She moved to Charleston in 2005, and currently has a studio at Redux Contemporary Art Center downtown. Kaminer has been honored by Garden and Gun as a winner of the Made in the South award for the home category, and her work is exhibited in galleries around the world. All of her pieces are original, and range from delicate jewelry, sculptural decor and functional accessories your kitchen.

Image Source: http://www.kaminerhaislip.com/

As a city famous for it's selection of top notch restaurants, it comes as no surprise that Charleston has a finalist nominated for her delectable treats. Callie's Charleston Biscuits was created in 2005 by Carrie Morey and now sells seven different varieties in stores all over the U.S. The company's namesake and inspiration came from Carrie's mother, Callie Morey, who for many years provided biscuits to countless events in Charleston. To the delight of all Charleston residents, Carrie opened a brick and mortar location "Callie's Hot Little Biscuits," found in the heart of downtown on King Street. Whether you're ordering them online from afar, enjoying them locally or attempting to make some of your own with the help of her cookbook, its clear why these biscuits earned a top spot.

Image Source: http://www.calliesbiscuits.com/

Another Charleston food finalist is King Bean Coffee Roasters, owned by Kurt and Katie Weinberger. As a low country native stationed in Seattle during the time of the huge coffee boom, Kurt decided that South Carolina needed to experience top quality coffee beans as well. His company began in 1994, and twenty years later is a thriving roasting company in North Charleston that operates at a level very few independent roasters achieve. King Bean's blends are sold all over the state, and served in many local restaurants around town. If you've enjoyed a delicious cup of coffee with your Charleston brunch, there's a good chance you're drinking King Bean Coffee Roasters.

Image Source: http://kingbean.com/

Last but certainly not least, is OILLE, a company founded by Kristen King in 2012 that creates organic, clinical-grade skincare. After becoming pregnant with her first child, King sought out to create a line of skincare that was free of the toxic chemicals found in so many commercial products on the market today. Her philosophy is "What you put on your skin, goes into your body," so she naturally wanted to use the safest and healthiest options in order to provide the best possible home for her growing baby. OILLE is professionally formulated by a Clinical Aromatherapist to give her customers the highest quality products, now ranging from skincare to haircare to additional treatments for the entire body. Keeping the wellbeing of both humans and animals in mind, her company is 100% cruelty free with all of their testing. Treat yourself by purchasing some of her products online.

Image source: http://www.oillenatural.com/