Shop local to find unique, memorable gifts

Bumble & Brie Charcuterie

MAKING

SPIRITS BRIGHT

BY KIM CRIPPS PHOTOS BY BRITTNEY FIELDS, FIELDS PHOTO

Gifts are my love language – and how I like to express love to those on my holiday shopping list. It’s not the gift itself, but the thought, intentionality and effort behind the gift that makes it so meaningful.

This year, we’d like to introduce you to a few of our local friends with a knack for creating memorable gifts and experiences that are sure to make your holidays even more magical.

Amberly Arah Art, Amberly Burrow: Amberly has used her unique gifts and talents to create beautiful, local art since 2015. She specializes in painting abstracts, hand lettering, sonogram heartbeats, wedding signs and custom designs in both large and small sizes. Her calm, neutral color palates effortlessly blend with any décor. For more information and to order,

email AmberlyArahArt@yahoo.com or message on Facebook or Instagram @AmberlyArahArt. Bumble and Brie Charcuterie, Rachel Baker and Becca Watkins: Founded by sisters with a shared passion for creating community, Bumble and Brie makes it easy to bring people together around one of their artfully designed – and personalized – charcuterie boxes, platters and grazing tables. You can even gift a charcuteriemaking class “full of good food, lots of conversation and love.” Book your board or class online at bumbleandbrie.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram @ Amberly Arah Art BumbleandBrieCharcuterie. Deo Gloria Wood Works, Matthew Allen: A rainy beach day led Matthew to transform his pandemic passion project into an official business. Latin for “Glory to God,” Deo Gloria honors His creation by bringing

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From left, Good Neighbor Baking, Deo Gloria Wood Works and Glass & Grain, Sweet as Honey Cards, JoyFULHoney Cards, and Richardson Axeworks

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wood products to life as beautiful, functional items such as cutting boards, charcuterie boards, stove top covers, bed swings and furniture. To bring home your custom piece, follow on Facebook or Instagram @DeoGloriaWoodWorks, text (205) 617-9609 or email matthew@deogloriawoodworks.com

Good Neighbor Baking, Ramsey Nuss: Born from a desire to connect with others and do something creative during her sons’ naptime, Ramsey officially launched her boutique-style home bakery business in 2020. She’s known for gorgeous cookie cakes and other small-batch treats, including mini sams – mini oatmeal cream sandwiches that are a customer favorite. Visit goodneighborbaking.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @GoodNeighborBaking to find your new favorite dessert.

Glass & Grain, Micah Simpson: Specializing in handblown glass and custom woodwork, Micah formally launched his business in 2017 after decades of learning, enjoying and perfecting the crafts. Customers especially love Bubble Cups drinkware in marine blue, as well as custom cabinets and tables. Micah also offers glass-blowing classes for a one-of-a-kind experience. To shop, book classes and contact, go to glass-andgrain.com, follow @glass_and_grain on Facebook and Instagram or email micah@glass-and-grain.com.

JOYful by Harvey, Chandra Rancher – Harvey: Committed to spreading joy to their customers, JOYful offers spirit gear – think tees, hoodies, hats, water bottles, tote bags and trendy cropped sweatshirts – featuring local schools and sports teams for your favorite Hoover fan. Their unique print-on-demand model makes custom orders easy and affordable. To purchase, go to joyfulbyharvey. com or connect on Facebook and Instagram @ JoyfulByHarvey. Custom orders can be emailed to info@joyfulbyharvey.com.

Richardson Axeworks – Chris Richardson: A recipient of Garden and Gun’s “Made in the South Awards,” Chris Richardson offers restored vintage American axes ranging from 50-150 years old. He prefers the quality of vintage axes to “cheap, modern axes that inevitably fail.” Fortunately, he also sells a variety of custom-modified, Americanmade modern axes and hatchets of the highest quality. For ready-to-ship and custom orders, go to richardsonaxeworks.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @RichardsonAxeWorks.

Sweet as Honey Cards, Ashley Mason: Psalm 119:103, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth,” was the motivation behind this Christian small business. Ashley’s best sellers are her inspirational scripture card sets, personalized with the recipient’s first name and available in 10 themes. To shop cards, prayer journals, gift sets and more go to sweetashoneycards. com, follow @SweetAsHoneyCards on Facebook and Instagram or visit Hoover Shipping for nonpersonalized items.

Terry Wakefield Shea, Terry Shea: Terry believes in the joy of giving. As the founder and former owner of Wrapsody, she began making decorative concrete bowls to carry this joy into retirement. The bowls, which come in 4-, 10- and 14-inch diameters, are a “true collaboration with the elements of nature.” Customers enjoy using the various sizes as ring catchers, on coffee tables and as statement centerpieces. For prices and to order, contact Terry on Facebook @TerryWakefieldShea, Instagram @ terrywshea or email terrywakefieldshea@gmail.com.

West End Publishing, LLC, Chandra Sparks Splond: Chandra writes fiction books for AfricanAmerican tweens and teens. Her relatable characters help readers “see themselves on the covers and within the pages of books.” Secret Weapon, a new release, is a number-one Amazon bestseller. Her Worth the Wait series, which deals with teenage abstinence and the importance of loving yourself and others, is another popular choice. For all titles and to purchase, go to Amazon, chandrasparkssplond. com, Facebook @BookofSplond or Instagram @ ChandraSparksSplond.