THE KENTUCKY GIFT
the kentucky gift guide
melisabethceramics.com
Bring bright, cheerful colors into your home with pottery from Melisa Beth Ceramics Lexington resident Melisa Beth Zimmerman creates these intricately designed pieces by hand (see page 14).
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KENTUCKY MONTHLY (ISSN 15420507) is published 10 times per year by Vested Interest Publications, Inc., 100 Consumer Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601. Periodicals Postage Paid at Frankfort, KY and at additional mailing offices.
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Kentucky Monthly’s mission is to celebrate this wonderful state we call home. What better way to demonstrate your Bluegrass State pride and unity than by supporting local retailers, artisans and producers? In the pages ahead, you’ll find Kentucky-made items perfect for gift-giving throughout the year! Based in Ashland, Elias Reynolds specializes in murals, live painting, original paintings and art prints.
CUTE CRITTERS
Specializing in murals and paintings, Ashland artist Elias Reynolds can capture the essence of a town with his cityscape collages that include Kentucky cities such as Greenup and Murray. Other Bluegrass State favorites include Thoroughbreds and his tribute to Ale-8-One.
HOW TO SHOP
Elias Reynolds Art Etsy: EliasReynoldsArt 606.831.6193
Lexington artist Stephanie Gemperline creates adorable images of animals—such as squirrels, mice and beavers—and present and notecards that features them. The whimsical cards can be used for a variety of occasions and holidays and are blank inside for your personalization.
HOW TO SHOP
Peanuts and Pinecones • peanutsandpinecones.com
TO KENTUCKY AND BACK
By repurposing old quilts and pieces of muslin, Handmade by Meee’s Wendy Moore
Gilvin of Mount Sterling creates fun pillows, Christmas tree skirts and decorative items that retain the original spirit of the quilt.
HOW TO SHOP
Handmade by Meee
Etsy: HandmadeByMeee
A POP OF COLOR
Sawdust ’n Solder is made up of the husband-and-wife team of Tim Lass, a woodworker, and Gail Lass, a stained-glass artist, who call Waynesburg (Lincoln County) home. Tim creates stunning wooden bowls carefully assembled to create patterns of color and grain. Gail, who has been creating stained-glass pieces for nearly 40 years, handcrafts suncatchers, jewelry and glass treasure chests in brilliant colors with spectacular finishes.
HOW TO SHOP
Sawdust ’n Solder • sawdustnsolder.square.site • 621.341.5382
Painting anything she finds beautiful or iconic, Lexington artist Jerielle Hanlon has a huge collection of fabulous prints. She shows her Kentucky love with portraits of icons such as Muhammad Ali, Abraham Lincoln and Henry Clay, as well as bourbon, horses and, of course, University of Kentucky Basketball.
HOW TO SHOP
Kentucky Pop Art
Etsy: KentuckyPopArt
ARTISTIC COUPLE
toMakersFollow
We found some of our favorite Kentucky-made products on social media. Here are a few feeds that we love to follow. Go check them out!
Lauren Baker Art @laurenbarkerart
Four Winds Handmade @fourwindshandmade
Tinker Moose Studios @tinker.moose.studios
Travis Williams @trav_carves
INSPIRED BY NATURE
Using paint, leaves, petals and other found objects, Kathleen O’Brien of Harrodsburg creates brilliantly hued artwork based on natural themes. A mulitalented artist, she incorporates beads—some dating back centuries—into the jewelry she fashions, skillfully using a mix of colors to create necklaces, talismans and amulets.
HOW TO SHOP
Kathleen O’Brien Studio • kathleen-obrien.com • 859.613.1809
CUSTOM COOL
Kimberly Carman Long of Kings Mountain (Lincoln County) creates customized holiday, inspirational and Kentucky-themed apparel, plus patches and car accessories.
HOW TO SHOP
CustomizableKDesigns
Etsy: CustomizableKDesigns
SUSTAINABLE STYLE
Bowling Green-based KY Bourbon Barrel repurposes used barrels sourced from Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, turning the wood into clever home décor items, such as initials, city skylines and state outlines, including one of our beloved Commonwealth.
HOW TO SHOP
KY Bourbon Barrel • Etsy: KYBourbonBarrel
LEATHER
Carin Hahn Lovell of Leather by Design creates amazing leather works, and she takes her craft a step further by producing marbled patterns directly onto the material. This method is so extraordinary that Lovell obtained a federal trademark for Marbl’d™ Leather. Check our her clutch purses and wallets, along with dog collars, coasters and phone cases.
HOW TO SHOP
Leather by Design • marbledleather.com • 859.608.5742
STAYCATION
Bourbon Manor B&B 714 North Third Street, Bardstown bourbonmanor.com • 502.268.7266
Rose Hill Inn
233 Rose Hill Avenue, Versailles stayrosehillinn.com 859.214.2144
Just as the name implies, Bourbon Manor is a Bourbon-Lover’s Paradise. Offering 10 spacious, antique-appointed and spirit-themed B&B guest rooms this award-winning, historic bed and breakfast is an ideal, centrally-located lodging option for Bourbon Country tours and excursions. Voted Kentucky’s Best B&B for Groups and Couples Traveling Together.
MORE TO EXPLORE
1840 Tucker House 2406 Tucker Station Road, Louisville tuckerhouse1840.com 502.297.8007
Grand Victorian Inn 5 Old Dixie Highway, Park City grandvictorianinnky.com 270.590.1935
Louisville Bourbon Inn 1332 South Fourth Street, Louisville louisvillebourboninn.com 502.813.1137
Main Street B&B
208 East Main Street, Glasgow mainstreetbedandbreakfast.com 270.590.1410
Moon River B&B 300 Market Street, Maysville 606.563.8812
Pillow and Paddock
3262 Old Sligo Road, La Grange pillowandpaddock.com 502.222.4372
River Trails Inn Livermore airbnb.com/room/38361408
Rosecrest Farm 1276 Winchester Road, Paris rosecrestfarm.net 859.987.7500
Snug Hollow Farm B&B 790 McSwain Branch, Irvine snughollow.com 606.723.4786
Thurman Landing Guest Home 107 Broadway Street, Sonora thurmanlanding.com 270.949.1897
Formed by local artists and artisans, the Hopewell Creative Arts Guild was established to promote arts and crafts in the Paris community. In 2021, the guild opened a brick-and-mortar gallery downtown to provide one location where art-lovers can purchase paintings, photography, hand-felted animals, pottery, baskets and hand-poured candles created guild members. Customers can even take home craft cookies!
“I only ever hope to exhibit my passion of art and hunger for life in my everyday works and creations.”
Whether it be a small sticker or a giant mural on the side of a building, Corbin’s Kellene Turner creates art that will catch your attention. Humorous images of a certain colonel who started a chicken franchise, pastel watercolor prints of Cumberland Falls, bold florals and insects on stickers, and handy notecards are just a few examples of Turner’s diverse designs and products.
HOW TO SHOP
Kellene Turner Art kelleneturner.art kellene.turner.art@gmail.com
Lexington’s Melisa Beth Zimmerman says her pottery is inspired by everything from graffiti to nature, and that is evident in her bold and colorful pieces. From mugs to planters to pots, each piece is hand-thrown, hand-carved and painted with love.
HOW TO SHOP
Melisa Beth Ceramics melisabethceramics.com 937.321.4713
Owned and operated by Josh and Jared Ravenscraft in Morehead, New Frontier sells garments and accessories that represent the Appalachian region: They are rugged and natural. All products are designed by artisans in Eastern Kentucky.
HOW TO SHOP
New Frontier
139 East Main Street, Morehead newfrontierbrand.com
WOVEN WONDERS
Each of Lexington artist Derek Downing’s baskets and ornaments is woven by hand, an art form passed down by his mother. Downing takes the age-old craft of basketweaving and adds his own shapes, designs and colors to reflect his contemporary style. By using materials such as hand-dyed rattan, sea grass and grapevine, he creates baskets that are functional as well as gorgeous.
HOW TO SHOP
Baskets by Derek basketsbyderek.com • derek@designerbasketsbyderek.com
Working in stained and kiln-formed glass, La Grange artist Edd Johannemann of The Glass Chisel creates breathtaking sculptures and glassware. Each handmade piece reflects his love of color and stained glass.
HOW TO SHOP
The Glass Chisel glasschisel.com edd@glasschisel.com
GLORIOUS GLASS
Based on the premise that life is complicated enough, Soap Made Simply, owned by Kathy Werking of Paris, has been creating high-quality natural soaps and bath products since 1997. Using only pure essential oils, Werking creates bar soaps with delightful fragrances, such as Pumpkin Spice Latte, Cinnamon Twist and Turmeric Patchouli.
HOW TO SHOP
Soap Made Simply • soapmadesimply.com • 502.219.7029
Dolores Quilts by Dolores Fegan are stunning, textured wall hangings that she creates in her Stanford (Lincoln County) home. Fegan’s fiber artwork incorporates various mediums, including painted thread, small bits of fabric cut into confetti-size bits, and designs that are hand cut and free-motion stitched on her sewing machine to create one-of-a-kind treasures. Fegan specializes in animals, nature and the colorful birds she sees in her garden.
HOW TO SHOP
Dolores Quilts
Etsy: DoloresQuilts DoloresQuilts@gmail.com
DIVINE IMAGERY
Nedim Slijepcevic of Richmond captures landscapes, architecture, action shots of horses and bourbon-related photos. Slijepcevic’s collection reflects his passion for pursuing the perfect shot in his adopted state of Kentucky.
HOW TO SHOP
Nedim Slijepcevic Photography Etsy: NedimPhotography nedims@gmail.com
BLACK-LIGHT BEAUTIES
Black-light artist Carrie Beth Collins of the Louisville area says her paintings appear to be contemporary art during the day, but when the lights go out, there’s a party going on. These vibrant prints are created so the colors really pop when the room is lit with a black light. Subjects include flowers, trees and abstracts, and the black light enhances their beauty.
HOW TO SHOP
Carrie Beth Collins carriebethcollins.com hello@carriebethcollins.com
Inspired by texture, color and shape, Lisa Senetar of Berea has been creating jewelry since 2007. She has a Ph.D. in biochemistry and named her company PhbeaD Jewelry, representing her science background and her passion for making jewelry. Senetar’s earring collection includes pieces made with polymer clay, metal and insect wings.
HOW TO SHOP
PhbeaD Jewelry • phbead.com • senetar@phbead.com
BEE HAPPY
A Lexington family operation with hive locations in three Central Kentucky counties, Bee Calm Naturals offers local, raw, unfiltered honey; barrel-aged honey that, after aging in 12-yearold charred barrels, possesses a subtle oak flavor; edible comb honey rounds; and bee pollen, a good source of B vitamins, minerals, amino acids and protein that is thought to boost energy levels.
beecalmnaturals.com 859.229.2961
foodie faves
A KENTUCKY TREASURE
According to legend, Kentucky’s famed beer cheese first was made in the late 1930s by Joe Allman, the head chef of Turf Catering, for his cousin Johnnie Allman’s restaurant on the Kentucky River near Boonesborough. In 1987, Sue Castano made some changes to the original Allman recipe, giving it her own flair, and gifted batches of her beer cheese to friends. From there, Sue and her husband, Jim Castano, began Kentucky Beer Cheese. The Castanos sold the company in 2004, but the beer cheese remains the same, and the Nicholasville-produced dip continues to delight customers.
kentuckybeercheese.com • 859.887.1645
kentucky knows food
ESPECIALLY DELICIOUS
SWEET SOMETHINGS
From the kitchens of renowned Central Kentucky Chef Ouita Michel come sweet treats packaged for easy gift-giving. Midway’s Holly Hill & Co. offers plenty of ideas for the gift giver—including cookbooks and kitchens items—but the sweetest options are Ouita’s sorghum crinkle, icebox and sweet corn cookies; bourbon caramels, bourbon butter crunch and bourbon balls.
hollyhillandco.com
859.846.4732
CHEESE, WONDERFUL CHEESE
Wildcat Mountain Farmstead Cheese, based in East Bernstadt (Laurel County), got its start in 2014, when Ronnie and Clara Patton decided to try their hands at making artisan cheese. Ronnie, a third-generation dairy farmer, practices sustainable farming methods, and Clara is a self-taught cheese maker. Together, they produce handcrafted gouda, colby, cheddar, Bernstadt Swiss and some specialty cheeses.
wildcatmountaincheese.com • 606.344.2882
With preserves and fruit butters inspired by traditional Shaker recipes, Buddy Hall—with his wife, Betty, and their children— founded Applecreek Specialty Foods in 1991. Although ownership of the business has changed throughout the years, the original homestyle quality of the products remains. In addition to preserves and fruit butters, the lineup of Applecreek offerings includes marinades, barbecue sauces, salsas and dessert sauces, all produced in Louisville. applecreeksf.com • 502.916.2116
COUNTRY GOODNESS
Tim Farmer, based in Frankfort, got his start in the public eye as an outdoorsman and host of the television show Kentucky Afield for more than 20 years. The winner of five Emmy Awards now focuses on another passion: cooking. Tim Farmer’s Country Kitchen, in which Farmer and his wife, Nicki, feature a vast variety of recipes, airs on KET and can be found on YouTube, where it has around 146,000 subscribers. For his home cooking fans, Farmer has introduced a couple of food prep products— his Sweet & Savory Dry Rub for meats and Deer Camp Chili Mix, a spicy and sweet chili seasoning.
timfarmerscountrykitchen.com
Versailles Mark Needham started out as an architect, artist and designer, who uses his design training to create pieces of jewelry that are complex but appear to be simple. Many items start with aluminum and reflect Scandinavian, Japanese, Dutch and German industrial designs that showcase colorful gems, minerals and glass. They are available as brooches, necklaces, rings or cuff links. Each piece is a work of art.
HOW TO SHOP
Mark Needham Jewelry markneedhamjewelry.com 502.893.3802
Louisville clay artist Jana John of Showkitty Pottery creates quirky, colorful characters and transforms them into masks, spoon rests and wall hangings. She begins with red clay and glazes, then embellishes them with leather, wire and handmade clay beads for a fun and playful look. John hopes each piece inspires a smile or a chuckle.
HOW TO SHOP
Showkitty Pottery • showkittypottery.com • 502.271.9428
After 30 years in the hardwood flooring business, Chris LaRue began making cutting boards. Unexpectedly, his artistic side emerged. His Speckled Rabbit Woodworks makes stunning charcuterie boards, coasters and cutting boards that are more than functional. Each board, made from locally sourced wood, is a work of art created in Mount Washington (Bullitt County).
HOW TO SHOP
Speckled Rabbit Woodworks speckledrabbit.com • speckledrabbitwoodworks@gmail.com
creates portraits that resonate with raw emotion and introspection. Using bold brushstrokes, vibrant colors and exaggerated features, his approach truly captures the subject, whether it is a celebrity, a fictional character or a family portrait.
HOW TO SHOP Nate Michaels • natemichaels.net
Artist Nate Michaels of Bronston (Pulaski County)
Family
Purple Toad Winery
4275 Old US Hwy. 45 S Paducah, KY 42003 purpletoadwinery.com 270.554.0010
MONDAY-SATURDAY 10:30AM - 6PM
SUNDAY 1PM - 6PM
MAY WE RECOMMEND...
Books for Kentucky residents and out-of-state Kentuckians penned by Kentuckians
What the Seahorse Told Me
By Mary Knight
Preteen Sophie Kai attends a Hawaiian summer camp with kids who, like her, have “psycho-telepathicweirdness.” There, she learns to embrace her mystical powers and help other camp attendees save the at-risk wildlife in the area. Targeted to 8to 18-year-olds, this story of friendship, compassion and empathy by awardwinning Lexington author Mary Knight will charm young readers and adults alike.
$ 19.99 (HARDCOVER)
Bourbon Land: A Spirited Love Letter to My Old Kentucky Whiskey
By Edward Lee
Multiple award-winning chef, restaurateur and author Edward Lee combines his passions for cooking and bourbon in his latest book. Bourbon Land provides a guide to Kentucky’s signature spirit— its history, culture and production, plus bourbon country maps, distillery tours and a tasting guide. Lee then puts the icing on the cake by including 50 bourbon-enhanced recipes certain to tempt readers’ palates.
$ 30 (HARDCOVER)
Simplicity and Excellence: Elizabeth Kremer from Beaten Biscuits to Shaker Lemon Pie
By Deirdre A. Scaggs and Evalina Kremer Settle
Visitors to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, just outside of Harrodsburg, no doubt have sampled the traditional cuisine offered at the historic site’s Trustees’ Table restaurant. Simplicity and Excellence tells the story of Elizabeth Kremer, who at age 65 opened the restaurant at the restored Shaker Village. This book, a combination of Kremer’s classic recipes and remembrances of her life, pays tribute to Kremer’s dedication to preserving the excellence of simple Kentucky cuisine.
$50 (HARDCOVER)
Just Desserts: A Collection
of Recipes from Kentucky Monthly
Magazine
Over the past 26 years, Kentucky Monthly has published hundreds of recipes in our Cooking column. Among those were plenty of desserts, the favorite course of many diners. In Just Desserts—a selection of decadent, delectable, delicious dessert recipes—we bring you dishes certain to end your meals on a scrumptious note. From cakes to cookies to pies, you’ll find a wide variety of treats to satisfy those with a sweet tooth.
$25 (PAPERBACK)
“a magical destination for kids and their grownups.”
HOW TO SHOP
Plaid Elephant Books 116 North Third Street, Danville plaidelephantbooks.com • 859.449.2010
For the Love of Books
Broadway Books
1537 Winchester Avenue, Ashland broadwaybooksaky.com
606.694.7100
Carmichael’s Bookstore
1295 Bardstown Road, Louisville 1313 Bardstown Road, Louisville 2720 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville carmichaelsbookstore.com 502.456.6950
CoffeeTree Books
159 East Main Street, Morehead coffeetreebooks.com 606.784.9877
Kenton Stories with Spirit 11 West Second Street, Maysville Kenton.social 606.407.6037
Kentucky Soaps and Such 203 West Main Street, Stanford kentuckysoapsandsuch.com 606.365.0808
Poor Richard's Books
233 West Broadway, Frankfort poorrichardsbooksky.indielite.org/ 502.223.8018
Read Spotted Newt
221 Memorial Drive, Hazard readspottednewt.com 606.373.4811
Roebling Pointe
Books & Coffee
306 Greenup Street, Covington 301 Sixth Avenue, Dayton 601 Overton Street, Newport roeblingbooks.com 859.240.9476
The Shire Bookstore 115 Newman Drive, Eddyville shirebookstore.square.site 254.245.0439
HOW TO SHOP
A Likely Story 113 East Main Street, Midway alikelystoryky.com 859.753.4962
n FIND KENTUCKY MONTHLY MAGAZINE AT ANY OF THESE LOCAL BOOKSTORES!
The Act of Disappearing: A Novel
By Nathan Gower
When a famous photographer approaches bartender/struggling writer Julia White about the photo of a mysterious woman, holding what appears to be a baby, falling from a bridge, Julia is intrigued and begins to research the story behind the image. The narrative of the book, penned by Campbellsville University English professor Nathan Gower, alternates between 1960s Kentucky and presentday Brooklyn, drawing the reader into Julia’s quest for the identity of the woman in the photo, and what exactly was taking place when it was snapped.
$18.99 (PAPERBACK)
Mommy Goose’s Appalachian Melodies
Text by Mike Norris, carved illustrations by Minnie Adkins
From the duo who collaborated on four previous children’s books comes this collection of poetry filled with downhome Appalachian imagery and clever rhymes. Lexington resident Mike Norris composes the poems, and nationally renowned folk artist Minnie Adkins of Isonville (Elliott County) provides vibrantly colored, whimsical woodcarvings to illustrate the text. Norris’ lively recording of the song “Waltzing with Elephant” accompanies this delightful book.
$24.95 (HARDCOVER)
George Graham Vest: The Life and Times of Dog’s Best Friend
By Stephen M. Vest
Kentucky Monthly Publisher and Editorin-Chief Stephen M. Vest released his latest book, George Graham Vest: The Life and Times of Dog’s Best Friend, in October. The author of three previous books, Stephen Vest focuses on the life of his distant relative, who is credited with coining the phrase “Dog is man’s best friend.” Born in Frankfort, George Graham Vest later moved to Missouri, where he practiced law and became a distinguished politician, serving in the Missouri House of Representatives, Confederate Congress, Confederate Senate and, later, the U.S. Senate.
$27 (HARDCOVER)
