Heirloom-Quality, Handcrafted Designs From the Appalachian Creatives Collective

Something extraordinary occurs when a person takes their history and knowledge, combines it with the resources around them, and pours their heart and soul into creating something new. It’s this labor of love that gives our most beloved handmade belongings greater meaning and sentimental value. And that’s exactly the spirit that radiates through each beautifully crafted object made by the talented members of the Appalachian Creatives Collective, whose heirloom-quality wares reflect their mountain roots.*

From their homes in the remote ranges of Appalachia—a region of the United States that often faces significant economic insecurity and isolation—these skilled craftspeople have reached deep into their creative wellspring to produce an artful mix of treasures and gifts—each one imbued with its own memory and tradition. Today, 29 of these incredible artisans are officially joining Etsy’s Uplift Makers program, which, in partnership with non-profit Nest, helps heritage craft-making communities build financial opportunities through entrepreneurship. Whether carving designs for biophilic sterling silver jewelry, weaving gorgeous baskets, or stitching rough-hewn leather wallets, these makers draw inspiration from the natural environments and cultural practices that have shaped generations of hardworking heartlanders.

Here, meet 12 of the makers behind the Appalachian Creatives Collective—and discover the joy of owning (or gifting!) a one-of-a-kind piece that makes a real impact.

Chic clay earrings by Reyna Davis

Shop Reyna Davis’s designs at Reyna Bee Clay Company

“I highly value the importance of showing who we represent through our artwork,” explains Kentucky-based jewelry designer Reyna Davis, the maker behind Reyna Bee Clay Company. Her eye-catching polymer clay earrings symbolize the environment she grew up in. Featuring a multi-layered mix of clays, mineral powders, and pigments that lend each earring a tactile quality, Reyna’s elegantly earthy designs give off the illusion of rippling through a lake or being plucked straight from a riverbank. These natural themes radiate throughout all of Reyna’s creations, which also connect to her heritage. “I’m an adopted daughter of a Native American Comanche Indian, and I have created a Native-inspired jewelry collection with designs in honor of my grandmother,” she notes. “I love using aspects of my heritage in my pieces and incorporating organic textures and colors to create a connection to nature.”

Sculptural silver jewelry by Sydney McLaughlin

Shop Sydney McLaughlin’s jewelry collection at Bradford Pine Designs

Just like the hardworking generations of family farmers before her, Sydney McLaughlin, owner of Bradford Pine Designs, has dedicated her life’s work to a deep-rooted love of land and legacy—and it all began with a rustic upbringing in Western North Carolina’s bucolic Blue Ridge Mountains. “My papaw upheld traditional farming with mules and plows, and my nanny cherished canning, cooking, and tending her flower garden,” she explains. Today, Sydney’s appreciation for these timeless traditions, for the rhythms of nature, and for the beauty of enduring craftsmanship are breathtakingly reflected in her line of handcrafted jewelry. Using ethically sourced stones and high-quality sterling silver, Sydney has carved a treasure trove of mushroom pendant necklaces, dangly leaf earrings, and budding floral rings that are made to be cherished. “Jewelry making allows me to create something lasting, just as my grandparents did,” she says. “It’s a way to preserve this connection to the past while crafting something unique for the future—something that can evoke emotions and spark memories.”

Southwestern-style jewelry by Eli Collins-Brown

Shop Eli Collins-Brown’s collection at ECB Designs Creations

Inspiration is all around for North Carolina-based abstract jewelry artist Eli Collins-Brown, owner of ECB Designs Creations. Raised by a family of creatives who spent summers traveling the rugged American southwest, Eli has long been drawn to the outdoors and infuses every elaborate clay accessory with a spirit of exploration and a strong sense of place. “My grandfather was an artist and cultivated my love of the natural beauty of the mountains,” she explains. “My work is influenced by flora, fauna, and landscapes.” Though her vibrant pendant necklaces and dangling earrings are abstract in composition and shape, they’re also marked by rich patterns that evoke feathers, turquoise stones, and rust-colored clay. Combined with a fascination with ancient cultures—in particular her own Celtic heritage—Eli has fashioned a collection of bold, mixed-media pieces with a distinctive boho flair that’ll turn any outfit into a statement. She says, “I want my creations to make people feel beautiful, confident, and connected to something larger.”

Gem-like clay jewelry by Amy Tuell

Shop Amy Tuell’s designs at Sisters 3 Studio

At first glance, Sisters 3 Studio’s polished pendants appear to be colorful slabs of glass or stone, but upon closer inspection you’ll discover these gorgeous gems are actually crafted from clay. Painstakingly shaped, sanded, and finished to mimic iridescent labradorite, tumbled turquoise, and elegantly veined marble, each piece is a shining tribute to the raw beauty of geological formations. To achieve this impressive effect, it can take maker Amy Tuell upwards of 30 steps for a single earring—but, luckily, her dedication runs deep. “I’ve had a creative bug since I was a teenager,” she says. “I sewed my own prom dress in high school, dabbled in quilting, sewing children’s clothes, cross-stitching, crochet—I even made a baby cradle for my brother and hand-painted it.” Today, the Virginia-based polymer clay pro’s collection of prismatic drop earrings and painterly necklaces takes her favorite medium to the next level, with wearable works of art worthy of the most glamorous fête.

Quilt-inspired ceramics by Kaylee Thornsberry

Shop Kaylee Thornsberry’s ceramics at Kaylee Thornsberry Art

Coming from a long line of hand-stitchers, Kentucky native Kaylee Thornsberry of Kaylee Thornsberry Art understands the innate need to create. “My grandmothers and aunts all quilted,” she says. “In the heart of Appalachia, it’s been both a necessity and a hobby for generations.” Inspired by the classic patchwork motifs that colored her childhood, Kaylee has put her own spin on the family tradition and hand-built a collection of functional ceramics decorated with her favorite nostalgic patterns. From pinwheel-imprinted mugs to star-stamped catchall trays, each piece is a celebration of quilts and the women who make them. “My hope is that my designs bring people a sense of comfort and a connection to Appalachia’s rich heritage,” Kaylee says. “To me, they’re reminders of the beauty and resilience woven into the fabric of my upbringing.” (Bonus: In the market for something extra special? Reach out to Kaylee to collaborate on a custom coffee cup modeled after your own sentimental blanket.)

Beautiful basketry by Amanda Sprinkle

Shop Amanda Sprinkle’s woven wonders at A Sprinkle Basket

A handsomely handcrafted basket is the kind of functional household staple that never goes out of style. And, for Tennessee-born, Virginia-based basket weaver Amanda Sprinkle, the maker behind A Sprinkle Basket, that’s a huge part of the craft’s appeal. “Whether used in farming, gathering, or storing goods, baskets have always been essential in the Appalachian community,” she says. “It’s about blending utility and beauty to bring something meaningful into people’s lives.” Expertly woven from rattan reed, Amanda’s colorful, contemporary take on the heritage trade combines traditional, Indigenous techniques with modern flourishes to create baskets that are as practical as they are pretty to look at. “I draw ideas from traditional forms, pictures, and conversations with friends and family,” Amanda explains. “Then, I explore new colors and shapes. I enjoy taking a basic basket and adding overlays to make it more ornate.” (Just look at those ombré curls!) Perfect for collecting fresh blooms, toting produce, and holding table linens, her sturdy baskets are designed to be passed down for generations. She notes, “I dye my own reed and finish my pieces with a tung oil-based weaver’s stain to help ensure each basket’s longevity.”

Rugged leather accessories by Derek Morrow

Shop Derek Morrow’s handmade leather designs at Morrow Leather Works

Quality is key for self-taught leatherworker Derek Morrow of Morrow Leather Works, whose rough-hewn line of everyday leather goods and outdoorsy accessories is designed with a frontiersman lifestyle in mind. “I only use American tannery heritage leather, focusing on rugged durability, minimal hardware, and the natural character of each hide,” the North Carolina-based maker says. Slow-crafted by hand to last (often while camping out in the woods), Derek’s range of hardworking staples includes an array of leather wallets and shoulder bags. The sturdy thread that connects them? A deeply ingrained do-it-yourself mentality that spans Derek’s punk-rock Alabama youth (“I started a band and made my own clothes and art”), summers spent on the family’s Mississippi farm, and taking to the mountains and falling in love with good old Appalachian gumption and grit. “I've applied that same mindset to my craft,” Derek says. “I want my items to last folks throughout their lives, serving as a stalwart companion from this day ‘til their last.”

Stained-glass decor by Hannah Grant

Shop Hannah Grant’s stained-glass art at Fishing Creek Glass Co.

Sometimes, our connections to our family traditions change over time. So the story goes for Hannah Grant, who comes from a long line of Kentucky quilters. “The quilts and clothing that were created by my family in my youth were born more from necessity rather than purely for artistic expression,” Hannah says. But she found her own artistic expression in stained glass. After fabricating a set of ornaments inspired by her mother’s quilt block designs, Hannah fell in love with the medium and launched her own stunning line of stained-glass suncatchers in her Etsy shop, Fishing Creek Glass Co. “I wanted to create pieces that incorporated those familiar quilt motifs in new, unexpected ways,” the artist explains. To add her own twist, Hannah also includes landscape imagery in several of her pieces. Still, classic patterns have a special place in her heart. “I try to take those traditional designs and turn them into glass emblems of our heritage that can be proudly displayed,” she says. “That process has given me a deeper appreciation for the stories behind so many generations of quilting women.”

Heirloom wooden home goods by David Larson

Shop David Larson’s hardwood goods and gifts at Larson Wood Designs

Using locally-sourced domestic and exotic hardwoods, Kentucky-based woodworker David Larson has handcrafted a beautiful collection of cutting boards (including personalized options), cheese slicers, and blanket ladders. Each of his designs, available in his Etsy shop Larson Wood Designs, nods to Appalachia’s rich traditions. “Every item I make is inspired by and named after a specific piece of heritage, culture, history, or geography from this region,” David explains. “By embedding these influences into my designs, I aim to create heirloom-quality pieces that carry the Appalachian spirit into my customers' homes.” For David, there’s no greater privilege in practicing this craft than seeing the delight a completed piece brings to its recipient. “The greatest joy for me isn’t the finished product, but the act of giving to others,” says the woodsworker. “When I see the item I created in someone’s space, my mind is flooded with memories of all the work that went into creating it, and that’s an indescribable feeling.”

Artful woven bags by Melissa Ezelle

Shop Melissa Ezelle’s hand-woven pieces at Migratory Patterns

Each intricately woven work of art in Melissa Ezelle’s collection of travel bags and cloth-covered journals is an homage to the winding paths we all weave in life. After years of wandering far and wide, Melissa found herself drawn back to Appalachia to get reacquainted with the natural landscape that shaped her creatively. “My work centers on travel and migration,” the Kentucky-born, North Carolina-based artist explains. “I love creating meandering organic motifs, mazes, and migratory lines that echo journeying through my Appalachian surroundings.” Using a combination of techniques—including natural dyeing, weaving, and patternmaking—Melissa reinforces the idea of movement in her designs. For example, she notes, “The cloth I weave sometimes references Kentucky-based overshot patterns traditionally woven by women who resided in Appalachia over the past few hundred years.” And documenting her own movements within her most beloved natural spaces is another source of inspiration for her Etsy shop, Migratory Patterns. “I collect a lot of plant matter on walks that I later use in my cyanotype wall pieces,” she says. “I also record palettes I see in the sky or in the landscape, which often inspire the colors I use to dye yarn or fabrics.”

Botanical dyed scarves by Mary Ann Woolery-Bussey

Shop Mary Ann Woolery-Bussey’s artful accessories at Blue Lick Hollow

Growing up in the foothills of Appalachia, gardening and plant identification were two of Mary Ann Woolery-Bussey’s prized pastimes. “As a child, I would go explore the yard and lose myself looking for natural treasures,” she recalls. Now, Mary Ann has turned her passion for plants into a chic, nature-inspired accessories line specializing in one-of-a-kind scarves and shawls. Using botanical-based dyeing techniques, the Kentucky native imprints each silk habotai with the flora of her surrounding landscape, creating elegant, wearable works of art, available in her Etsy shop, Blue Lick Hollow. “All of my pieces are individually hand-dyed with materials foraged from local hikes,” Mary Ann explains. “I try to gather botanicals that capture the essence of Southern Appalachia.” Prettily patterned with the inky outlines of elements like ginkgo leaves and fern fronds and dyed in stunning shades from golden brown to cornflower, each luxe, lightweight wrap contains a unique piece of Kentucky’s beauty that’s effortless to style and delightful to gift a loved one.

Self-care essentials by Kim Spencer

Shop Kim Spencer’s luscious line of bath products at Village Witch Soaps

“Being raised in West Virginia, I learned from the ‘old folks’ that most things they had were either made from scratch or bartered for,” soapmaker Kim Spencer recalls. “I’ve always been interested in how our great-grandmothers made what they needed, which eventually led me to try my hand at soap.” After researching ingredients and experimenting with different recipes, Kim eventually developed her own home-grown personal care line, called Village Witch Soaps, featuring a full range of decadent soaps and lotions, made with local and natural ingredients.** “I use sustainable butters and oils, source my goat milk locally, and work with buffalo milk from a Pennsylvania farm,” Kim explains. “Plus, the packaging I use is compostable.” Still, her favorite part of the process? “I love cutting the soap to see how it turns out!” she says.

Photography by Esther Ellyn, Balsam Business Photography, and Adriana Jordan Maddox.

Handwoven twill bag from Migratory Patterns. Photo by Balsam Business Photography.

*Etsy has not evaluated these items’ descriptions, conditions, and/or authenticity.

**Descriptions of the environmental attributes of any items on Etsy are based solely on seller’s listing information.