Some studies show that people with names like “Fern” tend to work in you guessed it, gardening industries. The same applies for other names and trades also. Well, here is an example of that concept put into action. This gorgeous wooden bangle crafted from the branch of a Mulberry tree was made by none other than North Carolina artist, Matt Wood (aka Moss Robot). These are prototypes and not yet for sale. But I’m sure with some prodding they’ll be available soon.

Some notable local food producers create their goods in The Cookery’s kitchen. Many food trucks, including Parlour (who was there chopping chocolate when we visited), Two Pounds Mustard, Porch Rockin’, Monuts Donuts and a bevy of others use the space as a home base for their ingredients and prep work.

Owners Nick and Rochelle have recently taken over the front part of the building. They are renovating the space and turning it into a food-centric event space that when complete will accommodate approximately 200 people. They plan on hosting pop-up restaurants, chef dinners and fundraisers there.

The outside of the building is covered in large murals, one fittingly depicting a farmers market, another a recently unearthed and restored Pepsi ad, and finally, the last, a quote by Civil Rights activist Pauli Murray, the first black woman ordained as an Episcopal priest, who also happened to be a lesbian.

Durham is many things to many people but this building and the business within it, to me,  really captures the essence of the city.

** images by me

Redress Raleigh is a fashion show and organization helmed by a group of ladies after my own heart, all passionate about bringing focus to eco-friendly fashion and designers in North Carolina.

This past weekend they hosted their fourth event at the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) in Raleigh.

This year’s show featured looks by 12 North Carolina designers using repurposed, upcycled or sustainable fabrics and goods.

** Images by me

I love these new ‘geode’ platters by Asheville ceramicist, Heather Knight. Her textural pieces are crafted almost exclusively out of porcelain and are white on the outside with gorgeous glazes on the inside. Heather’s studio and showroom (Element Clay Studios) is located in the Wedge Building in Asheville’s River Arts District.

You can see more pieces and shop from Element Clay Studios here.

More highlights from vendors that will be at the Rock & Shop Market this Saturday:

1. T-shirt by SquidFire

2. Bob Ross Mug by SquackDoodle

3. Chewbacca Velvet Art by Velvet Geek

4. Tierra Ideas will be showcasing their wares in the fashion show at 3:30pm in the Trotter Building

5. Two Pounds mustard

6. Poster Art by Skillet Gilmore

7. Prints by Matt Butler

Here are a few highlights from vendors that will be at the market on Saturday:

1. Katelyn Ashe & Eleanor Morgan will be showcasing their apparel & textile designs in the fashion show at the Trotter Building at 3:30pm. They will also have goods for sale in the same building during the market.

2. Interior design lovers will want to check out Honeymoon At Home‘s table.

3. Woodcut prints from APK Printworks

4. Pretty metal jewelry from artist Ashley Brodie

5. Leather clutches from the gal who has been hard at work on our giveaways (and our model), Whitney of Freshly Given.

6. Burlap striped tote bag from Un Original Americain

7. Jewelry from Nooni Jewelry

With the mornings being cool and you being socially connected,  these day you likely never leave the house without your hat and iPhone. Correct? If we’re dead on, we have two items you can use:

1. The Whimsy Gnome Hat by Raimbowtree is custom made, colorful, and made from an assortment of high quality fiber art yarn and roving.

2. The Spooled Cord Handler by Fred (The Other Edge Studio) wrap your cords and wires around the spool and stashes your earbuds safely in the center. Tailor-made for today’s lifestyle! 100% silicone construction— soft, grippy, durable.

Giveaway is free and open to all US Residents.

Deadline: Friday, December 16th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST – 2 winners (1 per item) to be randomly selected via randomizer.org and announced on Saturday, December 17th.
How to enter: Leave a comment below listing your favorite dish.
Extra Entries:
- Follow Raimbowtree on Facebook (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Follow The Other Edge Studio on Facebook (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Tweet this giveaway using: ”Win a whimsy gnome hat and spooled cord handler via indieNC.com | #RockandShopMarketGiveaway”

Congratulations Sarah and Lisa!

If you enjoy eating, cooking, or pretending to cook, then hopefully we’ve brightened your day with this giveaway. Two lucky winners will receive :

1. A one year subscription to SavorNC Magazine. This new publication was founded by a team of industry veterans and offer something for everyone — wine, food, travel, and decor.

plus

2. A 4oz jar of  Two Pounds Mustard. A Slovenian style mustard passed down through generations. Sweet on the nose and hot on the finish, the mustard is produced in small batches using high-quality, sustainable ingredients. (photo credit: Margo Knight Metzger)

Here are the details to enter:

Giveaway is free and open to all US Residents.

Deadline: Thursday, December 15th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST – 2 winners (each winning a magazine subscription & 4oz mustard) to be randomly selected via randomizer.org and announced on Friday, December 16th.
How to enter: Leave a comment below listing your favorite dish.
Extra Entries:
- Follow SavorNC Magazine on Facebook (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Follow Two Pounds Mustard on Facebook (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
- Follow SavorNC Magazine on Twitter (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Follow Two Pounds Mustard on Twitter (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Tweet this giveaway using: ”Win a 1 year subscription to SavorNC Magazine and Slovenian style mustard from @SavorNC & @2poundsmustard | #RockandShopMarketGiveaway”

Congratulations: Marcia, Molly, & Ryan!

This Christmas, step outside of the ordinary and get your lady or yourself a gift you can be proud of.  To help you, we are giving away 3 very unique gifts the can work in a living room, bathroom, or office space. We have you covered.

1. Soap and Cedar Dish by Belle Terre: A bar of all natural, handcrafted soap, and one eco-friendly cedar soap dish. Both will arrive attractively tied with raffia, ready for giving.

2. Jet Set Correspondence Set by The Courtesy Press: The set incorporates old lead type from eastern North Carolina and some North Carolina rule.

3. Moroccan Print Hemp & Organic Cotton Pillow by Judah Ross: The pillow is a oatmeal colored 55% hemp/45% organic cotton blend screen printed by hand with water-based ink in Raleigh.

Here are the details to enter:

Giveaway is free and open to all US Residents.

Deadline: Tuesday, December 13th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST – 3 winners (1 per item) to be randomly selected via randomizer.org and announced on Wedneday, December 14th.
How to enter: Leave a comment below listing the best Christmas present you’ve received.
Extra Entries:
- Follow Belle Terre  on Facebook (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Follow The Courtesy Press on Facebook (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
- Follow Judah Ross on Facebook (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
- Follow Belle Terre on Twitter (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Follow Judah Ross on Twitter (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Tweet this giveaway using: ”Win unique gifts for her via indieNC.com featuring @BelleTerreNC, @JudahRoss, and The Courtesy Press | #RockandShopMarketGiveaway”

To compliment our previous “Arm Party” giveaway, it only makes sense to throw in a “Neck Party” too. Each one of these three beautiful necklaces presents a bold statement of style sure the floor the lady in your life.

The first, The Charlotte by Dana Leblanc Designs, boasts multi strands of black onyx beads with black glass beads.

The second, North Carolina with Heart by Vespertine, is a gold filled petite style beauty and completely versatile.

Lastly, the Golden Snitch by Bijou Savvy, is a vintage locket with brass wings fit for the Harry Potter lover or jewelry collector.

Here are the details to enter:

Giveaway is free and open to all US Residents.

Deadline: Sunday, December 11th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST – 2 winners (1 per item) to be randomly selected via randomizer.org and announced on Monday, December 12th.
How to enter: Leave a comment below listing your favorite Dana Leblanc Designs, Vespertine, AND Bijou Savvy product.
Extra Entries:
- Follow Dana Leblanc Designs on Facebook (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Follow Vespertine on Facebook (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
- Follow Bijou Savvy on Facebook (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
- Follow Dana Leblanc Designs on Twitter (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Follow Vespertine on Twitter (Leave a separate comment here stating you did so)
– Tweet this giveaway using: ”Win lovely necklaces via indieNC.com featuring @DLeBlancDesigns, @VespertineCafe, and Bijou Savvy | #RockandShopMarketGiveaway”