Welcome to the Smarty #MadeinCLT Gift Guide! We’ve got some unique, QC-born ideas listed here for everyone on your list. And keep checking back to CSP because these fun Charlotte-based gifts just MIGHT be a part of our Smarty 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! You’ll have to wait and see! 🙂
Enjoy, and remember to #ShopLocal this holiday season!
Twine & Twig
Twine & Twig, oh how we love thee! Sisters Elizabeth White and Jacquelyn Buckner launched Twine & Twig in late 2013, inspired by a love for the rustic outdoors and the casual calm of the Carolina coast. Featuring naturally sourced materials from around the world, each piece is designed, handcrafted, tied with their signature suede strap and made in their Charlotte-based studio. Team Smarty fell in pink & green love with T&T on Day 1!
We are currently crushing on the Holiday Collection, beyond FAB!
Follow Twine & Twig:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Store Finder
Serta Dog & Cat Beds
Our pets LOVE to snooze, right? And what furry friend wouldn’t love a super plush bed made by the #1 mattress company in the US, Serta?! These Serta Pet Beds are the CUTEST, comfiest beds for your bestie. And, did you know these little pillows of heaven are made right here in the QC by NVM Pet? Yep, they’re making these super stylish beds in Charlotte. That makes them even better in our opinions. Serta makes beds in different sizes and styles so any pet will be comfortable. All of the beds are made with upholstery-grade fabric, there are so many cute colors and patterns to choose from – a decorator’s dream (and not an eyesore!). They’re seriously the perfect gift for your four-legged friend.
Here’s what NVM Beds says about its dreamy Serta Pet beds:
Applying the same advanced comfort and support materials that made them the No. 1 mattress company in the U.S., Serta now brings luxurious comfort and stylish design to your pet’s bed. The 3.5-inch premium-quality orthopedic foam in the sleep surface delivers exceptional comfort, and is ideally suited for older pets and those with arthritis or joint pain. Extra-high bolsters provide ultra-soft pillows and backrests on all sides that simulate a pet’s instinctive denning behavior for an added sense of safety and security. The sumptuous design is sure to make your best friend feel paw-mpered and protected; the only down-side to bringing home this amazing bed, is that your lap is probably going to start getting a little lonely! The zippered, removable cover is machine washable for easy care.
NVM Pet is the exclusive licensee of Serta branded pet products (with more brands coming in 2019!). All of our products are proudly assembled in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to providing the same level of comfort for your pets that you would expect in your own mattress. Our pet beds are not sorta comfortable, they’re Serta comfortable.
The Smarty Paw-ty has been snoozing in serious style for a couple of months now, and the NVM peeps aren’t lying: your dog or cat will fall in L-O-V-E with its new snooze-maker.
More on Serta Pet Beds
Website 
Instagram & Facebook: @SertaPets
#SertaPets #NotSortaSerta
You can find Serta Pet Beds online or at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, & Big Lot’s.
AWM Designs
If you’re looking for a unique and lasting gift, look no further, Smarties. Meet Zack Mottershead, local father-of-two and artist behind the absolutely stunning AWM Designs. One look through their beautiful instagram feed, and you’ll fall in love. He makes plants an art form – his unique designs are so thoughtfully crafted you’ll want one in every room in your house. If you want to give something different to give to your bestie or favorite family member (because we know you’ve got one ;-)), an arrangement from AWM Designs is the PERFECT gift (we especially love all the Smarty pink ‘n green!). Here’s a little bit about him and his company:
Born in 2018, founder Zack Mottershead had a ​simple vision of combining innovative designs with plants from around the world. With a background in interior design and woodwork craft, he found his niche in plants. A father always on the go and his hands full with two children, he found a way to spend quality time with his children. A small family business was built and named after his two children, Ava and Wilder Mottershead.
Photo credit: @arianaclarestudio
Photo credit: @arianaclarestudio
At AWM designs, we are passionate about ​architectural ​designs and we appreciate all things the environment has to offer us. We’re plant enthusiasts who want only the rarest plants and best-quality products for our fellow plant lovers. ​We sell nature-inspired designs that illustrate your unique lifestyle.
Check out more on AWM Designs on Instagram #AWMdesigns or send Zack an email.
Lauren Thrift Designs
Local Smarty Mama, Lauren Thrift, uses bright colors, strong lines, and clean shapes to capture the love and laughter of families. These family portraits are colorful works of contemporary art and are guaranteed to bring you to your happy place – and will make the PERFECT gift under the tree! Lauren occasionally paints other subjects which are perfect for gift giving. Angels, folk art flags, and flowers in various sizes are painted in her same bright style. Lauren also collaborated with MBGreene Bags to create a limited edition collection of hand painted travel bags. Family portrait information and art for sale can be found at www.laurenthrift.com. Keep up with new paintings by subscribing to the newsletter on the website, on Instagram: @lpthrift , and on Pinterest: Lauren Payne Thrift.
Here’s a lookbook of Lauren’s amazing work!
Ella B Candles
Team Smarty has followed the Ella B. Candles journey from day 1! An Ella B candle is the perfect gift for anyone on your list!
It started out as a summer project with her daughters in 2011. After working for years in the stationery and personalized gifts industry, Julie wanted to teach her children how to develop a product line. Ella B. Candles was established to personalize a line of candles for her local customers. Each of the beautifully fragranced, hand-poured, pure soy candles was named after a Charlotte neighborhood, landmark or street.
After her success in the Charlotte market, she was encouraged to take the neighborhood candle concept to other cities. Based on the response from retailers in other cities, Julie’s husband Christopher was able to leave corporate America to build the family business. Now, as a full service custom candle company, they serve about 1,000 stores across the country. If you visit The Hive (their facility on Monroe Road), you’ll see Christopher, Julie, and their amazing team of 20 women, making amazing candles and building an extraordinary company!
Want to buy Ella B. Candles in your neighborhood or just a fun gal pal gift? Find a retailer near you HERE.
You can also design your own candles online to give as holiday gifts, party favors, or to create a signature candle for your home.
Follow Ella B Candles:
instagram: @ellabcandles
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellabcandles/
2 Chicks ‘n Some Wire Jewelry
2 Chicks & Some Wire is a mother-daughter jewelry hobby that began in 2016 by Charlotte mother-daughter dream team, Lori & Emma Martin. Emma Martin, now a senior at Charlotte Latin School, experienced a concussion in the summer of 2016. With a love for performing and visual arts, Emma found that her favorite hobbies were too difficult to engage in while recovering from her concussion. Mother & daughter attended a free Jewelry Making class at Beads Inc. and found “artistic therapy” and bonding in beading together. The two were hooked on this new creative outlet and began having too many gems to wear by themselves. Soon they were making jewelry for friends & family and then word spread that they would create custom designs for others in the community. The mother-daughter duo likes to keep their venture small & to remain invested in the community. Emma even started her own venture called “Beaded Hope” where she donates 100% of the proceeds of a one of a kind bracelet she designed for “The Relatives” youth shelter on East Boulevard. 2 Chicks & Some Wire will often pop up at local vendor events giving a percentage of sales back to a local family or cause.
Here is a fun example of a custom Friday Night Lights design!
And here is a fun and fab design!
You can always follow the 2 Chicks gals on Instagram @2ChicksSomeWire.
Cloister Honey
Sometimes, you find your hobby. And sometimes, your hobby finds you. Such is the case with our Smarty friends at Cloister Honey. It all started as a fun Christmas gift and has grown into the locally-harvested Cloister Honey empire featuring delicious concoctions like whipped honey with cinnamon, bourbon infused honey, and traditional orange blossom honey {to name a few} that makes the best peanut butter honey sandwich you’ll ever eat. You will love them all, each with a special signature flavor. You can find Cloister Honey in specialty groceries and shops all across the country.
Follow Cloister Honey:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Where to Buy
Pure Stella Skincare
We recently discovered Pure Stella skincare and it has been amazing. I adore everything she carries in her skin care line. What’s my favorite —-> the coffee infused eye serum. Must have in everyone’s make-up bag! We are so lucky to have Pure Stella local to Charlotte!
Here at Pure Stella Skin Care, one of our core values is to encourage positive self-image by honoring ourselves through any practice – emotional, physical, social or holistic – that enhances our best self on the inside and outside. Everyday, we make conscious decisions about how to feed and care for our bodies, so why shouldn’t we do the same for our skin?
After struggling to find a safe and natural solution for my daughter’s eczema, I turned to plants and Pure Stella was born. Before I knew it, I was making products that we safe and effective! Not only did they work for my daughter, but I discovered the versatility botanical ingredients provide for my whole family’s skin and skin care routines.
Our proprietary blends of botanical ingredients and essential oils are thoughtfully handcrafted in our Charlotte, NC home. With small-batch production, we can ensure consistent quality and efficacy, resulting in skin that enhances your best self. Everyone, regardless of age and skin type, deserves to experience the power of plants on their skin.
Get Social with Pure Stella Skincare
Website: www.purestellaskincare.com
Facebook: @purestellaskincare
Instagram: @purestellaskincare
Erin McDermott Jewelry
One of our favorite local jewelry designers is Erin McDermott. Not only is she one of the nicest (and cutest!) people on the planet, but she creates some of the most spectacular and wearable pieces we’ve ever seen. Her pieces are the go-to for holiday gifts for anyone on your list, special occasions, and little sercies for yourself :-). We’re lucky that she’s local – she has been designing her custom jewelry in Myers Park for years.
Here are some of our current favs:
Follow Erin McDermott:
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Belle BĂ©lier
Sustainable Fashion.
Do Good while Looking Good.
We think Belle BĂ©lier’s creations are super smarty fabulous. They are so hip! I have a MAJOR crush on the choker. Every time I see Emily (one of the Belles behind Belle BĂ©lier) with it on, I want it even more! This necklace takes an outfit from basic to cool & chic – Instant fashion upgrade! T-shirt and jeans — add the choker — and BAM! Bohemian chic.
Belle BĂ©lier (pronounced Bell Bell-YAY) believes in making sustainable, attainable fashion. Their goal is to create beautiful and stylish
sustainable pieces using leather remnants and scrap materials. By doing this, they hope to play a small part in helping reduce waste in the fashion industry and, at the same time, inspire others to do the same. Each piece is designed and hand made right here in North Carolina (#shoplocal).
“There is a joy found in inspiration and gratification realized in lots of hard work. Belle BĂ©lier is a true labor of love for us. We’ve started something that fills our cups and at the same time contributes to the greater purpose of a responsible lifestyle. By choosing Belle BĂ©lier you are not only making a statement on sustainable fashion but are doing good while looking good.”
Get Social with Belle BĂ©lier
Website: https://bellebelier.com/
Facebook: @bellebelier
Instagram: @bellebelier
Queen B. Booch
We recently discovered Queen B. Booch at a local Pop-Up. It was love at “first taste.” Next time you are headed to a holiday cocktail party or spend the weekend at a friend’s house, you are going to want to show up with a 64 oz. growler full of one of their signature Kombucha flavors. I promise, you will be the hit of the party!
Queen B. Booch is handcrafted right here in Charlotte. This local company was started by two middle school
teachers as a grassroots passion project. Their signature flavors are lemon lime, mandarin orange, grapefruit mint, and pineapple jalapeño. Right now they also have two winter seasonal flavors: gingerbread and spice cranberry apple.
Get Social with Queen B. Booch
Website: https://queenbbooch.com/
Click here for local locations where you can purchase small bottles.
Facebook:@queenbbooch
Instagram: @queenbbooch
Cannizzaro Sauces
Cannizzaro Saucesare a locally owned business making fresh, Italian sauces by hand. They are a husband & wife team and use only the freshest ingredients. Once you’ve tasted the sauces by Cannizzaro, there is no going back. You’ll be in love!
All sauces & gift baskets are available for purchase in their online store or by phone – 704-968-2734 – or by email – melaniecannizzaro@hotmail.com
They deliver within Charlotte area or can be picked up in Dilworth at Bonterra.
Milk Mustache
We are excited to introduce you to Milk Mustache Cookies. Local to Charlotte.
🍪Popup Cookie Shop
🥛Cookie Catering
🍪Cookie shop in Nostalgia Hollow
đź“ŤKannapolis, NC
🎉Now open and serving Friday-Sunday🎉
Smarties, Meet Raleigh! She is the owner of Milk Mustache Cookies. We think she is super smarty for following her dream. Here’s her story:
It was a somewhat wandering road that led me to my cookie dreams. After a few years in the entertainment industry and dabbling in elementary education, my weekend passion for baking began to take over. While I always enjoyed baking, it wasn’t until 2017 that I really thought to make those dreams a reality! After a lifetime of sampling and several months of testing, I found what I considered an amazing cookie recipe. And others seemed to agree! Thus, Milk Mustache Cookies was born. I love doing what I do, and I hope you enjoy eating them as much as I do baking them!
Click here to see the different cookie flavors.
Get Social with Milk Mustache
Website: https://www.milkmustachecookies.com/
Facebook:@MilkMustacheCookies
Instagram:@milkmustachecookies
Ogre Sauce
Locally made Ogre Sauce is an awesome gift for the friend who loves to grill. Who doesn’t love something that makes cooking tastier? Ogre Sauce is an all-purpose BBQ sauce created in Charlotte. We call it “all-purpose” because it is great on everything – not just traditional barbecue. You can slather it on ribs, wings, salmon, pizza, chicken, burgers, tofu, oysters, pretzels, steak, pineapple, grilled veggies, tunafish, eggs and more. They have something new this year also with the addition of Ogre Sauce Hot! We are so excited to give this a try too. Gift either one or both to your neighbor, your hubby, your in-laws. Everyone will thank you. It’s that good. You can find Ogre Sauce locally at their location in Southend or at Whole Foods, Reid’s, Peoples Market, & BlackHawk hardware.
Get social with Ogre Sauce
Website: https://www.ogresauce.com/
Instagram: @ogresauce
Facebook: @OgreSauce
Twitter: @ogresauce
Sunflour Baking Company
Sunfour Baking Company is one of our FAVE places for a sweet treat, a coffee or lunch date with a friend, or a delicious cake for a party. Bring a Sunflour creation to your next holiday party, or pick up something for the hostess and you will be deemed a favorite guest – we promise. We count on Sunflour as our go to for all our holiday baking needs. Sunflour specializes in cakes for all occasions and will create custom designs. We’ve tried many of these and they are the best in town! Need a cookie tray or any other breads or baked goods? Sunflour has you covered.
Get Social with Sunflour Baking Company
from scratch. small batch. local.
Website: wwww.sunflourbakingcompany.com
Email: sunflour@sunflourbakingcompany.com
Facebook:@sunflourbakingballantyne
Locations:
Elizabeth:
2001 East 7th Street, Suite H
Charlotte, NC 28204
Tel: 704-900-5268
Dilworth:
220 East Boulevard, Suite 100
Charlotte NC 28203
Tel: 704-332-5222
Harrisburg:
5040 Highway 49 South
Harrisburg, NC 28075
Tel: 980-258-8000
Ballantyne:
14021 Conlan Circle, B-9
Charlotte, NC 28277
Tel: 980-237-8881
Savory Spice
Savory Spice offers high quality, fresh ground herbs, spices, and seasonings that are hand bottled and bagged daily. They strive to remain innovative and provide a fun, inspiring, and educational environment for customers. Whether you are in need of everyday essentials, a hard to find ingredient, or a gift- they have you covered. Live Life Full. They have the best items for those that love to cook, grill, & bake. We love dropping by there to pick up a few things because any item from Savory Spice is always a big hit!
Get Social with Savory Spice
Instagram: @savoryspicesouthend
Facebook: Savory Spice Shop (Charlotte, NC)
Sweet’s Elderberry Syrup
Sweet’s Elderberry Syrup is SUPER SMARTY. This little bottle is filled with a SUPER immune booster! Sweet’s Syrup is an effective natural remedy for coughs, colds, the flu and seasonal allergies. It is recommended to take it daily during the flu season to help prevent getting sick and every 3-4 hours when symptomatic. Sweet’s Elderberry Syrup is organic, local and delicious kid approved flavor!
“We use only the highest quality ingredients that are organic and locally sourced when possible. Sweet’s natural ingredients are helpful individually… but together, they create a delicious synergy of disease-fighting power. Sweet’s is different from other elderberry syrups because we do not “hot pour” our mixture. While hot pouring can provide a longer shelf life and eliminates the need for refrigeration, it kills beneficial live enzymes and destroys most of the benefits of honey. Sweet’s method retains that critical healing component.” 
Get Social with Sweet’s Elderberry Syrup
Website: www.sweetssyrup.com
Facebook: @sweetssyrup
Instagram: @sweetssyrup
Farm Fresh Carolinas
One of my favorite things to do is stroll the all the fresh produce at a Farmer’s Market. But, little smarty demands often get in the way and I am not able to go! That is what I love about Farm Fresh Carolinas’, they bring all the goodies directly to you! In their boxes, Farm Fresh Carolinas provides all Organic Produce. No harmful chemicals coating your delicious foods. Their veggies aren’t coated in wax to make them look prettier. Organic agriculture is not only healthier for the consumer, but it’s healthier for the farmers, the surrounding communities and our planet’s resources.
Get Social with Farm Fresh Carolinas
Website: www.farmfreshcarolinas.com
Facebook: @FarmFreshCarolinas
Instagram: @FarmFreshCarolinas
Get Social with Farmers First Coffee
Website: www.farmersfirstcoffee.com
Facebook: @Farmersfirstcoffeeco
Instagram: @Farmersfirstcoffee
