the Hug Box Local Artisans

The Hug Box opened a brick and mortar in June 2018 in Historic Downtown Newnan, Georgia. Since opening the doors, it has been a beautiful journey meeting so many neighbors, visitors, and artisans. During 2020 we started sharing space at the Hug Box brick and mortar with more local artisans. Each of these artists, creators, makers, mothers, entrepreneurs, givers represent a medium. Now our shop is filled with even more happy handmade goodies! The Hug Box is an everyday local artist market. Come shop local art, jewelry, pottery, pet toys, baby products, bath and body and home goods. The Hug Box shop is located in Newnan, Georgia in Mainstreet area at 2C Jackson St., Newnan, GA 30263. (Now in the back space of the Newnan Book Company) Shop for meaningful, unique and professional artist works for yourself or a gift!


Currently we are only looking for artisans in mediums we don't already have in the space. Please see below for our list of current artisans. If you feel you are a good fit for the Hug Box based on our core values in products and service and have an established professional business, please feel free to contact us to discuss the possibility of being a part of the Hug Box shop. 

 

July Rae O' Sunshine
Gemstone Jewelry. Senoia, Georgia

July Epps is a mom to three girls, and a cleaning business entrepreneur for over 20 years. July first started creating with the purpose of art therapy and soon realized she had an innate talent, which most likely came from her artistic grandmother, whom she spent a lot of time with as a child. 

July’s jewelry making has become her passion and the key to her well-being. Her pieces incorporate gemstones, crystals and lavabeads, which are perfect for essential oils (All of these are purchased from a local vendor in Fayetteville). These elements are important to her creations for the holistic and spiritual healing properties and signifigant to her personally.

July uses many other materials, silver and copper mainly, and uses her favorite process of wire-wrapping for most pieces. 

Follow @julyraeosunshine

Brush and Blossom
Pressed Flower Jewelry & Art

Ariana Sullivan loves painting, paper crafting, photography, sculpting clay, and gardening. Her inspiration is found primarily in nature. Her business name comes from 'Brush' because that is the tool that beautifies a blank canvas and 'Blossom' because of the feeling I get when a new flower opens up. She uses the flowers and leaves, and highlight their beauty by pressing them in clay, glass, or resin. By preserving their natural beauty, others can enjoy and wear them!  Ariana also is a leader in the art community by sharing her Creative Market to help other local artisans share and sell their creations.

Follow @brushandblossom

Turnrow Bath, Body and Home 
Bath, Body and Home. Tyrone, Georgia

Turnrow Bath Body & Home was founded by former educator, Marci Scharko, who began her business over a decade ago. Ingredients for her products are locally sourced from their family farm, Scharko Farms, and other Atlanta area farms. All ingredients are selected with quality, skin health, and nature in mind. 

This all began because of her daughters’ sensitive skin and eczema issues. She found there weren’t any good options for simple, natural, effective skincare on the market. So she put her education background to work along with her passion for natural botanical ingredients and developed a soap recipe that worked. She began selling her soaps alongside her families organic farm at local markets. Her product line has grown to include 50 different items and so has her knowledge and passion for business. Her production has moved from her kitchen to her studio inside her renovated barn behind her early 1900’s home in small town Tyrone, Ga.

Follow @myturnrow

Pick it Place Designs 
Acrylic Illustration. Newnan, Georgia

In 2013, Heather Bergholt began creating as a therapeutic activity. A craft that she and her daughter very much enjoyed doing together. Her bold and colorful work is filled with joy and optimism. She works mainly on wood. 

Heather’s first piece was sold in 2017. She now creates much more than paintings. Her designs flow onto decorative birdhouses, farmhouse beads,
mugs and postcards. 


Follow @pickitplacedesigns

Mud Haven Pottery
Pottery. Newnan, Georgia

AJ Sears-Moore first discovered working with clay back in 1996. In 2012, after a knee injury during her stunt career, she reconnected with mud. Since August 2019, AJ found her love again and has been at the wheel everyday discovering new creations and developing her skill even more. She also teaches at Wren’s Nest Pottery in Hogansville. She hopes her creations and teachings bring you as much joy as they bring to her. As she often says “The Fairies told me to do it!”

Coming in the Fall, AJ and Jess Norris will be joining forces to open a community and workshop pottery studio in Grantsville, Georgia. 

Follow @mudhavenpottery

Mackenzie Myrick
Pen and Ink Illustration. Pine Mountain, Georgia

Mackenzie Myrick, artist and illustrator works in pen and ink to create detailed, contemplative drawings that verge on whimsy and surrealism.

Her drawings blend the real world with fantasy through a combination of realistic detail and dreamlike compositions. She finds inspiration in the natural world, and creates art that allowsviewers to see nature in a new way.

One thing that unifies her work is an emphasis on story and meaning. Storytelling is one of the most important aspects of any creative pursuit, as stories capture our imagination and lead us to new discoveries. Mackenzie’s hope is that her drawings will invite people to take a closer look and form their own version of the story contained in each piece.

Follow @mackenziemyrick_art

Re:loom
Loomed Fabric Goods. Decatur, Georgia

re:loom is a program of Initiative for Affordable Housing (IAH), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Decatur, Georgia. Founded in 1990 with one home and one homeless family, IAH’s mission is to provide permanent, affordable housing to homeless and low-income families in metro Atlanta. Our rigorous, holistic social services program empowers individuals to reach personal goals and achieve independence

We help individuals address obstacles to employment through paid on-site job training and leadership opportunities. Weavers design and produce handmade products from donated recycled fabric and lead a team of weavehouse volunteers. With a stable salary, 100% healthcare coverage, and opportunities to engage in the operation of the weavehouse, employees gain a financial foundation, leadership skills, and a sense of purpose and accomplishment. With your help, re:loom will continue to support the IAH team in growing our positive impact on homelessness in Atlanta.

Follow @reloomatl

Jenni Horne
Mixed Media Jewelry. Newnan, Georgia

Jenni, also known as artsyorange, is an acrylic painter and creates jewelry using her art in combination with metal and leather. She has been an art teacher (currently teaching high school photography) for over 20 years, with a BFA from Auburn University in Alabama. Her love for teaching radiates as she also offers workshops on occasion online and in person. She lives in Historic Downtown Newnan.

Follow @artsyorange

Loops and Bounds Co. 
Crocheted Wears and Goods. Dallas, Georgia

Brittanny Blythe is an indie fiber artist and the Founder of Loops & Bounds Co. Crochet is her form of “art therapy.” Each product she creates is crafted from responsibly sourced materials, in small batches, and is always handmade with love and good vibes. Brittanny loves the creative process of designing products inspired by her European travels and has an affinity for all things functional, beautiful and sustainable. She loves spending time in nature and gives back to her community with pet adoption and female empowerment organizations.

Follow @loopsandboundsco

Ayo Clay Co.
Polymerclay Jewelry. Newnan, Georgia

Creator Mandi Kelley started making clay earrings as a way to raise funds their family’s needs for the adoption of Amosi from Nigeria, and to remind them of the truth along the way. Each earring design has been given a name in Yoruba (their son’s tribe) as a way to remember God’s faithfulness, kindness, and leading on the adoption journey. Putting on earrings is a liturgy for Mandi - something she does everyday that helps her be prayerful and present in the moment. AYO is Yoruba for “JOY” and she hopes to spread joy and reminders of truth through these earrings.

Follow @ayo_clayco

Lindsey Frazier Designs
Stamped Metal, Pearl and Leather Jewelry. Newnan, Georgia

Lindsey Frazier is a jewelry designer living in Newnan, Georgia. Lindsey has over 20 years of experience making jewelry with everything from gemstones, pearls, crystals and fine metals. 

Follow @lindseyfrazierdesigns

Bobbins and Brushes
Illustration and Fabric. Newnan, Georgia

Amanda Keene is the creator of Bobbins & Brushes. She dedicates her working days as a full time CT tech at a local hospital. While home, she creates everything from animal illustrations to quilted pouches as sewing, drawing, and painting are her first loves and talents. 

Follow @bobbinsandbrushes

AMB Recycled Jewelry
Paper and Metal Jewelry and Goods. Senoia, Georgia

Micki Byrnes, is an English teacher and lifelong resident of Senoia, Georgia, AMB Recycled Jewelry started in October of 2022. Her creations are made from upcycling old books. On occasion, she creates jewelry to support local causes. Recently, Micki created a line of semicolon necklaces and lapel pins to raise money for her school’s Suicide Awareness 5K.

Follow @ambrecycledjewelry