Trunk Shows at Acorns | Highlands NC

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: June - 2022

Southern Botanics

Elizabeth Locke Jewelry

Worthy of adding to your June calendar are two trunk shows at Acorns –  Old Edwards’ gift, home décor and furnishing store.   

From June 3 through 5, a representative of jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke will be in store to welcome customers and showcase new styles, one-of-kind pieces for collectors, along with the designer’s complete works of earrings, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, pendants, brooches, hoops, and charms.

Known for “timeless designs that reflect an ongoing fascination with the exquisite.” The one-of-a-kind pieces are meticulously handmade in 19K gold and hand-hammered, and with a weight and substance no cast jewelry could ever have. Locke individually hand selects ancient Greek and Roman coins, antique carnelian and sardonyx, South Sea Pearls and natural color stones for her distinctive designs.

On June 25, Austin Davis-Selph of Southern Botanics will be on hand with an exhibit of his pressed floral art – flowers, leaves, and other plant materials that are pressed and mounted in the style of botanical engravings.

Each of the hand-crafted pieces expresses the unique work of Austin and his partner at Southern Botanics, Douglas Davis-Selph, both part-time Highlands residents.  And because much of the flora that is used in the artwork is foraged and collected in Highlands, the pieces are an exuberant interpretation of the landscape of the Plateau – coveted by local homeowners for their ability to mimic and bring indoors the beauty of the outdoors.  Their work has even adorned the walls of a set in a segment on ABC’s Kevin Probably Saves the World.

Natives of Georgia, Austin and Douglas each discovered a love of the natural world early on – Doug, tramping through the woods of South Central Georgia from early childhood, and Austin, a native Atlantan, whose grandfather made sure he learned the names of trees and whose grandmother was an avid gardener. Though they both had earlier careers in corporate America, they never lost their enthusiasm for nature and in 2014 they decided to pursue their passion and launch Southern Botanics.

Recently Austin told me, “We are very excited for our seventh trunk show with Acorns and look forward to sharing our latest pressed botanical artworks at our trunk show each year. Holly and the other wonderful folks at Acorn’s are a dream to work with and always make our visit so enjoyable. We are so honored that they display our artwork for sale year-round. We are especially excited to feature more artwork this year pairing original vintage 1920’s postcards of waterfalls and other scenic views of the Highlands-Cashiers plateau with native ferns, other plants, and flowers.”

For more information, visit acornshighlandsnc.com.