Keeneland Mercantile, a one-of-a-kind retail experience in downtown Lexington, and Keeneland magazine, a quarterly publication celebrating the Bluegrass lifestyle, named “The 42 Twin” Tree Swing by the Southern Pine Swing Company of Jacksonville, Florida, the overall winner of the first Masters of Craft Award competition to recognize handcrafted products made in the United States.
Southern Pine Swing (Southernpineswingcompany.com), owned by Zac West, will receive $5,000.
“The inaugural Masters of Craft Awards program was a very rewarding experience for our team,” said Keeneland Retail Director Kyle Cassin. “The opportunity to showcase these producers and their stories from across the United States is at the heart of what we stand for Keeneland Mercantile, embodying our traditions, our region and the people We are truly honored that Zac and Southern Pine Swing have been selected as our first overall winners of this award.”
“The 42 Twin” Tree Swing, designed to hang from trees, decks or off the pier, features 42-inch Southern Pine handcrafted seats with hand-woven braids and custom stains. Southern Pine Swings also has a charitable component through a partnership with a nonprofit in Jacksonville that helps refugees stand up and an organization in Tanzania – the original hometown of his adopted daughter. West, Zara – plant one tree for every swing sold.
West records the photos he has seen of people happily enjoying their tree swings from the Southern Pine Swing.
“It inspires people to be together, side by side, flying in the air,” he said. “The fact that my swings are bringing joy to families is just that.”
Southern Pine Swings won in the Craft category, one of four categories in the Masters of Craft competition. The winners in other categories are:
Food & Beverage – Briar Patch Brew from Piper and Leaf Tea Company of Lacey’s Springs, Alabama (piperandleaf.com). This gourmet tea is a blend of real fruit (blueberries, raspberries, elderberries and currants) along with hibiscus, sage and lemongrass.
Household Goods – 12 Rocks Glass by Terrane Glass Company of Spruce Pine, North Carolina (terraneglass.com). These glasses are from Colin O’Reilley’s small workshop that specializes in hand-crafted utensils.
Wears – Up-Cycled Ruffle Romper from Rachel Visser’s June Children’s Clothing in Grand Rapids, Michigan (sold on Etsy). Each product in this children’s clothing line is designed with precious textiles, donated or thrown away.
The winners and nominees for the Patrons Pick Award will be featured in the summer issue of Keeneland magazine.
“We are delighted to feature these talented artisans and their unique creations in our summer publication,” said editor Jacqueline Duke. “The Master of Crafts initiative fits perfectly with the mission of Keeneland magazine and the interests of our readers.”
Serving as judges for the Masters of Craft Awards are Allison “Al” and Mike Barker, founders of Made Market, Louisville’s best curated craft market; Dixon Dedman, winner of the Garden & Gun Made in the South Award and the James Beard Foundation Classic Award, whose family owns the Beaumont Inn in Harrodsburg, Kentucky; Emile “Emmie” Howard of Atlanta, founder of the Southern Right and president of Onward Reserve, two popular clothing lines; Ashley Smith, CEO of Black Soil KY, an agritourism social enterprise that aims to drive greater market share for black farmers, growers and producers in Kentucky; and Chris Thomas of Franklin, Tennessee, founder/CEO of Made South, which focuses on creating events that celebrate the South’s finest crafters and artisans.
Customer Pick Contest is now open online
From now until June 1, you are invited to enter the Masters of Craft Awards online competition available through KeenelandMercantile.com to select Patrons Pick Award recipients from 12 semi-finalists, including winners above. The winner, who will be announced on July 1, will receive $1,000.
The candidates are:
Food & Drink – Briar Patch Brew from Piper and Leaf (jury’s pick in the category); Alcohol infusion kits from InBooze of Grandville, Michigan; Cucumber Aloe Margarita Mix from Modica of Louisville.
Handmade – Tree Swing “42 Twins” from the Southern Pine Tree Swing (jury selection in the category and overall winner); Hammered Mint Julep Cup from SR Blackinton of Smithfield, Rhode Island; Original glass vase from Clayton & Crume of Louisville.
Household Goods – No, 12 Rocks Glass from Terrane Glass Co. (jury selection in the category); Hand-carved Selenite Lamp from Aura at the House of Versailles, Kentucky; Iron cookware from Smithey of Charleston, South Carolina.
Wears – Up-Cycled Ruffle Romper from June Baby Clothing (jury’s pick in the category); Venus Dangle from Lexington’s Babaloo Jewelry; Old Friends Pendant from Darren K. Moore Jewelry of Anthem, Arizona.
Click this to vote for the Client’s Pick Award.
Select products – including the overall winner of the Masters of Craft, the Twin Tree Swing from Southern Pine Swing and the winner of the Patrons’ Pick – will be available for purchase this summer at the Keeneland Mercantile.
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