Additional information
Weight | .8 lbs |
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Select Size | Small, Large |
$35.00 – $55.00
Weight | .8 lbs |
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Select Size | Small, Large |
Barkley is a long-time friend – he started out as our farrier and has evolved into a master ironworks artist whose work can be seen all over the country, as well as our humble little farm. Place this exquisite wrought iron wine cradle in your dining room or kitchen and it’s sure to capture everyone’s eye – not to mention become a treasured heirloom to be passed down for generations.
Pat Jonesen captured our attention with these gorgeous kitchen spoons at a holiday party. She was stirring a big ole pot of oyster stew (her mama’s recipe) with one of the large spoons and it was love at first sight (and we’re not just talking about the utensils here). Pat has since become a good friend, along with her sister Carol, and we’re so excited to feature her handmade works here at Cerakko Farm.
These particular spoons have a wonderful back story…. They’re made from a giant black walnut tree that was located at the corner of one of the fields on Pat’s 40-acre farm in Dogtown, Ala., not far from where she grew up in Mentone. When Pat and her husband Arnie moved back to Alabama from Washington State, they bought the 1926 farmhouse and surrounding land and at the corner of one of the pastures was the dead walnut, which had to be taken down. Not too much later they were paid a surprise visit by the White sisters — Joyce and Edna — children of the original homesteading family who owned the land for generations. The sisters came to the farm to reminisce about growing up there and upon seeing the felled walnut, told Pat and Arnie they had planted that tree as a seedling in 1919 with their father. The Jonesens were so touched by that visit they wanted to preserve the sisters’ memories by carving a set of wooden spoons from the old tree and giving them as a keepsake. Joyce and Edna have since passed on but we have no doubt that Pat and Arnie’s gift brought back some sweet memories in their final years. And the rest of the wood from the old black walnut? Well, it just keeps giving, having provided for many lovely spoons, bowls and other beautiful objects in the years since. We feel so lucky to now have some to offer our friends.
Order a set of four small spoons or one of the larger ones — or start a collection. That’s what we did! (Note: each spoon set varies due to their unique nature.) Custom orders are also available; just email claudia@cerakkofarm.com for details.
These handmade block prints are the vision of Meg Tannehill Justice, an artist/illustrator who makes her home in Scottsboro, Ala. We discovered Meg’s works during a weekend trip to Mentone, Ala., where her prints are featured in a local gallery. It was love at first sight! We soon got in touch with Meg to learn more about her creations and to see if we could feature some of her works in our Mercantile. A Southerner who has lived and traveled to all parts of the world, Meg graduated from Auburn with a degree in Art and in 2010 returned to Alabama to make her permanent home, which she shares with husband Jerry, a dog named Jack and six hens who provide fresh eggs and comic relief. When asked what inspires her the most, she says, “I’m influenced by all things from nature and strong emotional memories of my past and the countryside where I live. I’m an avid gardener and at my happiest with handfuls of dirt and plants. Nearly all my art is connected to these things in some way. My favorite subjects to draw include animals, plants, mysteries of nature and the stories they tell.”
One of the most exciting moments we’ve had on the farm is when the bees arrived. That set us on a journey that was at once mystical, joyous, sometimes heartbreaking, and just so much fun…despite a few stings here and there. With the help of kind and wise neighbors who showed us the way, our Italian honeybees have been thriving of late and this season we are (to borrow from Eddie Izzard) ‘covered in honey.’ So we’re currently offering a limited batch of raw, wildflower honey here in the Mercantile. Order soon before we run out! We don’t know when we’ll have such a wonderful honey flow again. Available in 8-oz. jars. Made and harvested on the farm.
Lisa Bienko’s ceramic berry boxes will remind you of summer all year long. A beautiful and functional kitchen accent, each is glazed and fired to a cone 6 and measures 5.75 inches square by 3 inches deep. Rinse and display your beautiful berries in each basket, or give a set as a housewarming gift. Insert a liner and create a darling floral arrangement, or set them out on the brunch buffet filled with fruit for dessert. Dishwasher and food safe.
We’re super excited to add this exquisite product to the Mercantile — hand stamped silver flatware by Laura Doe of Doe Imprints. Laura scours antique and flea markets around the country to find vintage, silverplated flatware that she imprints with a variety of whimsical and custom messages. We met Laura at a farmers market last summer and immediately bought up a whole bunch of her pieces to feature in the Mercantile. Choose from any of the items featured here, or email us with a custom order request [gatekeeper@cerakkofarm]. These flatware pieces are great conversation pieces when entertaining and will make any bride oh-so-happy when presented as a wedding gift. Also available in custom garden markers.
SOUTHERN SUNSHINE
This citrusy soap is like that first ray of sunshine in the morning. Pure sweet orange essential oil gives the soap its light orange-citrus scent, enhanced by real bits of lemon, lime and orange peel. Made with all natural ingredients, the refreshing bar has a great lather and is perfect for your morning bath or shower. (Note: sweet orange essential oil is not recommended for skin breakouts or skin with heavy sun exposure.)
COUNTRY DAY SPA
An aromatic, herb-infused soap that will have you dreaming of your next spa visit. Scented with pure essential oils like thyme and eucalyptus, it has a soothing, natural blend that helps fight bacteria while boosting circulation and cell regeneration. The scent is a favorite with the fellas – but the ladies love it, too.
LAVENDER GARDEN
A farm favorite, our fragrant lavender bar makes everything feel all right. Infused with pure lavender essential oil to smooth the body while soothing the mind, this luxurious soap also has elder flowers to promote beautiful skin and ground elder berries that gently exfoliate.
FARMER’S FRIEND
This gritty little soap works hard. All natural and made with coffee grounds and, yes, hominy grits! We like to think of it as a “scrub in a soap.” Use this rich-lathering bar for body exfoliation and a good cleansing. Unscented except for the slighted whiff of earthy grits, it’s great for clean-up after gardening, barn chores or working in the yard.