Ravenwood promotes North Carolina products
Tommy Wilson, owner of Ravenwood Artisan Collective in uptown Lexington, stands next to some mandala paintings from Cheryl Tucker of Lexington in his new shop. {Vikki Broughton Hodges/Davidson Local}
Tommy Wilson, who recently opened Ravenwood Artisan Collective at 110 S. Main St., believes people not only want to buy local but also want to support North Carolina artisans.
That’s why his new shop, which anchors the corner of South Main St. and East First Ave. in uptown Lexington, sources about 70 percent of its products in North Carolina.
“I think people really do like that a lot of it’s made in North Carolina,” Wilson said. “You feel like you’re helping a neighbor or just someone trying to make it in their side business.
“I have 25 North Carolina vendors now and have more coming.” He added he sources vendors primarily from trade shows and Etsy, an online company that focuses on handmade or vintage items and craft supplies.
Large Palladian windows in the Ravenwood shop allow light to show off the stained glass work of Roxanne Kopp of Statesville.
{Vikki Broughton Hodges/Davidson Local}
Ravenwood carries a wide variety of products — original artwork, jewelry, handmade greeting cards, scented candles, teas, woodworking, handbags and wallets, including vegan leather. “Bag in a Bag,” based in Georgia, has been a top seller. The product duo consists of a crossbody bag that matches a larger handbag. Women’s clothing and a small section of men’s shirts and shorts round out the collection.
There’s a local angle to a couple of the men’s T-shirts. One is emblazoned with “Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em” with a drawing of a pig. Another says “If It Ain’t Lexington, It Ain’t Barbecue,” also with a porcine illustration.
“I don’t know that I’ll ever hit 100 percent North Carolina made because of the clothing.” Wilson explained it’s hard to source domestically-made clothing because of the cost. “I’m trying to keep it affordable.”
A number of vendors provide beauty and wellness products, such as a mother and daughter duo from Winston-Salem who make artisan soaps with soothing tea tree and eucalyptus as well as coconut lime verbena. Another vendor, Moonstone Garden of Winston-Salem, uses herbs grown in their garden for soaps, salves and body conditioners. A woman from King creates bath bombs and sugar scrubs.
Woodworkers in the shop include Chris Poplin of Busy Wren Creations in Mocksville, who carves whimsical wood figures such as gnomes, mushrooms and boxes. Zach and Brittany Tignor of Lexington, Z&B Creations, have a line of American flags crafted from wood.
Wilson is pleased to carry unique artists in his shop, such as Cheryl Tucker, who does dot mandala paintings. A stained-glass artist from Statesville, Roxanne Kopp, has her work prominently displayed in one of the large Palladian windows of the shop.
“Her Moravian stars and spinners have been very popular!” Wilson admitted he was drawn to lease the space because of the large windows to showcase products such as the stained glass.
Ravenwood carries women’s clothing as well as some shirts and shorts for men.
{Vikki Broughton Hodges/Davidson Local}
He also appreciated the highly-visible location near restaurants and other busy shops. “There’s good foot traffic here.”
Wilson, who lives in Thomasville and grew up in Silver Valley, spent eight years working as a set costumer in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and Atlanta before returning home when the pandemic shut down production and he pondered a change in careers. Although he had never worked in retail, he noted his background as a set costumer prepared him for a new career in fashion and art.
Ravenwood Artisan Collective is open from 10 a.m. to 6 pm. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
