Creativity – In the Studio With Twine & Twig

In this new series on The Southern C, meet some great Southern creative minds – the artists, designers and makers that are shaping our landscape with their vision and ingenuity. Go behind the scenes to see where they work, what they are working on, the path that led them to this moment and just what made them “take the leap” from idea to doing.

The subjects may vary but most share many of the paradoxical traits of creative individuals – they daydream, observe, ask big questions, people watch, seek new experiences, view life as an opportunity for self-expression, take risks and bounce back all while following their true passions. We hope you will be inspired as we spotlight the creativity that abounds in our region. According to Einstein, “Creativity is contagious” and this is one thing we are happy to spread!

Meet inspired sisters Elizabeth Stafford White and Jacquelyn Stafford Buckner

Twine & Twig – Charlotte, NC

A love of the rustic outdoors, combined with a great appreciation for the casual calm offered by the North Carolina coast, inspired these two sisters and North Carolinian natives to begin designing jewelry. From there, the sisters collaborated on the launch of Twine & Twig in late 2013, creating a line of jewelry that reflects both designers’ love for natural, organic beauty, as well as their southern roots and extensive worldly travels.

With quality craftsmanship and incredible attention to detail, every Twine & Twig piece is one of a kind, handcrafted and designed by Elizabeth and Jacquelyn. Each necklace is hand tied with their signature suede strap, and features unique and naturally sourced eco-friendly materials from regions throughout the world with collections including TRAIL, SHORE and little TWIG.

Describe your brand/business/product:

We describe Twine & Twig as earthy elegance. Our necklaces are born out of love of simple + bold. Our North Carolina-based families were entrepreneurs that had connections to Sanibel Island where shells + nature were simply a part of life.

Two generations later, we are designing and making necklaces with quality craftsmanship and incredible attention to detail. Each necklace features unique and naturally sourced materials from regions throughout the world and is hand tied onto our signature branded suede strap.

Describe a day in your work space or design studio:

No two days are ever the same! The main studio space is in Elizabeth’s house with a long burlap work table and trays and baskets full of beads. The website is based out of Jacquelyn’s house where necklaces are packed up and shipped to customers.

The normal vibe of a work day starts with coffee and good tunes. We spend most days creating and designing necklaces. Some days you can find us at the concrete kitchen island branding our suede straps while others we are on calls with stores placing their orders. Add in some runs to UPS and juggling carpool duty and kids activities with our combined 5 children and we are quite busy. Normally there is an evening shift until about midnight that includes a glass of wine and some creative design time as well as the business side which includes invoicing and email follow up. It’s a pretty full day – every day!

How has your background influenced your work?

Our mom put us in art classes at a very young age- I think that helped to cultivate a sense of creative freedom for us.

Favorite blogs or websites that inspire you or other ways/things where you find inspiration:

Jacquelyn: I’m usually inspired by music- I love working to The Avett Brothers pandora station. Anthropologie has the coolest window displays- I love seeing how they continue to outdo themselves each time. I do wish I had more time to read blogs! With two kids and two jobs (I’m also a hair stylist) I stay very busy….I dream of a quiet morning drinking coffee and reading blogs.

Elizabeth: I’m inspired by nature… literally the color palette of the tree trunks, rocks and soil inspire me. My happy place is in the woods or on the beach.

What was the catalyst to “take the leap” from idea to doing?

Jacquelyn: Elizabeth! It was something we had talked about- then when I was on maternity leave Elizabeth just said- ok, we’re doing this! And we haven’t looked back!

Elizabeth: After being a stay at home mom to my twins (now in Kindergarten) and little boy, now 4, I was searching for a creative outlet to let me be me. I needed a sense of identity and luckily convinced Jacquelyn to do this with me. We went into this with no expectations and no real plan. We could have never predicted what was to come.

Best and worst part of being a “creative:

Jacquelyn: My best ideas usually come to me at 3am

Elizabeth: My mind literally does not turn off, ever!

Speed Round – Five Favorites

Artist:

Jacquelyn : It changes every few years!

Elizabeth: Currently coveting some of Kerri Rosenthal’s neutrals

Book:

Jacquelyn: The Fountainhead- Ayn Rand

Elizabeth: Don’t read, don’t have time right now!

Indulgence:

Jacquelyn: Chocolate

Elizabeth: Wine!!!

Journey/Trip/Escape:

Jacquelyn: Hot Yoga Trip: any beach!

Elizabeth: Serenbe, my favorite place on earth

Quote:

Jacquelyn: “Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up” – Pablo Picasso

Elizabeth: “Don’t be like the rest of them darling!” – Eudora Welty

To visit in the studio with another Southern creative – Meredith Anne Sutton – click here.

Whitney Wise Long, co-founder of The Southern C and contributing editor for Southern Living, loves to discover new people and products and their creative endeavors. This series titled “In the Studio With” offers her the perfect opportunity to do so!