Many of you know designer Natalie Chanin- who continues to amaze us with her ideas and skill. We are currently working on a project with her that encompasses food, design, fashion & everything Alabama Chanin is about.

An Alabama Studio Weekend Workshop will be held August 6th- 8th at the Factory. Gather to sew, eat, create and share.

Los Angles based designer Melissa Holritz creates handmade, beaded stationary. We photographed her work in Paris.

Renowned garden designer and friend Ryan Gainey was featured in the May 2008 issue of Veranda magazine. Ryan designs environments to earthenware, capturing the whimsical in the natural world. It was a pleasure to visit and photograph Ryan in Decatur, Georgia.

The amazing honeybee- we decided to locate some for our orchard. Observing these Italian bees’ habits is a learning process in itself. The bees are teachers of sustainability, design and community.

They are so busy this season- we may need to add another super to the hive.

Last weekend celebrated Billy Reid’s newest store opening and move from Pickett Place to Court Street, Florence. Occupying the old Anderson Bookland, the grand opening attracted many who gathered to hear musicians such as John Paul White, The Pine Hill Haints, Those Darlins and The Bear.

Tasia Malakasis of Belle Chevre is featured as one of Country Living Magazine’s women entrepreneurs. We photographed Tasia and the women of Belle Chevre last summer. Making this cheese is a labor of love; the farm and factory are only a few miles apart. Support your local farmers!