Mini Tool Bag Purse
Werther Leather Goods – Norfolk
$295, WertherLeatherGoods.com
As a child, owner and leathersmith Derek Shaw found an old mason’s tool bag in his parents’ shed. “It was smelly, dirty, full of old hand tools, and I just loved it,” he says. Shaw’s own version of a tool bag is decidedly less smelly and elevated stylistically, with hand-stitched detail and metal frames to keep the shape. “It has this casual, effortless cool air to it,” Bien says.
Wire Wrapped Amazonite Jewelry Set
Treasure Tree Wire Wrapped Jewelry – Stuarts Draft
$248, TTWWJ.com
Husband and wife team Robert and Mary McIntire collaborated to create this unique jewelry set, with amazonite that Robert personally helped mine from the historic Morefield Mine in Amelia. Lapidary artisan Mary cuts and polishes each piece, and Robert carefully wraps them in wire to complete the design. Each piece is truly one-of-a-kind and thoroughly Virginian, crafted from ore to earring.
Luxury Lace Swim cover-up
Tracy Marcus – Richmond
$375, TracyMarcus.com
Designer Tracy Marcus seeks to embody effortless beach beauty in her designs. Soft white, dress-style, lace cover-ups were her answer to elevating seaside glam. The cotton blend lends a slight elasticity for a one-size-fits-all shape. Suitable for a beach trip to the Virginia coastline, or even Miami or the Hamptons, Bien calls them “absolutely lovely.”
Pamper Yourself Gift Box
Lavender Fields at Tantivy Farm – Fairfield
$75, TantivyFarm.com
Though she typically avoids gift boxes, usually only loving one or two of the inclusions, this selection of lavender-scented and -infused products converted Bien. “Every item in this Pamper Yourself box is one I’ll use to the last drop—and will probably buy again,” she says. The box includes a lotion bar, candle, pillowcase insert, roller perfume, scent spray, essential oil, and whipped soap.
Vanilla Body Butter
Like Buttah – Newport News
$18, LikeButtah.com
Owner Ebony Mitchell was unsatisfied with the unscented skin products marketed to her when she struggled with eczema. She created a scented, gentle cream for sensitive skin to moisturize and nurture while still smelling sweet. The thick body butter “has superior moisturizing power and the vanilla is more subtle than strong, which makes it even more appealing,” Bien says.
Learn more about the Made in Virginia Awards 2024 here.
This article originally appeared in our December 2024 issue.
