Huntsville makes rockets. Huntsville makes cars. And Huntsville also makes rum and candles and soap and candy.
In short, this area is the home of makers, artists, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs.
For your shopping and crafting pleasure, here’s a short list of our skilled artisans and where they can be found.
Simply put, Terry Hale melts glass.
Watching her at work is mesmerizing as she takes colored rods of fragile glass and uses a flame to melt and form them into wearable and functional objects.
Terry’s work is inspired by nature’s craftsmanship, including leaves, acorns, pumpkins, and wildlife. Her beads are created in a special kiln to slowly and evenly cool hot glass or metal, and her metalwork is soldered well and wire-wrapped securely.
Terry’s studio is located in Lowe Mill.
Guajana Rum (Guajana does personalized glasses, coasters, and more)
Guajana Distillery brings the taste of Puerto Rico to the area.
The family-owned distillery on Madison Boulevard has been crafting spirits since 2018 by blending traditional recipes with modern techniques to create handcrafted rum and vodka of unparalleled quality.
For an up-close and personal experience, Guajana offers tours, sampling events, and space for private parties.
Fittingly, Embrace Candles is a romantic adventure between Gabe and Sara Ledesmas.
And the couple has a singular mission: To create products that empower your ability to change the feeling of a room.
In the shop in Lowe Mill, customers can embrace radiant scents, elegant designs, and the artistry of a handmade product.
For those who want to try their hand at creating something unique, there are Make-Your-Own Candle Workshops.
This family-run leather business features handcrafted leather goods, personalized gifts, and custom candles at the Holtz Candle Bar.
The handmade items include purses and belts, as well as bags of all shapes and sizes. There are even golf accessories, from bags to tees.
Customers can check out the collection of full-grain leather pillows, which are designed to cozy up any space in your home or office, or even home office.
And, if that isn’t enough, Holtz Leather can have you over a barrel. Their Millworks Collection repurposes Tennessee whiskey barrels into some of their most popular pieces, from signs to hand-turned .30 caliber whiskey barrel pens.
Their stores are at 1214 Meridian Street in Huntsville and 4155 Sullivan Street in Madison.
Coffee, self-care, cute little treats… all in one stop.
At 101 Clinton Avenue in the heart of downtown Huntsville, Mojana Soaps brings a touch of sweetness and fun to your bath and body care routine with their handmade, bakery-inspired creations.
The business, though, is more than creating cute and delightful products - it's a personal one that began with Jel Mojana’s years-long struggle against eczema.
Frustrated by the lack of gentle, effective, and safe options to provide relief on the market, Jel took matters into her own hands.
Every product is handcrafted in small batches, ensuring the highest quality and attention to detail. From the whimsical designs to the mouth-watering scents, each item is a testament to the belief that skincare should be effective and enjoyable.
This isn’t your typical hardware store because, for one, Harrison Brothers doesn’t really sell hardware, per se.
Founded in 1897 on the Courthouse Square in Huntsville, Harrison Brothers features items from local artists, artisans, and, of course, makers.
While strolling on the original floors, customers can find art, jewelry, pottery, gourmet food and soap, books, housewares and toys on original counters and shelves. Shoppers can purchase the items that are rung up on a 1907 National Cash Register.
Owned and operated by the Historic Huntsville Foundation, Harrison Brothers is listed on the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network by the National Parks Service.
Lowe Mill isn’t the only repurposed building in Huntsville to be a home for makers.
Stovehouse on Governors Drive, which was a stove-making factory about 100 years ago, has several makers as its tenants.
Though not a maker, Southern Kitchen and Home is a specialty food, kitchen, and home store where locally made products can be found.
The shelves of this woman-owned business are filled with a small batch of kitchen and household items, including hand-picked specialty foods from local bakers and farmers, and handcrafted home decor from regional makers.
A locally owned company that sells distinctive goods crafted in Alabama, the store carries products that reflect the state’s warm character and creative spirit.
When buying from Alabama Goods, you are supporting local artisans, craftsmen, and food makers.
At Alabama Goods, 100% of its products are from Alabama; 92% of the makers do not sell through big box/major online sites; and 81% of the makers represent women-owned or businesses owned by individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Alabama Goods can be found at Valley Bend at Jones Farm.
Founded in 2009, Straight to Ale evolved from a dream to a brewery.
As the anchor for the Campus 805, a repurposed Huntsville City middle school, Straight to Ale expanded its production and opportunities in 2016 when the state allowed direct-to-consumer to-go sales from taprooms.
Customers can enjoy the locally made beverages in the taproom or out on the back porch.
Straight to Ale set the standard for other local microbreweries with crafted beer and cider in a space designed for creativity, connection, and growth.
In a sweet location at Campus 805, Pizzelle’s Confections creates “edible art” with touches of pop culture and its own brand of quirkiness.
Just like a potter uses clay, chocolate is Pizzelle’s artistic medium sculpted by a team of highly trained chocolatiers, pastry chefs, and pastry cooks.
Pizzelle’s also offers kitchen tours that include demos, a small tasting, and some hands-on activities for those who are feeling adventurous.
This is just a short list of all the locally made products available in Madison County. So, make time to check out and support the shops and businesses; they will make it worth your while.
