Inspiration comes in all forms, but for Sweet Charleston Designs jewelry designers Angie Buxton and Janie Manning, it was a simple basket.
The sweet grass baskets made in South Carolina’s Lowcountry fascinated Buxton and Manning several years ago, and as they learned more about the intricate craftsmanship that goes into each piece, they became passionate about raising awareness for the dying art. Jewelry
Buxton had always had a knack for design and creating beautiful things, and had the idea one day to use sweet grass weaving technique to make a bracelet out of her children’s air-dry clay. The concept worked in clay, and she and Manning took the prototype to a silversmith in the Raleigh, N.C., area, who agreed to give it a try.The two women spent three years researching the jewelry market and talking to people in the industry before launching their first collection in 2009.
Both Manning and Buxton have ties to the Augusta area. Buxton was born and raised in Augusta. Manning and her family lived in Augusta for years and still keep a home in the area. Their Savannah River collection was inspired by the Augusta region, using pearls grown with mussel shells originating from the banks of the Savannah River.
