It’s not everyday that you discover a jewelry line made primarily from sustainable wood scraps from regional artisans. In fact, it’s not everyday that you find jewelry made from wood to begin with. That is precisely why Carolyn Burgess Sellers started her Acorn + Archer line back in 2011. Wanting to wear—and give as gifts—pieces made from wood, Sellers began the task of learning the craft.
Once Sellers came up with the idea for Acorn + Archer, she dove right in. She loved the fact that every piece of jewelry made from wood has its own unique look, due to the grain patterns. So, after only a week of borrowing her father’s tools, she set out to buy her own saws and a drill press. While Sellers generally works alone, she does task her husband with quality control, so that every piece sold is a perfectly well made product.
As a designer, Sellers obviously makes sure she loves every piece before readying it for production, but she is especially fond of the Gilded pieces from her collection. The Gilded jewelry has a beautiful combination of shimmery gold with the classic rustic wood grain.
Sellers, like many other local artisans, grew up near the Nashville area. Currently, she lives with her husband in East Nashville. As far as the neighborhood goes, Sellers says, “I love how so many independent artists live on this side of the river…there is a vibe of everyone trying to make it their own way and pouring themselves into it.”
On any given day you can find Sellers at her favorite coffee shop, Ugly Mugs, or eating at the often-raved-about City House. As for her Acorn + Archer jewelry, look on the website to see the full collection, or check out Nashville’s mobile retailer, The Trunk. And keep your eyes peeled—Acorn + Archer will soon be expanding the collection into pieces with stoneware clay!
Photos by Josh Anderson.