JACKSONVILLE — An Eastern North Carolina business created by a pair of Kinston natives that gives oyster shucking style has been chosen to take part in an online contest recognizing handmade products and celebrating craftsmanship.
Carolina Shuckers has been selected as a nominee in the 2013 Martha Stewart American Made contest now under way at marthastewart.com/americanmade.
For business partners Kirk Davis of Morehead City and Mike Waller of Hillsborough, friends who grew up in Kinston, the contest is an opportunity to keep the momentum of their business going.
“This is a great opportunity to get the word out. We just want to let people know we’re here. We’re a small business and want people to know all about us,” said Davis.
Davis and Waller are professional artists with their own respective art studios. Together they have created Carolina Shuckers, sculpting custom oyster shuckers from railroad ties and other materials.
It developed from their own love of oyster roasts and has grown from selling at trade shows to sales online and through catalog and retail locations.
“We’re getting so much great feedback,” Davis said.
A few votes online would be nice too.
Until Friday, people can vote for the favorite makers among all the nominees. The six nominees with the most votes in each category — food, craft, design, style, gardening and technology — receive an American Made gift basket and will be featured on the American Made site and on Sirius Radio. Carolina Shuckers is under the design category for the Audience Choice Awards.
From the group of finalists, another round of online voting will determine the grand prize winner, who receives $10,000 to further their business plus a trip for two to New York City for the American Made workshop. Grand prize voting takes place Sept. 17-23.
Vote up to six times per day. Every time you vote, you are registered into a sweepstakes drawing for prizes from Martha Stewart and sponsors.
To vote, go to marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/82160. For more information about the business, go to carolinashuckers.com.
Jannette Pippin writes for the Jacksonville Daily News.