Shopping in Berea

"I am obsessed with glass," Liz Daly-Korybski states matter-of-factly, explaining the reason behind opening her titular studio. The celebrated designer whips up inimitable pieces using techniques such as fusion and slumping, painstakingly layering raw pieces before cutting, firing, polishing, and sculpting the creations into jewelry. Inspired by colors and endless creative possibilities, she currently designs 73 product lines in the form of vintage headbands and watches, bracelets, and sushi plates.

Master jewelers Margaret and Robin Newton of Diamonds Choice have adorned extremities with precious metal flourishes to fit every budget for nearly 15 years. The tasteful team specializes in bridal jewelry, one-of-a-kind pieces, and custom designs and performs in-house repairs and restoration to re-set jostled jewels and disenchant mummy-cursed rings. A rotating stock of consignment and estate jewelry presents an opportunity to find irreplaceable accouterments.:

Named the best toy store in Western North Carolina by Mountain Xpress for five years running, Dancing Bear Toys overflows its two locations in Asheville and Hendersonville with an ever-evolving stock of high-quality playthings from top designers. Co-owners since the first store’s opening in 1993 and sisters since well before, partners Erika and Sarah routinely travel to the New York City International Toy Fair to scope out the latest and most exciting boons to kids’ imaginations, from wooden trains to broccoli-eating robots. Within the shops’ colorful walls, giant stuffed animals from Melissa and Doug smile down on Playmobil action figures, educational kits and puzzles, and a variety of children’s books, movies, and games.

The Junior League of Greenville, a women’s organization aimed at empowering communities and promoting voluntarism, has been the driving force behind Nearly New Shop for 60 years. Volunteer staff members carefully sift through donations and select the most upscale of gently used items before gussying up racks with the chosen cardigans, shoes, and powdered wigs. In turn, their work earns funds for Junior League of Greenville’s slew of community projects, which range from youth nutrition programs to volunteer service days.