Beers, Bites and Beautiful Art: Coastal Crafters of Alabama’s Beaches
Whether its bushwacker-infused cakes and beachy brews or watercolor prints of the coastline, our eclectic culture has been inspiring local artists and other makers in the destination for decades.
Check out our Coastal Crafters, explore our culture and pick up a memento of your trip.
Bites & Brews
Big Beach Brewing Company
Since it's establishment just a few years ago, Big Beach has quickly become a favorite watering hole for both locals and visitors. The 10-barrel brew house is located in the heart of Gulf Shores and serves up to 12 beers on tap at a time, all of which are made in-house.
Chocolate Corner
Specializing in real butter fudge, homemade chocolates, gourmet truffles and other decadent delights, Chocolate Corner is a fantastic place to snag some locally-made gifts to bring home to your friends and family. All of their sweet treats are made daily with recipes that have been passed down through multiple generations.
Rum Sisters
Have you heard the buzz about this bakery? Rum Sisters specializes in alcohol-infused cakes that are rich yet light and incorporate coastal flavors in every bite. Stop by their shop, grab a cup of coffee and spend a few hours taste testing all of their unique booze-filled concoctions.
Southern Shores Coffee
Finding the perfect local coffee shop is on the itinerary for many folks when they’re on vacation, but it’s very rare to find a spot that roasts their own beans in-house. Southern Shores is an artisan coffee roaster that specializes in flavored coffee; the bushwacker flavor being their most famous.
Fine Arts
Gulf Coast Arts Alliance (GCAA)
The GCAA Gallery is a one-stop-shop for art crafted by local and regional artists. Whether you’re looking for pottery, jewelry, photography or watercolor prints, there is plenty of Coastal Alabama art for sale at any given time.
Pottery Central
Steve Dark has been honing his craft as a potter and ceramist for more than 30 years. He is most known for his funky, off-the-wall pieces that span from “potheads” to coffee mugs. Dark usually produces six to eight pieces per series making each item you purchase at Pottery Central one-of-a-kind.
Sea Oat Studio
Another popular place to find some coastal crafted pottery is Sea Oat Studio. Located in Gulf Shores this gallery features creations by nationally-recognized master potters who specialize in wood-fired and electric-fired stoneware pottery and sculptures.
The Clay Studio
Located at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach is resident ceramics artist Maya Blume-Cantrell and The Clay Studio. Try your hand at throwing on the wheel, glazing or doing a pick-n-paint to make your piece. You can also stop by the arts center gallery to purchase pottery and other works of art by local crafters.
The Hot Shop
Also at the Coastal Arts Center, The Hot Shop is Alabama’s premier hot glass blowing facility. Stop by the open-air facility Monday through Friday to watch the artists and purchase a piece or book a class and make your own glass!
Other Speciality Items
Blue Girl Beading
If you’re all about the bling, then Blue Girl Beading is the place for you! Owner and jewelry crafter Tara Gifford offers scheduled and customizable classes ranging from wire wrapping to beading and stitching. The store also has one-a-kind pieces, beads and other jewelry-making supplies.
Clara’s Loom and Coastal Textile Center
Textile lovers look no further than Clara’s Loom. In the learning center owner and artist Celia Dionne offers a variety of classes and a fee-based studio for experienced artists. In her retail store she sells yarns, fibers, travel looms and some of her own hand-made creations.
Harmony Creek
Treat yourself to a little bit of luxury at Harmony Creek, located at SanRoc Cay. Their natural bath and body products include olive oil-based soaps, sunburn soothers, lip balms, bath bombs and more. You can even book a class for your group of friends to create your own products. Talk about a perfect girls’ outing!
Tino’s Fine Arts and Frames
Our final coastal crafter on this list does it all At Tino’s you’ll find his original artwork, limited edition prints, pottery, stained glass and more local art than you could ever imagine.
