S
teven Shelton designs wine bottle stoppers.
Why?
“Because it’s creative and fun,” he says. “Stoppers really dress up wine bottles.”
Shelton, owner of Moss & Stone in Pike Creek, is a graphic designer by trade, but he dabbles in all sorts of woodwork. His bottle stoppers are gaining attention. He’ll design anything a customer wants.
The stoppers can be utilitarian or flashy—sometimes both. Simpler pieces employ silicone to make them perfectly functional. “You can lay bottles on their sides in the fridge with these stoppers and the bottles will not leak,” he says.
Fancier versions can be embedded with Swarovski crystals. They may be made of wood and metal. Because he prefers natural, clear finishes, Shelton’s wood stoppers are never stained. Some creations are whimsical. Some are regal.
To create a palm tree design, for example, Shelton used feathers from ostrich tails for the leaves and walnut for the stem. Whatever the material, “the stoppers stand out on any table,” he says.
Throwing a party? “Go for the decorative stoppers,” Shelton says. “Not all of those are as functional as the silicone-based pieces, but some are. It depends on the bottle.”
Customers also ask Shelton to engrave personal messages for special occasions. “Just tell me the person’s name and the event,” he says. “I can pick the wood or you can.”
Shelton knows his stuff, so rather than giving him a fully formed concept, go with the flow. He’ll combine elements in ways you never thought possible. As he says, “I’m not afraid to experiment.”
Contact Shelton at mossandstone.com or call 999-7137.
