We are a used bookstore and gift shop located in Leakesville, MS, Specializing in handcrafted and repurposed gifts and decor. We've always been a crafty bunch, creating new handmade things whenever we could, it's been a tradition from way back in our family to create...sewing, painting, jewelry making, candle pouring, drawing, clay works, you name it, we've tried it! What really started us off was our littlest Miss Muddy Puddle, who would always seem to end up in our lake in her pretty white clothes! When we moved to Mississippi in 2016 we never would've dreamed she would literally be raised in the Mississippi Mud. Well, Mississippi mud & clay doesn't wash out very easy, let me tell you! At first, we were trying to find ways to remove it, but, in the end, we realized how much we loved the beautiful natural color, and began researching how to make it stay. In 2020 we (like everyone else) had time to research and develop our technique. After (a lot of) trial and error and research we got it figured out! Now each of our t-shirts are dyed in the Mississippi Mud, and no two are alike! It all comes down to Mud. Ours is an all natural process! We looked into multiple methods from all over the world, from Asian & African cultures, to the more local Native American Tribes. They all have different ways to dye their beautiful textiles, but really, it all comes down to Mud. We use mud and clay from our very own backyard here in Greene County, MS. With it's beautiful variations in color, from deep reds to creamy yellows, this natural mineral owes its colors to a high concentration of iron oxide. It's still fascinating to us today how each shirt can come out unique based on small differences, such as rainfall, water levels, and even the season, can effect the colors! We like using a tie dye effect on our shirts, to get a more variations in the colors. No chemicals or artificial additives are added to our mud dye. We use an all natural mordant process to make sure the colors stay beautiful for a long time. While some fading is to be expected, it always stays a beautiful natural color. 100% cotton shirts are a must for us! After all, where would we be in south Mississippi, if not for cotton? Today you can find us at 460 McInnis Ave in Leakesville, MS, where we sell our mud shirts, as well as custom distressed flannels, handmade jewelry, hand-poured candles, repurposed homegoods and used books! (And my daughter still likes to jump in the lake in her pretty clothes!)
