The Story Behind the Craft
HI, I am Toryn, I’m a craftsperson based in Western North Carolina. I create hand-built wooden art objects to elevate daily rituals, like tea, cooking, or organizing, into meaningful moments. I also make custom mid century modern inspired fine furniture Each piece is carefully crafted, using sustainable local hardwoods and ethically sourced international decorative woods, highlighting both the wood’s innate beauty and my reverence for the natural world
My work celebrates liminality—the space between what was and what’s yet to be. I feel this threshold in my life and craft. Returning to Appalachia after a 20-year career in social work allowed me to connect with my creativity and ancestral gifts. The mountains that surround me, steeped in magic, spark my imagination and connection to spirit.
Inspired by the organic shapes of the natural world and the mystical elements, I craft each piece to honor the beauty of transformation. Whether it’s custom fine furniture or an object from my home goods collection, every piece is meant to bridge the practical with the sacred.
About the Appalachian Creatives Collective
Etsy and Nest are proud to support the Appalachian Creatives Collective, the latest group in the Etsy Uplift Makers Program, featuring shops run by makers and artisans from Appalachia who create unique pieces rooted in their craft heritage and inspired by the region.
Appalachia, a culturally rich region stretching through Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky, is known for its rugged mountains and the deeply rooted communities dotted among them. The remoteness of many of these communities has enabled them to preserve their unique, creative traditions, including music, storytelling, and craftsmanship. For generations, communities have honed practical crafts–like woodworking, broommaking, and ceramics–refining the artistry of creating objects that are both functional and beautiful.
Through Uplift Makers: Appalachian Creatives Collective, Etsy and Nest are working to open doors to ecommerce and create economic opportunities for Appalachian makers and artisans, while providing them with resources and tools to help them run a successful online business. The program offers comprehensive training to participants, such as expert-led digital marketing, shipping training, onboarding support, and a personalized resource library. Additionally, the program addresses key barriers faced by new business owners, including providing professional photography to develop creative content through which these makers can showcase their talent and reach new customers in the digital age