Thanks for your interest in submitting your locally made (with love) product to the 2023 Made in NC Awards! 

To start your application process, click on the category of your choice below and create a Submittable user profile. This profile will allow you to draft, save, and edit your submission. 

Contest dates:

Submission period: June 1 - July 20

Judging period: July 21 - September 19

Winners announcement: September 20

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This category includes decorative artisan items that aesthetically enhance our everyday life, from bespoke stationery to hand-poured candles to decorative glass and pottery to visual art like wall prints, and much more.

Entries may include:

  • Paper
  • Decorative pottery
  • Decorative glass
  • Artisan textiles
  • Fine basketry
  • Woodwork
  • Metalwork
  • Instruments
  • Candles
  • Artisan soap
  • Body products
  • Other decorative items


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Think freshly roasted coffee beans, sparkling cider, blackberry mint syrup, and aromatic bitters made with locally sourced botanicals. Wine, beer, juices, spirits, cocktail mixes, sodas, craft cocktail ingredients, and anything else we can sip are welcome.

Entries may include:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Soda
  • Juice
  • Tonics
  • Wine
  • Beer
  • Spirits
  • Cocktail mixers
  • Bitters


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Do people tell you they can’t live without your barbecue sauce? Is your caramel cake a local legend? We want to try it! From pies and cakes to cheese straws and chocolate bon bons, spicy mustard and strawberry pepper jelly to fresh baked bread and country ham, this category covers all food items — canned or jarred, sweet or savory, baked or fried.


Entries may include:

  • Sweet (candies, desserts, baked goods, etc.)
  • Savory (crackers, breads, meats, cheeses, etc.)
  • Sauces, spreads, and condiments


Note: We cannot accept raw foods (fruits, vegetables, etc.)

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Perhaps you build incredible rocking chairs or whittle beautiful serving utensils from reclaimed wood or create delicate porcelain tea pots. This category is for products that serve a purpose inside — and outside — your home, from floor lamps, rugs, cozy woven blankets, and coffee tables to chef’s knives, cocktail smokers, stir-fry pans, and functional dishware to fire pits, Adirondack chairs, and bird baths.

Entries may include:

  • Furniture
  • Rugs and floor coverings
  • Lighting
  • Home decor
  • Functional dishware and serveware
  • Kitchen tools and utensils
  • Cleaning and laundry products
  • Toys and games
  • Hobby and recreation
  • Tools for home or garden


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This category is for all you makers, artisans, and designers who know more than a thing or two about the ever-evolving world of fashion. Whether you produce garments made from local cotton, create unique jewelry, or are an expert in leather goods such as wallets and bags, your work belongs here.

Entries may include:

  • Jewelry
  • Apparel
  • Outerwear
  • Accessories
Made in NC Awards