First it was food for fuel, now it’s food for jewelry.

It might not look like it, but this American flag pin is actually made out of grits. For those of you less enlightened Northerners who may not know what grits is – according to Wikipedia – “Grits is a Native American corn-based food common in the Southern United States, consisting of coarsely ground corn.” That I knew. What I didn’t know is that – “three-quarters of grits sold in the United States are sold in the “grits belt” stretching from Texas to North Carolina. The state of Georgia declared grits its official prepared food in 2002.” There is actually a “grits belt” – the things you can learn from Wikipedia!

Anyway – this here is the “Grit Lady” – aka Carol Kautz of Lilburn, Georgia. She is the creator of the above American flag pin made of grits and many other grits-inspired decorative items – from fruits and vegetables to snowmen and hot air balloons, crosses and Easter eggs. She makes them as earrings, pins, magnets and ornaments.

All of her pieces are handmade and treated to protect them from insects and deterioration. “No two pieces are exactly alike as some dry flat while others curl somewhat when they dry,” she says. She has even sent some of her creations to government officials and celebrities.

She sells items in bulk – minimum of 12 pieces per order – and there are a number of specialty stores in Georgia that sell her grit creations. Find out more at gritlady.com.