We sat down with Susan Fox, the founder of Steele Caramels, whose delectable confections—born from a cherished family recipe—are a unique feature in the Craft Alliance Shop. We discussed the art of the handmade, the joy of local partnerships, and why a caramel is a perfect piece of edible craft.
Q: Your business is built on a strong family foundation. Can you tell us about the origin of the recipe?
“My grandmother, Martha Lula Steel Wells, is the one who came up with the original steel caramels recipe. She made it out of her kitchen in Decatur, Georgia and gave it to all the local children in the neighborhood. My sister and I one Christmas, we couldn’t figure out what to get our father, so we thought let’s make caramel. We got the original recipe, which is pecan, and then I started to go a little free range and added flavors like sea salt, coconut, cinnamon, coffee, pistachio, maple syrup, apple cider, peppermint, coffee and of unique flavors that still hold true to my grandmother’s recipe but then added a little bit of unique flavor.”
Q: Steele Caramels are featured in the Craft Alliance Shop. How do you see your artisan food fitting into a space dedicated to contemporary craft?
“With Craft Alliance’s focus on the integrity of a handmade object, I think Steele Caramels is a wonderful and very unique fit, in that all of the caramels are handcrafted. There’s something wonderful about making things with your hands. It’s an exploratory, creative process, much like making any piece of art. We see the atmosphere, spirit, and integrity of Craft Alliance as being a wonderful partner. In this age of mass production, we focus on something unique, something individual, and something that brings you joy.”