When a sales representative walked into Sassafras to introduce Annieglass to the owner, it was love at first sight.

“I immediately bought pieces for the store,” Nancy Bullard, owner of Sassafras, said.

Now, more than 20 years later, Bullard is still carrying handcrafted pieces by Smithsonian artist Annie Morhauser.

“Annieglass is one of the bestselling pieces in our store,” Bullard said, and on Wednesday, Oct. 2 Morhauser, along with her daughter Ava, will make their way to Vicksburg as part of a month-long visit to the state to celebrate Women in Business Month.

October will also mark the 30^th anniversary for Sassafras. To celebrate the anniversary, Bullard is hosting a free event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in conjunction with Morhauser’s visit.

A light lunch will be offered at 12:15 p.m. while Morhauser shares her story of how she began her business.

The October visit is Morhauser’s third trip to Sassafras, which is located at 1406 Washington St.

“She loves to come to the south,” Bullard said. “People here love her visits because they love to see the artist who designed the pieces they have enjoyed owning, using and giving as gifts.”

Annieglass is handcrafted glassware and select collections are hand-painted with 24k gold and genuine platinum.

It has become a favorite for brides when they register, Bullard said adding, “With the element of glass it has taken the place of some crystal and with the precious metal, it has taken the place of some silver.”

“Annieglass is timeless,” she said

Anniglass, Bullard described, is where art meets function, making it not only popular with brides, but with anyone who enjoys beautiful glassware.

“It sets a beautiful formal table, but we will mix it with pottery in a heartbeat,” she said.

Morhauser introduced her dinnerware in 1983 at a trade show where it was well-received.

The California resident now produces more than 60,000 pieces of Annieglass annually with pieces being sold at luxury and boutique retailers, and it is used in leading hotels including the Ritz Carlton and the Waldorf Astoria.

Two of Morhauser’s pieces from the Annieglass Shell Series were chosen as part of the permanent collection Luce Foundation Collection of American Craft at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D. C., which opened in 2006.

Bullard said, in an effort to stay current, twice a year Morhauser introduces new collections, and during the Oct. 2 event, she will be introducing her Fall Annieglass collection.

Sassafras will also be offering complimentary engraving to anyone who purchases a piece of Annieglass through Oct.2.

A raffle will also be held during the event and a free gift will be given to anyone who spends $200 or more on Annieglass, Bullard said.

For more information, call 601-638-3744 or visit sassafrasonline.com.

And for anyone who would like to learn more about Annieglass, visit annieglass.com/pages/our-story.