Gift Guide 2016: Local Makers

Whether you are short on time or your creative juices just aren’t flowing fast enough to DIY-all-the-gifts, this list is for you!

With the holidays fast approaching, I knew I wanted to share some gift ideas from handmade businesses I have discovered and love supporting. When my friend Shanika came to me with the idea I was all.in.! Shanika shares my passion for supporting fellow mover, makers, and shakers – she and I run Cola Indie Makers together. Keep an eye on her blog for more holiday gift ideas featuring handmade shops she loves!

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As you may know by now, I feel very strongly about supporting local businesses {specifically handmade businesses} as often as possible. I could go on and on about this for days, but this quote really sums up what I’m getting at…

When at all possible, buy local / buy handmade / buy from a friend …

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In the spirit of staying organized {and hopefully saving you time if you reference this later}, I’ve split the list up by group and highlighted gifts for certain people on your list. I hope it helps!

Less of a disclaimer and more of a point of clarity: I have not been provided anything in exchange for featuring the shops below and I do not receive anything if you purchase the item(s) using the link(s) provided. Unless otherwise noted, all of the shops mentioned were discovered at local craft fairs or events (in the Southeast U.S.). Some I have purchased from and others I simply lusted after. I have seen and felt the quality of the goods in person and recommend them with confidence. 

Happy handmade shopping!

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For the GENTLEMEN on your list

1. For the man who needs a leather belt in his grown-up wardrobe | buy it

In addition to the fact that this belt will surely last forever, you can add a personalized message to remind your main man how much he means to you.

2. For the man who needs decor in his Man Cave | buy it

If your guy is more into camping, this print would be perfect.

Just head over to your local thrift store to look for a rustic wood frame.

3. For the man who likes a little heat on his meat | buy it

I bought some of this hot sauce for my Hubs at Made South and he was a big fan!

“It is the only hot sauce born in southern bourbon barrels and cold-pressed to retain subtle and firm flavors.” – source.

4. For the man who likes to travel [or get ready at the gym] | buy it

This Dopp kit is made from repurposed Pendleton wool (so cool!).

You can hear more about our discovery of Sans Map in this post – my sister loved my Sans Map bag so much she ordered her own.

5. For your grandpa who may use this mug for whiskey rather than coffee | buy it

Grandpas sure are hard to buy for. Thrifted Sisters just made your life oh-so-easy by making this vintage “Grandfather” mug available just in time for the holidays.

Pro tip: Follow Thrifted Sisters on Instagram for hot-off-the-thrift-store-floor items. They find the coolest stuff.

6. For Mr. Money Bags himself | buy it

Get him a personalized money clip from Miss Ashley Jewelry.

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For the LADIES on your list

1. For your perfectly Southern Grandma | buy it

Grandmas are so hard to buy for – they have everything! Just pick up a lovely frame for the print and you’ll be all set.

2. To help your Grandma keep her purse trinkets organized | buy it

Fun fact: Her gift card holders perfectly fit 3 essential oil rollers or 2 essential oil bottles {see proof in this post}

Disclaimer: I did not discover Trish Stitched at a local market. However, I have been following her blog for quite a while and won a giveaway where I received 2 pouches she made – you can read more about those in this post. The quality is great – Trish is very talented!

3. For the gal who loves nothing more than breathing the mountain air | buy it

Remind her of her favorite vacation spot with this lovely necklace from January Jewelry.

4. For the free spirited, stylish gal on your list | buy it

The colors in this vest make my eyes melt into hearts! Shanika [of Sebastian Harper] uses all natural dyes – like indigo and madder root for this one – to make her knit and sewn goodies even more one-of-a-kind.

I mean…look how chic the vest looks in use!

PS: I have knit ear warmers from Shanika that I purchased a few years ago and wore all over England when we visited in December 2014 {documented here, here & here} which is proof 1) it was so warm and cozy and 2) well-made [after all the travel, the head band is still in perfect condition!].

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For the LITTLE ONES on your list

1. Because a bonnet with ears is a necessity | buy it

…and why not get a matching bib while you’re at it? You can mix-and-match/choose your own pair here.

2. Because babies can’t decorate their own rooms | buy it

The best part about these safari prints is that you can print them yourself! So no one has to know that you forgot to buy the baby something 😉

I have 2 prints from Little Red Flag in my living room: a gold foil print of South Carolina (my home state) and one of Georgia (the Hubs’ home state).

3. Because some people only have FURRY little ones | buy it

Don’t forget to treat your fur babies too! Sup-Dog makes the best collars. It’s all my three pups wear (mostly because they don’t have a choice, but even if they did I’m sure they’d choose Sup-Dog collars!).

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For EVERYONE ELSE on your list

1. For your Friends who just bought their first house | buy it

A pair of these custom key fobs from Maycomb Mercantile with “HOME” stamped on them would be perfect.

2. For your Friend who loves to Travel | buy it

Get a tag he/she will love and truly appreciate in those moments of frantically searching the conveyor belt for a sign that this generic red bag is theirs {Been there. Literally. In London. Thankfully we found a lacrosse ball in the bag verifying our possession. #awkward}.

3. For your Friend who loves Essential Oils | buy it

This essential oils case from Cotton and Cursive is perfect for travel or carrying essentials oils on-the-go.

4. For the hostess with the mostest

The Hippy Do-Da Creations shop on Etsy is closed until December 4th for local shows, but you can follow along on Instagram and Facebook until then.

I have a really fun stamped bracelet from Chris that says: “wake up. kick ass. sleep. repeat.” – I love it!

5. For your friend with sensitive skin | buy it

Carolina Soap Works sells Authentic African Black Soap which is supposed to be amazing for sensitive skin. Shanika is a big fan of it. I also have a friend who bought it for her sister who has rosacea.

CSW also carries a wide variety of Goats Milk Soap which I love. My favorite scent: Rosemary Mint.

You can also find Carolina Soap Works on Amazon (and use your Prime account for 2-day shipping)!

6. For your friend who truly believes breakfast is the most important meal of the day | buy it

These egg cookers from Kyle Smith Pottery are supposed to be all the rage. You can cook the perfect omelet in 1 minute – count me in!

I have several pieces from Kyle and love to gift them – they make great housewarming gifts. He also made my friend Caroline’s set of dishes for “everyday wear” for her wedding (see one of the bowls in this post).

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More gift ideas

Here are a few recaps from markets I’ve attended that are packed full of handmade gift ideas and shops I discovered while there…

• Made South (June 2016)
• Vintage Charlotte (Nov. 2014)

If you’re planning to DIY some holiday gifts, check out my Handmade Holiday Gift Ideas post from last year and my 2014 Handmade for the Holidays Blog Hop – find links to all of the blog posts from the 2014 “hop” in my recap here.

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So remember this as you are shopping this holiday season…

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I hope this list has inspired you! I would love love love to hear who your favorite handmade shops are! Leave a link to their shop in the comments below – I love discovering new artists and shops to support.

Happy holidays ❤