Holiday Lookbook 2014
Handmade gift giving made easy
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PROMOTION
GIVE THE GIFT AS UNIQUE AS THOSE ON YOUR LIST It’s easy to share your love of one-of-a-kind craft with the people you care about. Give an American Craft Council gift membership, which includes a year-long subscription to American Craft magazine and free entrance to all four ACC craft shows. It’s a gift that keeps on giving! First gift membership
$30
Give a second membership for just
$25
Order online at craftcouncil.org/special or call (888) 313-5527
holiday lookbook 2014 contr ibutors Monica Moses Editor in Chief American Craft magazine mmoses@craftcouncil.org Julie K. Hanus Senior Editor American Craft magazine jhanus@craftcouncil.org Rachel Kirchgasler Education Coordinator American Craft Council rkirchgasler@craftcouncil.org Alanna Nissen Office Coordinator American Craft Council anissen@craftcouncil.org Christian Novak Membership Manager American Craft Council cnovak@craftcouncil.org Kristen Powell Designer American Craft Council kpowell@craftcouncil.org Perry A. Price Education Director American Craft Council pprice@craftcouncil.org
Courtesy of Rebekah Lee
Elizabeth Ryan Interactive Editor American Craft magazine eryan@craftcouncil.org Dakota Sexton Assistant Editor American Craft magazine dsexton@craftcouncil.org
Gifts for a Purpose the best gifts have a job to do and do it well. I remember an unusual gift my friend Leslie gave me once: It was a bundle of tall reeds in my favorite shade of red. I stood them up in the corner of my living room, where, to my mind, they added a crucial bit of visual interest. Leslie knew I loved cherry red and knew I’d find a use for them. But sometimes one person’s use is another person’s mystery. Another friend, Kai, a practical thinker, took one look at my red reeds and asked, “What’s the purpose of those?”
“Their purpose is to add beauty,” I said, trying not to sound too smug. “No, really,” he said, “what will you do with them?” I didn’t know how to convince him I’d already put them to use. At the American Craft Council, we believe adding beauty is a perfectly reasonable role for a gift to play. You’ll find many items on the following pages that can add luster to a home, a wardrobe, a life. But we also love gifts that serve more clearly pragmatic functions. You’ll find a bunch of those among the four dozen gift ideas in
Jessica Shaykett Librarian American Craft Council jshaykett@craftcouncil.org
this holiday gift guide – bags and hats and mugs and even a bicycle. Whether you’re buying for a Leslie or a Kai, whether you’re aiming for the unexpected or the unexpectedly useful, we hope you’ll find some great ideas in this guide. Happy holidays.
Monica Moses Editor in Chief
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Emerging Objects If you’re looking to give a serious conversation piece to a jewelry aficionado, choose a 3D-printed ring by Emerging Objects, founded by Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello. From flowers to barnacles to snowballs and space-age designs, their accessories are printed in a variety of materials (gold, aluminum, cement, nylon, and resin, to name a few) that always bring the wow factor. emergingobjects.com
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Lilian Asterfield There seems to be no end to the unique accessories created by Lilian Asterfield’s Nicole Deponte, but this fall it’s all about the fringe. Her new tassel bangles are a fun, fresh addition, and come in three lengths from 3 to 6 inches, or in twotone varieties. Snag yourself one, or, better yet, stack up two or three different shades for a serious style splash. lilianasterfield.com
Kiriko Katsu Tanaka and Dawn Yanigahara honor the Japanese re-use tradition of boro (literally, “rags,” or “scraps of cloth”) by remixing vintage textiles into fashionable scarves and other wardrobe staples. Each scarf ships with a “scent stick” and an antique pin. kirikomade.com
Courtesy of Rebekah Lee
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BZR Tiffany Ju started cooking up her handdyed ombré tights in her kitchen in 2012. What started as an experiment quickly expanded into her successful BZR line of hosiery. Available in a wide range of colorways, from subtle neutrals to blazing neons, Ju’s tights will banish winter fashion blahs. bzrshop.etsy.com
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Gamma Folk Whether it’s on the streets or at a gallery, an eye-catching piece of jewelry can spark creative conversations. That’s why we love Gamma Folk’s wearable art pieces, constructed with rich hand-dyed yarn and earthenware clay. Lily Piyathaisere’s sculptural necklaces, with influences from folk mysticism to the Bauhaus, add charisma to any look. gammafolk.com
White Lodge Knitwear Brighten up the bleak mid winter with a White Lodge Knitwear hat. Hand-knit by textile designer Lauren Mayhew, these colorful toppers combine North Woods functionality with hip style. whitelodgeknitwear.com
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Courtesy of Uncommon Goods
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Aria Handmade It’s leather-soft and road-tough: It’s a foldover bag made of tire inner tubes. The inspiration of designer Nestor Pineda, the extra-deep bag can be handheld or worn over the shoulder. ariahandmade.com Nick Lundeen Handmade Goods With understated options, metalsmith Nick Lundeen makes covetable jewelry in silver and brass, often punctuated with stones or stamped patterns. It’s equally at home with fans of the American Southwest or Scandinavian modernism. nicklundeen.com
Scout & Catalogue Scout & Catalogue’s marbled leather clutches and accessories are on-trend yet timeless. Made from vegetable-tanned leather with hand-dyed accents, the Tonala clutch’s classic shape and sturdy materials will carry it well beyond the lifetime of passing fads. scoutandcatalogue.com
Hana Pesut
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Courtesy of Pigeon Toe Ceramics
Optimo Hats If you want a custom-made hat cool enough for the likes of Robert De Niro, Johnny Depp, and John Lee Hooker, meet Graham Thompson, hat maker and proprietor of Optimo Hats. Discover why hat culture, from fedoras to porkpies, still thrives on the South Side of Chicago. optimo.com
Pigeon Toe Ceramics Make a statement with the twined quill necklace, an artful piece of jewelry that’s like a miniature wall hanging, juxtaposing woven yarn with hand-formed porcelain beads, shaped to resemble porcupine quills. Each is made to order by the crew at Pigeon Toe, run by Lisa Jones. pigeontoeceramics.com
Mark Bolles
Michelle LaLonde Accessories The Quinn clutch by Michelle and Michael LaLonde gets its singular look from white lambskin, laser-cut with a crisp deco pattern, over stingray silk-screened gray lambskin. Both classic and fresh, it’s a perfect reflection of the design savvy and high standards the partners bring to their handbags – and a lovely choice for the most stylish person on your list. michellelalondeaccessories.com
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Courtesy of Caravan Pacific
Caravan Pacific Lighting takes center stage as winter shortens our days, so decorate with lamps that inspire. The Sullivan table lamp from Caravan Pacific is handcrafted by Shannon Guirl from matte stoneware and FSCcertified walnut in a polished midcentury shape. Topped off with a classic linen shade, the Sullivan brings modern elegance to your living space. caravan-pacific.com
Courtesy of the artist
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Courtesy of Uncommon Goods
Ricardo Saint-Clair Skip those bland Post-it Notes – here’s a vase with the power to communicate. Ricardo Saint-Clair’s Chalkboard vase has a slot for a piece of chalk; what you say with it is up to you. uncommongoods.com
Adam Gruetzmacher Looking for more out of that cup of coffee? Adam Gruetzmacher’s wares make that first sip an experience: The mug, which fits perfectly in the hands of the imbiber, is visually delicious. adamgruetzmacher.com
Courtesy of the artist
Ingrid Bathe Potter Ingrid Bathe’s pinched vessels of porcelain paper clay are luminescent and possess a delicate strength. They define the space around them and within them. Imagine black coffee inside the beautiful white form, or fruit in an oblong tray. Everything glows. ingridbathe.com
Tanya Aguiñiga
Tanya Aguiñiga A one-of-a-kind rope wall hanging from Tanya Aguiñiga combines industrial materials and colorful dyeing, a blend that’s typical of the diverse range of this charismatic maker. aguinigadesign.com
Docksmith Love your tech devices but crave a little nature in your environment? Lee Goodwin and his team gather natural driftwood slabs and outfit them to charge iPhones and iPods for people like you. etsy.com/shop/docksmith
Courtesy of Uncommon Goods
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Courtesy of Norquay Co.
Norquay These artisan canoe paddles are ready to impress any outdoor enthusiast. Each one is hand-painted by Natasha Wittke, yet remains rugged enough for regular use. Hang it on a wall or take it out for a spin. norquayco.com Woodsport It’s hard to imagine who wouldn’t enjoy Scott McGlasson’s handcrafted furniture. Merging the contemporary and the traditional, these Anny stools are available in a variety of finishes to suit your décor, and are comfortable and functional enough to add a seat to any room. woodsport.net
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A Little Weather What better way to cozy up at home than with a set of cotton/wool Over the Mountain pillows from A Little Weather? Jessica Green hand-weaves each of these down-filled pillows at her studio in the hills of Appalachia, and they’re the perfect cold-weather antidote for the urban homesteader in your life. alittleweather.com
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Mélissa Hévey Courtepointes Mélissa Hévey’s made-to-order baby quilts combine folksy designs with modern colors for an heirloom-quality gift that hipster parents will treasure. etsy.com/shop/MelissaHevey
The Rover Boutique Unmatched in style, the Rover Boutique’s preppy pet-wear is the perfect gift for your pampered pooch. Handmade by AnneMarie Minardi, options range from trenches and peacoats to gingham day dresses, plus adorable accessories like bowties and bandannas. theroverboutique.com
Courtesy of the Rover Boutique
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B.Fiess When he’s not exploring the mystical world of ceramic chemistry, Ben Fiess is crafting playfully hued and textured utilitarian vessels. Available in a library of custom glazes, Fiess’ jars, made up of four pieces, are an ingenious combination of functional construction and sculptural beauty. bfiess.com
Ikuzi Teraki
Romulus Craft They’re subtle but gorgeous, and that’s why these mugs by Ikuzi Teraki and Jeanne Bisson will stand the test of time. Drink your morning coffee from them every day, and you won’t get bored. romuluscraft.com
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Beth Bee Books Sure, you can point-and-click your way to countless recipes, but what brings most cooks into the kitchen is the chance to get their hands a little dirty – the tasty, tactile process of preparing food. Delight them with this recipe journal from Beth A. Barnett, the mastermind behind Beth Bee Books. Block prints decorate the interior dividers, and, with 4-by6-inch pages, it’s compatible with standard recipe cards. bethbee.com
Vitreluxe For a perfect dash of color – and flavor – on the countertop, look no further than Vitreluxe’s fetching salt cellars. Handcrafted by Lynn Everett Read, each vessel is 3.25 inches in diameter. Package a few of them with some artisan sea salts for a tasteful holiday gesture. vitreluxe.com
Lynn Everett Read
Courtesy of Vitrifiedstudio
Vitrifiedstudio The fabulous spice bottle sets by Shelley Martin of Vitrifiedstudio will make your kitchen décor pop, even as they organize those hardto-corral spices. Now, what to do with your empty spice cupboard? vitrifiedstudio.squarespace.com
Paul Eshelman
Eshelman Pottery Look no further than this casserole by Paul Eshelman to satisfy the design-savvy kitchen enthusiast on your list. Available in 12 glazes to complement any taste or palette, these casseroles are designed to be put to work – in the oven, microwave, and dishwasher. eshelmanpottery.com holiday lookbook 2014 american craft 013
Ashley Buchanan Jewelry The art of the silhouette has taken new shape. Ashley Buchanan creates jewelry out of modern powder-coated cut metal that mimics the decorative and classic silhouettes of the early 20th century. ashleybuchananjewelry.com
Courtesy of the artist
Jessica Tata, Son of a Sailor
Son of a Sailor Husband-and-wife team William Knopp and Jessica Tata take a cue from the landscape, as mountains and mesas set the scene of their latest hand-forged jewelry collection from Son of a Sailor. Bold geometric brass pendants set alongside Japanese glass beads in earthy hues create rich folkloric statement pieces perfect for every occasion. sonofasailorjewelry.com
Courtesy of the artist
Dan Mirer Ring in the New Year with a set of Dan Mirer’s exquisitely crafted champagne flutes. The unique design with delicate touches of gold will have your guests oohing and aahing, making you the host with the most class. danmirer.com
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Maryanne Moodie Maryanne Moodie is not only a talented weaver, she’s also a brilliant educator and advocate for making, as exemplified in both her one-of-a-kind wall hangings, and her ultra-cool beginner’s weaving kits. Whether trying your hand at weaving leaves you with more appreciation of Moodie’s talents than your own, you’re sure to have fun in the process. maryannemoodie.com
Courtesy of the artist
Courtesy of James Eastman
Easy & Oskey That cocktail you’re drinking – is it missing something? Try bitters. But don’t buy them: Make them yourself with one of Easy & Oskey’s Make Your Own Bitters Kits, the one neat package needed by every blossoming mixologist. easyandoskey.com
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Heritage Bicycles Time to ditch that “everyone else has my bike” bike! Replace it with a classic, personality-rich, custombuilt-in-Chicago bicycle from Heritage. It’s the perfect gift for that dandy in all of us. Disclaimer: Mustache not included. heritagebicycles.com
Courtesy of Melissa Salvatore, A Little Photo Studio
Courtesy of Rebicyclist
Rebicyclist Get the bike commuter in your life a one-of-a-kind roadtested belt by Julien Jaborska of the Rebicyclist. Made from bicycle tires, the belts come in black, colored stripes, and a variety of treads to suit your pedaling pal’s personality. rebicyclist.com
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ImagineNations Is your heart set on travel? Are your boots made for walking? For those restless souls and antsy feet, Wendy Gold’s vintage maps and globes, including her “Bon Voyage” Push Pin Map, are crafted and decorated to provide a unique record of your travels or a reminder of where you’d like to go. artonglobes.com
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Heather Lins Home Jewelry and textile lovers’ desires align in Heather Lins’ new Gemstone Geometry Calendar Kit. The birthstone-based embroidery calendar is printed on shimmery, gold-flecked cardstock and comes with floss, needle, and easy-to-follow instructions. Lins trained as a graphic designer before opening her product and surface design studio – and it shows in the gorgeous, graphical gem depictions. heatherlinshome.bigcartel.com
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Josh Dickinson
In.Sek Design It seems that as the weather gets colder, the men get hairier. Encourage your manly man to keep that beard looking good with a cast-concrete shaving bowl by In.Sek Design, the brainchild of Ashira Israel and Preston Church. Topped with a solid teak lid, these bowls keep his shaving soap safe from sogginess and your bathroom tidy and stylish. insekdesign.com
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Best Made Co. “True, the knife would not cut anything, but it was a ‘sure-enough’ Barlow, and there was inconceivable grandeur in that….” Mark Twain would be happy to know that similar grandeur lives in this handcrafted Barlow from Canal Street Cutlery, created exclusively for Best Made Co. bestmadeco.com
De Jong & Co. These geode cups are perfect for serving warm sake at the end of a cold day. Hand-turned and available in oak or walnut, the cups are among the array of products available from the interior design and home goods firm run by multitalented siblings Ruth and Peter De Jong. dejongandco.com
De Jong & Co.
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Slim Timber Slim Timber’s wooden watches are water-resistant and powered by kinetic motion – no batteries, no winding. Available in maple or repurposed seven-ply skateboard wood, they have – dare we say it? – the timeless look of a new classic. slimtimber.com
Courtesy of Slim Timber
The Binding Bee The New Year brings new resolutions to be written down, faithfully kept or regretfully set aside (at least until next year). Keep those thoughts, dreams, and reflections alive in a handcrafted, leather-bound journal by Megan Winn of the Binding Bee. bindingbee.com
Courtesy of the Binding Bee/Kelley Jordan Photography
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Stephen Yusko Savor the hiss of popping open a beverage with this bottle opener from Stephen Yusko. The steel has a pleasant heft in your hand, and the business end gets the job done. Make this the last opener the beer lover on your list will ever need. stephenyusko.com
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Light + Ladder Absent-minded plant owners will particularly appreciate the ceramic planters by Farrah Sit’s company Light + Ladder, which offers everything from self-watering pots to more sculptural forms, such as the Tetra hanging planter. lightandladder.com
Studio Paran This aqua vase by glassblower Richard Jones of Studio Paran looks lovely all by itself. Plunk a branch or a blossom inside, and it really wows. studioparan.com
Richard Jones
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Nature’s Creations When is a brooch more than a brooch? When it’s a conversation piece, such as these ginkgo leaf pins by Dennis Ray. He drenches real leaves in copper, then finishes them with various patinas. The result is jewelry you’ll love to talk about. leafpin.com
Dennis Ray
Sparenberg Designworks If you’ve got a beautiful flower arrangement, you don’t want some showy vase spoiling the effect. That’s where Joris Sparenberg’s acrylic Void Vase comes in handy; it recedes into the background so those blooms can shine. sparenbergdesign.com sy Courte
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