November 2012
Holiday Gift Guide 60 Amazing Handmade Gifts for Those You
’tis the season We hope you enjoy the premier edition of the Goodsmiths Holiday Gift Guide! We’ve searched shops across the United States to find the best ideas, inspiration and handmade goods for your family and friends. Shopping has never been so easy or so much fun! • Some gifts are one-of-a-kind, so contact the seller to find similar items. • Check out our shopping tips sprinkled throughout the Gift Guide. • Shipping is free or minimal on most items, but double-check with shop. • Shops are opening up every day on Goodsmiths, so check back frequently! Merriest wishes, The Goodsmiths Team P.S. Look for more great holiday ideas in the next issue of our newsletter, The Good Weekly! Disclaimer: Shops are independently owned and operated. Prices and availability of items may vary.
take a look Find the just-right handmade holiday gift for... Every Woman...................................................................................4 Babies................................................................................................6 Kiddos...............................................................................................8 Trendy Young Adults.................................................................... 10 Your Favorite Couple.................................................................... 12 Guys You Love............................................................................... 14 Kitchen Aficionados...................................................................... 16 Seasoned Travelers....................................................................... 18 The Geekiest of Geeks................................................................. 20 Your Eco-loving Friends............................................................... 22 The Perpetually Stressed.............................................................. 24 Holiday Lovers............................................................................... 26 BONUS! Festive Bonbon Recipe................................................. 28 Thanks............................................................................................ 29
Ruby gold orchid earrings, Gloria Janell Jewelry These sparkling ruby pear drops look great with gold or silver orchid flower earrings and French hook wires. Total length 1½”. $45.00
every woman Who doesn’t just love accessories? A pair of ruby gold earrings. A hip messenger bag. We’ve searched the shops of Goodsmiths to find our favorite jewelry, home decor and purses. Check the shops listed here for similar gifts. While you’re at it, buy yourself a little stocking stuffer!
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Porcelain vase, Tjossem Ceramics Adorn a windowsill with this bluegreen oval vase (3¼” x 5½” x 2”) on its own or with dried herbs. Inspired by the smooth curves of a flask. $37.00
Yellow fried marble earrings, Instinctively Indie Popular with 1960s housewives, fried marble earrings are making a comeback (really, pan-fried)! Marbles 11/16” and hang less than 2”. Okay for sensitive ears. $9.50
Messenger bag, Shortcake Designs Just the right size for daily use (9½” x 9½” x 1½” with 40” strap), this cross-body purse attracts attention with its sturdy, rare-andout-of-print viewfinder home dec fabric. $55.00
Flower painting, 202 Designs Rich mustard yellows and warm browns evoke a contemporary, natural feel in this acrylic piece (24” x 20”). With painted edges, it’s ready to hang in your office or bedroom. $84.95
Put the gift in a box and tie a ribbon around it. A box says “you’re special” when others are using last year’s holiday bags.
Bow-so-sweet shoes, satin threads boutique Any little darling looks divine in these lime-and-pink soft slippers. Contact the shop for other patterns and sizes. $15.00
babies Oh, sweet baby! Hope you have as much fun shopping for the wee ones as we did scouring the country for our top too-cute baby gifts. Most of our shop owners whip up extra boy’s, girl’s, and gender-neutral accessories and outfits in a variety of sizes.
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Flower hat, Lids for Kids This crocheted, bucketed hat goes well with any dress, tutu, leggings or jeans. Flowers are securely sewn to hat. Sizes from newborn to preteen! $26.00
Diaper covers, Ugly Tomato Design Add a little pizazz to your little one’s buns with a set of three wool soakers. Works with cloth or disposable diapers to help reduce rashes. Size: 3–6 months. $75.00
Diaper cake, Baby Blossom Co. This topsy-turvy baby shower decoration includes three receiving blankets, 10 washcloths and about 75 diapers. Diaper cakes for boys and girls. $120.00
Bright baby quilt, quiltsofcolor This cheerful, hand-dyed cotton quilt (45” x 54”) is lightweight and makes a super crib bedding. Backed with turquoise. Machine wash and dry. $130.00
Photo tip: Set up beforehand. Include toys for play. Add baby. Shoot photos as quickly as possible to capture the moment.
Junior teepee, Texasteepees Gotcha! Hide-andseek has never been so flippin’ fun! Built to last, this 4-foot-square and 5½-foot-tall playhouse folds flat for storage. $120.00
kiddos Shopping for the young ones in our lives takes us right back to childhood! Remember the days when our agendas were eat, play, nap, eat, snack, play? Help create a lifetime of memories with these überfun gifts for kids!
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Pixie hat, Green Ribbon Craft Topped with a knot, this stretchy knitted toddler hat works perfectly for a girl or a boy! Contact owner about sizes and colors. $15.00
Cord jacket, UpToMyKneesInCrafts Made-to-order, stylin’ corduroy jacket with optional lining in sizes 3–8. All seams are overcast to prevent fraying. Contact seller about colors. $60.00
Zoo print bow tie, littlevys Munchkins love zoo animals. What grandparent wouldn’t be thrilled to see little Johnny dressed to the nines in this handmade, made-toorder, cotton bow tie? $20.00
People crayons, BellasLilBoutique Scribble away with bright and smooth people crayons made out of ... you guessed it, crayons! Contact seller about colors. Order a village! Set of six. $3.00
Wrap every little gift. Half the joy of celebrating holidays with kiddos is the sound of ripping paper and squealing laughs!
Rain cloud necklace, DeliciousHobo Weather the storms of life with this chic, hand-sculpted necklace. Antique brass raindrops offset swirling silver clay. The result? A work of art. $25.00
trendy young adults Trendy young adults can be tricky to shop for — but not if you buy something as unique and interesting as they are. These goods are handcrafted and hard-to-come-by, meaning the receiver will always be the life of the party. Take a look at these hip, young things and be inspired for the gift-giving season.
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Fox ‘scat’, Louie’s Loops Keep your head and neck warm at the same time with this revolutionary ‘scat’ (scarf/hat). Give it to someone adorable and let the compliments roll in. $55.00
Peacock backpack, innad Nothing says style like a one-of-akind backpack. This cotton-andvinyl one is perfect for cycling through the city or hauling tablets to a coffee shop. $76.00
Hipster deer, NearModernDisaster With a dashing V-neck and off-brand shades, this deer is obviously cooler than you. His visage adorns an 8” x 10” print, perfect for any hipster. $20.00
Custom dog bowl, artzfolk Pets are people too, right? So give Fido (or his best friend) a dog dish that’s as super-cute as he is. Order one soon — these take 3-4 weeks to ship. $40.00
Cake pops are perfect gifts for a holiday party or family get‑together. Order some today!
Bird toppers, sewZinski Lovebirds will adore these ceramic budgies. They’re (officially) cake toppers but will look great on any shelf, dresser or table. $35.00
your favorite couple Whether it’s their first Christmas or their 50th, these handmade gifts are perfect for that so-in-love couple. From charming home decor to romantic mementos, the duo will appreciate your thoughtfulness when they unwrap a gift that celebrates the two of them together.
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Cozy quilt, Patchwork Mountain Every couple needs a quilt — and even if you don’t sew, consider buying one handmade. This 59” x 76” quilt is sewn with naturalcolored cotton thread. $268.00
My fair pillow cover, Mary Littfin Slip these zippered covers (18” wide) over any pillows for instant pizazz. The designer fabric has a personality of its own, just like your favorite couple. $18.00
Ballsy bowl, By: Leydi Diana This whimsical bowl (4 3/8” x 2 5/8”) is a statement piece for any tablescape — perfect for personalizing a budding household. $75.20
Bike art, Gallery Indigo The charming duo that bicycles to the farmers market needs this bike print (8” x 10”). It matches an original, hand-painted collage inspired by Iowa cycling. $20.00
Minimalist holiday home decor: Set white candles of different heights among pieces of fresh evergreen swag.
guys you love Never the easiest to shop for, sometimes guys say they don’t want anything — but we know the opposite is true! From mancave accessories to executive toys, we’ve got some pretty darn awesome gifts for the men in your life!
Best gift wrap for guys? Funky Christmas stockings, of course.
Guitar strap, Ethos Custom Brands Gray buffalo leather and blood-red faux gator come together in this Shiloh guitar strap. Antique nickel studs make this a hit for any rocker. $250.00
Braided Leather Bracelet, Urban Survival Gear USA This essential men’s accessory is made from a double-strand, braided leather bolo cord and has a stainless-steel magnetic clasp. Specify size at checkout. $24.99
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Handmade timepiece, N. L. Hensley Watches Each Hensley watch is made to order and looks fab on men or women. Swiss, hand-wound mechanical movement. Watch hands are blue steel. $925.00
Deer coasters, The Painted Lily This set of four stone coasters is man-cave–ready. Tiles are fully backed in cork and sealed for mega use with both hot and cold beverages. $30.00
Tool pouch, Clayton’s Leather Made out of top-grain cowhide, this pouch holds a steel tape, a magic marker, a striker and an adjustable wrench or combination square. $35.00
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Retro-inspired diner apron, Suburban Rockabilly Laverne and Shirley would be proud! Sweet snacks, two full skirts and a big pocket add extra flair. Adjustable straps fit all body types. Tutu not included. $42.00
kitchen aficionados For the fanatic foodie or the holiday hostess with the mostess, these gifts will bring cheer to any gathering this season. We love the smell of just-baked bread, the sips of icy eggnog, the nibbles of cheese and the crunch of Christmas cookies!
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Turquoise rim bowl, johntleslie Beautiful “flying rim” bowl made from Arizona and Colorado blue and green turquoise. Bowl is hand-turned from Colorado Ponderosa Pine (9” diameter, 6” tall). $180.00
Bread box, My Chaos By Design This made-to-order bread box is oversized to hold many loaves of bread and pastries. It’s made of unfinished cherry wood, so you can match it to your own kitchen decor. $129.95
Dish towel, Thistle-Rose-Weaving For an heirloom-quality gift, check out this soft, absorbent, linen-and-cotton towel measuring 15½” x 26”. Towels are easy care, machine-wash and -dry. $22.00
Cheese board, MauBow Use this handcrafted walnut-andmaple cheese board at your next soirée and then hang it in your kitchen as a lovely, decorative art piece. $40.00
Make it yourself: Giant knitted trivets make great gifts for acquaintances and are quick to whip up.
seasoned travelers You know the type — they go on fabulous travels and are never short on adventure tales. But what do you buy seasoned travelers when they’ve seen it all? Handmade gifts that celebrate their whirlwind lifestyles! From passport cases to other useful items, here are our picks for the worldly one.
Wrap gifts in maps or pages from old issues of National Geographic. Use a luggage tag as the gift card.
Travel bag, Darn It Sew What This charming catchall wristlet (12” x 6”) is super-sturdy and trustworthy for the road. And the embroidered motif is a nice reminder of home. $14.00
Woven scarf, adamnweave Simple, elegant and designed for three seasons, this cotton scarf is a traveler’s dream. It’s perfectly stowable and matches any outfit for any country. $85.00
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Passport book, Whym Keep that passport protected with a leather travel case. It can carry your ID, credit cards, plane tickets and more. $50.00
Bracelet, Wan’s Handmade Modeled after a Van Gogh painting, this bracelet seems to say The world is your oyster — why not carry it with you? Sizes can be customized. $25.00
Los Angeles map keychain, Mountain Woods Jewelry “A traveler without observation is like a bird without wings.” This quote adorns the back of this keychain, made from reclaimed Colorado wood. $15.50
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Retro messenger, BagNabit Bags Retro gamers unite! Gift this to a friend so he can flaunt his 8-bit pride with a bag that’s as geek chic as he is. Bag is 12” x 16” x 3½”. $25.00
the geekiest of geeks Who doesn’t love a good geek? Their hobbies are varied, but we respect and embrace the geek way of life — it’s all about zeal and passion (which we totally get, being geeks ourselves). Whatever kind of geeks you’re buying for, remember their quirky interests. Here are some ideas to get you started.
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Poké Ball coffee cozy, 27elements Save the world (in more ways than one) with this knitted Pokémon coffee sleeve. 100% cotton and stretchy, it’ll fit most standard togo cups. $14.50
Star Wars shirt, beetbox For a pastiche geek, this cotton tee combines three nerdy passions — Star Wars, 80s rock and karaoke. Why not? Everybody wants a thrill. $19.00
Helm, Handmade of Awesome Chasing treasure and slaying dragons on-screen can be great, but Skyrim fans need to continue the quest offline with this knitted beard helmet. $120.00
Soft Kitty print, The Educated Owl Feeling ill? Sing “Soft Kitty.” Or just use this 8” x 10” poster to elicit a few chuckles from your favorite Big Bang Theory fan. Digital download. $8.00
Make some gourmet turkey meatballs to take to your next holiday potluck.
Crocheted handbag, Meadow Lane Creations Save the whales by gifting this reusable, crocheted cotton shopping bag. The 10” x 10” design is great for groceries — and it’s so pretty! $28.00
your eco-loving friends Let’s get together and recycle! We like saving the earth just as much as anyone, but how do you give a gift that you know is environmentally responsible enough for the most die-hard eco-lover on your list? Choose something from one of these Goodsmiths shops, and rest assured that it’s sustainable and responsibly handmade. 22
Purple gem, Yogi Bead Co. This lovely deep purple stone, chalcedony, symbolizes calmness and composure and is a stone of purity and concentration. $47.99
Headband, The Purple Chameleon What’s a hippie without the perfect headband? This one has a double ruffle and a charming paisley pattern with an antique brass center. $15.00
Soap dish, From the Blue Bag This soap dish is made from recycled glass once used in Chicago’s bars and restaurants. It comes with a bar of Cabernet or chardonnay soap. $20.00
Cat bowl, andrewsreclaimed This raised cat feeder is made from reclaimed wood. It features a washable finish (you choose the color) and rustproof stainless steel bowls. $75.00
Make sweet little gift cards with small scraps of card stock and a self-inking stamp.
Bath bomb, Sensual Scentsations Enjoy a coffee-vanilla treat with this fizzy bath bomb. It’s made with almond oil and real coffee grounds (which reduce the appearance of cellulite!). $5.75
the perpetually stressed We all know people who really need to chill out, relax and de-stress from the chaos of life. Give them a subtle hint this holiday season in the gift you choose. These cozy, handmade gems will give your perpetually stressed friends the luxurious vacation they need.
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Soy candle, Ten Candles Made with natural soy wax (which burns longer than paraffin candle wax), this candle comes in any scent-and-color combo you choose. $11.50
Beauty tote, Misc. K. Designs Fill this reclaimed cedar tote with spa essentials for a truly calminducing gift. It measures 9 5/8” x 9½” x 11¼”. $29.50
Stone candle, Light the Earth This stone oil lamp offers endless sessions of quiet relaxation. It has an easy-to-fill, hidden glass reservoir for oil and can burn for up to six hours. $235.00
Bath salts, Wholesome Creations These relaxing bath salts are made with real sea salt, lavender oil and sweet-smelling spearmint leaves. Perfect for unwinding. $5.00
Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil in the shower. Turn on hot water and breathe deeply for a relaxing meditation.
Winter pillow, FromOldStuff An upcycled coffee bag pillow adds a special touch to your home this winter. It features a burlap front with vintage buttons. $24.00
holiday lovers No stressful holiday shopping allowed! Our elves went to the North Pole and had a cocoa meet-up with Santa. He shared a little secret: These gifts are sure to put smiles on the faces of those peeps in your life who celebrate the season full blast!
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Table runner, Meandering Thread Adorn your holiday table with this beautiful 18½” x 43” quilt. Original design in red floral with gold batik and green marbled fabric. $110.00
Soy candle, Kehoe Naturals Light the night with the essence of grape, peach, plum and sparkling citrus essential oils. Made with 100%, all-natural soy wax. Veganfriendly and cruelty-free. $10.00
Elf shoes, BookmarkYourPage Santa’s perfect gift for the reader in your world! All bookmarks are gift-wrapped with bow and card. Made with polymer clay, handpainted and sealed. $25.00
Tiny scarf ornament, Huephoria A bright-and-cheery, festive silk scarf (10” x 10”) is placed inside a glass ornament and decorated with ribbons and other whimsies. Super stocking stuffer! $35.00
Keep current with new holiday tips at The Good Weekly blog!
bonus!
decadent butter cream bonbons Celebrate the season with this festive recipe from Becky, our resident chef. Happy holidays! Ingredients 1 lb. powdered sugar 1½ sticks butter ½ to 1 T. milk
Dash salt ½ t. vanilla Semisweet chocolate chips
Let your butter come to room temperature; then cream all of the above ingredients with a hand mixer. Make sure there are no lumps. Roll into 1-inch balls and place them on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Place in the freezer until completely frozen. When they’re frozen, start melting the chocolate. We recommend using a deep saucepan and keeping the burner on low. Using a fork, dip the frozen balls in chocolate one at a time, shake off the excess and carefully place them apart on waxed paper to cool and harden. Then drizzle icing and sprinkles on top. You could also add any type of nut topping, or just leave them plain. Enjoy!
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Thanks for checking out the 2012 Goodsmiths Holiday Gift Guide!
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