Locally-made Gift ideas

Life didn't change as much as we were expecting in 2021, but StreetWise was blessed with help from its friends and so now this holiday season, we are using our city-wide platform to return the favor. StreetWise vendors are entrepreneurs, and so we are promoting other Chicago entrepreneurs of innovative products – many of them nonprofits – from varied cultures. We are all in this together.

By Paige Bialik, Suzanne Hanney, & Judi Strauss Lipkin

Caromadexo

When Columbus landed in what is now Puerto Rico in 1493, the Indigenous people greeted him with the word, “Taino” – “peace.” A century later, the so-named Taino people were nearly extinct, thanks to intermarriage, forced relocation, starvation, slavery and disease brought by the conquistadors. Recent studies, however, have found that a majority of today’s Puerto Rican people have some Indigenous DNA. CAROmadeXO reflects this heritage with the molded plastic Taino sun god, said to provide strength and longevity to crops and people; and with the coqui, the small frog who is the symbol of the small island. Endangered by deforestation, coqui has survived, and he has a big voice. Taino sun, coqui, hibiscus flower earrings ($10), rear view mirror pendants ($12) at Caromadexo.com.

Lingua Nigra

Alicia Goodwin has been making jewelry since shortly after she graduated from Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Now back in Chicago, her work in brass, silver and gold is inspired by nature, with a focus on ancient talismans and works of the Victorian era. Her use of acid etching and metal reticulation yield random texture to each piece, further transformed when electroplated by 22K gold. Lansana’s Priestess Large Brass Post Earrings ($43), Tiny Sculptured Organic Earrings ($63), Edge of the Earth Gold Plated Wing Earrings ($85) (pictured), Building a Ladder Hand Etched Earrings ($146). Lingua Nigra has also been featured on Good Morning America, The HuffPost, Shoppe Black, and worn by Garcelle Beauvais, Anika Noni Rose, Ava Duvernay and many others. Find it at the Renegade Craft Show, December 18 and 19 at Fulton Market and at linguanigra.com.

Lindsay Lewis Jewelry

Lindsay Lewis Jewelry offers geometrically shaped handmade rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Lewis started creating jewelry after discovering her passion for metalsmithing during a class in 2004. Now in her West Town studio, she creates gold, silver, and brass jewelry by hand. She finds inspiration from architecture and translates those fine lines into her timeless jewelry. Unisex round bands from $250; Bar and white sprong band $825; Billie ring from $975; Sway ring from $68 (pictured). Find her at lindsay-lewis.com and the Renegade Craft Show, December 18 and 19 at Fulton Market.

YWCA

The feminine symbol is all over this limited edition lustrous silk scarf in the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago colors. Another color option is persimmon and gray. The medium weight twill silk is ideal for all seasons, and can be worn with many fashions. Designed exclusively for the YWCA by Shop4Ties, this generously sized 18″ x 70″ scarf is finished with a hand rolled hem ($65). You can order it at Yshop.org, an online store managed by the YWCA. It offers a curated selection of goods and services, and a portion of each purchase benefits the YWCA and the communities it supports. YShop is a place where consumers can make great purchases with their hard-earned dollars, while helping make real positive changes in the world. Founded 145 years ago, the YWCA recognizes that the health of our communities rests on three factors: achieving freedom from violence, accessing quality education and training, and obtaining economic sustainability.

Akese Stylelines

Women go through a lot of challenges, and every opportunity to have fun must be memorable, says fashion designer Jennifer Akese-Burney. What better way to be remembered than in her Statement Piece Collection, created for the woman who is not afraid to be the center of attention. The Boss Powersuit ($625) in red, sheer lace and neoprene, features wide legs and a peplum accent in front, topped with the Nkasa Jacket ($350) (both pictured). The Blossom Jumpsuit ($525) features a blooming flower in front, pockets, and a zipper in back. Born and raised in Ghana and now living in the Chicago area, Akese-Burney received her bachelor’s degree in fashion design and technology from Takoradi Polytechnic. She mixes African prints with western fabrics and silhouettes. Find them at akesestylelines.com.

Made Free

MADE FREE products are designed in Chicago and made by free women in India, addressing the root cause of slavery, including human trafficking, with sustainable, ethical jobs. Its small factory teams are certified by the World Fair Trade Organization. They are women like Kanika, widowed with a special needs son; like Jyoti, rescued from a line in the lines and now married, who visits brothels to tell girls there is another way; and Saima, oldest of four sisters, with an elderly father and a mother with paralysis, MADE FREE uses eco-friendly, organic and recycled materials, where possible: 100% organic cotton canvas and vegetable tanned, biodegradable leather that is a waste product and would otherwise be discarded into a landfill. Check out its Chicago Skyline Market Tote ($24), unisex Leather Laptop Case ($95) and Leather Day Tote ($185) (pictured) at madefree.co.

KOLUNTU

Koluntu means “community” in the South African Xhosa language, and when you purchase one of its glamorous pieces of Africa to wear for a lifetime, you are making a difference in the lives of its fairly paid women and their children. Koluntu crafts wearable art from the feathers and skin of humanely raised ostriches, and springbok handbags that upcycle unused hides from animal control programs. Jewelry items include ostrich feather earrings ($19) and 1.5-inch leather cuff ($49) in a variety of colors. Purses include the Yumi Bag ($195) with ostrich feathers stitched on suede leather with suede lining and magnetic clasp, in black, navy, hot pink or beige (pictured); and the 7 by 7.5-inch leather and feather wristlet ($145). Billfolds and wallets in a variety of colors offer unisex gift options. The two-sided credit card and cash wallet is $49 and the folding credit card holder is $85. Ostrich skin has natural oils that contribute to its durability, so that it will not crack under even extreme temperatures. Available at koluntu. com, Chicago Fair Trade and yshop.org.

Giveashi*t

GiveaShirt is a Chicago based charity that has teamed with StreetWise and local artists and musicians to make limited edition, hand-screened designer T-shirts. It’s all part of a campaign called Give A Shi*t. 100% of profits from every T-shirt sold goes to StreetWise and StreetWise vendors: $180,000 over the last six years. “It’s sort of that lifeline or extra support that vendors need,” Street- Wise Executive Director Julie Youngquist told Heidi Stevens in the Chicago Tribune. “It maybe covers a weekly rate at an SRO. It may help cover prescription medicine or other costs from an unexpected health problem. It’s been a fantastic partnership.” GiveaShirt is a venture of Daily Planet Ltd, a Chicago based fullservice video production company that creates and edits videos, animations and motion graphics for broadcast and web. Scott Marvel, president of Daily Planet, founded GiveaShirt after he met a man asking for change outside his local Starbucks. Marvel brought the man some clean T-shirts before a job interview, but the man thought he was supposed to sell them to make money. Marvel was inspired to ask musicians and artists to donate designs; Jon Langford donated a few, as did Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, including a design inspired by Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” (pictured). Matthew Hoffman of the You Are Beautiful signs around the city donated “We are All Equal.” Marvel hand screens the designs in his Norwood Park basement. To shop and learn more, please visit giveashirt.net.

Ila Allen Designs

Long-time Evanston resident Ila Allen of Ila Allen Designs creates different styles of handbags in various fabrics such as vegan leather and cork, with different textures and colors. No two bags are alike; they are all made by hand, not in a factory. The main objective, she says, is to “Show the customer that accessories, especially handbags, can be created out of fabrics other than (animal) leather. It’s all about sourcing the right fabric, quality, workmanship, and a whole lot of creativity”. Rustic Orange Yanna Shoulder Bag, $85; Big Girl Tote, $160 (pictured); available at ilaallendesigns.com, evanstonmade.org and Artem Pop up Gallery, 1627 Sherman Ave., Evanston, artempopupgallery.com.

Laila Textiles

Laila Textiles was started by Liz Mortensen in 2018 as a way to promote slow fashion and hand-dyed clothes, which she discovered while studying in Israel. Whereas fast fashion focuses on keeping up with current trends, slow fashion takes more time to curate clothes while respecting the environment, employees, and ensuring that each item is quality made. All Laila Textiles items are hand-dyed using natural dyes from food and plant waste. Made-to-order 21x21 inch Habotai silk Yellow Red scarf is naturally tie-dyed with Brazilwood & Osage wood ($45); Purple Plant Dyed Silk Scarf was naturally bundle-dyed with Logwood, Madder root, Osage wood, & Hibiscus flowers ($53, pictured, worn as a top). She also offers silk scrunchies and natural dye kits. Find them at lailatextiles.com and the Renegade Craft Show, December 18 and 19 at Revel Fulton Market.

Hines Brines

Samuel Hines started his Hines Brines spice blends business after a Thanksgiving where he prepared dinner for his parents and son in his two-bedroom Rogers Park apartment. Looking for the perfect ingredients to make his turkey juicy and flavorful, he devised his Original Brine Blend (1/2 cup jar, $9.50) of black peppercorns, Mediterranean and Mexican oregano, Herbs de Provence and more. He brings you home with Mabel’s Sunday Chicken Seasoning, (1/2 cup jar, $9) hand blended from marjoram, rubbed sage, smoked paprika and more. Kits include Errythang But Salt (Pollo Asado, Sam’s Creole, Pizza Night and Mabel’s Sunday Chicken $34); Holiday Spice (Auntie D's Sweet Potato Pie Spice, ChChChai Spice, a mix of cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, rose petals, and more; and Heavenly Hot Chocolate Mix $26). Boystown Blend, meanwhile, features annual editions for 2019-21, the latest a bourbon-and oak-smoked flaky salt ($23.50). Find them at hinesbrines.com and the Chicago Artisan Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, December 12 at Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan St.

Javez Java

Javez Java is a family-owned coffee roastery located in Chicago. It started when “my wife noticed my passion for coffee drinking and challenged me to roast coffee the way it should taste.” The name/business is a combo of the owner’s middle name- Javez – and Java- coffee - created by his creative mind, the artsy mind of his daughter and the business mind of his wife. Javez Java uses only high-quality beans which they roast. Its selections range from sweet, to spicy to nutty to earthy. Their most popular coffee is Eminence, an Ethiopian blend of coffee marinated in Cognac and roasted. Enjoy their story and order for holiday giving a javezjava.com.

Sugar Bliss

Sugar Bliss is a woman minority-owned bakery at 122 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago, offering a wide variety of baked goods, including morning pastries, cupcakes, cake pops, French macarons, brownies, cookies, and more. Everything is baked on-site and from scratch, using only the highest quality, natural ingredients, like European Cocoa, Nielsen Massey vanilla, and real fruits. Sugar Bliss caters corporate events, office meetings, and a variety of celebrations including birthdays, retirement, weddings, and bridal and baby showers. We’re craving its Afternoon Tea and Sweets Package (6 French Macarons, 4 Mini Cupcakes, 4 Mini Double Chocolate Brownies, 2 Cake Pops, 4 Assorted Rishi Teas $40) and its Date Night Package (2 Cupcakes - Red Velvet and Chocolate Milk Chocolate, 6 French Macarons, Double Chocolate Brownie, OMG Cookie, 3 Cake Pops in a Gift Box with Ribbon $40) at Sugarblisscakes.com and Yshop.org.

Twidley Bits

The founder of Twidley Bits, Lauren Ocello, is a former chocolatier and French Pastry School alumna-turned maker of jams and sheeses. Twidley Bits specializes in vegan cheeses, gourmet jams, and fruit butter. Bourbon Peach Vanilla Bean is made from locally distilled Koval bourbon and real vanilla beans, while the aptly named Strawberry Prosecco ($10) goes well at brunch. Find these yummy treats at twidleybits.com, at Raw Edge Modern Artisan Boutique, 4757 N. Lincoln Ave., and at City Olive, 5644 N. Clark St.

Coiff Dew

Coiff Dew Natural Shampoo and Leave-In Conditioner TM may well be an unexpected but totally appreciated holiday gift. The products were started and owned by a Black woman with an active lifestyle who “chooses to wear my thick and kinky natural hair in all phases of my personal and professional life.” W ith the v igorous a nd f requent physical activity that is critical in our health and beauty routine, these products are low cost, work quickly and don’t require special brushes or heat appliances to work effectively to cleanse, style and maintain natural hair. They are gentle on your skin/scalp and low impact on the Earth and can be used by women, men, and children too! Buy your new favorite at www.coiffdew.com.

LXMI Skincare

LXMI is skincare that specializes in face and body care, using all-natural and plant-based ingredients derived from Uganda and packaged in New York. All of their products are made ethically by providing fair pay and safe working conditions for women in Uganda and New York people with disabilities. Its signature ingredient is Nilotica Reserve, a rare relative of shea harvested near the source of the Nile that contains sky high essential fatty acids and enhanced vitamin and nutrient potency. Pure Nilotica Melt (50 ml $28) has soothing allantoin, and Vitamin A, E + K to hydrate, brighten, and protect skin—even reversing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Use it as a deeply nourishing overnight mask, nutrient-dense moisturizer, as a healing salve for dry spots, hands, sunburns or scars, or as needed. It’s safe enough to eat, Moms can use it on growing bellies and babies’ newborn skin. Your purchase combats deforestation and thus combats climate change. It’s been featured in Forbes and Business Insider, but you can find it now at LXMI.com.

Thistle Farms

Thistle Farms candles, bath and body products, home goods, books, apparel and jewelry are as good for the women making them as those using them. Becca Steves founded Thistle Farms, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women survivors from prostitution, trafficking, abuse, and addiction. Try its Jet Set (Lavender enriched body lotion, head to toe body wash, lip balm and Eucalyptus Mint shave Balm, $25) or Love Heals Bath Soak Trio (Eucalyptus Mint Moringa Muscle Soak, Lavender Serenity Soak, Citrus Wood Uplifting Soak, each 8-oz, $34). Find them at thistlefarms.org.

It's Oksana

Born in the eastern European country of Ukraine, Oksana loved playing with scraps of linen and the colored threads her mother and grandmother used to embroider them – a hallmark of Ukrainian culture and a symbol of the family. True linens, in her experience, were not made from cotton, but from flax, which uses less water and pesticides in production than cotton. With each washing, real linen also becomes softer and stronger – an heirloom. Her enterprise, It’s Oksana, works with artisans who are adept at traditional embroidery, weaving techniques and designs, to create sustainable, environmentally-friendly textiles for the home. Natural linen kitchen towels (World Cuisines, Fruit, Coffee, Wine designs) $9.50; geometric bath towels $23; grey and white striped square Kosa decorative pillow $160; hand embroidered rectangular linen Vesna decorative pillow $250 (pictured); sheet sets $270. Itsoksana.com.

Labyrinth Made

Labyrinth Made candles are hand-filled in Illinois with 100% soy wax and bespoke fragrances that include blends of essential oils, extracts, and aromatic ingredients to create a unique sensory experience. Choose Visualize (citrusy pomelo, earthy spices, frankincense); Tranquility (warming amber, pumpkin, ground clove); Revitalize (torn mint leaves, lemon slices, oolong tea); or the four seasons, including Winter (icy air, pine needles and balsam fir forest) 6-oz. candles $15, 12-oz $30. Part of the YWCA McLean County, Labyrinth Made Goods reinvests all proceeds from the nonprofit social enterprise to create professional development, apprenticeships and permanent employment for women who have experienced incarceration. “Labyrinth Made Goods is helping me to get ready for my future by giving me structure and helping me to work on my own goals,” said participant Shay on labyrinthmadegoods.org. You can also find them at the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s yshop.org/products/handmade-soy-candles.

Modern Sprout

Modern Sprout LLC was created by wife and husband team, Sarah Burrows and Nick Behr, two non-green thumb people, inside their Chicago home. They make thoughtfully handcrafted and innovative gardening products to simplify plants and indoor gardening, so you feel good. By using the logic of hydroponics redesigned into beautiful, space-savvy products, they help you overcome modern gardening challenges. Products include indoor gardening kits, from fresh herbs to the fullest of flowers, stylish hydroponic planters, grow lights and indoor bulb kits. Check out their website at www.modsprout.com.

Ron Crawford Art

As a documentary film cameraman, Ron Crawford realized he could combine his drawing talent with filmmaking, and he became an animator. His impulse drawings encompass scenes from Chicago’s L, the Cubs Win, the Chicago Theater; of Evanston, New York, San Francisco and politics. He captures people in the moment, often with just a touch of humor, such as a protester’s “Melania, Blink Twice if You Need Help” sign at a women’s rally. His prints start at $22 for an 8.5x11 print, $46 for an 11x14 and $187 for an 13x19 museum quality Giclee print on fine art paper suitable for framing, inspected and handsigned. His works have hung in the homes of Frank Sinatra, Mia Farrow and Julia Louis- Dreyfus. Roncrawfordart.com and Artem Pop up Gallery, 1627 Sherman Ave., Evanston, artempopupgallery.com.

Art by Alec

Art by Alec is a most interesting and perhaps unique gift from a Chicago-based artist. Alec Rudek combines a passion for visual art with knowledge of interactive media and design to create both art and gifts such as cool jellyfish LED lanterns (large and small) with the intent to enhance the user experience and stimulate wonder. Each jellyfish works as a functioning lantern and includes a battery-operated LED string light. It also looks great in natural light! He continues to paint abstract and totally unique pieces. You can check out his work at www.instagram.com/artbyalec.

Brown Sugar's Balloon Designs

Brown Sugar’s Balloon Designs & Academy provides an expansive décor alternative to flowers, whether forming an archway or garlanding a stairway. Brown Sugar’s owner Iesha Trotter always knew she could be an Englewood success story. At 14, she made $100 a day selling snowballs in the summer. Going from “kidpreneur to entrepreneur,” she graduated from Robert Morris University and the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s Plan for Profit course, with stops in between learning security and food management sanitation. Today she is a Certified Party Decorator, specializing in weddings and graduations. Brown Sugar’s Academy in Chicago recently became a member of the Qualatex Balloon Network (QBN®), a professional organization dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in balloon decor and bouquets and the belief that balloons uniquely create atmosphere and communicate emotion. The Academy teaches the art to women and teens who want to earn extra money or start their own business. brownsugarsballoondesignsacademy.com and yshop.org.

Swoon Living

Swoon Living was founded by Patrick Fitzpatrick in 2012 right here in Chicago! Swoon Living specializes in masterfully crafted wood décor and glassware: handmade revolving wine glasses, revolving wine decanters; city skylines ($75) and state outlines ($40) from reclaimed barn wood; tabletop fire pits (from $75)— even Flaming Fondue (from $145) and Ultimate S’mores (from $165, pictured) kits that can be used indoors on a tabletop. You’ll feel cozy these holidays in the comfort of your home. Swoonliving.com and their studio at 2850 N Pulaski, Suite 3.

A Favorite Design

Looking for some cute holiday cards this season? A Favorite Design has got you covered with its wide selection of handprinted cards! Founded by Amber Favorite in 2005, its mission is to encourage long distance warm fuzzies via snail mail. Amber’s passion for crafting and vintage typewriters, wood block type and old signage was facilitated by her 1913 C&P handfed press and her soulmate Tom. They offer cards for every occasion and every interest. Have a friend who loves everything spiritual? Check out their palm reading cards! A Favorite Design sells cards, stationery, pencils, notebooks, and more! A Favorite Design is sold across the continental United States and Hawaii, but their main shop is located at 4432 N. Kedzie Ave., with more local outlets listed at afavoritedesign.com.