Uptown artisanal treats

Head uptown for the holidays for a few northside artists BY DENA MILLER

Cheery holiday lights bedeck Paseo del Pueblo Norte, and accompany your short walk north of historic Taos Plaza. There’s more holiday shopping to be done and the options here in town make e-tailers unnecessary with all the intriguing options for everyone on your list.

Just a few doors north of Taos Plaza you’ll find good old standbys Taos Artist Collective, Michael McCormick Gallery and Pat Woodall Fine Art (across from the Historic Taos Inn). Representing more than 20 artists, TAC presents an “eclectic mix of Southwestern, traditional and modern contemporary artists” who specialize in painting, printmaking, oils, jewelry and much more.

Well-known for repping Miguel Martinez among others, McCormick says jovially, “We’re serving only virus-free art.” They open daily, about 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pat Woodall’s masterful monotypes take advantage of his use of watercolor, acrylic, oils, graphite and pastels. Do drop in and be amazed.

After a year’s hiatus, Taos Folk has returned to the Stables Gallery with a roster of dozens of local artists and crafters. Located off the Taos Community Auditorium parking lot, Taos’ favorite pop-up store always features a plethora of the practical, the whimsical, the extravagant, the thoughtful. In other words there’s hardly anyone you can’t cross off your list when you stop in to Taos Folk.

Jewelry, knitted goods, belts and wallets, soaps and lotions, books, cards, sweet treats, fine art, metalworks: so many choices for that special gift or a basketful of stocking stuffers. And when you make your purchases here, you also get the added pleasure of knowing you’re supporting both community neighbors and friends.

Across the street from the TCA, the shops of Yucca Plaza beckon with gaily decorated windows and super welcoming small-town vibes.

Moxie Fair Trade & Handmade

is a one-stop cornucopia of international selections for the entire family. For years, the expansive space has been home to unique and affordable clothing and accessories for women and men, with fun and unique items for children and infants. But there’s so much more to browse.

With items beginning at mere dollars, Moxie offers home interior and exterior decorations: hammocks, baskets, wall art, bells, lamps and more. Many are locally made; while imports support safe work conditions, environmental stewardship and creation of opportunities in marginalized global regions. (Please don’t overlook yourself when browsing Moxie – there’s sure to be a special holiday outfit waiting for a home in your closet.)

Next door, Creative Taos is brimming with everything you need to design your own holiday decorations or to craft those you’d like to gift.

Known for its dizzying array of crafting supplies and found objects, you’ll find everything you need, and a few items you didn’t know you needed – handmade and art papers; beads, charms and buttons; stamps and stencils; and shrine kits are among the many choices waiting for you and your imagination.

If you need help translating your visions into reality, the staff has plenty of ideas to get you going. Classes are also available; they are popular, however, so check out the schedule on Facebook and get yourself signed up. Kids may get a chance to build their own snow globe if you’re quick.

Creative Taos is also the place to stock up on supplies for the budding young artists in your life. What better gift than a box full of possibilities for expanding one’s ideas and inventiveness?

Got a hard-core music lover on your list? The indie Heads Up Music also in Yucca Plaza is Northern New Mexico’s destination, a goldmine of new and used vinyl LPs, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, turntables, home electronics and music supplies. Fair warning – with the rise in popularity of old vinyl, find their favorite before it disappears forever.

Or maybe you’ve got someone who deserves a little pampering? A gift certificate from Green Beauty by Raymera will give that lucky person an organic, botanicallybased hair treatment for beautiful, healthy holiday tresses.

Every holiday brunch or dinner table will be elevated a notch when breads and baked goods from Wild Leaven Bakery are included on the menu. Order croissants or their famous slow-fermented sourdough bread ahead of time and pick up. Busy days call for quick yet delicious food so perhaps include one of their heat-and-eat pizzas. Gluten-free options are always available.

Next to Yucca Plaza, newly relocated magpie Gallery specializes in “small, affordable and functional art” which is perfect for gift giving and, as a bonus, hails from local artists. Paintings, mixed media assemblages, jewelry and other treasures are ready to be wrapped up and nestled into your gift-giving pile.

No matter how small, the purchase of art can be sometimes intimidating. magpie owner Georgia Gersh will gladly assist you with selection and installation questions. And she is full of tips on how to decorate your present or future New Mexico dream home.

A few miles north, just past the “old blinking light” (the junction of US 64, NM 522 and NM 150) you’ll find North Star Plaza, home to the studio of fabric artist/photographer Gail Russell. You’ll want to grab a copy of her premier book, “Spirit in Form: The Human Form in Nature and Other Places.” Dreamlike photographs — black and white, and sepia; some hand-tinted – are interspersed with Russell’s equally sensuous poetry and is a stunning statement gift.

If you miss her holiday book signing Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11 and 12, you can still grab a copy and can also enjoy making selections from her wildly popular silk Gazelle shawls, or her fleecy, toasty Kangaroo Pocket scarves and SallyGators leg warmers. There is also a bountiful selection of note cards and photographs available for purchase.

See? It doesn’t require a Prime account or gallons of gas to finish your holiday shopping.

TAOS FOLK

HEADS UP MUSIC MOXIE

CREATIVE TAOS

SHOP LOCAL AND SURPRISE THOSE ON YOUR LIST WITH THE BEST OF WHAT TAOS HAS TO OFFER.