5 Unique Shops to Check Out This Holiday Season

Even for someone who loves shopping as much as I do, the thought of facing holiday malls and crowds in a frustrating search for the ideal gift is less than exciting. Buying local, upcycling, and eco-conscious is trendy talk these days, and yet by the time Black Friday rolls around, most of us still head to the big-box giants, sifting through the same uninspired offerings year after year. But as I discovered, other options are out there if you’re willing to venture outside the department store. I was lucky to get a glimpse into this little-known world: a treasury of offerings by incredible artists and designers right here in the Bay Area. For gifts as unique as their future owners and a chance to score some fantastic finds while supporting local artists, here is a round-up of my favorite Bay Area Etsy shops, artisans, and original handcrafted goodies.

1) Cozy Cups: I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t enjoy a hot beverage, so for a universally-pleasing yet completely one-of-a-kind gift, I adored the hand-painted, customized ceramics from Picture in a Dream, based in Foster City. Shoppers can savor sips from one of the seasonally-inspired travel mugs, coffee and tea cups, wine glasses and more, or order their own custom artwork; artist Irina Lib will sketch a design for your approval before painting it onto the final product. Use your imagination: think cartoon portraits, family pets, a special hobby, even a panorama of a favorite city. A sweet gift for your favorite happy couple or special someone is the custom couple’s mugs: just send in the couple’s photos and a few words on their interests, and Irina will draw up a cute comical pair on matching coffee mugs. Etsy, PictureInADream.

2) Clay-tastic Creations: The lovely ladies of Yarn & Clay, Lina and Yana, have pooled their creative talents together to create a range of girly accessories and jewellery. Lina is an apt self-taught crocheter; Yana, formerly a research biologist, has found her passion in polymer clay sculpting. Together, the gifted duo crafts delicate crocheted scarves and headbands accented with whimsical clay elements – from cheerful ladybugs and owls for the mini-fashionistas, to all-grown-up abstract and floral motifs. Yana, who has been my guide into the wonderful world of local Etsy-ers, also designs bold polymer clay jewellery in vibrant hues and fluid forms, evoking ethnic or organic influences. A personal favorite that’s in my own collection is the “Millefiori” pendant: Italian for “a thousand flowers”, the cameo-shaped pendant is made using an old-world Venetian glasswork technique from Murano to “float” a unique floral design inside the semi-transparent base for a pretty stained-glass look. Etsy, yarnNclay.

3) Retrofitting: Got a BFF who lives for fashion? Local designer Effie’s Heart, headquartered in Santa Clara, is like the big girl’s dress-up chest for unique retro-themed clothing with a contemporary edge. With inspirations drawn from art, history, and nature, owner Kimo designs playful pieces that evoke feminine silhouettes of decades past: Body-skimming dresses in vibrant stripes and florals, bright swishy skirts, and capris trimmed with layers of ruffles span eras from the roaring twenties to pin-up girl. My favorites are the wide-legged, sailor-style Greenwich Pant paired with the cute bicycle-print Gallery Tee, and the soft knit Colorwheel dress, featuring wide color-blocked stripes and cozy front pockets. Don’t forget a ruffled scarf or pair of crimson gloves for a seasonal touch. Effie’s Heart designs are available through her website, www.effiesheart.com.

4) Stylin’ Salvage: For that person who eschews anything remotely “mainstream”, preferring their style offbeat with a slight ironic edge, hit up Tanith for quirky jewellery and accessory picks. Owner Tanith Rowe transforms random salvaged objects like old guitar strings, broken clocks, game parts and anything else she can find into edgy industrial and steampunk-inspired pieces in a process she calls “junk art assemblage”. Some notably funky mentions are earrings made from loops of film reel or monopoly figures (for the movie or game lover on your list?), a necklace made from a broken folding ruler, even brooches embedded with electronics parts and computer chips – what could be more perfect for geek-chic Silicon Valley dwellers? Etsy, Tanith.

5) Felt of Fancy: These adorable cuddly felt creations by Jessica Ma of I Felt in Love are bound to put a smile on the face of Santa’s tiniest helpers (and their mommies!). Jessica niftily stitches up soft felt into cute and colorful baby mobiles, toys, themed hair accessories and more. Plenty of “aww” material here, like the Super Mario crib mobile, dangling chubby felt versions of the favorite characters, or the “Up in the Sky” mobile featuring miniature planes, fluffy clouds, an air balloon, and a personalized name banner. For girlies big and small, felt-covered hair barrettes come in the form of tropical fruits, flowers, and even surprisingly realistic-looking sushi, cute enough to gobble up. Etsy, IFeltinLoveBaby.

There’s lots more to discover out there, so get online and do your own exploring! And don’t forget most artists are more than happy to accept custom orders, so if you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to ask. Happy shopping!

Kate Missine is a domestic diva, shopping addict, and worshiper of all things delicious. When she’s not chasing  after her toddler son, Kate can be found stirring things up in the kitchen, scouring grocery aisles for strange ingredients, or indulging in much-needed retail therapy. She holds a B.A. in Communications and Publishing and accepts pastries and shoes as currency. 

 By Kate Missine