Friday Finds: Mere's 2020 Local Gift Guide
Have you seen our 2020 Gift Guides? A lot of time and energy went into them, so be sure to check them out. I’ve been inspired by them and will be giving some of the featured items and experiences to several of my loved ones! Along with our official Gather suggestions, I have some personal favorites. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve amassed a collection of local makers, artists, and shops who you love, too. Read on to see my suggestions for ways to shop small in the Twin Cities this year!
For your walls:
Welcome a bit of sunshine into your home with one of Ashley Mary’s vibrant pieces. This one, called “Swoosh Pool”, is especially wonderful.
When I was growing up, my grandma decorated her home with paintings and sculptures that depicted owls, among other things. In her honor, this Kelzuki print now lives in a prominent place in my own home. Kelsey’s animal art is truly stunning, and she has plenty of prints to choose from!
I am convinced this cheeky wallpaper by local duo She She will eventually find its way into one of our bathrooms. So fun!
To wear:
Scarf Shop can do no wrong. I can’t think of anything in my closet that feels or looks better than my Cloud Scarf, and I appreciate the sustainability practices the company embraces.
This hip bag by Maat Mons became my #1 accessory to bring on foraging excursions last summer. I liked it so much that I quickly added the Everything Bag to my collection, too, and they helped keep us rich in chanterelles. “Bags and goods for going places and doing things”, indeed!
Hackwith Design House: handmade, small-batch, and they even have a Plus line!
Ceramics:
Take just one look at Liz Pechacek’s work, and you’ll see that a lot of time and energy goes into each piece. I especially admire her sculptures, and I feel lucky to have stumbled across her studio at the Northrup King building several years ago.
I keep two of Adam Gruetzmacher’s stunning ceramic pieces by my kitchen sink for corralling sponges and brushes, and his perfect salt cellar lives next to my stove. All three pieces get used daily and are ohsovery cherished.
Sandwich Ceramics puts so much love into his work. I use one of his small vessels to display cuttings from the woods around our house.
Louisa at A Mano is not only a fantastic artist, but she’s also a champion of other local makers. Her annual seconds sale draws a huge crowd, and I love the way she lifts others up. I’m obsessed with her murmuration pieces, and you’ll probably adore her confetti ornaments and rainbow wall hangings.
My ceramic berry bowl from Fringe and Fettle gets put to good use on a daily basis. When I’m not using it to rinse off a blueberry treat, it sits pretty on one of our kitchen shelves.
Jewelry:
I can’t get enough of Rubinski Works’ stunning beadwork. My beaded necklace is one of my prized possessions, and I wear it every chance I get.
I own a lot of earrings. These beauties by Dottir are in constant rotation.
I don’t tend to wear jewelry on my hands. One of the only rings I wear regularly is by Lauren Neal, and I could see us turning to her for our wedding bands. Isn’t her work stunning?
As I mentioned, I am a big fan of earrings. Kiki Koyote makes several pairs that I love to wear: these perfectly balanced Slope Earrings, the simple Hook Earrings, her Spiral Earrings are tiny hoops with a twist, and the Statement Earrings which remind me of sailboats!
Tattoos:
My Jes Bailey tattoo wasn’t my first tattoo, but it was the first one I fell in love with. The ones that preceded it have meaning to me, but I’m not exactly delighted by the artistry. Jes brought one of my grandma’s paintings to life on my arm, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
Heather is the first tattoo artist who tattoed their own art on my body. I love my fiddlehead ferns, and I’d book an appointment with her again any day.
To Browse:
The Foundry Home Goods: a forever fave. I appreciate the way they’ve navigated the pandemic by shutting down before the government required them to, keeping their doors closed to in-person shopping throughout, and setting up a fantastic curbside pickup system (have you seen their tent?!). And, of course, they’ll ship things right to your door, too. My sweet stepmom gave me a few of their Ostheimer Toys a few years ago, and have I mentioned that I can’t get enough of their beeswax candles? (I have. Over and over and over again. They’re so good!)
I love the story of how Black Garnet Books came to be. Pop-ups are on hold for now (hello pandemic) but check online to support Dionne’s venture! BGB is a Black, woman-owned bookstore that primarily stocks adult and YA contemporary literature by Black and racially-diverse authors. My recommendations: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, and The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.
I love an excuse to visit my hometown of Excelsior, and Golden Rule is always on my list when I make the short trip back. An art gallery and gift shop in one, with so much eye candy and lovely staff to boot!
Moon Palace Books is an absolute gem, and we are so lucky to have them.
And of course, Birchbark Books is one of my favorite little bookstores in Minneapolis. Their dogs are a delight, too! To buy: The Night Watchman (anything, really. Everything!) by local Louise Erdrich.
Thanks for sticking with me as I diverged from my regularly scheduled programming of new and interesting links from around the internet! (But here are two links anyway, just for you, just because.) I hope you’ll shop small and local this year, and if you’re looking for more book recommendations, consider The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante, which I blew through last month, and wow, no thank you by the always-funny Samantha Irby. Do you have a favorite local artist? I’d love to know!
Have you read our latest blog posts yet?
the dog was very into our attempts at engagement photos, can’t you tell? ;)