Locally handmade gifts, easy as 1, 2, 3

I try to shop local and handmade for as many Christmas/Holiday presents as I can. It just feels nicer and I like supporting local artists. Below is a list of some local craft markets and shops, which I have visited in the past and found just the right thing. They are in no particular order.

The North Market.

Who doesn't love the market. Local food and farmers. Popcorn. Ice cream. Coffee and tea and spices (btw-- love the spice vendor. Love.) Annually they have a craft show and it is a great one. Just the right size to browse before or after lunch. A great selections and tons of fun. The last two years, the kids have shopped for grandparents at this craft expo. This year the North Market Holiday Open House is December 1 and 2, 2012.

Junctionview Studios

First of all I love this place. A co-working studio for various artists. They sponsor various open houses, art shows during the year and the one for the holidays is fantastic. A good mix of crafty items and arts.

This year the Holiday Art Market is December 16, 2012 from 2-6 pm.

Glass Axis

 Glass Axis is a glass work coop. They have a retail store and host public Sales and Workshops throughout the year. The Glass Pumpkin Patch in October is worth noting. The Holiday Sale and Workshops, is likewise worth the trip. This year the Holiday Sale is December 7-9, 2012. Workshops and handmade, locally blown glass. Perfect.

Not a craft fair person or busy on those dates, the following are shops/stores where I go to find local and handmade items.

Wholly Craft -- you just never know what you will find. They have quirky hours, so check the website.

Sobo Style-- not all local and not all new, but fun and funky.

The Candle Lab -- I love this place. I could make candles all day. You can pour your own or stick with something they have in stock. I love their bath bombs. Possibly the best bath bombs ever...

Objects for the Home -- not all made here, but many items are by local crafts people. Ask. I have always found them to be very helpful and knowledgeable.

So what did I miss? Do you have a favorite, not on my list???

A season of giving-- a food donation notation

It is no secret. I dislike the Christmas season. The commercialism, the non-stop bad music that takes over Muzak everywhere. The crowds, the gimmes, the fights over discounted televisions.

Bah. Bah. Bah.

That said, there are a lot of very charitably minded people and alot of good is done during this season. So I will try to remain positive. I will not shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. I will aim to shop local or artisan made, when I can.

I am also going to try and highlight some nice holiday options, on Fridays. These are businesses or organizations that I like. No one is giving me anything to do this (I mean they could and I would totally toot my own horn if they did but I am not being compensated as I type this post. I am however sitting in the dark, wondering why I choose not to put on socks. A different matter entirely.)

This week I will also refer to my entry a few years ago. As we enter the season of food drives, please, please think about people in need who have issues like I do. Gluten Intolerance and food allergies, are not just issues of wealthy and middle class families. While the Kroger brand of mac and cheese is great and on sale this week, many families cannot eat it for a variety of reasons. So think about more whole food choices, with no processed sauces or additives. I say look for 5 ingredient or less foods.

This could include:

shelf stable soy milk or nut milks
apple sauce -- with no added sugar
peanut butter or soy butter or sun butter
plain instant oatmeal (not gluten free, but great for people with other allergies)
plain instant rice ceral
gluten free flour blend
trail mix
dried fruit such as raisins and cranberries
banana chips
plain rice -- instant or slow cook
cooking oil
dried beans, lentils, peas
canned fruit, with no added sugar
powdered milk
instant coffee
canned milk
canned beans -- but read the labels, just beans, no funny stuff
gluten free crackers/rice crackers
all fruit jams/preserves
gluten free cereals/granola
gluten free breakfast bars/granola type bars



Call ahead, will the pantry take winter squash, potatoes, apples? Gift cards? Many pantries meet their clients needs this way.

I cannot imagine trying to meet my dietary needs, with a very limited income. Can you imagine if you were a family on the edge and a child or adult in the family was struggling with uncontrolled IBS/Celiacs or other issues due to an inability to find wholesome, whole food choices.

The reality is all the items on my list are generally healthier options for everyone. We all benefit from less processing and less sugar and less junk in our food. So while you are giving someone with allergies or intolerance some options, you are also giving everyone something very healthy.

It is a win-win.

12 Days of Christmas

So today, as L and I hung window clings, cute little penguins and snow flakes, she started singing Christmas songs and I cut her off, saying not yet... It is a rule of mine, no Christmas music until 12 days before Christmas.

She said, "What is it with you, why don't you like Christmas."

It isn't so much that I dislike Christmas, I dislike the insanity. I fail to see why we need to start selling Christmas crap at Halloween. Why must we be tortured with Christmas music starting November 1? Why must we only remember poor people at Christmas time? Why must we have loads of special parties and dinners, now at Christmas time. Why must we only show our appreciation for our hair stylist, bus driver and bank teller only on Christmas? Why can't we be kind to people all year round?

I could on, but I won't.

So what I thought I would do, is to take apart the song, the 12 Days of Christmas, and try to talk about a timely related subject, hopefully pointing out opportunities to be kind year round, to live the "Christmas spirit" 24/7. I have no idea if this will be fun and jolly or dark and dreary. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

So be on the look out. No promises, but here goes nothing.

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!