Holiday Gift Guide 2020 - Day Five
I love today, because I have three of the amazing entrepreneurs who helped me make She Shops Swap the success it was way back in March. They also happen to be my friends…and for that I couldn’t be luckier.
VICKI RECOMMENDS:
Is it even Christmas 2020 if there isn’t a mask in your stocking? My dear friend and artisan Aey has been making masks since day one of the pandemic. She’s crafted and donated masks to local hospitals, nursing homes and school, all the while making masks for community to buy. Her masks are made from beautiful fabrics - most of which are remnants. Her sustainable practices are to second to none. She also makes covetable, handmade tree ornaments (above - notice the wine charm detail) and has recently started making ornaments that look (exactly) like your pet. I like to think my dog Shadow was the first she made. ;) To purchase any of Aey’s beautiful, handmade creations - head to her Instagram @creaeytions and shoot her a DM. Not only will you be thrilled with what she creates for you, she is truly one of the nicest people you will ever meet.
CREAEYTIONS RECOMMENDS:
I love teenagers with entrepreneurial spirit. Ella makes ‘pretty little things’ like earrings and necklaces in sweet ‘kid friendly’ designs like ice cream cones, donuts, pineapples and watermelons. They’re super cute for a little girls stocking. Check out all of Ella’s designs at Pretty Things by Ella.
Daydream Creations hand makes jewellery using semi precious stones and Czech glass beads. The designs are give off a cool boho vibe. It’s makers like this that I miss seeing at artisan markets. Have a peek through @daydreamcreations and DM to order.
VICKI RECOMMENDS:
I’m sure I’ve told you the story of how I met Kerri Torrey, right? Well if not, here’s the abridged version. I was flipping through an issue of InStyle (yes, flipping through actual paper pages) when I spotted a tiny piece on a clean beauty brand called Beautycounter. This got my spidey senses tingling as I was doing a lot of reading about harmful chemicals in our self care products, but I wasn’t sure if it was available in Canada. yet. The next day (literally) I popped into one of Snapdragon’s holiday open houses (before she had her shop on Mount Pleasant) and who is the first vendor I see…Kerri Torrey of Beautycounter! Talk about kismet! I’ve loved her and Beautycounter ever since. My favourite product since day one is the Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm. During the holiday season Beautycounter has fab gift sets - so do check out Kerri’s Beautycounter page - or slip into her DM’s on Insta to get to know more about clean beauty and /or place an order.
KERRI RECOMMMENDS:
I love this reco because I think art is such a wonderful gift, but it’s also very personal, so it can be hard to nail. Erin Rothstein is a Toronto artist who’s paintings are so realistic it’s hard to believe they’re not photographs. Case in point - the incredible Gucci slipper above is one of her still life paintings. Recently Erin has started producing limited edition prints of some of her art, which has definitely made it more affordable. Her art is generally focused on food and fashion (two of my favourite things) and perfect for any room in the house. I’ll be completely jealous if there’s an Erin Rothstein under your tree.
VICKI RECOMMENDS:
And just when you think you don’t need another stretchy bracelet…you realize you do - and someone else does too! That’s why you put Andrea Trail from Eliza Perry on speed dial (or text) - and you can pretty much guarantee she’ll have a stack or gorgeous bracelets in your mailbox in no time. One of the things I really enjoyed during the first lockdown (how weird will that sound twenty years down the road) was Andrea’s Instagram Live’s. I could happily listen to her talk about jewellery all night. Then of course I would see something I didn’t have already…and buy it. Check out her website to shop online, and follow on her on Instagram because she’s popping up (masked of course) at markets outside of the lockdown zone throughout December.
ELIZA PERRY RECOMMENDS:
Always and Forever Designs creates contemporary decor out of felt. You really need to take a look through the website to fully appreciate the simplicity and beauty of her creations. I wanted to post two photos…but then I’d be playing favourites. She also makes cute essential oil diffusers out of felt - the rainbow design is seriously adorable. I know I have a lot of readers who are essential oil fans - so you’ll absolutely love them. Shipping is available is Canada and across the US.
Stitched by Sarah is a Durham maker of all thing knit and crocheted. But what I really love is that Sarah sells patterns…so you can purchase a pattern and make the gift yourself. I’m not that talented, so I would straight up by a hat. Stitched by Sarah only sells locally in Durham (slip into her DM’s to find out where - so lucky you if you live there or regularly travel through. Check out her Etsy shop or Raverly Patterns for patterns. Sarah say’s her patterns “are mostly comfortable for beginners. they are not necessarily basic, but do include video and photo aids as well as links to help with steps and stitches”. Sounds like a Covid winter project to moi!
