Handmade Gift Ideas from California Artists & Makers
Posted by Lisa Ramos on
Shopping for memorable and quality gifts is not an easy task. In this blog article explore unique gifting ideas from local makers and artist's. Each artist selected in this article is personally selected by California Designer, Lisa Ramos who has purchased items from each business in this article. Lisa has also included her business MONOLISA. Explore handmade silk scarves, intricate woodwork, knitted pieces, beautiful resign designs, gemstone rings, glass pieces, fancy hair pins, leather bags, necklaces, one of a kind pillow cases, unique photography art and much more. As an artist Lisa loves supporting the art community and local businesses. Read below what Lisa purchased from these artists and makers. Have fun shopping!
About The Talented California Artists & Makers
Alice Reva Designs - Botanically dyed and intentionally crafted in Bay Area - scarfs, hair accessories, face masks and pillow cases. Each one of a kind dyed piece is handmade by maker Alice Reva in Albany, California. Lisa purchased two pastel colored scrunchies and a silk scarf.
Batle Studio - Each object is are all handmade in San Francisco by artist Agelio Batle. The artist is committed to making art from materials that are part of daily experience. Agelio Batle originated this work by casting his own hand (Drawing Hand No.1) in pencil lead, graphite, each day for the calendar year 1999. Each object is individually packaged in an elegant black gift box with literature telling a little bit about the artist/studio and the symbolism of the enclosed object. Lisa bought a unique pencil to gift someone special.
BE. HEART. NOW® - Santa Cruz Artist, Amy Wolfe isn't going to wait around for a more Heart-Headed™ world, she is literally creating it and making it happen. Her work is #AdorableActivism at its finest. Customizing Heart-Headed™ wire-worked miniature figures in various handcrafts and then utilizing her perspective photography skills, to show exactly what a more Heart-Headed™ joyful world truly looks like. Lisa purchased various handmade cards from the artist.
Camille Torres Designs - Artist Camille Torres is a Bay Area metal smith, artist and bug geek. Her incredible designs will immediately captivate you. Her pieces are inspired by the natural cycles in life, intertwining nature and the human interaction within it. Lisa bought multiple gemstone butterfly hairpins.
Creekside Turnery - Explore Artist Richard Vierra's beautiful wood work creations - one of a kind bowls, vases, platters, teapots and striking vessels. Lisa purchased a large hand carved wood bowl.
Eden & Zoe - The women and children’s clothing collection is created using a hand-operated knitting loom or sewing machine, and finished by hand. Many pieces are entirely hand knitted and/or sewn. The collection is made in small quantities to ensure quality and exclusivity by Melissa Wang in San Mateo, California. Lisa purchased a pink cashmire shawl she gifted to a friend.
Fiamma Candles - The handmade Fiamma collection includes glasses, candles, soaps and diffusers. The company was started by Lorena Cicciari and her husband Dean in Concord, California. In keeping with Fiamma’s commitment to be good environmental stewards, all materials come from sustainable sources. Lisa purchased diffusers to treat herself and for gifting others.
Gila Glass - Glass fusing is her passion, her art, her livelihood. Each original, unique and one of a kind glass pieces is handmade by artist Gila Sigy. Lisa purchased a lovely turquoise glass vase she features in her home.
HolidayPop - Handmade colorful greeting cards - birthdays, nature, proposals, weddings, holidays, kids and sports. The detailed cards are made in Burlingame, California. Lisa has purchased lots of cards throughout the seasons - use for the holidays, birthdays and weddings.
Maarit Knits - Is a homegrown knitwear studio located in Northern California. Maarit learned to knit, crochet and weave at an early age growing up in Finland from her seamstress grandmother. She perfected her hand-operated machine knitting skills in a knitwear program at the Art Academy of San Francisco. Her love for color, exquisite yarns from Maine and embellishments of fine leather/suede and fancy crystals are essential elements for her custom-made knitwear collection. Lisa purchased a one of a kind lavender shawl to gift for a close friend.
Mission City Pens - Mission City Pens designs are often one-of-a-kind using materials or designs that can not be duplicated. Rare and exotic woods with stunning wood grain or burl, postage stamps, watch parts, colorful acrylics, alligator jawbone, pinecones, inlay wood themes, bullet cartridges, gun themes, pens with a historically significant inlay and a host of other materials uncommonly used to make a pen are just a small example of the materials Southern California Artist Brian uses. Lisa purchased a one of kind guitar pen to gift someone special - the pen came in a mini guitar box.
MONOLISA - Premium leather handbags, jewelry and custom pieces designed with gemstones and lavish crystals. Handmade in Clayton, California by Artist Lisa Ramos.
Story Spark - Southern California founders Alex and Sun created STORY SPARK as a reminder that our time together should be fun and memorable. After having consulted for a number of corporations as digital interface designers, they decided to apply their experience and design principles into the creation of something personal - something with the potential to empower people at an individual level. Lisa purchased a variety of t-shirts - the cat styles are her favorite.
The Weekend Store - was born from a deep desire to provide not just a good gift, but the perfect gift. The Weekend Store offers a progressively designed, hand-made collection of exceptional home goods, clothing, and accessories for people who celebrate individuality, champion social justice, and appreciate wit. Each piece is handmade with incomparable craftsmanship by Bay Area Maker, Adjowah. Lisa purchased pot holders and napkins to gift a family member.
Vlad's Lab llc - Each intricate hand-crafted wood design is created by maker, Vlad Stanojevikj in Pescadero, California. All of the wood is sourced locally from Big Creek Lumber. Lisa purchased a lovely butterfly box to surprise her sister.
