Though I hate the way the economy is going these days I do harbor hope that it may change some of our nation's shopping habits. This is a subject I wrestle with daily as I'm lured and tempted by beautiful objects that I may want but don't necessarily need. When the gift-giving holiday season is in full swing I go back and forth between desiring to keep things simple and wishing I had endless amounts of money to spend on those I love.
This year, we are all being forced to consider anew how we spend our precious resources. It is no coincidence that the indie craft market is hitting its stride just as folks are gaining an appreciation for things that are made close to home, perhaps by people we know. So if you've baked all the cookies you can bake and have knitted up all the mittens you can knit, then check out some of our local talent--if you're going to spend money and buy gifts you can't get any better than these artists. And they're local/regional to boot.
Smock Paper is one of the most beautiful letterpress card companies out there. They've been getting attention in national magazines and are one of the darlings of the letterpress world and they are made right here in the 'Cuse. Smock is produced out of the uber cool Box Car Press right in the Delavan Center and they are the only print shop in the country to be using luxury bamboo paper--the height in eco-consciousness.
While Syracuse waits to get a super cool stationery and card store to sell Smock Paper you can get some by contacting them via their website.
And if it is too late to get their holiday cards, don't despair. They have cards for many occasions and can do custom orders. Check them out.
In the shop of my dreams I would have a cool cafe pouring fair trade coffee and serving up yummy organic baked goods, a yoga studio, and a well edited selection of pens and paper goods. And in that shop I'd sell everything that Tara Hogan creates. Tara is the creative force behind Ink and Wit, another critically acclaimed design house that is based in....Fayetteville! I've been dreaming of Ink and Wit cards and prints for a few years now and just reveled in Tara's show at the Delavan Gallery earlier this year. Check out Tara's website for her latest work. Her calendar, created in partnership with Rochester's Pistachio Press makes a great gift.
You really can't go wrong with jewelry, right? You may have seen Round Rabbit's gorgeous necklaces, rings, and pins at the CNY Regional Market, or if you follow design blogs you'll see that Nancy Schindler is getting alot of attention for her handcrafted porcelain wearable art. I purchased a necklace from her nearly two years ago and it is one of my favorite pieces.
Nancy is based in Owego and is helping to put Central New York on the indie craft map.
Okay, so you are stumped for a gift and you really want to send food. And you don't have it in you to cook, can, or bake another thing. Then let Nelson Farms take care of you. Their gift boxes can be assembled with any number of small batch jams, condiments, sauces, pastas, or cereals made right here in our region. You don't have to worry about carbon miles because all of their products are made in New York State if not our region. But be forewarned, don't go there hungry because you will want to buy nearly everything.
Still not tempted? Don't want to deal in the realm of stuff? Then make a double gift by making a donation to the Food Bank of Central New York in honor of your friend or loved one. It's the feel good gift and a feed good gift. Putting food on the tables of our neighbors might just be the simplest, local, and delicous gift one can give.
* All photos are sourced from their respective websites.
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