Top 10 made on Salt Spring Christmas gifts
*This is not a You Asked Q&A, but the Christmas shopping season is upon us. This is a special seasonal addition to the blog.
You don’t need to shop in the big city to find unique gifts. Driftwood reporter Amy Geddes tours Salt Spring Island and digs up 10 fresh, homegrown products for sale this year.
1. Arm warmers
$18-$48/ Hold Your Ground eco-couture reconstructions
One-of-a-kind designs made from merino wool, cashmere and angora. Thumb hole is stylish and keeps arm warmers in place. Unlike some arm warmers that look like cut-up sweaters, these are skillfully tailored.
For preteens, teens and all people who hate fussing around with mittens and gloves.
To buy, phone 250-538-0963.
2. Recycled suit bags and iPod/iPhone cozies
Bags: $75-$89
Cozies: $18/Rumah Kampung
Bags: Clever and functional bookbags, laptop carriers, diaper bags and handbags made from recycled suits.
Original pockets and design labels preserved. Each design with aptly chosen female names like Tamsin, Nancy and Moira.
Cozies: Made from men’s sleeve cuffs (sold only online).
For the eco chick who has everything.
Buy at Sabine’s Fine Used Books or www.rumahkampung.etsy.com.
3. Wearable sculpture
$25-$35/Bling Squared
Lampworked soda lime glass, melted and layered into cute creatures and trinkets like the l’il hooter, cupcake and blue squiddy. Hand-crafted.
For sweet, lovable, adorable, darling girls of all ages (or girls who like to pretend they are all these things).
Buy at Sweet Somethings Gallery, custom orders at
www.blingsquared.com.
4. Fused glass stars
$3.50/Barbara Hicks
Hang as tree ornaments or let them catch sunlight in your window all year long. They’re stunning, mailable and cheap.
For anyone on your list.
Buy at the Waterfront Gallery.
5. Traffic jam
$7/Stir Crazy on Salt Spring
Named for the rhubarb base, mixed with a “traffic jam” of whatever local fruit is most readily available. In this mix: strawberry, blueberry and Salt Spring Island organic blackberries, rhubarb and sugar. Not too sweet, but sweeter than trying to park at the Saturday market in Ganges. A selection of relishes, chutneys and other jams also available.
For those whoe eat toast, exquisite culinary dishes and everything in between.
Buy at the Legion Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Meaden Hall or phone 250-537-1648 to arrange a purchase.
6. Tough candles
$30-$35/Tough, Tiny Welder
Industrial metal candle holders: some built with wrenches, others with hooks and chains. For grease monkeys with a dual love for art and tools.
To buy, phone 250-537-8894
7. Lulu lights
$22 and $29/Susanne Dollheiser
Strings of decorative minilights adorned with decorative wax paper imported from Germany, assembled on Salt Spring Island. Citrus, floral, Asian patterns and more.
For women you wish to see aglow in a warm interior ambience this winter.
Buy at the Waterfront Gallery.
8. Filament bookmarks
$12/Heather Boyd
Stainless steel wire bookmarks that won’t get dog-eared like their paper counterparts. Hand crafted into unique designs that suit a variety of personalities.
A durable bookmark for hardcore readers.
Buy at the Waterfront Gallery.
9. Classy caps
$49-$69/DCP Designs: fashion art
Couture styles in canvas or cotton. Eyelets and some with leather trimming. Plain or striped.
For people who look good in hats.
Buy at the Waterfront Gallery or on their website.
10. Buttons, hand mirrors and magnets
$2-$7/Sister Sister
A broad selection of funky designs that make statements on social and environmental justice issues. By local sisters Jessica and Laurel Temmel, who were born and raised on Salt Spring. Pin to gifts, stockings or buy a handful and give them in a decorative can. A button exists for everyone (and you’ll probably find one for yourself as well).
Buy at Stuff n’ Nonsense in Fulford, at the Legion Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Meaden Hall or on the Sister Sister website.
BONUS ITEM:
100% organic lip balm/$6.95
Made with wildflower honey and beeswax. The product of two years of research with a shelf life of two years. It doesn’t taste like perfume or chemicals and it works.
A functional gift for anyone on your list.
Buy at Saltspring Soapworks.
UPCOMING SSI FAIRS:
*See the Driftwood online events calendar for updates
Christmas Crafts & Collectibles Fair at Meaden Hall
Saturday, December 12
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WinterCraft at Mahon Hall
Open daily 10 a.m to 5 p.m. until Sunday, December 20
Sponsored by the Salt Spring Arts Council – Heartwarming stocking stuffers and dazzling presents.
SSI Christmas Antique Fair at the United Church.
Saturday, December 12
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vintage, retro, collectibles. Art, jewellery, artifacts, silver and more. Info: 250-931-7777.
Don’t miss:
Wrapping Paper Making Workshop at at Mahon Hall.
Sunday, December 13
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Free and led by Fables Cottage at WinterCraft, the Salt Spring Arts Council show.
