• Sections
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Bridal
    • Community
    • Education
    • Fashion
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • MVMA
    • Perspectives
    • Travel
  • Shop Local
    • Arts & Culture
    • Bridal
    • Community
    • Dining & Cuisine
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Financial & Professional Services
    • Florists, Gift & Specialty Shops
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Real Estate
  • Calendar
  • Dining Guide
  • Advertise
  • Login

Merrimack Valley Magazine

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Community
  • Education
  • Fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • Perspectives
  • Travel
← Back

Artisanal Gifts – Part Three

Aaron Robinson
Published December 10, 2019
Share:

For many shoppers during the holiday season, finding the perfect gift can be difficult. Should you grab something from the nearest superstore and call it a day? For those looking beyond the Big Box, here’s a practical buying guide for art made by hand, by local craftspeople. Investing in such unique and personalized gifts will put smiles on the faces of your loved ones and show support for local artisans. Custom creations have an appeal that goes beyond trends, and will be treasured long after the season has ended. 

Jewelry

Lisa Scala of Lisa Scala Jewelry specializes in metalsmithing and creates jewelry infused with spiritual meaning and connected to the natural world. Her distinct jewelry showcases natural materials such as stone, beads, silver and gold. The Healing Pendant necklace pictured to the immediate right costs $464, and is made with sterling silver, jade, labradorite, blue dot jasper and marble. The Fierce Scroll earrings cost $198 and are made of sterling silver. 

TheChicPeek.com

Felt Pets

The work of Rachel Benson, a sculptor, crafter and felter from Groton, is often geared toward children. Suitably, she teaches art lessons when she is not busy creating.

For animal lovers, her custom pets that make for jaw-dropping seasonal gifts. Working from photos supplied by the client, Benson makes the animals with solid wool, and each takes between 5 and 8 hours of labor. The miniature creations typically cost between $85-$165. 

RachelBenson.carbonmade.com

Photo by Kevin Harkins.

Walking Sticks

Vito Couch, owner of Walkers New England Walking Sticks, is committed to exercise and walking. However, he knows that for older folks, getting around isn’t as easy as it used to be. He handmakes walking staffs for people of all ages right from his home in North Billerica and promotes the idea that healthy living is staying active. All staffs are custom made.

The special edition Thoreau Walker pictured right is a tribute to the great naturalist and lover of all things ambulatory. It sells for $49 – $59.

NewEnglandWalkers.com

Share:
Related Articles
The New Nuptial Attitude
Love One, Love All
The Strange! The Weird! The Macabre!
Jewelry from the Heart

Current Issue

Who We Are

mvm is the region’s premier source of information about regional arts, culture and entertainment; food, dining and drink; community happenings, history and the people who live, work, play and make our area great.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Sections

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Bridal
  • Community
  • Education
  • Fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • MVMA
  • Perspectives
  • Travel

Links

  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Regular Contributors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact

© Copyright 2021 Merrimack Valley Media Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901

Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901

Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

*Valid on new memberships during the month of September 2020.

 

Newsletter Signup

MERRIMACK VALLEY TODAY: Noteworthy. Local. News. (Launching May 2021)
Wellness Wednesdays
Eight Great Things To Do This Weekend (Thursdays)
NoteWorthy - Happenings, Movers & Shakers (Sundays)

Orangetheory Methuen is celebrating it’s one year anniversary with an
Open House, Saturday June 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join your friends and neighbors to learn more about the fastest growing workout sensation in the nation. Tour the studio. Meet the coaches. Enter to win a 10 pack of classes. The first 20 people who sign up for a free class at the event will receive a free bonus class, no obligation. 

Click here to learn more! 

Click here to schedule your FREE CLASS in Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901
Click here to schedule your FREE CLASS in Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

*Free Class for first-time visitors and local residents only.