In the last few years we have noticed that Galentine’s Day is getting almost as much celebration, marketing and promotion as Valentine’s Day itself. It’s really not surprising as women make approximately 70-85% of consumer purchases in the United States. With those numbers, a day celebrating single or divorced women (50-52% of U.S. women) would be quite advantageous.
We decided to dedicate this blog to ideas for Galentine’s Day celebrations with you and your besties that incorporate experiences, smaller local brands and creating new skills. All will generate moments to bond with your friends and make memories to celebrate Gal-Dom.
UPCYCLE JEWELRY PARTY
Do you have an engagement ring or wedding band that you no longer have any use of? Did you inherit a piece of jewelry that is not to your taste or you may deem too old fashion? Do you have any piece in your jewelry collection that you feel can be updated and glammed up? Well we recommend having an “Upcycle Jewelry Party”.
This requires inviting a local jewelry designer of your choice to a gathering at your home or event place of your choice. You can even host an after hours event at a jewelry boutique with the owner.
Recently I saw the collection of jewelry designer Yael Sonia at one of my favorite jewelry and objects boutique Atelier d’Emotion located in SoHo Village, NYC. The boutique is owned by Alice Sundbom and it was at one of her trunk shows when I told her I had jewelry that did not fit my taste. She recommend that a jewelry designer upcycle and redesign the piece. We thought this would make a great event for Galentine’s Day and all the women who had jewelry pieces or stones that needed a fresh new start. Also if you provide the gem stones, the price of the piece goes considerably down.
Yael Sonia’s pieces are perfect for upcycling stones from rings or necklaces for a fresh out of the box design. A piece that can be translated for your gemstones is her “Spinning Ring”. The ring has an unorthodox design in that there is a circle concave with a 6.5mm white diamond pavé ball inside rolling around in motion. This ring can be recreated to have your stone of similar size and weight roll around. It’s actually a fun ring to own as you can see from the short video below.
Another ring style from Sonia is the “Meteor Brilliant Ring” where a smooth cabochon sits at the center of planetary rings made of 18k gold and diamond pavé. Your stone can replace the stone in this design that can vary in size according to the stone.
If you have any pearl earrings or pearl rings that you feel are quite basic, Yael Sonia has a selection of rings that can breathe in new life to your pearl and transform it into a contemporary piece of art.
Yael Sonia “Tahitian Pearl surrounded by Pave Diamonds”
Have a discussion with your favorite local jewelry designer and see their capabilities and ideas for recreating jewelry pieces and gems that you would love to reinvent and how this can be the perfect Galentine’s Day event.
HAVE A CUSTOM FRAGRANCE MADE FOR YOU
A fun and creative experience to share with your friends is to invite a perfumer over to create a special scent made just for you. This can be done with your local perfumer or you can go to olfactorynyc.com in New York City where you can either go in-store where everyone leaves with their very own custom perfume – bottled fresh on-site! Olfactory provides your party wine and light refreshments (maximum capacity of 25). Olfactory also has On-Site mobile Scent Stations to make it easy to create this unforgettable experience at your home in NYC. If you are not near New York City Olfactory also offers Virtual Guided Instructions, where their scentologists guide you over Zoom in the comfort of your own home where you will be sent supplies ahead of the event. Olfactory is also located in Boston, DC, Miami, Atlanta and Dallas.
Together with your friends you can mix notes with their key 9 fragrances to find your perfect scent.
Your scentologist will help guide you in creating your scent.
You get to choose a name for your perfume, which will be stamped on your unique label, then select a custom label color.
TAKE A DESSERT CLASS TOGETHER
How about you and your friends make your own Galentine’s Day dessert with a dessert class?
You can attend a local cooking school that offers dessert making classes and create your own classic Valentine’s Day dessert. You can also hire a dessert chef to come to your home to teach you and your friends how to make a variety of desserts such as macarons, tiramisu or even Galentine’s Day cookies.
A great choice for dessert classes is CocuSocial where classes vary from $55 to $75 per person depending on the dessert you chose. You will learn step-by-step how to achieve the perfect dessert with your friends, all levels are welcomed and in two hours you will learn a new delicious skill that you and others will appreciate.
You have clothes you love but have not worn in ages or don’t fit you anymore. Dieting to fit into clothes you wore in your 20’s is not an option anymore. You can go on Poshmark and have your clothes ignored as it is a full time job to promote your closets there. You can go to a consignment shop and get insulted at the price they are willing to give you only to turn around and offer it at a ridiculous price. You can donate them but you love them so much and want to make sure they go to a good home where they will be loved and treasured (akin to rehoming your pet). Well may I recommend a clothes swapping party!
Swap parties are reminisce of bartering.
Invite your friends to come over and to bring pieces that they too are not using anymore but love just as much as you love your pieces and see if there are any pieces you all can swap. It’s a great way to recycle your clothes and I bet there are pieces in your wardrobe they have been eyeing for ages and vice-versa. Shoes, accessories and handbags are also great to swap especially the accessories and handbags since there is no issue with sizes. Even jewelry pieces you don’t wear or treasure can be a great addition to swap parties. Add some wine and pizza and you have not only a great evening but a great new wardrobe. Make sure everyone understands to bring worthwhile pieces not that t-shirt that has been at the bottom of your draw for ages. One other added bonus, if you ever want to borrow a piece you swapped out hopefully your friend is generous to lend it out to you.
Clothing Swap parties are a guaranteed sustainable way to celebrate Galentine’s Day.
FLOWER ARRANGING CLASS
What is a way to guarantee you will not feel sad about not receiving a floral bouquet on Valentines Day? Learn how to make a bouquet on Galentine’s Day!
Creating your own bouquet on Galentine’s Day is not only a way to walk home with some lovely flowers but it will also help you learn a skill that will always come in handy and be much appreciated especially if you love to entertain or want to give great hostess or birthday gifts.
You can Google your local florists to find classes for you and your friends to attend. In New York City, PlantShed is offering a special Galentine’s Day floral arranging class that includes “a selection of fresh seasonal plants or flowers, a demonstration, tips and tricks from our talented PlantShed floral designers or plant specialists, and all the materials you will need to build and safely transport your stunning creation.” They will also provide a beverage from their cafe and give you a 20% discount for in-store shopping.
Grocery stores like Trader Joes and Wholefoods offer flowers at affordable prices and here is your chance to pick from their selection and create beautiful bouquets for yourself to come home to everyday or give as gifts.
What’s a more productive and heartfelt way to spend Galentine’s Day than to do a volunteer project together!
Volunteering at City Harvest.
Here is a way to bond by making the world better (as women usually do). This can be volunteering for political or social campaigns, protesting (something we seem to be doing more and more these days), helping with food insecurity for organizations such as City Harvest or fundraise for them. There is an organization in New York City called New York Cares that gives you opportunities to do a wide variety of volunteer projects that fit in with your schedule. You can Google to see what organizations near by you have opportunities to volunteer in a cause you feel passionate about.
Rachel Dratch helping promote New York Cares Coat Drive.
Go on a group protest with your friends for Galentine’s Day (and copious amounts of hot chocolate after).
HOST A VISION BOARD PARTY
One of the most fun and creative ways you can spend time together with your friends for Galentine’s Day is to host a vision board party. As someone that has been hosting vision board parties for over 18 years now, it is the modern day version of the old timey quilting bees.
Helping each other make goals is a beautiful way to spend Galentine’s Day together.
Ask your friends come bringing magazines of subject matters they enjoy or are passionate about (and a bottle of wine) and you provide lots of scissors, paste sticks, large pieces of paper or pasteboards, pizza and snacks. You then flip through the magazines and tear out images that resonate to you. You start arranging your board lining it up with images that reflect the lifestyle you desire and want goals to attain (i.e. love life, career, health, travel, family, home, etc.)
Vision Board parties are a very bonding experience.
While you are creating your board you are having a nice catch up with your friends and sharing your goals in life. When done, just give a little show-and-tell and get important feed back from your friends and let them know what you think of their board to give encouragement. Get back together six months later to review your boards and you will be amazed at how much you have accomplished. Then set new goals. If you want any advice on Vision Boards email us at info@thelocalartisanguide.com and we will send you a PDF on the subject.
SPA DAY (OR evening)
Is there nothing a women loves more than a spa day (or evening) with her friends? You can gather a group of your friends to attend a spa together and do spa treatments or take a sauna or steam for rest and relaxation. Or you can host a spa evening at your home and have your friends bring a variety of beauty treatment for all to try. These can be clean products and home made beauty treatments using organic products.
The old cucumber on the eye trick never fails (and is inexpensive).
Have each friend be in charge of a beauty treatment. One can supply under eye masks, while the other gives a honey facial, while another does a manicure and another a pedicure. There are lots of clean, holistic products to use, we love and recommend products from The Alchemists Kitchen, especially their Turmeric Honey Face Mask.
Make sure you have a nice charcuterie board, a healthy mocktail and lots of candles going for this fun, relaxing evening where you can share some juicy gossip, talk about how crazy Ryan Murphy’s latest shows are and let your friends give you some advice on your love life and dating in the wild.
HAVE A POT LUCK DINNER
If there is one thing women love doing is getting together and having a good meal. Why not curate an elegant evening with a gourmet potluck? It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive (unless that’s what you gals want). Cooking for the ones you love is one of the best and more creative ways to show someone you care about them.
Set up a beautiful tablescape to show your friends how special they are to you.
Arrange what everyone will bring. Have a friend put together a colorful charcuterie board, another one make an amazing salad, another friend make some vegetarian or gluten free dishes (there is definitely going to be the gluten free girlfriend attending), another tackle a meat or fish dish, maybe someone bakes a sourdough loaf (my friend are still sourdough crazy from lockdown) and another make an amazing dessert (they took that macaron class). One can even be in charge of being a mixologist for the evening and creating yummy cocktails and mocktails for the crowd. Set a beautiful table, you can go to Global Table to make sure you have beautiful glassware for those amazing drinks. Make a floral arrangement (remember you learned in your class), have all your friends dress up for the evening (with that swap party you have new clothes to wear). Screen a romantic movie after dinner with a strong female lead and have an evening you will always remember with the women in your life that are your support group.
A toast to a special evening with your Galentines friends.
HAVE AN EVENING TO PLAN A FUTURE GIRLS TRIP WITH YOUR FRIENDS AT A CHâTEAU
Or just an Airbnb in the next town. What more bonding moment to celebrate your Galentine’s besties than with a trip to create memories together without the hassles that come with a hen weekend, destination wedding or milestone birthday? It’s just you and the gals having an adventure together in a different locale.
A dancing and bonding moment at Camp Château.
Get together on Galentine’s Day at your favorite watering hole and start planning a trip together! We were only half joking when we recommended to plan a trip to a chateau. At Camp Château in France they offer two châteaux to chose from to have the ultimate posh camp experience with your female friends. It’s an all inclusive, six day/five night experience where you get to curate your own activities by choosing what they have to offer. Some of the activities they offer are; hiking, foraging, flower pressing, candlemaking, watercolors, perfume making, wine tasting, cooking classes, exploring markets, visiting a vineyard, music concerts, swimming, board games, silent disco and so much more!! You sleep together in fancy bunk beds (remember this is bonding trip) but you will still feel like a princess. You can do an activity alone or with your friends. There is a waiting list so sign up fast for this once in a lifetime Galentine experience.
A trip with the special women in your life will always be a trip worth taking.
That said finding time to get away together doesn’t need to be so extravagant. Maybe you have availability to a weekend home or chip in together for an airbnb or vrbo? You can create your own version of a Camp Château by everyone in the group finding fun activities to do together and explore.
It is said one of the reasons women live longer than men is because they share a community, their lives, their feelings , their hopes and dreams with each other which translates to a healthy body and mind. Maybe that is the real reason Galentine’s Day is growing to be so popular. Women are just officially acknowledging a love and companionship like no other. Happy Galentine’s Day!
This year for The Local Artisan Guide’s Father’s Day gift recommendations we asked some fathers what they would like to get as gifts then we researched and matched artisanal brands that fit our ethos (and dads would love). What made it easier for us this year is that we were heavily inspired by our annual trip upstate New York to Kingston, where we visited the “Field & Supply” Spring Market. Field & Supply is a heavily curated modern makers market that spotlights local brands in categories of apparel, accessories, home decor, beauty & wellness, jewelry and more. As we explored the beautiful tented grounds located right on the picturesque Hudson River, we were greatly inspired by the local brands and the stories of their makers. The different cuisines of the food stalls made for a great day escape from the city. We gladly picked some of their makers for our Father’s Day gift guide from their new online shop to make it easy for you to shop artisanal gifts for dad. We encourage you greatly to check out the Field & Supply site and possibly visit their outdoor markets, which will certainly inspire you to shop local and artisanal, especially for dear old dad (or any dad figure in your life).
A view of Field & Supply in upstate NY in Kingston along the beautiful Hudson River.
THE BIG GREEN EGG 10” MINI CHARCOAL KAMADO GRILL & SMOKER IN GREEN
For generations fathers have loved grilling on the iconic Big Green Egg. A grill was a popular Father’s Day choice from those dads we asked what they would like, so we chose the Big Green Egg is now available in a mini 10 inch form that makes it easy to take it on picnics, your apartment balcony, vacations, boating, camping and more! What makes the Big Green Egg in mini form so special is featured in it’s copy:
“The Big Green Egg is the highest quality, most versatile and simplest-to-use outdoor cooker available, offering more cooking options than all other conventional cookers combined. Grill, roast, smoke, sear and bake the EGG does all this and more!
Quick and easy to start - reaches cooking temperature and is ready to use in minutes
Precisely control the temperature by easily adjusting the patented air flow systems. The calibrated temperature gauge provides precise readings from 150 to 750F.
An EGG retains heat and moisture so well that foods don’t dry out. Your food is naturally tastier because the EGG is a completely natural way to cook, and youll appreciate the difference at your first bite.
The Big Green Egg is fueled by 100% natural hardwood for superb performance and flavor. Your food will have a natural and wholesome quality without any chemical aftertaste.
Best-In-Class limited lifetime warranty your investment is protected by a successful company with a worldwide reputation for unmatched customer service.
What was another popular request from dads? Meat! So we recommend “Happy Boards”, a charcuterie shop located in the Lower East Side, NY that offers an array of charcuterie boards. You can go to their website and order the charcuterie board of your choice. We like “The Classic Charcuterie” that includes: Truffle Pecorino, Gouda, Triple Cream Brie, genoa salami, spicy coppa, fig jam, herb-infused honey, mixed nuts, caperberries, seasonal dried and fresh fruits, and seasonal vegetables. Includes a box of assorted crackers (optional). Designed to serve 2-3 people. If you are not in New York City, many places offer a variation of what Happy Boards offers as we advise it is always best to shop local.
FIELD + SUPPLY, HAND-PAINTED KRAFT SPIRAL NOTEBOOK
Field + Supply offers the carefully crafted objects from WMS & CO., a brand that offers everyday objects elevated by design and influenced by history. We think dad would like this Kraft notebook to be used as a journal or someplace to keep his notes and thoughts. “The artist’s way is to have a little notebook always at hand, ready to accept ideas big and small. Each of these Kraft cardstock-covered notebooks is a unique work of sweetly naïve modern art, hand-painted, and hand-bound on a vintage press in a small Iowa studio. Spiral bound with burnished copper wire. 50 pages of thick bright white uncoated paper stock. 7.5 x 9.75". Ruled.”
FIELD + SUPPLY, ROAD TO NOWHERE, MEN’S SANTOS JACKET
Field + Supply offers the apparel collection of “Road to Nowhere”, a sustainable clothing brand for men and women located in Montauk, NY where the clothes are effortlessly stylish, comfortable, and ethically produced. We think the “Santos Jacket” will bring dad’s style level up ten fold. Made in Los Angeles, the Santos Jacket was designed from a favorite vintage painter's coat. Made from the signature Bemberg™ fabric, this jacket is as comfortable as it is versatile. Wear it open as a jacket or button it up as a stand alone shirt.
FIELD + SUPPLY, WICKERS CREEK, SACRED EMBER SCENTED CANDLE
For a gift that is easy for dad to transport we recommend Field + Supply, Wickers Creek Sacred Ember Scented Candle. Wickers Creek is a Hudson, NY based candle company with a reverence for heritage craftsmanship. Their candles are all anchored by the slow burn of master crafters working in small batches. The 14 oz. hand-poured candle in reusable metal showpiece is the first of a wide array of Wickers Creek products launching soon. For dad we know he will love the Ember Scented Candle which using a sensual mix of sweet orris and smoky copal, it celebrates the ritual of gathering around the fire. “Nature’s silence paired with the crackle of aged wood, the unmistakable scent of dry heat, and the wild spirit of the flame.”
One of our gift recommendations on the high end is this spectacular leather travel bag from Moses Nadel, a bespoke boutique atelier on Long Island, NY. They offer a well-curated collection of handmade luxury lifestyle products; leather artifacts, fine interior items, bags and accessories. Your father will love and treasure this leather duffle bag that will only become more beautiful as it ages and becomes a family heirloom. It is available in a multitude of colors (saddle color pictured) and as stated in the website the Range Travel Bag is, “A premium two-way large zipper, an interior zip pocket, two easily accessible drop-pockets, and two exterior side drop-pockets offer easy access, and a reinforced bottom panel with metal footing offers structure. Built to wear over the shoulder or with a fully adjustable and removable cross-body strap. Material Leather. Unlined with leather bottom and sides for support. Dimensions L 20.5" x W 9" x H 14". Handles 9" drop (L 21"), shoulder strap 38"-57" (removable).”
FIELD + SUPPLY, FLORA BEAUTY, COGNAC + TOBACCO GROOMING OIL
On the more affordable side of the spectrum of gift giving for dad is skincare for keeping dad’s skin looking soft, supple and youthful. In the last few years men have been catching up with women in wellness and the benefits of taking care of your skin. Gone are the days when a man would just slap some drying cologne on their skin and call it a day. Flora, a beauty and wellness brand based in Kingston, NY Flora honors this tradition with its line of natural, artisanal beauty treatments for hair, face, and body, crafted utilizing the highest-quality ingredients, selected without limitations of cost. Their Grooming Oil is, “A blend of organic Argan Oil and Borage Oil. Use to hydrate and soften facial hair and moisturize skin. Reduce inflammation in the hair follicles that can occur from the abrasiveness of shaving. Moisturizes hair and replenishes a dry scalp. The scent is sweet tobacco and cognac reminiscent of your grandfather’s humidor.”
FIELD + SUPPLY, MOSES NADEL, WEIGHTED PERISPHERE BALL
If your father is into sports we found the perfect artisanal gift, this Weighted Perisphere Ball from Moses Nadel. We love this gift as it can be either used as a medicine ball or home decor because it is such a beautiful work of art. “Inspired by traditional medicine balls, these unique objects have weight to them. They are as much a decorative work of art as an actual plaything to complete your training routine.
Each ball is a hand cut each 5-sided panel from select hides of American Buffalo and recycled weighted fill
Each piece is finished with traditional hand-lacing
Weights slightly vary
Materials: American Buffalo Leather. Recycled weighted fill.”
Another affordable Father’s Day gift we found on the Field + Supply online store is this nice piece of masculine jewelry from KC-KO, s small local brand that offers small-batch leather goods, hand-made in NYC. The Single Wrap Bracelet (burgundy waxed) comes in three sizes and they even offer the option of having it monogrammed for an additional $8. We love this for dad!
And we end our last Father's Day gift with the ultimate artisan gift for dad we highly recommend this piece of campaign furniture from furniture designer Richard Wrightman. This Folding Officer’s Chairs made to order and offers a variety of material options. Richard Wrightman designs have all been inspired by campaign furniture (furniture the military in the past used while on a military campaign) and besides the well constructed folding chair, this piece comes with it’s own carefully crafted wooden box. You (or dad) can customize the design by choosing the wood, leather and fabric for this particular design. The dimensions are 20” W x 28” D x 27.5” H Seat Height: 8” Price is upon request once you chose the materials for this one of kind, once in a lifetime gift for dad that he will not only treasure but gladly use.
That is The Local Artisan Guide’s recommendation for Father’s Day 2024. We hope you explore Field + Supply as they are a great source for locally curated artisan products for all. I thank the dads that gave me their suggestions on what they would like to receive for Father’s Day. I wish all the men who are fathers and father figures a happy Father’s Day, providing for and creating a safe and loving family is the really the gift that keeps on giving.
The title says an upstate budding artisan haven. Fact is Kinderhook, was discovered by Henry Hudson in 1609 as he sailed far up the Hudson River on an exploratory trip. There are a few theories on how Kinderhook got it’s name one being is that Henry Hudson saw many Native Americans of the Mohican tribe playing on the bluffs, thus Kinderhook, meaning “children’s corner” in Dutch was given to this small town. Kinderhook was an important stage coach stop on the way to Albany and the town’s European Colonial heritage was steeped in artisan traditions from its founding. Not to disregard the artisan skills of the Mohicans who originally settled the area.
Surrounded by the townships of Chatham and Ghent, Kinderhook is probably known best by its most popular historical resident, the late President Martin Van Buren who was born in Kinderhook and retired there after his public life at his historical home, Linderwald which is a National Historic Site today. This charming small town is having a revival of artisanal boutiques, renovated inns and an explosion of the arts and culture.
In the center of Kinderhook is a bronze statue of its most well known resident, Martin Van Burn. He seems really little.
One of the highlights of Kinderhook is the renovated boutique hotel Old Dutch Inn which is situated in the heart of the village of Kinderhook on 8 Broad Street. Build in 1820, Old Dutch Inn was originally a shoe shop, private dwelling and a public hall. With time the building became an inn under the names of Kinderhook Inn, Lindenwald Hotel, Petrillo's Inn, Van Buren Inn and most notably and recently, Old Dutch Inn. Each guest room is named for an element of the building's or surrounding area's history. About 20 years ago a family lovingly restored the inn which includes 9 rooms that have an eclectic mixture of American Colonial and contemporary decor.
Right across the Old Dutch Inn is a bagel and sandwich shop that would be at home on any street in Brooklyn, New York, Broad Street Bagel, Co. The building had a renovation in 2012 bringing all the original character back and with that a 150 year old bagel recipe. Broad Street Bagel Co. sells a wide variety of kettle boiled bagels, hot and cold beverages all in an Old World charm.
Right around the corner from Broad Street Bagel Co., we have the Kinderhook Knitting Mill, which consists of a group of buildings that was originally an old knitting mill first build in the 1870’s. It was the idea of restaurateur Yen Ngo and artist Darren Waterston to bring art and food to Kinderhook during the pandemic and their mission is, “The businesses housed in the Knitting Mill, almost entirely owned and operated by women and people of color, run the gamut from an Indonesian-inspired restaurant to an art gallery to a curated general store. The ethos of The Mill is one of cooperation and collaboration that is evident in the connective thread that ties everyone together in the shared goal of cultivating a thriving village center to nourish the community.” The businesses include OK Pantry which is a concept general store with a dash of bodega and built to encourage a place to come and sit and get to know your neighborhood whilst kiddos and your pets are welcomed too. Right next door is Morning Bird Cafe serving a variety of pastries, along with made-to-order breakfast and lunch. Morning Bird Cafe is an extension of the highly acclaimed restaurant, The Aviary and bar The Nest, both located on 8 Hudson Street in Kinderhook Knitting Mill. Right next door is Village Yoga and Blake Realtors just in case you are looking for a home in the surrounding area.
This charming block included OK Pantry, Morning Bird Cafe, Village Yoga and Blake Realtors.
Yoga and pastries! A winning combination.
Around the corner of Blake Realtors, the Kinderhook Knitting Mill continues with a pop up of the Shaker Museum which was an important community in Kinderhook and influenced furniture making in America since its conception. Female owned Damsel Garden is a gardening shop which is committed to regenerative agriculture and the strong community it helps build.
Walk a few steps down and you will encounter Still Life, a beautifully curated selection of art, objects and vintage clothing that feel like a hidden jewel box of items at quite reasonable prices.
A selection of the art, artifacts, home decor and vintage clothing available at Stilllife.
A WW2 vintage Japanese buoy at Stilllife.
Stilllife’s exquisite selection of items.
Native American artifact available at Stilllife.
Artifacts and Artforums at Stilllife.
Next door to Stilllife is 2 Note a perfume and beauty brand created by perfumers who are also musicians. This highly ethical made in America brand has created an entire collection inspired by the creation of music (my favorite fragrance was Adagio). This perfume boutique is a delight to walk through with vintage musical instruments sprinkled along the minimal decor that also offers bath and body, skincare and home fragrances.
2 Note offers travel sizes for their fragrance collection.
The last shop you will find is at Kinderhook Knitting Mill is The Kinderhook Bottle Shop which has been awarded the best wine shop in 2022 and 2023 covering multiple counties in upstate New York by the Rural Intelligence Awards. They are, “A thoughtful, fun and highly curated wine shop in the heart of historic Kinderhook, NY, led by a NYC Sommelier (who tastes every bottle) raised in the Hudson Valley.” and we agree as we were delightedly surprised by the selection of small independent wine and spirit brands that represented both local and international vineyards and distilleries. The shop encourages you to not only learn about wines but to hang out by their beautiful fireplace and get to know your neighbor (wine always helps!!). The ethos of the shop is “A focus on naturally made wines from artisanal producers and a selection of craft spirits and ciders with special attention to local and NY state as well as female and minority producers.” And the best part was how affordable their selection was. My traveling companions were happy to find a delicious and affordable kosher wine for Passover.
One of the best things that have happened to Kinderhook in the recent years is the explosion of art and culture, with new art galleries and art exhibition spaces popping up. Two of notable mention are The School: Jack Shaiman Gallery and Bill Arning Exhibitions. Jack Shaiman is a renowned gallerist from New York City who has exhibited famed artists for decades. Bill Arning is a curator and former director of White Columns, an exhibition space for emerging artists in New York City. Both men have taken advantage of repurposing large spaces for artist exhibitions and cultural events in Kinderhook. Their presence alone makes Kinderhook a very happening town when it comes to the forefront of contemporary art in the Hudson Valley.
Jack Shainman has repurpose an old school into The School for large scale art exhibitions and a place for his artists to create their work.
A fun little map of Kinderhook and just a few of the places and activities to enjoy while visiting.
Besides having a beautiful visit to Kinderhook and the stunning Hudson Valley there are so many more places to visit, eat and see art in Kinderhook. We found this fun map pictured above which includes the Kinderhook Farmers Market. Kinderhook is a two and a half hour drive from New York City and a twenty minute drive from Hudson, NY where the Amtrak train goes to from NYC. A bus also takes you from NYC to Kinderhook (3 1/2 ride). There are many towns near Kinderhook that are also teaming with artisans, good food and art including Hudson, Chatham, Old Chatham, Redhook, Kingston and Ghent. With increasing rents in New York City many creatives are taking advantage of having a quality of life not afforded in New York and have reignited the local artisans of New York.
The Local Artisan Guide had the pleasure to travel to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico late February and the beautiful Mexican town did not disappoint on any level!
San Miguel de Allende is a colonial-era town in Mexico founded in 1541 by 16th century friar, Juan de San Miguel and Ignacio Allende, a martyr for Mexican independence. San Miguel de Allende is located in the far eastern part of the state of Guanajuato and is about a three hour drive north of Mexico City. San Miguel de Allende has been chosen continuously as one of the most beautiful towns in the world as it is home to baroque architecture, stone lined streets, top notch boutique hotels, world class Mexican and international cuisines and multiple shops and markets that display and sell the artisanal crafts, foods and spirits from all over Mexico.
A view down Calle Aldama of the Parroquia De San Miguel Arcangel.
The Local Artisan Guide was here both for business and pleasure staying in a charming villa owned by one of the many American ex-pats who now make San Miguel their home. We stayed about a five minute walk from the Rosewood Hotel, which is one of the most prestigious and beautiful hotels in San Miguel de Allende. From the Rosewood Hotel is about a eight minute walk into the center of the town and its magnificent churches, plazas and manicured parks.
Sunset on my balcony on Calle Grillo.
A night view of San Miguel de Allende from the rooftop of the Rosewood Hotel.
After a few days of walking around you learn to get around town by using the churches as your landmarks. The villas and dwellings all have impressive and unique handmade doors that lead to magical homes with courtyards and gardens decorated with the crafts of the artisans who all throughout the towns of Mexico. The Catholic Church sought out to organize the towns and villages throughout Mexico to specialize in their own craft and skills, that way they would not be competitive with each other. From textiles, to ceramics, pottery and furniture, San Miguel de Allende is a haven for the aesthetic eye. Every corner is an Instragramer’s dream, a place where artists come to paint. As a matter of fact San Miguel de Allende has long attracted artists from all over the world, thanks to the Instituto Allende, a renowned art school where many of their students including many expats chose not to return home as San Miguel de Allende is first and foremost a community known for its art, beauty and charm.
The magnificent doors of the Museo Casa del Mayorazgo de al Canal.
The streets and homes of San Miguel de Allende are an artist’s dream.
I started first walking around February 13th and thought all the hearts I saw around town were in occasion of Valentine’s Day. However I found out the sacred heart was declared to be the symbol of San Miguel de Allende as San Miguel de Allende is considered to be the heart of Mexico. So if you are looking for a romantic place to be for Valentine’s Day you can’t go wrong with this city of hearts.
Hearts are everywhere in San Miguel de Allende.
Most of the roads are made with stones, so flat comfortable walking shoes are imperative. The workmanship to make this beautiful town centuries ago does not go unnoticed as the indigenous Mexicans were the main builders of all the churches, buildings and roads through hard physical labor and craftsmanship.
The stones of Calle Aldama are typical of the streets of San Miguel de Allende.
Although San Miguel is mostly affordable for Americans (thus why many retire there) it is an expensive city for Mexico. I found it pricey until I found the more affordable food markets and artisan mercados. Since it is such a destination for expats, wealthy Mexicans and tourists many shops thrive in San Miguel de Allende. It is also home to many galleries as the overhead to run a gallery is far less than in other art cities around the world.
A colorful selection of produce at the Mercado Ignacio Ramirez.
Shopping at the Mercado Ignacio Ramirez is a feast for all the senses.
I thoughly enjoyed myself in San Miguel de Allende as a tourist and an arts and craft lover. The town is very safe (although when traveling please exercise caution everywhere) and there wasn’t a great amount of harassment by vendors. There are some beggars in along the streets so I always have some spare local currency to give out. Most of the town is gainfully employed as there are so many shops, restaurants, hotels and private homes to work at so the population is a mostly friendly and respectful one. If you are following a Google Map watch out because the town suddenly becomes very hilly as half of it seems to be located on a steep incline. I didn’t need the gym during my visit at San Miguel de Allende as between walking and climbing the steep streets I met my Apple Watch’s exercise quota.
One of San Miguel de Allende’s many hills on the way to the San Miguel Mask Museum.
The entrance to the San Miguel Museum of Masks.
Visting in the winter during February makes dressing for San Miguel de Allende a little tricky as in the morning and evening it gets chilly. It can go from the high 30’s to 50’s in the morning/late evening to 70’s and 80’s with a strong Mexican sun shining on you. I had odd cool weather when I first arrived with some rare rain followed by very sunny days going into the high 70’s. So dress in layers if you are planning to visit San Miguel de Allende. I was advised to wear cashmere as its a great way to keep warm in the early part of the day and not be impossibly hot as the sun comes out.
Cashmere sweater for a slightly chilly start of the day.
My meals were exceptional in San Miguel de Allende with many Mexican dishes I had not heard of that were rich in moles and tortillas (the town smells like fresh tortillas which is lovely), however I have to say my favorite meals were from the housekeepers of the American homeowners that I visited in San Miguel de Allende. One can get very spoiled living in San Miguel de Allende.
Rustica is a local favorite especially for breakfast in San Miguel de Allende.
Having Molletes for breakfast at Rustica.
Panio was my favorite bakery in San Miguel de Allende.
The following is a photo diary of some of my highlights of visiting San Miguel de Allende featuring some of my favorite shops, boutiques, hotels, mercados and arts & crafts.
Antique shopping on Calle Ancha de San Antonio.
Skulls and tin art are commonly found in the shops of San Miguel de Allende.
Calle Pila Seca is great shopping street for clothing and home decor. La Modernista is a boutique I highly recommend.
La Modernista clothing boutique.
The colorful selection at La Modernista.
Mixta is another beautiful boutique on Calle Pila Seca I highly recommend for clothing, craft and home decor.
The magnificent entrance to Mixta.
Miata’s courtyard is common to the many beautiful courtyards in private homes and hotels in San Miguel de Allende.
Mixta has many rooms throughout their store with a mix of clothing, textiles, home decor, furniture and crafts.
The bells of the Parroquia De San Miguel Arcangel are hand rung by two men to a tune.
These puppets are a permanent fixture near the church.
Marquesa de Mancera was my favorite store for home decor.
The entrance to Marquesa de Mancera.
Marquesa de Mancera has beautiful arts and crafts from all over Mexico.
Olinala Boxes
Arte Huichol
The painted gourds of Marquesa de Mancera.
More objects at Marquesa De Mancera.
Trinitate Galeres de Artes is store to go to for your beautiful Mexican gardens and courtyards.
An example of their exemplary pottery.
The courtyard of Trinitate Galeres de Artes.
More amazing crafts at Trinitate Galeres de Artes.
Heading out Sabina Curandera for an art openings and posing by one of the majestic doors of San Miguel de Allende.
Inside Sabina Curandera and testing out the mezcal.
La Fabrica la Aurora is a large market just outside the center of San Miguel de Allende for antiques, art, clothing boutiques, textiles and home decor.
Here with textile artist Nelly Lorenzo at La Fabrica la Aurora.
Nelly’s loom for creating her textile art.
Nelly Lorenzo’s textile art.
Cantadora Antigrasavedades Antique Store
Alligator Candelabras
The selection at Cantadora Antigrasavedades.
A new spin on the iconic skulls of Mexico at Galeria Vandiver.
The Mercado de Artesanias is a fabulous artisan market with affordable crafts, textiles, pottery, ceramics and more.
The many shops of The Mercado de Artesanias.
Affordable textiles from Oaxaca.
Mexican Barbieland?
Mexican toy store.
Affordable pottery and ceramics galore.
Enjoying the company of Avocado the mule.
I caught a Big Fat Mexican Wedding with a horse and carriage, a mariachi band and ten caballeros on horses.
And a smaller wedding. San Miguel de Allende is a popular wedding destination.
Had an evening cocktail at a friend’s home watching the sunset on their beautiful house on the hill.
Having another evening cocktail at another amazing home on the hill the next day.
La Parada had great Peruvian food. Here is a gigantic amethyst at the table.
Casa Dragones is an incredible place for mezcal, but lots of $$$.
Just a few of the doors of San Miguel de Allende.
The door knockers were quite unique too.
San Miguel De Allende I will be back! Actually I will be back next year as I was invited to speak at a seminar next year at the El Instituto Allende on a talk on artisans and the lost arts which I will let you know when I have dates.
I hope you enjoyed my photo album of San Miguel de Allende. I had such a lovely time I took over 800 pictures so doing this edit wasn’t easy. I will have this week a video on our YouTube channel on an artisan walk through town. I do encourage you to visit if you appreciate artisan craftsmanship, beautiful architecture, good food, mezcal, amazing weather and friendly people.
February is Black History Month however at The Local Artisan Guide we feel when you pick the best artisanal objects whether it be fashion, decor, food or accessories, you find the makers are all inclusive and represented whether it be female, persons of color or sexual identity. So black owned businesses have always been represented on this site. That said Black makers still need support and to be highlighted so we will make sure minority and female owned businesses will have a spotlight on them especially when they are being celebrated nation wide.
The Local Artisan Guide chose five Black Owned businesses in New York City that are local, artisanal and represent fashion, decor, food and accessories. Black owned businesses are nothing new in New York City. For over a century Harlem which is located in the northern region of Manhattan has see black owned businesses flourish and thrive for decades. Iconic stores, clubs and restaurants are still around and have spread to all areas of the city. Please view our selections below and click onto the captions to view their sites and information.
Harlem Candle Co. was established in 2014 by lifestyle expert Teri Johnson as an homage to the spirit of Harlem, fragrance and jazz. Harlem Candle Co. offers more than candles, as they have developed perfume, home fragrances, gifts and journals. The products are named after famed Harlem residents and iconic spots in the neighborhood. One of our favorite candles is named after famed Harlem poet Langston Hughes. The candle’s fragrance and notes are inspired by elements of the poet’s life. Their description of the scent is “The worn vintage leather of his favorite armchair, aromatic tobacco laced with a hint of clove and vanilla from the pipes of the neighborhood men, and the smell of ambery incense that recalls his many visits to churches in Mexico.” The candle is packaged in a beautiful cobalt blue and is 11 oz with a burn time of 80 hours.
The neighborhood of Nolita, NYC is all atwitter as black owned vegan small batch donut brand Cloudy Donut has opened up a shop on the quiet block of Mott Street. We passed it on our Nolita Walk for our YouTube channel and had to go back to visit. Founded by Zewiditu Ruffin and Derrick Faulcon in 2020, Cloudy Donuts also has a store in Baltimore, MD and Brooklyn Heights (first black owned business in Brooklyn Heights!!). Although the donuts are a little bit more pricier than other donuts, there is a reason why; the flavors are EXTENSIVE! There are donut flavors here you would never think are possible. We had such a hard time picking a flavor because we wanted to try them all! So we will just have to keep on going back to try their whole selection. The Banana Fosters flavor was out of this world and a great way to have the hard to make dessert. Welcome to Nolita!!
Established in 2017 by Chris Maestro, BierWax is a black owned craft beer bar. With over 5,000 vinyl records and a finely curated tap-list, they provide the ideal venue for music and beer aficionados. As they say on their site, “BierWax is malted grains, water, yeast, and hops mixed with a pinch of 45s, a cup of boom-bap, and a heaping tablespoon of funk.” We tried their “German Chocolate Cake Stout” which we didn’t even think could be a flavor but now is a reason to travel to Prospect Heights. BierWax’s selection and music make for an experience not just a night out at a bar.
Yu Interiors is a black owned home decor store founded in 1999 by Ludlow Beckett who tired of his life in the finance world figured he could open up a store in the burgeoning area of Fort Greene, a neighborhood that at the time were growing in black owned businesses. Instead of going to Manhattan to find home decor, Beckett decided he could offer his neighbors a highly selection of curated home decor. From candles to furniture, Yu Interiors has become a go to destination for home decor in Brooklyn.
Byas & Leon are a black owned sustainable fashion brand. Their mission is to “specializes in ethically sourced apparel—including curated vintage, fair-trade brands and handmade wares from independent craftspeople. It also serves as an incubator of various community-driven initiatives and an Afro diaspora-centric cultural hub, providing space for artists, creatives and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and host programming.” From candles to accessories to apparel for men and women, we love the unisex BLCU Sweater. This sweater in homage to the spirit of learning that's very much an integral part of their communal fabric, as well as to the Black collegiate institutions that are very much integral to Black History. Byas & Leon even has a mobile airstream that goes around neighborhoods introducing the brand to a greater audience.
These brands are just a few of many black owned businesses in New York City, much less the United States. We support not only that they are black owned businesses but that they also share our ethos for local, encourage others to shop small, are artisanal, sustainable, ethical and rely on a passion for craft.
When it comes to finding affordable ways to shop with artisans for the holidays one of the best ways to support artisans and give special unique gifts is through artisanal foods.
In every city and most small towns there are food markets and speciality food shops that carry small brands of delicacies that make great gifts on their own or in carefully curated gift baskets. On a recent trip to upstate NY, The Local Artisan Guide stopped in the small, charming town of Chatham, NY and took a nice leisurely stroll down their main street and looked into their local shops of small fashion brands, toy stores, wine and cheese shops, jewelry boutiques, gift shops, yarn, linen and a few more food stores, bakeries and much more to get ideas for holiday gift giving.
We are focusing on one shop in particular, Bimi’s Cheese Shop, which besides its moniker is so much more. Bimi’s provides quality, delicious cheeses from both near and far, however Bimi’s also has an in house bakery creating artisanal bread, beverages and gourmet grill cheese sandwiches (I had the sourdough blue cheese and drunken onion grill cheese sandwich which was mouth watering). The shop also sells a well curated assortment of other brands which includes; spices, olive oils, chocolates, jams, jellies, cookies, maple syrup and more. Most of these items are made locally usually by hand or through skills passed along for multiple generations. Some of the items are very traditional, such as a local maple syrup or more gourmet such as a jelly that has been elevated with exotic spices.
Separately these items make beautiful, affordable gifts. An artisanal chocolate from France made with ingredients from around the world with stunning packaging would make anyone happy to receive this holiday (or any day). To give multiple items in a small or large gift basket is even more special. Your food gifts would not only be unique, special and greatly appreciated but also help small makers around the world. I have to add that day trips driving to these smaller charming towns and speciality markets in the city are actually a pleasurable experience (where you will end up going home with your own carefully curated gift basket).
Whilst perusing Bimi’s Cheese Shop we highlighted a few items we felt would make great gifts on their own or make a spectacular gift basket. Click on the caption to follow the link to their websites to order or learn about their products and their stories. All offer shipping for the holidays with beautiful gift packaging for your holiday gifts.
We hope that we inspired you and your gift giving for the holidays in case you were having trouble coming up with unique and affordable gifts. Best is that we know you will be gifting yourself with these items far after the holidays are done.
