It’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air, flowers are blooming, daylight savings time and warmer weather are making us more social again and Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Yikes!
Don’t worry! We are here to offer a few spectacular suggestions for Mother’s Day that fulfill the qualifications of The Local Artisan Guide. Your mother will appreciate a gift that she knows was created with artisans using unique skills and ideas. What better way to show your mother you are really thinking of her and honoring her for Mother’s Day? We have ten suggestions that range in price points and categories, from beautiful objects, accessories, delicacies and one amazing experience. The links are available in the captions.
After doing some extensive travel the past year to multiple climates we started to appreciate the flexibility of lightweight knits such as alpaca to keep you warm and stylish when the temperature suddenly drops 20 degrees when the sun goes down. One of our favorite finds is this poncho from Yanawara, an ethical knitwear brand designed in New York and handcrafted by their artisan ateliers in El Alto, Bolivia. We love this poncho especially because it comes in a multitude of colors, is easy to fold and carry and can be worn in a variety of ways whilst looking quite luxurious. It is handwoven 100% from the finest alpaca. It is lightweight yet warm and it features a fluid design that moves gracefully with you. One size fits all and it can even be unisex. The alpaca wool is sustainably sourced from local communities in the Highlands of Bolivia through a process that involves a mutual breeding, this means with care and respect for the animals and the environment. Sisa means “woman who decides” in Aymara, a symbol of strength and self-determination and what better way describes the job of being a mom! Yanawara also carries a beautiful ethical home section.
Flamingo Estate is a luxury brand located in the hills of Los Angeles that specializes in creating products the slow way. That means growing and sourcing their materials, working with local farmers, harvesting their own goods and creating products using ancient practices with skilled artisans. We came upon Flamingo Estate at a friend’s home who was in love with their candles and we knew immediately Flamingo Estate was going to be in The Local Artisan Guide’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide. We picked Prinsesstårta, a scent inspired from the Principessa Cake from Sant Ambroeus (my not so guilty pleasure). It was a brilliant idea to create a scent from this famous cake that was much loved by Swedish princesses as when you slice it the aroma of lemons, almond marzipan and vanilla cream bring a smile to your face. This candle uses Heliotrope flowers to replicate the almond marzipan, along with a combination of cinnamon, lemon peel and musky Amber for the base. The Prinsesståra candle uses a vegetable wax and is hand poured in Los Angeles into beautiful recyclable glass containers. Even the packaging is made using materials from responsibly managed forests, including some recycled paper products. What sold us also was their statement that was perfect for Mother's Day, “Prinsesstårta Candle is a tribute to the mothers in our family: complex, strong, comforting, and sweet. And you can have as much as you want and you’ll never get fat.” A bonus is that Flamingo Estate donates a percentage of their profits to fund organizations in Los Angeles caring for animals and restoring their habitats, starting with The Lange Foundation and Farm Animal Refuge. A win/win!
The Local Artisan Guide was so happy when Enarai first reached out to us. The brand produces the product we travel the world to highlight. Enarai (the phonetic spelling of 'N.R.I.', a legal status which stands for Non-Resident Indian) was founded by Kanika Issar who is also the designer. She works with Indian artisans who have been skilled at the ancient craft of creating dokras. A dokra is an ancient Indian tribal metal craft that uses a lost-wax castingtechnique to create non-ferrous metal objects like brass and bronze. Enarai connects an ancient 4,500 year old tradition of craftsmanship to a modern and global audience. The dokra metal handles on the Enarai handbags are literally pieces of art. The dokras are objects that depict daily scenes from tribal culture such as dancers, musicians, ornaments, animals, birds and jewelry. We are featuring the Dari Noir bucket handbag which is made from soft vegetable tanned Indian cow leather that is made with a non-toxic, natural, slow and artisanal treatment process. The handbag comeswith an adjustable & detachable strap and is H:18cm, D:12cm. This style belongs to a one-time, limited-edition series and was created by Mr. Praphulo, a 6th generation tribal artisan. If you want to see how the dokra is made just click here. This is the perfect gift for the discerning mother who has a collector’s aesthetic and values history and artisanship. She will be the envy of all her friends and you will be promoted to favorite child.
Lana Dai is a ceramic artist who has evolved from a career as a Product Designer to the more visual and aesthetic art of porcelain. Her focus has been creating and replicating flower forms in which she creates in porcelain a variety of delicate flowers with their various petal shapes and sizes. Dai designs vases, dishes, objects and even ceramic lighting fixtures. We love the Porcelain Flower Bowls which we highlighted as a Mother’s Day Gift. Her collection includes a variety of flower types and colors. Dai can reproduce the porcelain bowls on her site or custom create what colors and forms you think your mother would love. For artwork purchases or commission inquiries, please email lanadai@gmail.com. Prices are available upon request. This is the gift that your mother will love as it is a piece of art made by a local artisan just for her.
ILENIA CORTI JEWELRY - MESSAGE HOLDER WITH HEDGEHOG
Ilenia Corti is an Italian jewelry designer who comes from a family of jewelry designers based in Valenza, Italy, a city known for gold. With her love of nature, Ilenia became inspired early on to create her own brand and work on creating magical landscapes with her jewelry designs which include nature, forest creatures and insects, all the while using different colored gems and enamel. The jewelry is rich in detail and depicts a microcosms of glimmering beauty. Her designs have attracted collaborations with luxury brands that included an 8-year partnership with Valentino Garavani, leading the men’s and women’s jewelry categories, a collaboration with Maison Margiela, a partnership with Virgil Abloh for Off-White, and many others. Our recommendation for a Mother’s Day gift is her “Message Holder with Hedgehog” This unique piece is a message holder pendant. Crafted in gold-plated silver, it features a refined cylindrical shape designed to hold small messages or cherished thoughts. The design is enhanced by a delicate hand-painted enamelled hedgehog, a symbol of protection and sweetness, like your mum (well most mums). The pendant comes with a brass chain. This handmade piece will show your mother you are thinking out of the box when thinking of her for Mother’s Day. You can even add a sweet message inside letting her know exactly what you think of her. Also for such an exquisite piece of jewelry it is quite an affordable gift.
Jacques Torres, fondly known as Mr. Chocolate, is a world renowned, award winning chocolatier and the first artisan chocolatier in New York City to start from cocoa beans and make his own chocolate. Jacques prides himself on specializing in fresh, handcrafted chocolates using premium ingredients free of preservatives and artificial flavors. The beautiful designs make for lovely and delicious gifts and for Mother’s Day we picked this “I LOVE MOM” 12 piece collection of bonbons to show mom how loved and appreciated she is. The selection includes their most popular selection of eight assorted signature bonbons and four creamy Belgian milk chocolate or 60% Belgian dark chocolate with a touch of white chocolate on top to create letter bonbons that are filled with a smooth soft center of either all milk or dark chocolate. This is the perfect gift for the foodie mom and even better is that it is quite affordable. It’s a way to show your mom she can have an artisanal gift even if you are on budget.
NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN - MOTHER’S DAY BOUQUET WITH STORE BOUGHT BLOOMS CLASS
Sending or giving mom a bouquet of flowers is a time honored tradition however you may feel it is not a very original gift. But what if your mother received a spectacular bouquet of flowers and it was created by YOU? We found this class in creating Mother’s Day floral arrangement at the New York Botanical Garden however these are classes are usually available at any public botanical gardens or your local florist. What is unique for this class is that you'll learn how to compose your own unique bouquet using simple design principles and a lush variety of economical, store-bought blooms. Although the class is $155 ($139 for members of NYBG), you will learn a useful skill that will save you money in the future by creating bouquets for your mother, friends and even yourself. You can dazzle your mom and she doesn’t even have to know that you created a floral masterpiece from flowers you found at Trader Joes or your local deli. Your mom will not only appreciate this gift but be proud of your new found skills.
Let’s not be beauty gatekeepers! If your mom is like my mom, she loves keeping herself as youthful and healthy as possible. That includes a beauty routine and products that are way more effective than the beauty brands your mom grew up with (heck, what I grew with!). That brings us to cêpoLAB, a Korean beauty brand at the forefront of ethical, eco-friendly beauty. cêpoLAB is the world's only beauty brand for skin strength, featuring the patented ingredient CLEPS® as its core component. We highly recommend BIOGENIC ESSENCE 90%, as what living skin truly needs is not just simple ingredients, but the power to recover on its own. There are only five ingredients in Biogenic Essence 90% which minimizes the use of artificial colors or fragrances. Your mother will greatly appreciate a gift that helps her recover the essence of the youth of her skin.
ASSOULINE - “MOTHER AND CHILD” BY CLAIBORNE SWANSON FRANK
If your mother is an avid reader as my stepmother is, a book is always a gift that will be appreciated and loved. For Mother’s Day we recommend “Mother and Child” by Clairborne Swanson Frank, a coffee table book from the world renowned book publisher Assouline that combines the beauty of mother and child photography and thoughtful commentary on motherhood from iconic well known families. In her latest body of work the artist set out to explore what modern motherhood means in the 21st century as she delicately tasks each mother to look within themselves and express what being a mother truly means to them. “Mother and Child” embarks on this profound journey that reminds us all of the power of motherhood and the great gift of love. It is a gift that expresses to your mother how you are grateful and acknowledge the strong bond shared between the two of you. It’s one of those rare coffee table books that you actually want to pick up and read and she will cherish it.
This is an aspirational, Big Momma of our gift guide recommendations. Remember when your parents sent you to summer camp as a kid (if you were lucky enough). Now you can return the favor and send your mom to camp. Camp Château that is! Camp Château is a women only camp located in a French château where for a week you get to curate your own adventures and select activities, experiences, and connections that most interest you and bring you joy. It’s an all-inclusive sleep-away camp (you will be sharing your room just like in camp but way nicer) that provides inclusive spaces for women, where they can rest, rejuvenate, and have fun. There is an array of activities you get to chose from. Think yoga, flower arrangement, cooking classes, sightseeing, wellness, art, wine tasting, crafting and so much more. Or you can also relax and just be in an amazing setting. The camp has proved so successful the founders (all women) decided to add another château to the program. There aren’t that many spaces left for 2026 so book ASAP. If you are a daughter this can be a mother/daughter trip, or she can go with her friends or go alone and make new friends. Either way we guarantee your mother will be thrilled to go (I want to go!!). If you are loving this gift recommendation but either cannot afford it or your mother is not that mobile there is actually “Pocket Château”, which provides an online camp community for $22 a month. It can be accessed on the internet or mobile web. It includes weekly electives, live events, community chat, community posts and more. As amazing as gifts can be the memories of an experience at Camp Château will last a lifetime.
Motherhood is the hardest job on earth, don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. So let your mother know before it’s too late how much she means to you and how much you love her with a gift that shows that you really thought of her.
I don’t know if your father is easy to shop for. My father, who is an amazing father and father figure to many is quite impossible. So many people love him and want to honor him with a gift that shows how special he is to them but in the end he puts in all into his “magic armoire”. That’s what we call the armoire where our gifts go into and we never see again because he is quite a humble man. Honestly he really just wants J.Crew underwear and socks and that makes him happy (oh and any Yankee paraphernalia he appreciates too).
That is why when shopping for dad on Father’s Day it’s important to make sure that you gift your father something that is original to him that he will appreciate and shows him how unique and special he is to you.
The Local Artisan Guide has picked a few gift ideas for dear old dad (or any father figure in your life) that your father will see immediately how exceptional they are and hopefully will not go into the magic armoire. For information just click onto the captions as all gifts can be sent from the brand’s online store. As usual The Local Artisan Guide provides gift suggestions of all price ranges. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to make dad feel special (but it definitely can go that way too).
Res Ipsa is a brand that makes artisanal products from Marrakesh. These one of a kind Kilim loafers for dad are not only comfortable but quite stylish. “This signature pair of loafers are made by hand at their Marrakech atelier from a vintage, 50-to-100-year-old handwoven Kilim rug. No two pairs are alike, making each a rare expression of craftsmanship and individuality. The shape is inspired by a classic British loafer, but the use of vintage Kilim fabrics gives them a distinct East-meets-West appeal—timeless, wearable, and made to last. Life’s too short for boring stuff—these are shoes with a story.”
For over 33 years Fragrance Shop New York has been providing an exceptional selection of rare fragrance oils, bath and body items, and aromatherapy products For Father’s Day we recommend creating a custom fragrance just for dad. Create a signature scent for dad so he can smell like no one else. Just contact Fragrance Shop New York for an appointment to create the scent. Nothing brings back memories more than the sense of smell so this is a gift that will live on and on.
Since the 1880’s the Bauer family have created leather goods that focus on functional design. Royce remains true to their artisanal roots, creating highly practical travel accessories that promote a seamless journey. Their manicure grooming set will keep your father’s grooming essentials neatly organized with their leather covered frame manicure grooming case, a sophisticated and travel-friendly solution for personal care. Made with top grain nappa the set includes: scissors, tweezers, a covered nail file, a cuticle trimmer, a fingernail clipper, and a knife, all securely held in place for easy access.
What’s the most custom gift you can give your dad? How about a custom made suit? Whether it is for business or special occasions (family weddings, christenings, graduations, promotions, birthdays, etc.) it’s a gift your father will be proud to own. So if your dad is a dandy and loves fashion and being in style, this is the gift of a lifetime. Monsieur Brunold, whose heraldry serves as the atelier’s distinguished logo, is more than 500 years old, with origins in St. Gallenkirch. Charles Brunold combines his understanding of fashion and etiquette with a signature sartorial style developed from a life abroad - bringing all clients an invaluably unique perspective to accompany their timeless look. Made to measure has never looked so good (just like your dad).
They say the modern man thinks of the Holy Roman Empire from multiple times a day to multiple times a month (let’s just say much more than women do). So if your dad is a history buff who loves the Holy Roman Empire these Roman Empire Silver Cufflinks are the perfect gift for dad! Since 1981, jewelry designer Lazaro Diaz has been creating what can best be described as "wearable art". His work reflects a rare connection to history and craftsmanship. These cufflinks are made out of solid sterling silver and feature a roman emperor in profile. Plus they are made to order and expertly handcrafted in NYC, each piece is engineered for strength and timeless style.
KATZ’S DELICATESSEN -FATHER’S DAY TRIPLE CLASSIC PACKAGE
Is your dad and foodie and a gift of food will go straight to his heart? Well, provided his cholesterol levels are good and he has good heart health we recommend the very popular Father’s Day Triple Classic Package from the world renowned Katz’s Delicatessen in NYC. In this package dad will get: a full pound of each of their most popular meats: house-cured corned beef, tender slow-cooked brisket, and of course their legendary pastrami! Plus a loaf of seedless rye, deli mustard, and one quart of each type of our famous pickles so Dad can recreate the classic Katz's deli experience at home. And to top that off they will throw in either Katz's t-shirt or hat so Dad can remember this epic meal that will disappear quite soon after he receives it.
STRAND’S BOOKS - “ANOTHER PERFECT DAY!: EVERY DAY IS FATHER’S DAY”
For the dad that loves to read and has young children, this is the perfect gift for dad from the independent book store Strand Books. “Another Perfect Day!: Every Day is Father’s day” by Andrew S. Taylor with illustrations by James G. Martin is a book about creating memories that will last a lifetime with dad. It’s a gift that will not only make dad happy, but will definitely bring a tear to his eye. Both dad and his kiddies can read this special book to each other creating special memories to last a lifetime.
We know mothers are important and make the world go around but a special father or father figure should be celebrated, honored and much loved. Happy Father’s Day from The Local Artisan Guide!
For the first time The Local Artisan Guide is posting a gift giving guide for both Valentines and Galentines Day (you know that day ladies, that you celebrate with your female besties the day before Valentines Day). We have gifts for both her AND him in all categories and price ranges. The gifts are artisanal and come from small brands that really think about the unique twists that make a conventional Valentines Day gift more special and personal to you or the one you love. So click onto the captions for the store link as all gifts can also be sent via their online store.
Be bold this Valentines Day with your jewelry choices and show your special someone how much you care with an oversized Austrian crystal clear heart that has magical rainbow prisms when exposed to different lights. Austrian crystals are synonymous with the highest quality glass crystals today. The necklace is sterling silver and hangs slightly longer than a choker. Desideri Designs was founded by New York based Roman designer Claudia Desideri who has a long history working with Austrian crystals in her jewelry collection that is handcrafted and made in New York.
THE CALM JOY CANDLE CO. - SELF LOVE VALENTINES GIFT SET
The Calm Candle Co., is a small artisanal candle brand founded by Simone Smith, a licensed mental health therapist who has witnessed the power of self-care and with that came her creation of The Calm Candle Co. For Valentines Day, The Calm Candle Co. is collaborating with Cynplicity soap brand to offer a handmade candle and soap set. The candle is a luxurious rose bud and vanilla scented candle made with coconut wax (much healthier to burn) and the soap is a gentle rose and tussah silk soap. Together this is a great gift for encouraging calmness and self-care for those you love.
When looking for an affordable Valentines Day gift for the one you love, you can’t go wrong with romantic poetry and for that we are recommending “The Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe,” who writes romantic poetry besides his well known thriller verses. This book is second hand from second hand bookstore Strand Books (they also sell new editions) and in very good condition. Once you gift the book you can read romantic verses and truly impress your loved one with their imaginative (and affordable) Valentines Day gift. A recycled book is a very sustainable way of celebrating Valentines Day.
PATENT OF HEART - HEART OR PASSPORT?, PASSPORT HOLDER
If you are planning to travel abroad this Valentines or are planning a trip in the future with your loved one, the “Heart or Passport, Which to Follow” passport from Patent of Heart is a great way to start the trip. This beautiful wine colored passport holder can also hold besides your passport a folded boarding pass, cards, cash, and receipts. The premium leather construction ensures longevity and it makes for a great unisex gift too. The dimensions are: 5.5"H x 4.2"W x 0.5"D and are handmade in Turkey. Proceeds from sales go to help educate young girls and women in Turkey so this is a gift with a win/win for all.
Although perfume can be considered a traditional Valentines Day gift, this parfum from Mizensir, the small Swiss parfum brand created by master perfumer Alberto Morillas in Geneva, Switzerland is guaranteed to be a much desired scent for both men and women. “Legend Leather” was inspired by a drive in a dream car in Madrid, Spain. Its olfactory pyramid features top notes of guaiac wood and aldehydes, a heart of raspberry and saffron-infused iris, and a base of immortelle and styrax, creating a powerful yet refined composition. We love recommending scents that bring back a beautiful memory and “Legend Leather” is the perfect scent with its mixture of leather from a car and the flowery scents you experience along the way.
Chocolates are a no-brainer gift for Valentines Day for both our Valentines and Galentines loved ones. We always encourage small batch chocolates and chocolates with a special and unique twist. With that in mind we love Venchi’s “Rose, Raspberry & Almond Brutto & Buono”. So imagine the Venchi high quality, delicious chocolate with crunchy almonds and raspberry nibs scattered into a rose-flavored white chocolate heart. It not only is delicious, it looks unlike any box of chocolate you have ever received with a rose colored heart to which has been combined with care and passion, using traditional methods, to create a work of art to be enjoyed. If you ever wanted to give away a piece of your heart, this is the chocolate made to win over loved ones.
I know both men and women are frantically searching for a Valentines Day dinner at a restaurant they hope will be romantic enough for their loved one yet not drain their wallet. We say, “Why not make a romantic meal at home?” A meal cooked for a loved one is one of the most caring, nurturing and creative gifts you can give someone. It requires time, thought and great care to make a meal and the appreciation you will received is a gift back to you. We found this tomato based pasta at Eataly, tagliolini are long, thin strands of egg pasta from the northern region of Piemonte. Enriched with savory tomatoes, this twist on the classic tagliolini is perfect to pair with a light, buttery sauce. Sure to make for a memorable, hands on and affordable Valentines Day Dinner in your exclusive restaurant for two (or great for a Galentines Day get together).
JULIA TESTA - JEWEL TONES DESIGNER’S CHOICE FLOWERS
Flowers are always an amazing Valentines Day gift. That is if you have a remarkable bouquet of flowers delivered to your loved ones and with that we recommend going to your local florist who can create a bouquet that you know your loved one will adore. That is why we suggested Julia Testa, a well renowned florist based in Soho, NYC who offers amazing affordable bouquet for Valentines Day. We fell in love with the “Jeweled Toned Designer’s Choice” where you could have tones of reds, pinks, purples, or whites. The arrangement will have a romantic feel and arrangements are priced from $125 to $650.
BOWN OF LONDON - VELVET LOAFER/SLIPPER SHOE, WINE & CHEESE
If you think your man is not open to sexy underwear for Valentines Day, may we recommend this elegant set of velvet slippers with wine and cheese motif? Bown of London, a small luxury British nightwear brand has a playful set of velvet slippers. The slippers are the finest quality luxury velvet fabric in a rich burgundy hue and are the epitome of softness, sheen, and unmatched elegance. The shoes feature a breathable 100% leather lining which will not retain odor in the same manner of a fabric / satin lined shoe. Ideal for indoor home use (romantic night in) or at social events. Includes a breathable leather sole with non slip rubber heel. Also available in different colors, sizes 6 to 15.5 and different more playful motifs. It’s a gift they will treasure forever.
ONLY HEARTS - WHISPER COUCOU UNDERWIRE BRA & PANTIES
Valentines Day lingerie is one of the most sexiest gifts you can give your loved one as it screams, “I WANT YOU NOW!” Small lingerie brand, Only Hearts offer the “Whisper Coucou Underwire Bra”, a sheer, sexy piece of luxury lingerie features peek-a-boo cups for an alluring sensuality, while the underwire offers hold and support. Made from fine Italian netting, this bra feels light and airy to the touch. What a wonderful souvenir of a passion night to live with.
That is our Valentines and Galentines Day gift guide and like our past posts, we focus on highlighting small, local artisanal brands as know as with all our gift guides, the receiver wants a gift that is thoughtful and unique. No cookie cutter gift recommendations here! So whether you are celebrating Galentines Day with a bunch of friends, having a heart to heart on Valentines Day or giving yourself a much needed gift of love, we wish you a Happy Valentines Day and hope our suggestions have made you think about that one love language we all have, GIFTS!.
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.
Can you believe it’s already May? That means Mother’s Day is just around the corner and The Local Artisan Guide once again saves the day by highlighting gifts for mom that are affordable, unique, thoughtful and artisanal. These gifts are made by small, local businesses and your mother will appreciate that you took the time to show her with these gifts how special she is to you. Click on the captions for the links for the items.
Just because mom wants to wear sensible shoes doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish AND comfortable. We love the CHIKO Kaeleigh Round Toe Block Heels Slingback Shoes. The Kaeleigh has a sensible heal and features a leather, suede upper, leather lining, rubber sole. Heel height is approx. 0.5″. We love the green suede and tan trim and know your mom would be delightly surprised by this gift.
Dana Blair is a jewelry designer who after 20 years and a bicoastal life has settled into New York City with her first brick and mortal jewelry boutique in Chelsea, New York (also available online). Dana specializes in beautiful, delicate jewelry that is affordable which lets you layer up with an array of semi-precious stones. Dana’s necklaces, rings, bracelets are great gifts for mom, we especially love her dream catcher’s necklaces which she is most known for and is now on her bracelets. Most of the pieces are under one hundred dollars.
A beautiful journal from your local book or gift store is a thoughtful gift for your mother that she will enjoy as chances are she is more a paper than tech kind of mom. Here at Good for the Study in Nolita, NYC we find a large selection of beautiful journals for mom’s thoughts and ideas.
If your mother loves to cook here is an original gift that she will love for her kitchen and its the Bitterman Salt Co. Pink Himalayan Salt Block & Cookbook (comes with its own saltblock). It’s the ultimate guide to cooking on salt and the awesome power of salt. This cookbook will teach mom to grill, bake and serve on the saltblock. She’ll be appreciative (and so will you) to learn the new skill of saltblock cooking.
One way to make mom feel special on Mother’s Day is to get her a customized gift and we love the Green Velvet Laptop Case with chain and charger pocket. It’s 15” across and comes with her name on it (order on the website to customize). It’s very affordable at just $60 and BAG ALL is a women own business that has focused on sustainability since its concept. Mom will appreciate that you are helping planet earth and giving her a customize gift for Mother’s Day.
One can’t go wrong with a artisanal scented candle for mom. We recently discovered the candles from The Commonfolk Collective that have special “Mum” candles (pictured are the Astrology Candles). This candle is a LIMITED EDITION with only 100 units available. They have tweaked their original Mum label with a NEW peachy coloured background featuring gold foil text to tie in together with our 'Love Ya Mum' Soul Candle + our second LIMITED EDITION candle, Dictionary Meaning Family.
And for our grand finale we have one of our most favored finds, “Marrakech” from The Bubble Collection. Artisanal perfumers Michael Perris and Gregory Cole have worked with world renowned brands before deciding to create their own memorable perfume collection and decided to name it The Bubble. We were immediately captivated by “Marrakesh”. A floral and spicy scent that is described as “Take a stroll through the souk, filled with dazzling aromas of sunny citrus, scintillating spices, sumptuous florals and supple woods. In the shade of a flying carpet, you find yourself entranced by the complex rhythmic patterns of hand-dyed wool, the elegant arabesques on silver platters, and gilded tea glasses in rainbow hues. Tendrils of steam from your tea mingle with swirls of sweet tobacco.” We guarantee any mom would fall in love with the fragrance, its the next best thing to going to Marrakesh.
These are our picks for Mother’s Day. They are affordable, thoughtful, artisanal and will show your mother that even though they are very affordable they are unique and special, just like she is.
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.
The Local Artisan Guide usually posts one blog for Valentines Day however this year we will post four: one for her, one for him, one for Galentines Day and one solely for chocolates.
This year we picked five Valentines Day gifts for the woman in your life. We choose a range of ideas, categories and price points. All are unique, thoughtful, come from small artisanal businesses and will be greatly appreciated as well as romantic and that is in the end what you are going for.
Ilenia Corti Vernissage, “My Heart is Yours” Red Necklace, $805
Ilenia Corti Vernissage is an Italian jewelry designer whose aesthetic is definitely maximalist with intricate scenarios of nature, the insect world and for this piece, the human heart in all its anatomical glory. So when you say to your loved one, “You have my heart”, her “My Heart is Yours” red necklace literally takes the cake. Sold on the Artemest online store, the description for the piece reads:
A tribute to the heart, the mysterious source of deep feelings such as love and sadness, this fascinating necklace includes a thin, beaded chain and a marvelous silver pendant in the anatomical shape of a heart. Bright red enamel is used to emphasize the already vivid details, making this piece of jewelry a true work of art.
Handmade in Italy the dimensions are (in): W 1.18 x D 0.79 x H 0.39 and $805.
The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Co., 3 Luxury Hand Cream Bars Mixed Fragrance Pack, 25.99 English Pounds
Not a soap, not a lotion, The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Co. based in Edinburgh, Scotland offers a solid hand creme bar in three fragrances (The Queen Bee, Golden Rosewood, and Luxury No.1). All bars are made using the purest, most natural ingredients nature has to offer. Handmade in the garden of Scotland and never tested on animals, they’re all free from chemicals and impurities. The descriptions of each bar are:
The Queen Bee
The Queen Bee Solid Natural Hand Cream Bar is an indulgent formula that helps moisturise, protect, and soothe your hands. Forming a barrier against the wear and tear of the day, it gives you deeper hydration, longer-lasting softness and visibly clearer skin.
Golden Rosewood
Introducing the Golden Rosewood Solid Hand Cream Bar – rich in moisturising and hydrating essential oils, it’s infused with Coconut Oil for quick absorption and hydration. We’ve enriched the formula with a blend of the purest natural extracts to re-vitalise and nourish your skin.
Luxury No.1
Our Luxury No. 1 Solid Hand Cream Bar is like walking into a luxurious spa. Prolonging the voluptuous aura of Luxury No. 1, this perfumed Solid Hand Cream Bar intensifies the scents of essential oils with light citrus and spicy top notes of Lime and Clove, with warm subtle mid notes of Sweet Orange, Frankincense, and Myrrh and sensual base notes of French Provencal Lavender and Rose Geranium.
The cream bars have a non-sticky texture that melts into your skin, they are also sustainably sourced and packaged and are great for traveling as they are acceptable as on-flight luggage for on-the-go hand care. The Hand Cream Baris 6.5cm in length, 4cm in width, 2cm in depth and 9.5cm in length, 6.0cm in width, 2.5cm in depth in the tin. Its an affordable and beautiful skincare product to gift for Valentines Day (for all sexes).
Tasty Slice, Handcrafted Chocolate Flowers Box, St. Valentines Day Collection, $50
The Local Artisan Guide found out about Tasty Slice and their magnificent chocolate flower arrangement from Atelier d’Emotion (one of our favorite boutiques for jewelry, art and design). Tasty Slice has created a beautiful box of chocolate flowers (that also includes stationary). The description for the chocolates are:
Discover the delicious flavors of Tasty Slice ruby and white chocolate flowers by awakening your taste buds with exotic flavor combinations. Each chocolate candy is made with the finest ingredients from around the world. 100 grams of chocolate.
It’s almost a two in one; chocolates AND flowers! Win/Win!
Los Angeles based perfume brand Heretic has set themselves apart in the perfume industry by creating small batch fragrances by using organic non-GMO sugarcane alcohol so you can experience the Ayurvedic benefits of the powerful plant materials, plus Heretic uses all the parts of the plants to create even more unique scents that are vegan and cruelty free. Heretic also does not use the chemicals and additives used by standard perfumes to artificially extend wear. For their scent, “Floragasm” the description for the fragrance is:
Bright, seductive Jasmine flirts with Bergamot, a tingle of Pink Pepper, and a burst of Orange Blossom, in this 100% natural floral fragrance that stimulates creativity and passion.
Patent of Heart, Alba Accordion Flap Crossbody /Clutch, $189
Handbag and small leather goods brand Patent of Heart is ideal for a Valentines Day gift for her not only because she will be in possession of a beautiful handbag or small leather good (whose logo involves a heart) but because the designer and founder Elif Ayadin is passionate about creating sustainable fashion AND giving back to the world. In this case proceeds of her profits go to organizations that encourage education for girls worldwide that have obstacles in attaining an education. The leathers for Patent of Heart are sourced from dead stock and sustainable materials. Further details for this multi purpose clutch AND crossbody are:
Dimensions:
8.5"Length x 7.5"Height x 2.5" Depth ( Open Depth: 6.5" )
2 accordion compartments
1 flat inside zipper pocket
removable chain strap
Fully - lined with leather
We hope you find the selection of Valentine Gift ideas for her helpful. Just click on the name brand of each image and the link will take you to the site and provide further information on the product.
We are dedicated to finding artisans who create small batch production of unique, thoughtful and romantic gifts in all price ranges that your loved one will be touched to receive as they will appreciate the originality of their gift.
It’s the eleventh day of our Holiday Gift Guide and today we focus on a gift category that every loves and can use and that is food. Whether you are gifting a seasoned gourmand or a beginner, we have five artisanal food gifts that will help built any chef’s kitchen whilst making for unique, affordable and useful gifts.
Just one of Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company’s hand-sewn Double Happiness flowering tea balls will brighten any pot. A long leaf green tea, which has been delicately hand-tied with chrysanthemum, amaranth and jasmine flowers, will unfurl into a beautiful floral display. Use a glass tea pot or small glass bowl for a perfect visual centerpiece. Steep one tea ball in 16 oz. of water at approximately 170 degrees. Each ball makes 2-3 cups. Nine tea balls are packaged in a beautiful recycled glass cork jar. Region: Yunnan, China.
Bitterman's Home Chef Essentials Salt Kit includes everything an aspiring or seasoned home chef needs to season to perfection. These salts are truly the foundation of good cooking, and will last you a full four seasons of cooking. You can use these salts everyday, they include:
Bitterman's Fleur de Sel is hand harvested from solar-evaporated salt ponds by skimming just the finest crystals from the surface. This Fleur de Sel is made in Guatemala from salt pans in an area famed for supplying the Mayan Empire at the height of its power. The salt has delicate crystals, luscious moisture, satisfying crunch, and a rich, balanced mineral taste. It's our go-to cooking, baking, brining and all-around finishing salt.
Biiterman’s Flake Salt is the snow of the sea, with a soft, crispy texture and a salinity so other-worldly it will transport any dish it touches. This salt loves spring and summer. Gently scatter the flakes on lightly dressed green salads, raw or freshly grilled vegetables, fish and other seafoods.
Bitterman's Sel Gris is a classic French gros sel (coarse salt) and makes an tremendous replacement for all coarse industrial kosher and sea salts. The culmination of two millennia of salt making experience on the exquisitely pristine coastal waters Île de Noirmoutier, this gros sel gris is truly historic. Use mostly for all-around cooking and finishing hearty foods, like steaks, roasts, beans, soups and stews. This salt has coarse, moist crystals with impeccable balance and surprising suppleness given their heft!
Himalayan Pink Salt is a pure, hand-mined salt found deep inside the pristine foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. This 250 million year old, Jurassic era pink sea salt is known for its healing properties and is used as an all-around cooking salt. Sprinkle generously on popcorn, use in brines and pickles, frying potato chips, French fries and fritters, or when making homemade baked goods.
Biiterman’s Grinding Salt is a course, mineral-rich sea salt from fresh seawater off the coast of New Zealand. This pantry staple is the ideal grinding salt for everyday cooking. Fill your salt mill and grind this over everything from sauteed vegetables to lean, gamey meats. If you're feeling bold, leave this salt whole and sprinkle over the bold and powerful foods, think tomahawk steak over a firepit in the heat of the summer with herbaceous roasted potatoes and a rich hunters sauce.
The Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP Aged 25+ years Gold from Acetomodena is obtained from cooked grape must of selected Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes from the countryside of Modena. This extraordinary product is slowly aged for more than 25 years decanting and refilling six antique series of old barrels in various wood: cherry, mulberry, juniper, oak, ash, or chestnut. This product has a glossy, dark brown color and an intense full-body flavor. Flavor: rich and full in taste, sweet and with impressive strength and persistent ending. Harmonious with a nice and balanced sweet bitterness. Pairings: Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, steaks, fish, gelato and strawberries. Ingredients: cooked grape must. Amid the mists of the fascinating Modena countryside, icy in the winter months and very hot in the summer months, you will find the Società Agricola Aceto Modena - the Modena Vinegar Agricultural Company. The company has been producing the exquisite Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP for years, the truly excellent balsamic vinegar that most characterizes the traditions of the Emilia region of Italy. Hard work and dedication has led to the passing on of the traditional recipe for a condiment loved and appreciated worldwide. Available at Eataly.
Sixteen signature MarieBelle New York chocolate ganaches artfully arranged in an elegant box. Each ganache combines the finest single-origin chocolate with eclectic ingredients and artisanal techniques. A memorable gift for any occasion.
Best Gift for Moroccan Culture Lover; The Spices and Tease set features their 5 best Moroccan Spices which include:
-Tajine Mix
-Cumin Mint mix
-Spicy Sausage:Merguez blend
-Ras El Hanout
-Couscous Mix
These foodie holiday gifts are so first rate you will end up gifting yourself for your kitchen. We recommend exploring these artisanal brands to fill up your kitchen supplies. They also make for tasty affordable and thoughtful holiday gifts that will be greatly appreciated.
While many of us may not be ready to jump on a plane yet, with summer around the corner and warmer beautiful weather upon us there are many options to get out and start enjoying the world again in a safe manner. This is the time to go day tripping and explore local.
With Mother’s Day around the corner and most of the world on lockdown, this is proving to be one extraordinary Mother’s Day for all.
Covid-19 has possibility led you to forget that this coming Sunday, May 10th is Mother’s Day and since you should be social distancing from your mother if you are not in quarantine with her, here are some suggestions from The Local Artisan Guide on thoughtful last minute Mother’s Day gifts.
Good Old Fashion Flowers from Your Local Florist
Many florists have managed to stay open during the shutdown by just fulfilling orders at their store via phone or website. If you have a local florist who is especially fond of working with local flowers this is the perfect gift for your mother. She will love a beautiful bouquet that shows her how much you miss and love her. Some florists like Soho’s Elan Flowers were closed at first but now are open and providing limited services with safe, no contact deliveries.
Elan Flowers in Soho, NYC offers flower with safe, no contact deliveries. Bouquets start at $60.
Rothy’s and Kempton & Co.
Rothy’s the footwear company that has taken the world by storm by introducing footwear that has been made by recycled plastic has introduced handbags to their brand. One of their most popular silhouettes is The Essential Tote. Tote all your essentials with ease in this spacious bag. Crafted with ocean-bound marine plastic, this versatile tote keeps you equipped from dawn to dusk. Its a win/win, your mother gets a tote that will help her carry all her essentials whilst remaining stylish and you know you are helping the environment by providing her a gift that is eco-friendly. An added bonus is all that Rothy’s is helping with masks for Covid-19 relief. Click here to learn more.
Any small local business, local artisan or small independent brand that has an online presence are desperate for your orders to help keep them afloat. Whether its fashion, accessories, jewelry, shoes, gifts, chocolates, etc., just ask your mom what she wants for Mother’s Day and see if a small local business can fulfill her Mother’s Day wishes. A tote from Kempton & Co. is the perfect gift from a small local business. Proceeds from the profits made from their NY TOUGH totes will be going to In God's Love we Deliver an organization that helps fight hunger in their local communities.
Inphorm NYC, the eco-friendly luxury athleisure wear brand has added an eco-friendly mask that is tested and adjudged to be significantly effective protection to the wearer against molecules and liquid absorbency. The outer layer is made from water repellent cotton that meets the international water-repellency test of up to 20 washes. The inner layer, which has a soft feel to the face, is made from eco-forward sustainable bamboo fabric with an antibacterial finish. The face masks, when used with proper preventive measures, can limit the spread of contaminants. The mask comes in two sizes, petite (great for women) and regular size (perfect for men). Best of all is that the mask is very affordable at $9.
With so many restaurants closed there are a few great restaurants that have managed to stay open with local deliveries. Why not make sure your mother is not going to be doing any cooking that day and provide your mom her favorite meal for her and those she is social distancing with (it’s only fair). So whether its brunch or a glorious dinner have your mom enjoying her favorite cuisine and as an extra bonus to your mom share the meal over Zoom. If a restaurant doesn’t come to your mind you can research on Grubhub, Seemless Web or Uber Eats and easily have a meal for mom delivered to her.
Grubhub, Seemless Web and Uber Eats can help you choose great meals to have delivered to your mother.
A Donation to Her Favorite Cause in Her Honor
Right now more than ever our world needs help in every area whether its humanitarian, environmental, animals, etc. Donating to your mother’s favorite cause is a gift that reverberates throughout our communities. In a time when so many of us feel hopeless as we can’t go out and help unless we are an essential worker the best gift is the gift of giving. One standout organization is the International Rescue Committee which beside having their usual donations for refugees has a special Mother’s Day offer called a Mother’s Day match. For $90, IRC offers four emergency hygiene kits to mothers in vulnerable countries like Yemen, Syria and Venezuela. Donate now for Mother’s Day and help moms in vulnerable areas to keep their families safe.
If you can’t afford a gift for your mother this Mother’s Day because your circumstances have made it financially difficult there are many options. Send a greeting card, organize a Zoom video, FaceTime call or even a simple phone call. It lets your mother know she is much loved and you want her to stay home, stay safe and stay healthy.
A card, Zoom, FaceTime or just a simple phone call will make mom happy.
Recently Hudson Yards, a complex that includes residences, offices, shops, restaurants and cultural institutions all encased among innovative architecture (innovative for NYC) has opened up to the general public.
The Local Artisan Guide feels its important for you to have information at your hand for shopping destinations whether its on a charming small dead end street or a multilevel complex. Hudson Yards is certainly the latter.
Located at West 34th Street and 11th Ave. (you can take the #7 train to Hudson Yards directly or a crosstown bus), Hudson Yards is where the MTA has housed subway cars for decades (still does). After exiting the highly stylized new subway station, you encounter a complex of new, cutting edge buildings that include residences, the Equinox Hotel, and a very upscale mall for New York City.
Hudson Yards include a complex of residences, office buildings, shops and The Equinox Hotel.
There is a structure outside the shops that looks like the skeletal system of a bug or artichoke called “The Vessel”. It is a piece that you can enter and explore from the inside (much like the Statue of Liberty). To enter you need to go onto Hudson Yards’s website www.hudsonyardsnewyork.com and reserve a time and day to enter the sculpture (its free).
In the center of Hudson Yards you will encounter The Vessel, a sculpture you are allowed to enter and explore (tickets available for free online).
After exploring The Vessel you can head straight to the shops across the way. The main store here is department store Neiman Marcus. Neiman Marcus has never been situated in NYC (except for Neiman Marcus Last Call in Brooklyn) so in a city that has been losing iconic department stores for the last few years (Lord & Taylor, Henri Bendel’s etc.) it is nice to have one that has a long reputable establish itself here. Neiman Marcus presents itself in a minimal way, there is no or little clutter. They offer a strongly curated assortment of established and emerging designers in its store.
Neiman Marcus is the dominant department store at Hudson Yards, located on the third floor.
A view of The Vessel and the trains lined up in at Hudson Yards from the interior.
What is interesting in the consortium of stores in the Hudson Yards is its range. Here you can find high end brands such as Christian Dior and Cartier’s, to mid range brands like Kate Spade and Tori Burch all the way to H&M and Zara. All presented much like the high end malls you see in Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai. Downtown in the financial district you have a similar collection of stores in Battery Park City with high end brands, grand architecture, restaurants, hotels and residences all flowing into each other, yet at Hudson Yards there is a difference as the selection of stores at Hudson Yards has a curated feel to it. Besides the brands mentioned there are also more independent brands that you would find by strolling down the streets of Soho but you wouldn’t find their presence in American malls. These brands include Scanlan Theodore, M.Gemi and Hatch to name a few.
Fendi is one the high end stores you will find at Hudson Yards amongst others.
Zara and H&M are some of the affordable stores you will find at Hudson Yards.
Scanlan Theodore is one of the many independent brands that have opened in Hudson Yards.
Also unlike the malls in Asia or in Battery Park City, Hudson Yards strives to have something for everybody as shopping and eating there runs the gamut of all price ranges. You can find both high end restaurants and more affordable eating, like Shake Shack at Hudson Yards.
Hudson Yards offers besides shops, multiple places of all price points to dine. Shake Shack is amongst food choices at Hudson Yards.
Many of the shops have still yet to open at the Hudson yards. The experience of shopping at Hudson Yards is similar to the World Trade Center instead there the art structure is part of the interior shopping experience and in Hudson Yards its on the exterior of the building. Hudson Yards incorporates art installations throughout the interior and exterior of the complex making for a cultural experience too.
Hudson Yards included art throughout the entire complex.
Hudson Yards is bound to be a popular place to visit in the future, especially if you live there or are staying in Midtown when visiting NYC. It is definitely worth a visit.
