THE LOCAL ARTISAN GUIDE TO MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS 2024

Another year, another blog on great Mother’s Day gift recommendations on The Local Artisan Guide. As always we offer curated selections that are artisanal, sustainable with stores that offer small independent brands created by artisans. Your mother will appreciate that you have given great thought to unique gifts that show how much you care. No robe from Sears here! All are available online just click onto the captions under the photos.

Rothy’s has been a longtime favorite of The Local Artisan Guide for years. The brand has been at the forefront of offering stylish footwear made from recycled materials that are comfortable and easy to clean. We are again recommending Rothy’s for this Mother’s Day as they just introduced espadrilles! Imagine a comfortable and stylish espadrille that is also made from recycled materials? We couldn’t resist! Rothy’s offers the espadrille in many colors and patterns so mom will have so many choices.

In our recent trip to San Miguel de Allende we fell in love with Mexican White Ceramics for home decor. The beautiful creamy glaze is perfect for all decor and color schemes. Made my local artisans of Mexico, Marquesa de Mancera offers a stunning and affordable selection of the ceramics. I guarantee your mother will be happy to have one of these handmade, artfully created pieces in her home.

If your mother loves jewelry (whose mother doesn’t) we selected this lovely necklace of multicolored gemstones from Dana Blair Design. Dana Blair always designs not only with aesthetics in mind but how the energy of the gems affect our lives. “This necklace is inspired by the meanings of the 27 individually wrapped stones used to create it. With its myriad colors, the Symbolic necklace pairs so well with any ensemble that you’ll never want to take it off. It looks great alone or layered with other necklaces. Available in 14k gold fill or sterling silver, on a 17″ chain.” All those colors will definitely fit in with mom’s wardrobe.

Res Ispa (legalese for “the thing speaks for itself”) is a brand that focuses on globally-designed one-of-a-kind products made from vintage and repurposed materials. Trust me your mother will love this handmade Cactus silk patchwork kimono made by hand in their atelier in Marrakech. Each kimono's front collar is trimmed with handwoven fabric, cactus silk fabric, or West African mud cloth. It is an original design that will go with everything you have in your wardrobe whilst being sustainable as all the fabrics are repurposed materials. She will be the envy of her friends and you might find yourself asking to borrow it yourself. Think of this gift as the much elevated version of the robe mom usually got for Mother’s Day when you were younger (that was dad’s idea of a gift for sure).

One of the problems you have with perfumes and fragrances is that it is quite common that others can easily share your fragrance (remember the 80’s when everyone and their mother was wearing “Obsession”?). When you seek out small independent perfume brands you drastically decrease this possibility and having a fragrance that is practically your own. That is why we love Widian perfumes. We picked “Granada” by Widian as it is the closest you can come to being in Granada without buying your mother a plane ticket (not that we are discouraging that). The copy alone for the fragrance had us running to try it out: “Resting beneath the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, with multiple World Heritage Sites dating back over a millennia, Granada sits at the crossroads of nature and history. A tribute to this rich legacy in all of its contrasts, the newest fragrance from Widian is a symphony of fiery passion and tranquil breezes, an exquisitely constructed parfum that combines exotic spices, lush florals, and a rich amber base to create an unforgettable, wholly unique experience. Delicately calibrated between he softness of rose and the freshness of juniper, the opening harmoniously blends with the intense heat of black pepper and cinnamon supporting a robust cedarwood heart. The luxurious scent is deepened with rich undertones of amber, musk, vetiver, and patchouli, creating a captivatingly perfect balance that sets you on an historic olfactory journey.” It actually makes for a great unisex fragrance so dad may be seeking a few dabs too!

In our last blog we mentioned visiting 2 Note in Kinderhook, NY and how we fell in love with their fragrance boutique. If you don’t feel confident enough to buy your mother perfume for Mother's Day this candle in the universally loved scent of “Opus 1”Lavender Black Pepper Sandalwood is a no brainer. There is also a “Opus 2” Balsam Fir Frankincense in case you want a woodsier slightly more masculine fragrance. The packaging makes it possible to travel with the 10 oz candle that is made with 100% pure beeswax. The candle is made locally with pure botanical essences, hand poured in small batches. It’s a gift she is not only sure to love, but to actually use.

Our last gift recommendation is the very affordable Mother’s Day Gift suggestion is a book by author Chris Power entitled “Mothers” (how appropriate). Available at one of our favorite independent book stores, McNally Jackson, the synopsis reads as: “A woman uses her mother’s old travel guide, aged years beyond relevance, to navigate on a journey to nowhere; a stand-up comic with writer’s block performs a fateful gig at a cocaine-fueled bachelor party; on holiday in Greece, a father must confront the limits to which he can keep his daughters safe. Braided throughout is the story of Eva, a daughter, wife, and mother, whose search for a self and place of belonging tracks a devastating path through generations.

Ranging from remote English moors to an ancient Swedish burial ground to a hedonistic Mexican wedding, the stories in Mothers lay bare the emotional and psychic damage of life, love, and abandonment. Suffused with yearning, Power’s transcendent prose expresses a profound ache for vanished pasts and uncertain futures.” If your mother is an avid reader and perhaps can’t travel so easily these day, Mothers is a gift that will let her travel in her mind.

While flowers, chocolates and greeting cards will also make her happy, we hope these recommendations show your mother that gift giving is an art form and one that leaves the recipient with feelings of gratitude for being fondly thought of. Let that be, there is no greater gift to mom than your actual presence, that is the best present of all. Happy Mother’s Day to the women who do the hardest job on earth where you never get a day off!

By Natalie Rivera

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS - AN OLFACTORY TOUR OF LOWER MANHATTAN

Have you ever walked into a room and realized that someone else is wearing your fragrance? Or even worse, your loved one asks if you can change your fragrance because it reminds him of his last girlfriend (yes that happened to me). This no longer be the case. The fragrance industry has grown exponentially in the last 15 years with more independent artisan fragrances that are more experimental, unisex and connote an experience and memory instead of the usual notes we have been using for centuries. It’s an exciting time to wear a fragrance as unique as you.

That said we are giving you an olfactory tour of independent fragrance boutiques in Lower Manhattan (from 14th Street down) that cover an array of independent artisan fragrance brands that range from local to fragrances from around the world. We encourage not only visiting these fragrance boutiques if you are local to New York City but visiting them online and checking out their array of collections. Many of these boutiques also offer smaller testing and travel size collections plus fragrances for the home, beauty products and more which make for amazing holiday gifts! I highlighted my favorite scent from each shop (click onto the captions for the links to the brands) but I encourage you to investigate how much artisan fragrances have to offer. It would actually be an amazing way to spend the afternoon, hopping from perfume boutique to perfume boutique as many are keen to offer the customer a unique experience whether testing or creating your own scents. Plus the packaging alone in many of these boutiques are reason enough to go.

NOLITA

Nolita has become the place to go to in New York City for small independent brands especially artisan fragrance brands that are local and from around the world.

Olfactory - 281 Mott Street

Besides offering their own collection of fragrances, Olfactory is especially unique in that you can create your own fragrance and even have the bottle named after you or the person you would like to gift. Their scent-ologists will guide you through their scent customization experience. Leave with a personalized signature scent, bottled fresh on-site. While appointments are not required, they recommend them for groups and those coming from out of town. Each custom scent is $85. Talk about a unique gift!

Les Labo - 233 Elizabeth Street

Les Labo has their own artisan collection that they can personalized with charming perfume packaging (refillable) which makes for great holiday gifts. Les Labo also offers their own collection of fragrances for home fragrances, beauty and grooming options.

D.S & Durga - 255 Mulberry Street

Made in NYC, D.S. & Durga is a fragrance brand with the concept of creating and recreating memories of people, places and things. Their unisex fragrances and fragrance products are creating with unorthodox scents that make for excellent home fragrances too. My favorite was Steamed Rainbow which they describe as ROYGBIV reflections on soft weightless water steaming upwards forever fresh.

Osswald NYC - 242 Mulberry Street

Osswald NYC is a fragrance boutique curated by Tanja Dreiding Wallace who handpicked her favorite fragrances and fragrance products from around the world. Can’t make it to the Marais in Paris to pick a fragrance, don’t worry Osswald NYC may have what you are looking for. Our pick is “I am Coming Home” by FLORAIKU. They description of the scent is: “I am Coming Home” is a tea composition, with Ginger oil, Cardamom oil and White Tea extract, giving a fresh and aromatic start to this spicy fragrance with musky accents. Inspiration: The treasure boat gives the idea of a long and smooth travel that reaches its destination. The lights are like close friends, and the coast, a reassuring place. The sea is calm, nothing to fear, the arrival will be quiet and sweet, like the scent. Other notes: Bergamot, citrus, pink-pepper, jasmin tea accord, cedarwood, guaiacwood, amber notes.

Elorea - 41 Spring Street

Elorea is a Korea heritage fragrance brand. Elorea is a portmanteau of 'Elements' and 'Korea' inspired by Korea's rich history of fragrance and lifestyle. Their mission is to capture, preserve, and share the stories of their heritage. Our pick is Elorea’s “Be By My Side”, their description of the scent is it was created from the poetic Korean word hūnoni [흐노니], which means missing someone dearly. Warm and glowy, this scent is redolent of a passionate embrace. The bittersweetness of ginseng and rich floral notes of roses and forget-me-nots create a hauntingly sumptuous olfactive experience. It finishes with soft suede and vanilla for a silky, skin-like scent, heightening the sensuousness of this addictive scent.

Kismet Olfactive - 125 Elizabeth Street

Kismet Olfactive is a New York City-based independent fragrance studio founded by bohemian-perfumer Shabnam Tavakol. Recognizing her family’s escape from the Iranian Revolution, this fortuitous past, Kismet—from the Persian qismat, meaning “fate,” or, “what is meant to be”—translates the serendipitous moments that make up our lives into wearable scents. Inspired from scents around the world, we landed on “Wedding in Oaxaca” which is described as the story of two lovers bound together in a mystical Mexican city, surrounded by a parade of local music, dance, and friends in wild celebration. A playful fragrance, Wedding in Oaxaca fuses smooth lactonic notes of coconut milk and tuberose with fresh floral violet leaves and woody undertones of vetiver, musk, and sandalwood. May this scent always remind you of a memorable moment in time.

Malin + Goetz - 235 Elizabeth Street

MALIN+GOETZ was founded in the chelsea neighborhood of new york city in 2004 by founders matthew malin + andrew goetz who set out to uncomplicate skincare. The brand has grown to include multiple categories including fragrance. Our favorite fragrance we recommend is “Leather Eau de Perfume” which is perfect as a masculine not overpowering scent for men. It’s described as “nodding to the centuries old practice of fragrancing artisanal leather goods with custom perfumes, leather is a modern update that marries rawness and refinement. Immediately recognizable and universally appealing, leather is a texture and scent that inevitably evokes feelings of nostalgia. in our formula, muted florals mirror the elegance of smooth leather while rustic wood notes call to mind the softness of a well-worn vintage find. intimately shaping itself around the wearer like a second skin, leather is a fragrance that only gets better with time”.

Scent Bar - 244 Elizabeth Street

Adam Eastwood and Franco Wright, who began the first chapter of their perfume journey 15 years ago. In the years since Wright and Eastwood started Luckyscent their online perfume market and opened their first tiny Scent Bar storefront on Beverly Boulevard, West Hollywood they have become a go-to source for independent niche perfumes. In their Nolita boutique we picked ARC, Extrait by Mallo, a Spanish heritage brand. Arc represents a confluence of Eastern and Western natural perfumery. Perfumers Antonio Lasheras and Rajesh Balkrishnan combine rare to obtain natural absolutes and create a fantastical mythical flowering plant that is fully contained in the bottled juice only as a unique fougere. Calming and spiritual, ARC takes its wearers to distant mountainous places where wild herbs and flowers caress the lofty pines.

The Naxos Apothecary - 241 Elizabeth Street

The Naxos Apothecary is a Greek luxury natural fragrance and personal care brand that passes on and pushes forward the history, culture, heritage, and endemic flora of the Aegean Island of Naxos, a fertile land with lush vegetation, great biodiversity, and unique endemic species. Combined with scientific expertise in phytotherapy, this led to a sophisticated apothecary brand that proposes personalized herbal cosmetic remedies as well as soulful, storytelling fragrances and candles. We loved “Sangri”, which can be described as Oriental & Woody, medieval scents that form a hypnotizing aura. This fragrance stands for monuments of different eras, a blend of various historical influences.

Korres - 232 Elizabeth Street

Korres is a Greek beauty and fragrance brand established in 1996 using the wisdom of the traditional and sustainable natural remedies from their grandmothers and the organic farmers of Greece. A fragrance we think would be popular for all ages is “Saffron Spices”, an elevated skin freshener that lasts all day, is one of their finest apothecary fragrances. Perfect to wear on its own or layered with any of their other luxurious body care formula.

SOHO

Mizensir SoHo Boutique - 26 Prince Street

Mizensir was founded in 1999 by Alberto Morillas in Geneva, Switzerland. As a perfumer who has been behind many worldwide successes in modern perfumery, he and his wife decided to found a House dedicated to craftsmanship and know-how by offering scented candles and perfumes. Over the years and as a family, they developed a wide selection of scents and collaborated with some of the biggest names in fashion to offer them olfactory signatures. We fell in love with “Lovely Alba”, designed to capture the innocence of a child, this elegant scent offers a surprising amount of intensity. It opens with energizing bergamot, jasmine, and neroli then blends with refreshing orange blossom and powdery iris in the middle. A warm accord of resin and vanilla finishes the fragrance with a layer of sophistication.

Fueguia 1833 - 21 Crosby Street

Visiting a Fueguia 1833 boutique is truly an olfactory experience. Founded in 2010 in Buenos Aires by Julian Bedel, Fueguia 1833 is a unique concept in the universe of niche perfumery, synonymous with craftsmanship, innovation, exotism and sustainability. Fueguia 1833 is a tribute to the indigenous communities of South America, guardians of the aromatic and medicinal plants of their lands, and an ode to their preservation. The story of Fueguia Basket - a native girl from Tierra del Fuego kidnapped in the early 19th century by British commander Robert FitzRoy and disowned by her family upon her return home years later - inspired the brand name as a symbolic representation of Imperialism’s downside. We highly recommend “Beagle”, an amazing fragrance for men that is strong and hypnotic but not overbearing. The name of this scent comes from Fueguia Basket’s character also appears in ''Voyage of the Beagle'', the journal of a very young Charles Darwin who embarked on the same vessel during the expedition where he would write ''On the Origin of Species''. You will find Gunpowder and rum mellowed by the sweet masculine fragrance of mahogany and copper found on the HMS Beagle. 

Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella - 285 Lafayette Street

Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is was founded in Florence in 1221 by Dominican Friars and continues to use formulas for scents, beauty and grooming products created hundreds of years ago. Its apothecary art legacy crosses eight centuries and is deeply intertwined with Florence history, personalities and social tissue, in a continuously-renewed alchemy of tales and wonders. A fragrance we love is “Gelsomino” which is floral/spicy/woodsy scent. The history behind this scent is brings the special tale of Cosimo III de’ Medici and his Stufa dei Mugherini into our everyday lives: bergamot, tangerine and pink pepper welcome us in the top notes. At the heart, the mystery unfolds with sambac jasmine absolute, geranium and ylang-ylang. Finally, the greenhouse opens entirely with cedar wood and musk.

Trudon SoHo - 146 Spring Street

Trudon is one of the oldest perfume brands in the world. Founded in 1643 in Paris by Claude Trudon, he became the owner of a store on rue Saint Honoré in Paris. There he sells spices and candles eventually becoming the official Royal perfumer to the kings. A popular scent is “Vixi” which is the perfect unisex scent that leaves a freshness that runs on the skin, leaving a desirable trace of amber and leather on the surface. 

Byredo - 62 Wooster Street

Byredo is a European luxury brand founded in Stockholm in 2006 by Ben Gorham, with an ambition to translate memories and emotions into products and experiences. Byredo is reinventing the world of luxury through a new approach, where creation is led by emotions, expressing a full and limitless brand universe. Byredo is a great brand for unisex fragrances that connote experiences and memories that make the fragrances an original and unique experience when trying on. I love the names of the perfumes which peak my curiosity and from that “Mojave Ghost” is one of my favorite scents. It’s described as suspended between dreams and reality, from gnomes and mythical creatures to anthropomorphic plants and animals, the fanciful imaginings bring an emotional connection to holiday traditions and folkloric enchantment.

Alchemist Kitchen - 119 Crosby Street

The Alchemist Kitchen is a destination for holistic healing and carefully curated products that also include beauty and fragrance. They carry the Heretic Parfum line, founded by perfumer Douglas Little, to disrupt the status quo by focusing on botanical ingredients that are inspired by Ayurvedic benefits derived from plants. Each fragrance is vegan, blended in organic non-GMO alcohol extraction, without synthetics, offering exceptional quality. A popular scent in the Heretic collection is “Smudge”. Celebrating the ancient practice of using ceremonial smoke to clear energy, this super-pure fragrance envelops you in an exquisite blend of juniper, labdanum, frankincense, and tonka bean.

Atelier D’Emotion - 137 Sullivan Street

Atelier D’Emotion is a unique boutique in Soho that curates many categories including the Olfactory Arts. One new independent perfume brand they carry is the Bubble Collection which is a selection of different perfumes inspired from different exotic places around the world. We absolutely loved “Marrakesh” which made me want to be the woman it stood up for. The scent can be 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 will 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”.

WEST VILLAGE

Kilian Paris - 804 Washington Street

Kilian Paris is an artisan perfume brand by Lilian Hennessy who is part of one of France’s most illustrious dynasties in fine liquors. Kilian Hennessy translates the sensibility and vision inherited from his ancestors into the realm of perfume. Kilian Hennessy has created his contemporary vision of French perfumery with a nod to artisans of the past. A true Master of Scent, working closely with renowned noses as he directs the creation of each fragrance. Known for his long-lasting accords that recall luxury French fragrances of former eras, Kilian Hennessy is uncompromising on the quality of ingredients, privileging the raw and rare and harkening to a rich legacy that stretches from centuries past. The resulting fragrances create a passionate dance between conventional and unorthodox. One of the most seductive scents is “Love, Don’t Be Shy”. It can be explained as First love’s innocence makes itself known with juicy honeysuckle and plush rose softly caressed by the sweetness of luscious marshmallow sugar accord, satisfying the craving pang of new love. A warm amber base lends a pulsing touch of sensuality, hinting the possibility of soon knowing another soul, inside and out.

Frederic Malle - 94 Greenwich Avenue

Born into the world of perfume, with more than thirty years’ experience, Frédéric Malle is the foremost expert in perfumery today. An unconventional and unclassifiable aesthete, he offers artists the opportunity to excel themselves, encourages them to develop their own idiom, and celebrates their creativity. And so, from each collaboration, a masterpiece is born—a perfume whose creator is proud enough to sign it with his own name, for the very first time. The brand collaborates with perfumers around the world and with that his collaboration with Maurice Roucel, one of our favorite scents was created, “Uncut Gems” which is made with a lot of “fresh naturals, and musk, it is not only magnetic but quite chic”.

Parfum de Marly - 805 Washington Street

Founded by Julien Sprecher Far from the etiquette of Versailles, the privileged guests of King Louis XV's "Perfumed Court" met at the "Marlys": sumptuous receptions under the banner of festivities, arts and of course perfume, which embalmed even fountains. Parfums de Marly brings the essence of the palace to life with a spirit of splendour and audacity that animates each of its creations. From the name of its fragrances to the glasswork of its bottles, a unique heritage shines through each perfume. We love the unisex fragrance “Herod” which is personified by its blend of diverse notes, exuding a smoky vanilla scent. This eau de parfum opens on spicy top notes of cinnamon and pepper to then show its powerful heart of tobacco leaf, incense, ciste and osmanthus. These peppery notes are further surrounded by vanilla pods, musk, patchouli and woody accord at the base. An elegant and discernible perfume, for both men and women, it is the epitome of old-world sophistication.

A Perfume Goldmine - 66 Greenwich Avenue

A Perfume Goldmine is home of “The Zoo” fragrances. The Zoo® NYC fragrances compose a menagerie of personalities like exciting creations in a zoo. They were launched in 2017 and are housed in four The Zoo® NYC habitats: Fresh, Sexy, Forbidden, and Raw. Each requires constant feeding with a large palette of ingredients sourced from around the world. They are composed by Christophe to deliver comfort, surprise, or intrigue. Each will shine some fun and ignite a dream with a twist: to be found in our vivid descriptions under each item. We are crazy for “Kiki’s Plant Sex” the new fragrance from contemporary artist Kiki Smith, designed in collaboration with the award-winning French fragrance designer, Christophe Laudamiel. Kiki is a study of balance and contrast and is unabashedly green and fresh while deeply and unexpectedly, lush, warm, and dynamic. The fragrance evokes Kiki’s most significant olfactory memories: musks, boxwood, patchouli and sandalwood next to fresh, ripe foliage, and fig leaf notes. The uniquely soothing, enveloping warmth and herbaceousness of blue chamomile and the bright and summery smell of narcisse create an incandescent, satisfying and fearless scent that is diffusive and illuminating.

Diana Broussard - 19C Christopher Street

Well known independent jewelry, accessories and footwear designer has created a fragrance for her brand made in France titled “DIANA BROUSSARD Eau de Parfum” By DETAILLE, Paris. At the beginning of the XXe century, the Maison de Parfum Detaille was founded by the Countess de Presle, one of the first women to buy a premier automobile. Her modernity, the risk taking nature of her spirit, and her great affinity for beautiful scents, are the traits that Diana Broussard wants to portray in her first signature scent.  The scent Is delicately woody. It's heart is built around saffron and Moroccan cedar. Faceted by an accord of oud, bergamot and cistus, and lying on a bed of tobacco, oud, cedar, and patchouli. A fragrance that is sophisticated, elegant, toujours chic, and a touch risky. 

NOHO

Bond No 9 - 9 Bond Street

Bond No 9 is the first New York parfumerie to be headed by a woman--our founder and CEO, Laurice Rahmé, who oversees every aspect of Bond No. 9--from creating the New York-centric concept behind our eau de parfum collection, to guiding the development of each fragrance and bottle design, to designing the interior of each Bond No. 9 boutique. There are so many scents we love here but we are happy to select our unicorn pick which is quite outrageous in price at $1,300 but a truly unique gift to others (or yourself), “New York Forever” Limited Edition Swarovski Disco Ball perfume. This sexy new anniversary tribute fragrance gets a fabulously festive limited-edition revamp reminiscent of a tinsel-strewn Studio 54. Bond No. 9 embellished the iconic Silhouette Bottle with a mix of bold tile-shaped Swarovski crystals that dance and shimmer like a disco ball on your vanity. In what Rahmé calls “a powerful fragrance for a powerful city.

LOWER EAST SIDE

Aedes Perfumery - 16A Orchard Street

Perfume boutique Aedes de Venustas , which translates to "temple of beauty" in Latin, opened in 1995. The idea behind AEDES is providing personalized service and exclusive scents that could not be found in department stores. The result: a seductive fragrance sanctuary with scented candles, potpourris, perfumes, soaps, skin care products all displayed on ornate etageres and damask-covered tables. Besides the Aedes de Venustas collection their fragrance library includes many prestigious brands of independent perfumes. It is hard to pick a favorite in this stunning perfume boutique but we chose “Grenadille D’Afrique” A tribute to ancient African Blackwood and its majestic home. From crackling sap to balmy resin. Smoky wood to sun-seared stone. Purple dusk to ink-black night. GRENADILLE D’AFRIQUE expresses not only its namesake tree, but also the primal landscape in which it grows.  

Fragrance is such an personal gift that shows you care and as we said now that perfume brands are creating experiences and scents that recollect memories of places and objects we think you will appreciate the journey of finding a scent for you or your loved ones.

By Natalie Rivera

Affordable Mother's Day Gifts for Mom

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.

By Natalie Rivera

LAST MINUTE ARTISANAL VALENTINES DAY GIFTS THAT ARE SURE TO PLEASE!

February is one of those months that come and go in a New York minute. Before you know it, you blink and its over. Valentines Day is in the middle of February and it’s easy to remember last minute to make that dinner reservation and find a thoughtful gift that will let your loved one know you know what makes them feel like they are important in your life. We even have a gift for that person in your life that you are over with and needed a subtle and stylish way to say “Please Don’t Be My Valentine”.

Here at The Local Artisan Guide we have a Valentines Day Gift Guide that ranges from the very affordable to a little outlandish. However all the gifts are quite unique and truly artisanal. Just click on the link for more info.

Teddy Bear Duo. 2 of the cutest teddy bear madeleines covered with 2 chocolates, 2 different flavors

Components : Milk chocolate madeleine with chocolate-hazelnut spread, Dulcey chocolate madeleine with maple

Allergy : Dairy, Gluten, Nut (Hazelnut), Egg

VIVAS: A REFLECTION ON THE FEMALE BODY:
The project started as a way to desexualise the view on the female body and understand we are beautiful in all our different shapes, sizes and colors. My way of doing this is through my ceramic pieces! It all started about 2 years ago when I made a pot and then added boobs, and I loved it so much that I never stopped! At first, I tried to replicate exactly what I had made, but I couldn’t. I quickly realised that no piece would ever look like the other and hence the essence of the project, each piece is unique and unrepeatable. My name is Carla, I am a ceramist and an architect. I hand-make each of the pieces with my team at Vivas Ceramica in my studio in Buenos Aires. Each collection seeks to empower women through a carefully thought out theme.

Pointy Pen Cards

Artist Michael Mendoza will personally make for you a witty, funny and beautiful Valentines Day Card for your loved one. You can reach him at point_pen_cards on Instagram or at El Mercado in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. A very affordable way to show someone you care.

LA ENVIRO is a vegan wallet, watch and accessories label, based in Perth Australia. They envision a world that is animal cruelty-free, whilst creating stunning and lasting designs using sustainable materials, such as recycled plastic bottles and premium vegan leathers. They endeavor to maintain the balance in nature as they create fashion with minimal damage and depletion to nature in the process.

Award winning jewelry maker Val Stern is showing his new collection at Atelier D’Emotion starting February 11th, 2023. Val has trained with third generation Faberge artisans and his jewelry is not only elaborate but very technical just like Faberge eggs are technical with hidden compartments and the ability to move and transform. Come to this amazing boutique or go to their website to check out Val’s amazing collection of one of a kind pieces. If you want to stun someone for Valentines Day, this is the gift for them.

Scent notes of Cardamom, Mimosa, Vanilla Milk and Sandalwood, this unisex fragrance is featured by Phlur’s whose philosophy is to use both natural and synthetic ingredients. 

Phlur loves botanical ingredients for the character they lend to our fragrances, however natural doesn’t always equal safer. In some cases, synthetic ingredients can be less allergenic than certain natural ingredients. 

Harvesting natural ingredients for fine fragrance can require tons of botanicals for a very small amount of material. Many natural ingredients are at risk of becoming over harvested and endangered. Phlur partner with the world’s leading fragrance suppliers to ensure we are utilizing sustainable natural materials and we are being respectful of the environment. 

A gift from Miss Havisham’s Curiosities is a spectacular way to show someone you care…or you don’t. There is a collection of biting phases on beautiful china with a daring message once you are done with your tea or coffee.

See, getting thoughtful Valentines Day gifts doesn’t have to be a chore. Dinner, flowers and a box of chocolate can be quite pedestrian. Shop local artisan and its a win/win situation. And if you don’t have a Valentines then give a gift to the love of your life…YOURSELF!!

Happy Valentines Day!

BRANDS TO BE THANKFUL FOR GIVING BACK

With the holiday season now officially upon us The Local Artisan Guide would like to highlight some brands that share the same ideals and mission of working with artisans in a sustainable manner and giving back to make the world a better place.

These days you can help make the world a better place by learning to be a conscious shopper. Investigating a brand’s ethos and what they stand for is a win/win situation. To know the product you are investing your money is made in an eco friendly manner that helps local community around the world is the shopping ripple that we as a society need to be apart of.  We are highlighting for this Thanksgiving five brands that have this mindset. Click onto the caption in the image for more information.

The first brand we would like to highlight is Akola, a globally inspired jewelry brand creating beautiful designs to lift up and champion women around the world. Akola means “she works” in a local Ugandan dialect. Akola provides life-changing job opportunities through vertically integrated manufacturing employing women in Uganda to make each Akola piece. 

A piece we love is the Zuri Set of Bangle Bracelets. For an affordable $195 you get the option of two different color sets of bangles to chose from (blonde and black). The blonde set featured here includes; one luxury designer Austrian Crystal encrusted bangle, two 10k gold tone bangles and three horn bangles carved by hand in their Ugandan horn studio. All bangles are handcrafted in Ugandan, 2.5” inner diameter and you can wear all together or mix and match.

Are you are looking for a gift for the special man in your life whether it be your boyfriend, brother, dad or good male friend? Are you looking a spectacular gift that also gives back to the world? May we recommend the Alpaca Scarf from Global Goods Partners. This knit Nayra Alpaca Scarf is woven from the softest baby alpaca from Peru and is not only cozy warm but super lightweight. The dimensions are 72”L x 16”W and come from the artisans of Royal Knit, a group of artisans based in Peru who work in their small workshop weaving alpaca and other natural fibers into accessories. This program helps specially women who are victims of domestic  abuse in effort to promote cultural identity and generate incomes for themselves and their children. They have grown now to over 400 weavers and knitters with over 40 workshops located in Cusco, Puno, Huancavelica and Lima, Peru.

A great affordable stocking stuffer we have for the holidays comes from Patent of Heart with their new selection of novelty leather luggage tags at just $29 each (Dimensions: L: 4.25” x W: 3”). Each luggage tag come in a variety of different colors with five funny sayings we most certainly find ourselves saying when we travel with luggage. They are:

  • Thank God You Found Me comes in black, yellow red, blue and orange.

  • They All Look The Same Don’t They? Comes in black, yellow, red, blue and orange.

  • Woo Hoo I’m Over Here! Comes in black, yellow, red, blue and orange.

  • Nope Not Yours comes in blue, yellow, orange and red.

  • Nope Yours Is The Other Black Bag comes in black, yellow, red, blue and orange.

Patent of Heart was built on the belief and mission of giving back. Their brand was born out of creating a beautiful product working with artisans, mostly female, whilst preserving their traditions and skills, upcycling raw materials and having a portion of our profits go to help educate girls in Turkey.

When it comes to home decor, World Market, is a San Francisco brand that has been selling artisanal home decor from around the world since the 70’s. They focus on products that are sustainable and helps artisans keep their local artisan skills alive. We are featuring exclusively from World Market the “All Across Africa Dark Blue Woven Disc Wall Decor”. Handcrafted of raffia and banana fibers, this beautiful disc is made in Uganda and is ready to hang in your home or office. Available in additional designs, the disc is 20” in diameter x 2.5” depth. The artisans creating this piece are artisanal women weavers from Uganda and includes a tag from the weaver describing what creating this piece of art means to her. In collaboration with “All Across Africa”, these artisans are empowered to pay school fees, gain access to safe housing, food and healthcare and save for her future and family.

Our final recommendation of gifts that give back to the world is the “Mini Candle Trio Gift Box” from the Wurrumay Collective for $49.95. The Wurrumay Collective is a small handmade business created by Natasha Kaiser, a proud Aboriginal woman from the Gomeroa Tribe in NSW, Australia. These three 60 gram mini candles come in Australian Bush, Australian Sandalwood and Kakadu Plum. Inspired by her homelands and Australia’s natural resources, Wurrumay Collective helps the Gomeroa Tribe and provides work from this Australian luxury fragrance brand. The candles make for unique unisex gift items and is a great way to help a small artisan brand and its community from around the world.

We hope we inspired you to gift giving that ripples in positive ways from brands that make it part of their mission to give consciously back to communities and people around the world. The stories of these brands and how they came about to make a difference in the world using artisans makes any product whether for yourself or to your loved ones worth having. Going against algorithms for shopping and focusing on small, local brands that give back is the perfect way to acquire good shopping karma for the holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Local Artisan Guide!

VALENTINES DAY GIFT GUIDE FOR HER

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

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

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 Bar is 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

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!

Heretic, Floragasm

Heretic, Floragasm, 50 ML, $165

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. 

TOP: Bergamot, Bitter Orange, Coriander, Lemon, Pimento Berry, Pink Pepper 
HEART: Jasmine, Linden Blossom, Orange Blossom, Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang
BASE: Hibiscus Seed

Also available at 15 ML for $65.

Patent of Heart Alba Accordion Flip Crossbody/Clutch

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.

Next up, Valentines Day Gifts for Him!

By Natalie Rivera

THE LOCAL ARTISAN GUIDE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - DAY ONE: FRAGRANCES

The Local Artisan Guide has seen so many amazing artisans this pass year that one gift guide for the holidays is not enough so we will have “The Twelves Days of Christmas Holiday Gift Guide” with each day highlighting a different gift category. For the first day of our gift guide we will feature our picks for fragrances for both men and women. The following five choices can all be considered unisex fragrances as they inspire to capture a feeling and an experience instead of just floral and woody notes.

ANTOINETTE POISSON “TISON”

The third part of this trilogy of perfumes dedicated to Madame Antoinette Poisson, mistress of King Louis XV, focuses on the latter part of their relationship when she was more his confidant than an active mistress. "Tison", with its notes of smoky and woody notes, reminds the quietness and warmth of the fireplace, the incandescence of the embers in the crackling wood fire in the petit salon. The flame that has long animated the Marquise de Pompadour still burns.

D.S. & DURGA, “I DON’T KNOW WHAT”

D.S. & Durga have created a fragrance enhancer with transparent radiance that gives any perfume a certain, as the French say, “I don’t know what.” With top notes of bergamot essence, heart notes of iso e super, vetiver acetate and base notes of civettone, firsantal and ambrox super, this fragrance is definitely a ‘Je ne sais quoi’


BYREDO “MIXED EMOTIONS”

“Mixed Emotions”, an epicene scent designed to reflect the tumultuous nature of our times. Drawing on the Byredo philosophy of translating fragmented memories and abstract ideas into scent, “Mixed Emotions” presents an olfactive sketch of our current, collective state of mind. Comforting notes of maté and the sharp sweetness of cassis sit within a wooden framework; the reassuring scent of black tea disturbed by violet leaf synthetics.

ROOT AND RESIN “ASTROMA BY DESIGN”

Combining astrology with aromatherapy, this unique process will dive deep into your chart to craft your unique signature star scent. An Astroman by Design reading is your personalized aromatic blend to support your intention, goals and life purpose through your soul’s map and blueprint that is your natal birth chart and desired aromatic profile.

Drawing from the science of aromatherapy and the art of astrology, together we custom craft a synergy scent particular to your desire and actions. Using your soul’s astrological blueprint through your horoscope we are able to source valuable information to align particular plant aromas to support your core essence. Upon purchasing they will need your astrological information to get started. Visit their sister website and share your birth chart information so that they may begin the Astroma process.

HOUSE OF POTENTIA, “BLACK SMOKE EAU DE PARFUM” AVAILABLE AT ATELIER D EMOTION

House of Potentia created a perfume that brings to mind desire journeys through hope and doubt. The great “I am” emerges and takes its eternal stand. Rich Incense, Sandalwood offer solace through the haze.

All these incredible fragrances come from perfumers who are changing the face of the fragrance world by offering more of an experience that a certain scent that crosses over the line of gender for a unisex memory embodied by the art of olfactory. All these brands offer multiple scents that are worth exploring and expanding your aroma library.

By Natalie Rivera

Thoughtful and Unique Mother's Day Gifts for Mom

The Local Artisan Guide has come out with its annual Mother’s Day Gifts guide that will help you chose thoughtful, unique gifts that are made by artisans and small independent brands that care passionately about their work, their workers, their products and the earth. We have chosen an array of categories from fashion, accessories, perfumes, beauty, home decor, jewelry, flowers, footwear, sweets and more. If you want to show your mother that she is your hero and deserves a gift that shows how special she is to you, then this is the guide is for you. So click onto the caption and the link will bring you to the website. All recommendations are available online.

Custom greeting cards by Pointy Pen Cards, DM Pointy_Pen_cards on Instagram by Michael Mendoza

Custom greeting cards by Pointy Pen Cards, DM Pointy_Pen_cards on Instagram by Michael Mendoza

We know your mother will love anything you give her but she will definitely tell her friends you are her favorite if you chose any of the magnificent gifts recommended in our gift guide. However in the end, quality time and telling your mom you love her and she is the best mom in the world will always be on the top of her gift list.

By Natalie Rivera

Valentines Day 2021 Gift Guide

Local artisanal Valentines Day gifts for 2021.

Read More

Father's Day Gifts in the Time of Covid-19 and Upheaval

Father’s Day 2020 is a tricky one. Depending on where you live and your parents health, Father’s Day in the time of Covid-19 in 2020 is proving to be an unorthodox celebration.

Say you are living in an area where there is still a quarantine, the best possible gift to your father is to stay away, especially if he has a health condition. Dad hugs are great but even better is to still have him around healthy. Perhaps you can visit but still need to wear a mask? Maybe your father lives far away so visiting him is off the table completely. The Local Artisan Guide is here to suggest gift ideas that are affordable, help local businesses that have been struggling due to Covid-19 and charitable for today’s relevant issues. We have a selection of gift ideas for all price points that can be ordered online to make it easy for dad to receive.

Kempton and Co. Wooden Slingshot

Kempton & Co. is a Brooklyn handbag and accessories brand founded by English designer Fiona Kempton who draws inspiration from her equestrian background, design and culture. Her website features a Wooden Slingshot that is guaranteed to get dad off the couch and into nature to sharpen his mischievous slingshot skills. The Hella Slingshot is the real deal. It’s just like the wood weapons you used to make as a kid, but with an added touch of grown up craftsmanship. Each one-of-a-kind slingshot is handmade in San Francisco from forked tree branches, carefully airbrushed with acrylic paint, and outfitted with a leather projectile pouch using natural latex tubing and imitation sinew. Guaranteed to help dad’s fading hand-eye coordination!

Hudson Single Malt Whiskey from the Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery

In these troubling times we can all use a drink. So may we recommend Hudson Single Malt Whiskey? Hudson Single Malt Whiskey is a product from the Tuthilltown Spirits Farm Distillery which is New York’s first whiskey distillery since prohibition, distilling some of America’s most prized spirits here in the Hudson Valley. The distillery uses local ingredients from a span of ten miles and has produced award winning whiskey, gin and vodka on their premises. The Hudson Single Malt Whiskey is made in the classic fashion with whole ground malted barley and nothing else. Aged in their small American Oak casks, this whiskey is a departure from popular single malt Scotches. Rich in color and full flavored, their single malt is an American reinterpretation of traditional Scottish and Irish whiskies. Here’s to you Dad!

Thursday Boot Co.

Thursday Boots are a footwear brand that creates high quality boots at affordable prices (Vogue says they are the best boots under $200). Thursday Boots partner with world-renowned suppliers and highly skilled artisans to carefully handcraft their footwear. Only the highest ethical and quality standards are accepted. Their goal is to make products that their can proudly stand by, and that you can confidently stand in for years to come. The Captain boot in the color terra-cotta is a guaranteed Dad pleaser that he will cherish for years to come and rest assured he will be the most fashionable dad at the pub, or wherever your dad likes to congregates.


DS & Durga, Bowmakers Perfume

DS & Durga is a local perfume brand made in NY that seeks to replicate olfactory aromas from places, experiences and objects recalling memories from times past. DS & Durga formulate their fragrances using both traditional and eclectic ingredients. Their perfume Bowmakers recreates the transcendental woods of the 1800s, where craftsmen from the Massachusetts Bay Colony built violins and bows. Old growth mahogany, burled maple shavings, amber pine rosin, aged walnut and unique secret varnishes make this manly fragrance that is pure time travel. It’s a Father’s Dad gift that will please both Dad AND Mom if you know what I mean…

Charitable contribution in his name to the NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matter or a charity he is passionate about.

NAACP,  ACLU, BLACK LIVES MATTER, or whatever floats his boat.

NAACP, ACLU, BLACK LIVES MATTER, or whatever floats his boat.

Let’s face it, the world is a mess. Even more than usual. The United States has been experiencing times of extreme hardship this year and a charitable donation to an organization that assists the pertinent issues of these troubled times is certainly called for. Whether your dad is woke and would appreciate a donation in his name or not that quite evolved, you can make lemonade out of all the lemons out there and donate to a charitable donation in his name.

So may we recommend the NAACP, the ACLU and Black Lives Matter. If you don’t want to make a political statement this Father’s Day you can always donate to his favorite charity, for example; Dad is an avid bird watcher and lives in Brooklyn so donate to the Brooklyn Bird Club. There are so many great charities that help the environment, refugees, children, animals, arts, etc. You can be sure to find a charitable organization that your dad is proud to have a donation sent in his name to. Win/Win!

We hope you have a safe and healthy Father’s Day with your father or father figure. Good men, good fathers need to be celebrated in a scary world where all you want is to feel safe and loved.

Happy Father’s Day!


By Natalie Rivera

Bleek Street No More

In the summer of 2017 The Local Artisan Guide wrote a blog on the sad state of Bleecker Street. With its high rate of empty store fronts, Bleecker Street was starting to look more and more like a street in the mid-west rust belt. Retailers both local and national were abandoning their shops due to astronomical rent increases while landlords were fine with waiting out for tenants that could afford high rents. A few national beauty brands were moving in such as Aesop and The Organic Pharmacy, but in general walking down Bleecker Street seemed quite bleak. 

Fast forward to early 2019 where walking down Bleecker Street is now a more positive experience. Rents have started to come down however there are still multiple shops that are empty. Unfortunately stores are still closing (Sunni Spencer just shut down) but a few new brands are opening up under the revitalization project “Love, Bleecker.”

Still many empty storefronts dot Bleecker Street.

Still many empty storefronts dot Bleecker Street.

“Love, Bleecker” is a collaboration between Skylight and Brookfield Properties, created to breathe back some life into Bleecker Street. “Love, Bleecker” has acquired four storefronts to introduce four online brands who never had a brick and mortar presence. The four brands are couture retailers Prabal Gurung, men’s leather good brand Slightly Alabama, cashmere brand Lingua Franca and plant based bodega with floral collab Bonberi & Fleurotica

Along with the storefronts “Love, Bleecker” will also introduce art installations, music and more interactive community events in collaboration with the shops. 

#lovebleecker

#lovebleecker

“Love, Bleecker” paired each shop with an artist to have fashion and art play off each other. For Slightly Alabama they paired artist Chelsea Hryrick Browne, who created an installation of intricately hand-cut paper designs that will be displayed in the shop’s windows for 6 months. Her designs, which are layers of hand-cut paper create the illusion of an abstract painting.

Slightly Alabama and artist Chelsea Hrynick Browne collaboration.

Slightly Alabama and artist Chelsea Hrynick Browne collaboration.

Prabal Gurung was paired with Edward Ross who crafted a glass sculptural lighting installation which will live in the space for the year.

Prabal Gurung and Edward Ross collaboration.

Prabal Gurung and Edward Ross collaboration.

Lingua Franca was partnered with artist Ashley Longshore who made a very colorful and glittery painting of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Lingua Franca and Ashley Longshore collaboration.

Lingua Franca and Ashley Longshore collaboration.

Bonberi & Fleurotica have been paired with Signe Pierce who created floral and neon illuminated sculptures. 

Bonberi & Fleurotica collaboration with Signe Pierce.

Bonberi & Fleurotica collaboration with Signe Pierce.

Besides “Love, Bleecker” there have been multiple store openings of brands that have not had brick and mortar stores including; TDE (The Daily Edit), Kilona, St.Frank, Naadam, Margaux, Hill House Home and gold no.8 to name a few. Some pop up shops have opened up indefinitely such as Netluxe, The Citizenry Bunkhouse, Buckberry, Quaker Marine Supply and Greyers. Other more established brands have opened up new locations on Bleecker Street, which include Faherty, Buck Mason, Jay Kos and Marine Layer making Bleecker Street an up and coming men’s fashion destination.

Welcome to Bleecker Street! New brands are popping up along the way.

Welcome to Bleecker Street! New brands are popping up along the way.

So in the end, just walk down Bleecker Street, enjoy the new brands, art and events and remember at the end of the road there is thankfully Magnolia Bakery.

By Natalie Rivera

Unique and Romantic Valentines Day Gift Ideas

When you walk around cities and towns constantly on the lookout for artisans and small independent brands you eventually start to acquire a rolodex of gift ideas in your head for all occasions. Valentines Day is no different so we here at The Local Artisan Guide are quite happy to recommend some of the gems we have discovered over the years for special, unique and romantic gift giving for Valentines Day.

Why be like everyone else and settle for red roses, mass produced chocolate and run of the mill gifts with no time or thought given to them. Here are some suggestions in all price ranges for all genders and relationships that can be bought in New York City or online.

Atelier d’Emotion calls itself a “jewel box” of a boutique and they are right. It’s the perfect place to shop for a Valentine’s Day gift. It’s a small, intimate, beautifully decorated romantic boutique that is highly curated with jewelry, home decor, candles and even artisanal chocolate. You can’t loose if you pick any item from the shop as a Valentines Day gift, however may we recommend the Vitae Ascendere Melting Heart Charm Necklace in 18k Yellow Gold with 17 inches Yellow Gold Chain with Karabiner Clasp. 3D printed, designed and manufactured in NYC.

Artisanal chocolatier MarieBelle is one of the first chocolatiers to add modern eclectic graphic designs to her chocolates along with unusual and delicious flavors. You can buy online but please visit her shops if you can as they transform you to a cafe in a romantic European town. The chocolates are sold in various sizes with her signature MarieBelle New York ganaches in special romantic designs. Each ganache combines the finest single-origin chocolate with eclectic ingredients and artisanal techniques. Offered in a signature red box and wrapped in grosgrain ribbon for an extra special gift.

When you care enough to send the very best in New York City you go to Emily Thompson Flowers. Each arrangement is unique and designer's choice. All arrangements are designed with the finest seasonal materials with a preference for local and specialty flowers and foliage. Emily Thompson welcomes design requests, but *cannot guarantee specific materials*. Design notes and gift messages can be entered at checkout. For guaranteed delivery for Valentines please order by Tuesday February 12th. In honor of love for all, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

Olfactory NYC is a perfume boutique that lets you customized your very own fragrance for yourself or for that special someone. Create your fragrance by choosing one of their recommended specific accords that emphasize certain emotions inherent to each scent to create a final design that is all your own. Choose a bottle, color and name your fragrance. All for an affordable $75 (they also offer a travel size for $25).

Escaping to a romantic destination is a great way to celebrate Valentines Day. If you are really going for it, grab your passport and escape to a destination across the borders and while you are at it dress his passport in an Anson Calder small leather good. The Passport Wallet conveniently stores all your necessary travel cards and documents in one place. The minimalist construction fits all passport sizes and offers space for boarding passes, customs forms, visas, or any other travel documents. The minimalist design and patent-pending push slots reduce bulk by removing the need for multiple pockets. These cutouts make it easier than ever to access various cards on the fly. By fanning the cards out, you can identify and remove the one you need while leaving the others in place. For an additional $15 you can have it monogrammed too.

Hearts are everywhere and a special gift to give to anyone in your life that you care about are Jan Burtz Porcelain Heart Dishes. Exclusively at ABC, these heart dishes are made by hand from creamy porcelain and a homemade glaze. Their irregular, organic forms bring us back to the basics, accentuating the fluidity and grace of hand-formed wares. Made in Jan Burtz's Connecticut studio, no two pieces are alike, though all are food, dishwasher, and microwave safe. Available in Gold, White and Blush.

Want to give the gift that keeps on giving and giving? The gift that shows your love of the earth and its environment? Why not gift a 4ocean bracelet? By purchasing this bracelet, you will remove one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines.  Its unisex design is adjustable from 2-5” in diameter, its made with 90% recyclable content post consumer and hand assembled on the island of Bali.

Here is another version of the French tickler. Let’s not forget the romantic, sexy part of Valentines Day with some love paraphernalia. French lingerie brand Maison Close offer besides sexy, beautiful lingerie, an array of tasteful love accessories to make your night of love an unforgettable, sensuous experience.

When giving that romantic gift, don’t forget the romantic greeting card. You can forgo the Hallmark card and go artisanal with Greenwich Letterpress’s selection of Valentines Day cards. They are unique, artistic, romantic, flat printed in the USA using 100% recycled paper, paired with a matching envelop and blank inside so your lover hears your words not some cheesy quote. Even better is that they are quite affordable at $5.

So hopefully you are inspired by our selection of Valentines Day gifts. Just click on the captions for product info.

If you are an original and your loved one appreciates that you think they are unique and deserve the beauty of artisanal craft and design, then these are gifts they are bound to love and cherish.

Happy Valentines Day!

By

Natalie Rivera


Olfactory Experiences in NYC

Once on a date with a fairly new boyfriend a few years ago my new beau presented me with a beautifully wrapped package. As I tore into my unexpected gift I uncovered to my dismay a fancy bottle of perfume. I was quite frankly a little insulted. “Is he having a problem with the way I smell?” immediately went through my mind. He sensed my reaction and tried to put me at ease by saying he was gifting me the perfume because the scent I was wearing reminded him too much of an ex-girlfriend he would prefer to forget. He gave me a very expensive bottle of perfume that at the time I had never heard of, Annick Goutal’s Eau’d Hadrien (yes my new beau was loaded). I was ignorant at the time of the great gift he had given me, obviously he thought if he was going to ask me to change my scent it would be less offensive if the perfume was one of the world’s most expensive at the time. Since our sense of smell is the sense that brings a memory back the most vividly, I didn’t want him remembering his ex when we were together so I gave up my mixture of Issey Miyake’s L'eau d’Issey with a base of Fresh’s Milk Body Lotion (now discontinued) and started wearing the Eau’d Hadrien

I was not exactly thrilled about this because my signature scent of L’eau d’Issey and Fresh’s Milk Lotion was my calling card at the time, one that had strangers telling me how wonderful I smelled. The Eau’d Hadrien did not mix well with my skin chemistry, it smelled like bug spray when it hit my skin so after awhile I just went without scent. My new boyfriend turned out to be a playboy and we broke up so I gave the bottle of Eau’d Hadrien to a friend of mine and she smelled like a lovely citrus and orange grove the moment it hit her skin (which I believed is what you ideally smell like when you use Eau’d Hadrien). 

Once you find a perfume, fragrance or cologne you love, you claim it as your own and state to the world, “this is my signature scent!”. Well that is fine but for the last few decades there is a great chance that many people around you are shopping around the same places to buy their scents (department stores, Sephora, airport duty free shops) so as you walk into a crowded room don’t be too surprised if your scent is not as original as you think it is. 

That is why I recommend you start looking off the beaten path for a scent that is your’s truly and also offers an olfactory experience when seeking it out. 

In the last few years there have been a few brands both old and new that have created a magical, lovely and at times a bespoke experience when seeking out your signature scent. Many of these brands have gone back in time to how fragrances were created hundreds of years ago and have followed the model of the apothecary. Some brands have gone into the future and have reinvented fragrances by creating them to recall olfactory experiences from around the world that are more unisex in nature. 

Here are a few picks of artisanal brands and olfactory destinations located in New York City but available world wide that are making it easier to truly find a signature scent that you can feel quite confident no one else in the room is going to be wearing.

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Aedes Perfumery - 16A Orchard St., Lower East Side, NYC

On the cusp of the Lower East Side and Chinatown, as you walk down gritty Orchard Street with its small contemporary art galleries and fashion forward independent brands there you will find Aedes Perfumery. The shop is petite, dark and romantic. You almost feel trepidatious by entering but once you do you enter you are immediately enveloped into Aedes’s world of highly curative perfumes from over 75 small independent brands all over the world. Their excellent staff is trained to educate their customer on different olfactive groups and let you explore their scents and what works for you. Aedes also has their own perfume, AEDES DE VENUSTAS. Housed in aubergine glass that is baroque yet futuristic, AEDED DE VENUSTAS offers nine very different scents and experiences, it is definitely a boutique you can lose a whole afternoon in. They also offer candles and home fragrances which make for unique gift giving.

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Claus Porto - 230 Elizabeth St., Nolita, NYC

In neighboring Nolita, the neighborhood has lately become a destination for artisanal perfume and fragrance brands lining the small streets along with other high-end independent boutiques. One of the latest brands to join this unique enclave is Claus Porto. Just entering the shop is an experience in itself with a 42 ft long archway made entirely from Portuguese cork, which visitors can step into and admire Claus Porto’s signature products. The brand is over 130 years old and stems from Portugal and built its name on hand-crafted, artisan fragrances which draw on ingredients from Portugal’s lush countryside. All the artwork is from their decades old archives and besides fragrances you can find soaps, candles, diffusers, bath and body and stationary, all which make for perfect gifts.

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Olfactory NYC - 281 Mott St., Nolita, NYC

Its easy to step into Olfactory from the outside as the boutique is an explosion of all the colors of the rainbow. That is when the Olfactory adventure just begins. The friendly staff will guide you into their process for creating your very own perfume. First you will explore their core scents that  are created using the finest and natural and sustainable ingredients. Second you will explore different variations of your core scent by adding accords that help enhance and customize the scent. Third you will chose the color of your of your bottle and help personalize it and like magic you have your very own custom scent! A plus is that the ingredients are vegan, organic, sustainable sourced, Phthalate And Paraben Free and the packaging is sourced locally. Scented candles, body lotions, body wash and gifts are also available so you can shop for yourself and your loved ones in a sustainable manner.

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Le Labo - 233 Elizabeth St., Nolita, NYC

Is a perfume brand founded in New York City in 2006 and has a mission to customize your scent with a made-to-order bottle to ensure the freshest fragrance at the time of purchase. Created in collaboration with the world’s top perfumers and using only the highest-quality essential oils, Le Labo creates scents that are vegan and cruelty free. The brand’s fragrances, hand-dipped candles, and body products are designed to enrich the senses. Once you select your scent they will freshly blend your bottle and then personalize and engrave your bottle for you. There are also grooming, hair, body, home accessories and an eclectic set of oddities available at this rustic and earthy shop that helps ensure you are creating a unique experience for yourself. 

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Atelier Colognes - 247 Elizabeth St., Nolita, NYC

When Christophe Cervasel and Sylvie Ganter first met, little did they know that their love for cologne and scents would spur a brand that is dedicated entirely to cologne. Hence Atelier Cologne was created so colognes could be worn as pure perfumes. With six olfactory groups they have created over 38 scents that range from flowery scents to nights full of the essence of tobacco. All made in France using ingredients native to France. Atelier Cologne products are with 0% paraben, paraffinum liquidum, GMO, animal derived ingredients, colorants, sulfates and made by artisans and craftsmen. Their charming boutique also offers candles, bath and both, travel sizes and gift sets. 

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Malin+Goetz - 235 Elizabeth St., Nolita, NYC

Malin+Goetz is a skincare brand that operates like an apothecary using the simplest ingredients to provide a healthy product for your skin. They have a curated collection of fine fragrances, each inspired by a traditional perfumery ingredient with a modern interpretation and are perfect unisex scents. The shop shares its owners spare, less is more philosophy with clean minimal lines that is reflected in its packaging. The brand also offers besides skin and fragrances, candles, hair, body products, soap, beauty and gifts.

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Deceim/Avestan - 26 Prince St., Nolita, NYC

Deceim, the beauty brand that has been revolutionizing the beauty world has created a brand of unisex perfumes and fragrances called Avestan. And just like Deceim has brought new concepts to beauty, Avestan has brought new concepts to fragrances by focusing on experiences and scents that bring back memories from world travels. Wonder what an aromatic visualisation of firewood near a tent in Tanzania smells like? Or what the inside of a violin atelier smells like? The smell of copper in a Budapest architecture? Well with Avestan you will be privy to these unisex fragrances that work with the magic of olfactory memory. Currently they have over 15 scents that all included besides fragrances, candles, body and hair products. 

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Santa Maria Novella - 285 Lafayette St., Nolita, NYC

Santa Maria Novella is a apothecary brand from Florence, Italy that can trace the beginnings of its formulation from 1221 with the official pharmacy opening in 1612. Thus the Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (Perfume and Pharmaceutical Oficine of Holy Mary Novella) was born with an emblematic name that gave precedence to perfume or the ephemeral rather than the curative aspect of more spiritual inspiration, the medicinal or pharmaceutical. They catered to royalty, nobles and merchants worldwide and today Santa Maria Novella offers a multitude of aromatic waters, colognes, candles, home accessories for both men and women (even pets). Its a brand draped in history and with a staff that is more than happy to help explain the centuries old formulas that have been past down the ages.

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MiN NY - 117 Crosby St., Soho, NYC

MiN NY is a fragrance brand that operates on a conceptual philosophy of our definition of what constitutes a fragrance. Set in Soho’s Cast Iron District, MiN NY have created over 17 fragrance with such names and experiences as “Shaman” for mystical time travelers, “Moondust” because the moon it is said the moon smells of gunpowder after a desert rain. “Old School Bench” to bring back memories of pencil shavings and vintage desks. The brand also offers candles, haircare, gifts, eyewear and a highly curated selection of artisanal perfume brands from around the world.

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Fueguia - 21 Crosby St., Soho, NYC

Fueguia is an Argentinian sustainable perfume brand that uses only certain natural ingredients, being often very unique and used for the first time in perfumery. These ingredients being used in perfumery are also a great challenge due to the fact that climate change affects the availability, quality and prices of the different botanical species. Because of the scarcity of these ingredients, Fueguia 1833 produces only limited series of fragrances, using the finest natural ingredients available at the time of production. Each bottle shows the year and the lot number of the fragrance that is enclosed – a progressive number from 1 to 400 being engraved on a crystal bottle of each perfume. The boutiques are dark with well crafted vitrines highlighting the scents and adding to the luxurious and unique event of sampling the limited edition fragrances.

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Marianell Soap Bar and Spa - 102 Thompson St., Soho, NYC

Marianella Soap Bar is the brainchild and passion project of mother and son team Marianella and David Foote who recreate the soaps and scents of Marianella’s nostalgic travels and her Venezuelan childhood spent making soaps and beauty products by hand in her grandmother’s kitchen. The fragrances and soaps makes the most luxurious one of a kind bath and body products with no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, No Parabens, No Harsh Chemicals and No Animal Testing, all made in the U.S.A. Their beautiful, light, airy and cheerful shop features their custom fragrances, soaps, beauty, bath and body, home fragrances and gift sets (they just started a monthly subscription box). 

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The Scentarium - 85 Franklin St., Tribeca, NYC

The Scentarium is by appointment only and once there, its owner Sue Phillips will help you create a bespoke signature fragrance that captures the essence of you and gives you a custom perfume to wear and cherish. Whether its just you or a party of 50, Sue Phillips will educate you on perfumery and help you decide what is right for you by introducing you to groups of scents and then mixing and matching to get the unique scent that you desire. Sue also offers her own scents that she has created throughout the years.

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Bond No. 9 New York - 9 Bond St., Noho, NYC

Bond No. 9 New York is the first American parfumerie to be headed by a woman, Laurice Rahmé, who gives homage to New York City by giving every New York neighborhood a scent of its own. The brand is very civic minded, campaigning for and spreading peace internationally and raising funds for the cause via their universally loved “Scent of Peace”. The store itself is a Alice in Wonderland experience that will have you browsing through the city via your olfactory senses. 

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Kilian - 946 Madison Ave., Upper East Side, NYC

Founded by Kilian Hennessy, Kilian is a luxury perfume brand that seeks to create perfume the way it was made in the late 19th and the early 20th century, but adding a contemporary twist at the same time. Kilian’s concept of their “eco-luxe” philosophy that each bottle can be refilled and kept for a lifetime help put them on the map worldwide. There are over 35 scents in the collection, each telling a story with names like “Arabian Nights”, “Asian Tales”,  and “In the Garden of Good & Evil”, every scent evokes ultimate sophistication and timeless luxury.

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Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, 898 Madison Ave., Upper East Side, NYC.

Think of Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle as a publishing house for the industry’s very best Perfume Designers. As their editor, Frédéric Malle guides them individually through their creative process to ensure that they are always transcending their limits. Together they create works of art that will be the perfume classics of tomorrow. With a team of 13 perfume designers, the shop resembles an elegant home, a contemporary interpretation of a 1930s Parisian apartment with the clinical design of a fragrance laboratory. There are celebrated features including Frédéric Malle’s own signature smelling columns and refrigerated perfume cabinets. Besides helping educate the customer on olfactory elements, there are limited editions, candles, home scents, beauty and gifts. 


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Twisted Lily - 360 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, NYC

Twisted Lily is a unique fragrance boutique and apothecary featuring hard to find niche, indie and natural fragrances from all over the world. This Brooklyn bright and cheery boutique curates fragrances that are created from just a few blocks away to the far side of the globe. Twisted Lily also features modern apothecary products such as skincare, grooming and beauty lines. 

So there is a small sample of olfactory experiences in New York City. There are also a few honorable mentions such as Alchemlogie, Joya, Annick Goutal and more.

Besides finding your signature scent, all the brands mentioned are perfect destinations for thoughtful, unique, beautiful gift giving for the holidays.

I am now confident when I walk into a room that my scent is as personal and unique to me as my fingerprint. I will not reveal the brand or formulation I chose because this is truly “my signature scent”. My fragrance will forever bring up vivid memories of just..me.

By Natalie Rivera



CONSCIOUS MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS FOR THE SAVVY MOM

The Local Artisan Guide has a few last minute ideas for those of you who have yet to get your mom a gift (or if you are a mom in the know you can direct your family to this link). 

Is your mom savvy, thoughtful, unique, conscious, ecofriendly and loves artisan craftsmanship? Then this is the list for her.

RICA Bath and Beauty products are fresh-made to order in Brooklyn NY. Mixed “farm to vanity” style with organic and local grown ingredients (when possible) and sourced from the farms of Long Island’s North Fork. Made without synthetic preservatives,…

RICA Bath and Beauty products are fresh-made to order in Brooklyn NY. Mixed “farm to vanity” style with organic and local grown ingredients (when possible) and sourced from the farms of Long Island’s North Fork. Made without synthetic preservatives, colorants, parabens, sulfates or petroleum, everything is USA made in a Gowanus, Brooklyn studio housing their production facility. RICA BODY

Foundrae is a jewelry brand which is more than jewelry: they are modern heirlooms, ones that allow the wearer to express something of herself to the world, and like all heirlooms, these pieces tell a story through customization. FOUNDRAE

Foundrae is a jewelry brand which is more than jewelry: they are modern heirlooms, ones that allow the wearer to express something of herself to the world, and like all heirlooms, these pieces tell a story through customization. FOUNDRAE

Amour Vert is a eco-friendly, sustainable fashion brand that plants trees for every tee you buy (almost over 170,000 trees planted so far). AMOUR VERT

Amour Vert is a eco-friendly, sustainable fashion brand that plants trees for every tee you buy (almost over 170,000 trees planted so far). AMOUR VERT

These colorful, flowery culottes are a great must have piece of clothing from the fashion brand Archerie. ARCHERIE

These colorful, flowery culottes are a great must have piece of clothing from the fashion brand Archerie. ARCHERIE

The Hat Shop collection features its own eponymous label as well as the work of up to 20 local milliners. Besides the beautiful artisanal handmade hats you can have a hat custom made for mom. THE HAT SHOP

The Hat Shop collection features its own eponymous label as well as the work of up to 20 local milliners. Besides the beautiful artisanal handmade hats you can have a hat custom made for mom. THE HAT SHOP

Angela Roi is a vegan friendly fashion accessories brand that is not only stylish but donates proceeds to animal humane associations. ANGELA ROI

Angela Roi is a vegan friendly fashion accessories brand that is not only stylish but donates proceeds to animal humane associations. ANGELA ROI

Indego Africa is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering artisan women in Africa through employment opportunities and education. Plus you get beautiful home and fashion accessories which is always a great mother's day gift. INDEGO AFRICA

Indego Africa is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering artisan women in Africa through employment opportunities and education. Plus you get beautiful home and fashion accessories which is always a great mother's day gift. INDEGO AFRICA

Brilliant Earth is the global leader in ethically sourced fine jewelry, offering beyond conflict-free diamonds, gemstones, and environmentally responsible gold and platinum. Here is a replica of Princess Diana's engagement ring but lab grown and aff…

Brilliant Earth is the global leader in ethically sourced fine jewelry, offering beyond conflict-free diamonds, gemstones, and environmentally responsible gold and platinum. Here is a replica of Princess Diana's engagement ring but lab grown and affordable. BRILLIANT EARTH

Tom Dixon is a highly stylized London furniture and lighting brand with amazing gifts for Mother's Day like this air candle made in London. TOM DIXON

Tom Dixon is a highly stylized London furniture and lighting brand with amazing gifts for Mother's Day like this air candle made in London. TOM DIXON

Whitby is a fashion handbag and accessories brand that gives 15% of its proceeds to non-profit organizations to help nonprofit partners to prevent the exploitation of girls through education. This "She Thrives" journal is the perfect gift for mom's,…

Whitby is a fashion handbag and accessories brand that gives 15% of its proceeds to non-profit organizations to help nonprofit partners to prevent the exploitation of girls through education. This "She Thrives" journal is the perfect gift for mom's, daughters, friends, etc. WHITBY

Malin+Goetz is a New York City based beauty and fragrance brand with award-winning formulations and iconic packaging, made locally. Their fragrances are guaranteed home runs for Mother's Day gifts (and if you order $100 or more you get a free gerani…

Malin+Goetz is a New York City based beauty and fragrance brand with award-winning formulations and iconic packaging, made locally. Their fragrances are guaranteed home runs for Mother's Day gifts (and if you order $100 or more you get a free geranium hand treatment gift, use code MOTHERSDAY). MALIN+GOETZ

What all these gift suggestions have in common is that they are of quality, unique, well thought out and give back to the community. Show your mother that you think the world of her this mother's day!

Natalie Rivera

Local Artisan Valentines Day Gift Recommendations

Its here! That time of the year when you are highly encouraged to show your bae that you really care about them with greeting cards, chocolates, dinner at an overcrowded, trendy restaurant and a little trinket to seal the deal whilst donning racy lingerie. 

We here at The Local Artisan Guide have come up with some gift recommendations for those who want to celebrate this day of love with style and panache. The selection below is available online (click the link) and at their brick & mortar store. We did the legwork and sought out the greeting cards, chocolates, trinkets and sexy lingerie in a range of price points (Goop we are not!). We did leave the restaurant choice to you.

The recommendations are divided into three groups: for her, for him and unisex gifts. All recommendations are highly curated, sure to please, unique and thoughtful because in the end that is what we all seek from a gift from a loved one. 

 

GIFTS FOR HER:

 

Kempton & Co., Small Leather Pouch, Black, $52

Kempton & Co.'s pouches are great for multiple uses whether its for storing your cosmetics or using the pouch as a clutch for the evening out.

                           

                           

Pierre Hardy Shoes, Memphis Sandal, Mutli Nude, $795

Pierre Hardy Shoes are sexy, au courant and at the same time very lady like. 

Maison Close Black Feather Fan, $90

Let me entertain you! Imagine the surprise on your lover's face when you enter into the boudoir with this burlesques feather fan and...well not much else!

              

              

 

Gurhan Jewelry, Amulet Pendant in 24k gold with cabochon ruby. $2,400

If you are going to go all out and give jewelry to your Valentine, think out of the box with this ruby amulet that will make her think of the middle ages, poetry and being serenaded on a balcony.

                                      

                                      

 Le Labo Fragrances, Rose 31, eau du parfum, $175

Le Labo is a special fragrance brand as you can work on creating your own scents, however their Rose 31 scent is the perfect Valentines Day scent as it is reminiscing of walking in a rose garden.

              

              

Soapology, Fresh Cut Soap, Chamomile, $8

What a special way to show someone you think they deserve the best without emptying your wallet. The natural ingredients and fresh cut soap is not only good for your skin but makes for a beautiful item to add to a bathroom.

 

 

FOR HIM:

                               

                               

Ernest Alexander, Andy Leather Laptop Brief, Brown, $295

This sleek and handsome leather briefcase not only carries your computer in style, the side pocket can carry an iPad and the inside pockets easily hold a man's iPhone, wallets and pens.

                                         

                                         

Noah Waxman, Hyde Park, Tobacco, $595

Here is an innovative way to do color block on a man's shoe that looks like it can go from day to evening in style.

goorin bros., Rooster BBL, $30

You don't have to go into credit card debt to give your man a gift that is unique, fun and you know they will use often.

                                       

                                       

Larsson Jennings, Lugano Collection, $275

A timepiece is always a hit as a Valentine's Day gift and to have it at this price point is a win/win for all.

      

      

Fellow Barber Signature Candle, $60

Your man will appreciate this multi functioning gift as it will make his place smell like a cypress forest and when its done he can use it as a cup. 

Santa Maria Novella, Latte Corpo Uomo, Men's Body Milk, $96

If your man is a history buff he will appreciate this body lotion made from the finest ingredients with a formula used for past centuries for men all over Europe.

 

UNISEX GIFTS:

Taschen, "The Little Book of Pin Up, Vargas", by Dian Hanson, $9.99

What a sexy gift to flip through before you end your Valentine's Day evening.

                               

                               

 Marie Belle Chocolates, 16 piece Caramel Box, $40

These chocolates are so beautiful you may not want to eat them but their innovative flavors will change your mind.

Greenwich Letterpress Valentines Day Card, "Brain on Love" $5

Forget Hallmark, come to Greenwich Letterpress to find Valentines Day cards with wit and romance that you know are also unique at the same time.

So hopefully our recommendations have given you some ideas that will lead to an evening of unconditional love, lust and items you and your bae will cherish forever. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

By Natalie Rivera