Local Video
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| One-of-a-kind gifts available locally |
By: DAVID HENKE, Staff Writer
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Posted: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 12:22 am
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Each year, during the Christmas season, a veritable swarm of bargain-hunters and shop-till-you-droppers descend upon the downtown malls and department stores, rifling through the shelves of Target, Best Buy or Macy’s for “half-off” and “two-for-one” specials.
If you’d prefer to do your shopping locally, or would like to avoid the crowds, the shops on Division Street offer a wide array of uniquely local products — shirts, jewelry, books and other products made by local artisans and residents.
Here’s a selection of some local gifts — items you probably won’t find anywhere outside of Northfield — that will add a personal, down-to-earth touch to your Christmas this year.
“The Cutest lil’ Buttons You’ll Ever Lay Eyes On”
WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sketchy Artist
COST: $1.50 per button, $2 per magnet
DESCRIPTION: The collection of assorted buttons and magnets, created by local artist Sarah Cloutier, are the perfect thing to accent purses, jackets, backpacks or refrigerators, said April Ripka, the owner of the Sketchy Artist. Each tiny, hand-made button features a colorful, tongue-in-cheek design, ranging from ninjas to Easter Island statues.
The buttons and magnets are only sold at the Sketchy Artist, and because there is such a large collection of different designs, they are easy to personalize for whomever you may be shopping.
“Where the Water Falls”
WHERE TO FIND IT: Monkey See, Monkey Read
COST: $15.00
DESCRIPTION: Written by local author and poet Scott King, this poetry chapbook is hand-bound and features a print design on its cover by local artist and ARTech teacher Sarah Hale. Only 100 copies of the chapbook were printed, four of which are currently at Monkey See, Monkey Read.
King also owns Red Dragonfly Press, based in Red Wing, Minn., and prints a number of poetry collections by local authors. “Where the Water Falls” was printed at Verna Press in New Orleans.
“Bird Necklace”
WHERE TO FIND IT: Ooh La La
COST: $58
DESCRIPTION: Designed and arranged by Ooh La La owner Jessica Prill, the necklace is crafted out of sterling silver and Swarovski crystal. The necklace can be worn with formal or casual dress, said Prill.
The material for the piece was purchased from Glass Garden Beads, another local business on Division Street, making this particular necklace a very local product.
“Hand-Knit Christmas Stockings”
WHERE TO FIND THEM: Paper Petalum
COST: $35 a stocking
DESCRIPTION: Each of these stockings is hand-knit and crafted by local resident Ruth Johnson-Wirth and features one of four different Christmas designs, including Santa Claus and Christmas tree designs. The stockings are also customized by Johnson-Wirth, who embroiders the name of the recipient into each stocking that she knits.
Orders for the Christmas stockings must be placed at the Paper Petalum, and take 36 hours to process.
— David Henke can be reached at dhenke@northfieldnews.com or 645-1100.
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