CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday and Cyber Monday are approaching quickly. This year, I have a gift guide full of beautiful things made by artists and craftspeople right here in the Cleveland area.
I talk a lot about shopping local and being unique. Last year's Gift Guide looked at 101 great things to buy at local boutiques. I'm taking it a step closer this year to look at some of the amazing things created right here in Northeast Ohio.
If you've ever been to the Cleveland Flea (Dec. 11-13), the Last Minute Market (Dec. 19), the Cleveland Bazaar (Dec. 12-13) the ArtCraft Building Holiday Sale (Dec. 5-6), the Hudson Flea and many of the other pop-up markets around town, you may have seen some of these talented makers. And if you haven't had the chance to attend, here is a sampling of what you've been missing.
Yes, you read me right, Makers. That's what we call them now, it suits them, they make great stuff. They are artisans working with wood, metal, materials, gems, found objects, rusty relics, vintage treasures and more.
They sew, paint, photograph, hammer, cast, crochet, solder and saw. They bring creativity to life in the most unique ways. They bring us conversation-starters and items with a great story. They bring us those things that will get you stopped and asked, "Where did you get that?"
There is nothing better than giving gifts while supporting our local artists. The following information is a look at many local makers, what they make and where you can find them.
JEWELRY
SToNZ - Susan W. Saltzman
SToNZ Jewelry, by Cleveland born and bred metalsmith Susan W. Saltzman, combines new and vintage sterling silver chains with authentic Lake Erie seaglass and natural beach stones, vintage keys, tokens, thimbles, padlocks, charms, and hand stamped personalized messages. Susan studied illustration and graphic design, and worked as an artist at American Greetings for many years. She took metalsmithing classes from the time she was a teenager, and has always been inspired by her favorite Lake Erie beaches. People all over the world wear her eclectic jewelry. SToNZ charm necklaces and seaglass and beach stone bracelets are particularly popular. Many pieces are one-of-a-kind, and she adds new designs to her collection regularly.
Websites: facebook.com/stonzjewelry and purchase on stonz.etsy.com
Contact: stonzware@roadrunner.com
Holiday Special: use coupon code: CLEVE10STONZ to get 10% off your first purchase. Expires 12/30/15
Price range: $12-$500
red i jewelry - Susan Scaparotti
Susan has been designing and creating her red i jewelry since 2004. Her jewelry is ever changing, always unique, and coveted by many. Perhaps best known for her lariat necklaces, (Knuth has sold more than 1,000 of them!) most of her energy is put into making one-of-a-kind pieces such as sterling silver wrap bracelets, charm necklaces and colorful gemstone earrings.
Website: redijewelryCLE.etsy.com
Contact info: susan@redijewelry.com
Stores: Evie Lou, Knuth, Find Me, Mitchell Sotka , Inner Bliss Yoga, Finestra Gallery.
Upcoming Shows:
Saturday Nov. 28, 5-9 p.m., Lucky's Cafe Holiday Market
Monday Dec. 7, 1-7 p.m., Lakewood Country Club Christmas Arcade
Saturday, Sunday Dec. 12-13, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Cleveland Bazaar at 78th Street Studios
Saturday Dec. 19, Trunk Show at Evie Lou
Price range: $50 - $500
Valerie Tyler Collection
Valerie Tyler began hand-crafting jewelry in 2007, and has managed the Valerie Tyler Collection full time since 2012. Her jewelry includes anything from minimalist charm necklaces to bold statement pieces with bohemian and geometric themes as well as personalized gifts and accessories to show off your Cleveland pride. All are made with special attention to detail through texture and form. Coming soon is a steel decor line that is a collaboration with her husband.
Website: valerietylercollection.com
Contact info: hello@valerietylercollection.com
Find the Valerie Tyler Collection locally at Heights Arts, Elements Gallery, and during the holidays Loganberry Books. There is a small selection of CLE merchandise available at Native Cleveland too.
Prices range from affordable $20 gifts to $400 luxury items.
Patti Fields Jewelry
She is a graduate of The Cleveland Institute of Art and this is her 25th year in business. She makes mostly one-of-a-kind jewelry that uses an unusual variety of found objects. The jewelry is both nostalgic and industrial, reflecting the romance of the rust belt.
Website: pattifieldsjewelry.com
Contact: pattifieldsjewelry@gmail.com
Places available: Nationwide, but locally available at Valley Art Center, ArtCraft Building Holiday Sale, Dec. 5-6, website.
Price range: $45-$1,200
Liza Michelle Jewelry - Liza Michelle Rifkin
Launched in 2010 with the goal of offering quality, thoughtfully crafted jewelry, Liza Michelle Jewelry is all about taking notice. She celebrates the beautiful minutia of the world around us through the artful use of natural materials. Each twig, pine cone, thorn or berry is handpicked from nature and cast in solid metal to create one-of-a-kind piece every time. In addition to great design, every piece of jewelry is made using recycled metals, ethically sourced semi-precious and precious stones, and responsible studio practices. It is so important to her to preserve the environment she draws so much inspiration from.
Website: lizamichellejewelry.com
Contact: info@lizamchellejewelry.com
Places available: website, Room Service Boutique, Juma Gallery and H'Art of Chagrin. Several local shows:
The Cleveland Flea - Dec 11-13 at Tyler Village
Last Minute Market - Dec 19 at The Galleria
Price range: From $20 for simple stacking rings and earrings up to $300 for precious stone pieces. She also has a new line of kitchen tools including bottle openers and twig-handled spoons.
Crystal Moon Designs - Chris Keener
She is a metalsmith who works with locally found Lake Erie beach glass. She creates a full range of unique one-of-a-kind pieces in sterling silver and other semi-precious metals and stones. Available are necklaces, bracelets, rings, cuff links and other items. She also has a new line of latitude/longitude pieces and Cleveland pieces, and can create custom work with your found beach glass.
Websites: etsy.com/shop/seaglasscrystalmoon or at frekol.com/crystal-moon-designs or on Facebook at Crystal Moon Designs
Contact: At Gestures Gallery, 440-665-3122, or through Etsy or Facebook pages.
Places available: Gestures Gallery, 1150 Linda St. in Rocky River, River Gallery on Old Detroit in Rocky River, Bay Arts in Bay Village.
Price range: $20-$225.
erika originals - Erika Laine Hansen
Erika Laine Hansen creates one-of-a-kind resin jewelry from vintage maps, antique dictionary words and images, vintage stamps and handmade papers from around the world. This summer she began working with Liza Michelle Jewelry to create her own hand cast settings in sterling silver and bronze. You can see her new work for the first time this holiday season.
Website: erikaoriginals.com
Contact: erika@erikaoriginals.com
Places available: Collective Upcycle Holiday Pop-Up shop, The Screw Factory open studio (Dec. 4) in Lakewood, the Cleveland Bazaar (Dec. 13-14) at the 78th Street Studios, and The Last Minute Market (Dec. 19) at The Galleria.
Price range: $15-$200
Michael Romanik
Designs and creates production and one-of-a-kind jewelry from enamel and metal. He is most known for work using the technique of cloisonne enameling. He's been making jewelry for 27 years since student days at the Cleveland Institute of Art.
Website: michaelromanik.com and etsy.com/shop/MichaelRomanik
Contact: maromanik@sbcglobal.net
Places available: Etsy and at Heights Arts and the Museum Store at the Cleveland Museum of Art (all year long,) ArtCraft Holiday Show (Dec. 5-6)
Price range: $24-$3,000
Brandon Holschuh
Holschuh, whose work has been seen all over the country, creates sculptures in metal that invoke curiosity. His work can be worn and should always be displayed. He creates high karat gold and silver contemporary art jewelry with diamonds and precious gemstones. He also does re-designs, consultations, bridal and special orders. He is the author of "The Jeweler's Studio Handbook" Quarry Books, 2009.
Website: brandonholschuh.com
Contact: brandon@brandonholschuh.com
Places available: Website, at the ArtCraft Building Holiday Sale (Dec. 5-6) and at Lingg (Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere).
Price range: $300-$5,000 (average)
Oceanne Jewelry - Anne Harrill
A native of France, Anne Harrill, has been making jewelry for 10 years. Her latest collection, Tea, features geometric shapes and tassels that range from dainty, layered pieces to those that make a statement. They are crafted with hand forged brass elements, howlite and marble.
Website: Oceanne.net
Contact: anne@oceanne.net
Places available: Amazon.com/handmade/oceannejewelry, oceanne.etsy.com, Banyan Tree, Cleveland Yoga, Salty Not Sweet Boutique, Chagrin Cards and Gifts, Green Roots Collection, Cleveland Flea, Cleveland Bazaar and our pop up shop at Legacy Village
Price range: $25-$100
Sassyfrass - Jessica Kinsinger-Houska
She has been a maker for most of her life. Sassyfrass was born 11 years ago out of her love for vintage architecture and breathing new life into old things. She finds waste to be a terrible thing when so much work at one time went into creating the very things we are tossing out. Most of her materials come from old homes, which also carry the weight of a family and many years of love and wear, which she thinks only adds to their renewed beauty.
Website: ilovesassyfrass.com, sassyfrass.etsy.com and facebook.com/ilovesassyfrass, Instagram @ ilovesassyfrass
Contact: miss-sassyfrass@hotmail.com
Places available: Cleveland Bazaar (Dec 12-13, 78th Street Studios), The Cleveland Flea (Dec. 11-13), Crafty Mart (Nov. 28-19 Summit Art Space- Akron), Rust Belt Made- Stone Fruit Coffee in Canfield and Rust & Found in North Canton.
Price range: $5- $150 (Average is $45)
Gina Fletcher Jewelry
Her background is in graphic art and design. She has been working in precious metal clays including bronze, copper & white copper for the past four years creating necklaces, earrings & bracelets.
Website: ginafletcher.jewelspan.com
Contact: Send a message on the "Contact Me" page of the website
Places available: Website and at the Last Minute Market at The Galleria on (Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.).
Prices range: $22 - $148.
APPAREL
Fount - Phillip and Jackie Wachter
FOUNT is a design and production house with a focus on quality crafted leather bags and accessories. They offer tote bags, clutches, backpacks, drawstring bags and more. The company began in late 2013, as husband and wife creative team Phillip and Jackie Wachter began to pursue their passion to create something beautiful in the marketplace. What started simply as a side project out of their home, quickly turned into a bustling creative studio in downtown Cleveland.
Website: fountleather.com
Contact: hello@fountleather.com
Places available: Pop up store location in Legacy Village from Black Friday through Christmas Eve; Cleveland Flea Holiday Show (Dec. 11-13) as well as the Last Minute Market (Dec. 19, The Galleria)
Price Range: $18 - $499
Cleveland Recycles - Laura Jackson
They create recycled durable fashion shopping bags made from quality fabrics to reduce waste pollution. They have shopping bags, tote bags and drawstring bags. They give you a strong bag and the enjoyment of owning a uniquely designed limited edition bag just for you and made in Cleveland. They produce recycled shopping bags, totes, drawstring backpack bags, single wine bottle bags, men's and women's T-shirts, baby onesies and magnets.
Website: clevelandrecycles.com
Contact: TheLab@ClevelandRecycles.com
Places available: Beaumont School Sip and Shop (Dec. 3), the ArtCraft Building Holiday Sale (Dec 5-6), LEAF - Lakewood Earth & Food Community Holiday Market (Dec. 15). Items also available at Heights Arts until Dec.30, Mac's Backs Books on Coventry, In the 216 on Coventry, Created For You in Little Italy and Wine & Design in Tremont.
Price Range: $5 - $30
GV Art + Design
They are known for creative artwork and original one-of-a-kind design T-shirts, hats and other accessories. They represent Cleveland in the best way and want to help everyone show off their pride. They started in 2009 with "Cleve Land That I Love" brand and work with all of Cleveland's top athletes and companies including the Browns Indians and Cavs.
They have some really neat designs planned for Christmas and have about 10-12 new launches for Black Friday. For the last two years on Black Friday they've had a line wrapped around their building with people clambering to be the first ones to get our new designs and Black Friday collection.
Website: GVartwork.com, Instagram, twitter @GVartwork
Contact: GVartwork@gmail.com
Places available: Main location at 17411 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, the holiday season kiosk in the Great Northern Mall and their new store at 38038 Second St. in Willoughby.
Price range: $10 - $60.
Wright and Rede - Jordan Lee (Owner)
Since 2012, Lee has been making handmade leather goods with a focus on quality craftsmanship, simplicity of design, and visual engagement. Lee makes every item entirely by hand from start to finish. In 2014, Lee added a series of special edition pocketknives to the line-up and in 2015 new line of hand dyed textiles has been added.
Website: WrightandRede.com
Contact: Jordan@WrightandRede.com
Places available: Website; Cleveland Flea Holiday Market (Dec. 11-13), The Last Minute Market (Dec. 19 Galleria), Crafty Mart (Nov. 28, 29 in Akron), and as a visiting artist at the Screw Factory Open Studios (Dec. 4).
Price range: $22-$560
Fresh Brewed Tees - Tony Madalone
From the iconic truck and new retail locations, it's hard not to smile at all of the designs churned out by the creative talent at Fresh Brewed Tees. They've opened a new store at the West Side Market. It's the first retail at the market in its history - more than 100 years!
Website: freshbrewedtees.com
Contact: customerservice@freshbrewedtees.com
Places available: Airport store at Hopkins - Gate C, The West Side Market (Next to the hot dog stand at the corner of W25 & Lorain near the door), online and on the truck
Price range: start at $25.99
Crochet Til Death - Ashley Ross
Crochet Til Death has been around since 2011, specializing in creative crocheted accessories and cruelty free, one of a kind, crocheted taxidermy. Custom orders are always welcome. If you can think of it, Ashley can crochet it!
Website: crochettildeath.etsy.com, facebook.com/CrochetTilDeath and on Instagram @CrochetTilDeath
Contact: crochettildeath@gmail.com
Places available: Cleveland Flea (Dec 11-13), Etsy store.
Price range: $25-$160+
Tidal Cool - Andrea Howell
Howell is a fashion artist, her brand outfits and accessorizes men and women from the resort to the red carpet. Her designs are handmade in her Ohio City studio and include clothing, jewelry, neckties and henna art. Hot items this season include sweater ponchos and capes!
Website: etsy.com/shop/TidalCool, facebook.com/tidalcool
Contact: Tidalcool@Gmail.com
Places available: Online, in several local boutiques, and at many local holiday events and shows. For full schedule see Facebook.com/tidalcool. She'll be hosting a winter trunk show on Sunday, Nov 29, at her studio in the Hildebrandt Provisions Co. at 3619 Walton Ave., Cleveland.
Price range: $12-$160
Fresh Camp Youth Leadership Institute - Dee Jay Doc Harrill, Founder
Fresh Camp was started in the owner's Glenville neighborhood in 2011 to cultivate youth voice, leadership and health through start-to-finish hip-hop projects. They garden, make music and silk screen T-shirts to spread the message of a fresh neighborhood. Proceeds allow them to offer paid summer internships for top performing students. Ten percent will be donated to areas of need in our neighborhood this holiday season.
Website: freshcamp.org
Contact: doc@freshcamp.org
Places available: Website, Last Minute Market (Dec. 19, Galleria) or at a Fresh Camp concert. See freshcamp.org for upcoming performances.
Price Range: About $25 - $45.
Peggy J. Wertheim, Surface Design Artist, Silk Wearable Art
Her 42-year career in the art forms of Silk Batik, Arashi Shibori and Silk Painting is expressed in her Impressionistic style and color palettes. She creates one-of-a-kind silk wearables including Scarves, Wraps, Jackets, Capes, Kimonos and Tunics.
Website: peggywertheim.com
Contact: peggy@peggywertheim.com
Places available: ArtCraft Building Holiday Sale (Dec. 5-6), Website. She will work with you on special orders and for bridesmaid's gifts and other special occasion items.
Price range: $33 - $55
BATH & BODY
STEM Handmade Soap - Steve Meka
From the basement of their home to a storefront in Lakewood, STEM Handmade Soap makes all natural bath and body products such as Lotion, Bath Bombs, Body Butter, Lip Balm, Sugar Scrub, custom gift baskets and much more. They use only natural skin loving ingredients and pure essential oils for a unique one of a kind experience for your mind, body and soul.
Website - Stemsoaps.com
Contact: Steve@stemsoaps.com or by phone, 216-505-5531
Places available: Stem Soap Shop at 12405 Madison Ave, Lakewood; Last Minute Market on Dec. 19 in the Galleria downtown.
Price range: $3 - $40
Indigo Perfumery - Ann Onusko
Indigo Perfumery is Ohio's only boutique devoted to artisan and niche perfumes. Owner Ann Onusko has curated a collection of more than 35 lines including natural scents. Customers are encouraged to explore the fragrances at their own pace. "It's all about the discovery," says Onusko. Indigo hosts special events and fragrance workshops. The beautiful gallery space is also home to the Scent Quarter, where customers can create a truly bespoke perfume during a guided one-hour session.
Website: indigoperfumery.com
Contact: info@indigoperfumery.com and 216-767-5563
Places available: Indigo Perfumery at 12011 Detroit Ave., Lakewood; website
Price range: $6-$270.
HOME DECOR & OTHER FUN STUFF
Gina DeSantis Ceramics
She creates well-crafted wares for the home and table. Her tableware has been featured in Midwest Living, Uncommon Goods, the cover of Edible Cleveland and Cleveland Magazine. She began working in clay in college but took the leap three years ago to become a full-time artist. She also runs a classroom across from her studio in the Screw Factory in Lakewood.
Website: ginadesantisceramics.com
Contact: ginadesantisceramics@gmail.com
Places available: Fiddlehead Gallery, Heights Arts, Bay Arts, Banyan Tree, Urban Orchid, Makers by J. Marks, The Cleveland Flea and at her studio by appointment.
Price range: $12-150
Mark Yasenchack
Working with ancient mosaic techniques, he creates new interpretations of the craft and have translated it into a series of paintings. These paintings are influenced by mosaic techniques and the Halftone printing technology and with this he creates grids of color and patterns. The colors often vibrate and interact creating an illusion of layers and depth.
Website: markyasenchack.com
Contact: mark.yasenchack@yahoo.com
Places available: ArtCraft Building Holiday Sale, Dec. 5-6; River Gallery in Rocky River
Price range: affordable for any budget
c.irene - Christine Irene Cotter
She makes original handcrafted photos on canvas. She makes them by hand from start to finish and has been doing so for two years. She will add in some hand-stitched canvas journal books and other small gift items for the holiday markets.
Website: frekol.com/c-irene or at facebook.com/c.irene.photo
Contact: c.irene.photo@gmail.com
Places available: Pop up shop in The Arcade Cleveland, 401 Euclid Ave, #156; Last Minute Market at The Galleria on E. 9th, Dec. 19.
Price range: $10- $450.
Fourth Coast Design Co. - Brittany Boettner & Alec Vink
They are a home goods company that specializes in wood products. All of their items are hand made and sourced from local mills only using trees from the Cleveland area. They have a variety of products that range from entertaining needs to home decor. All of their design ideas stem from their passion to have high quality, beautiful products from their home to yours.
Website: fourthcoastdesignco.com
Contact: fourthcoastdesignco@gmail.com
Places available: Website, Chairish.com and select items can be found at Native Cleveland on Waterloo Road and at Under Aurora in Columbus.
Price range: $25- $100
ninna nanna - Lisa Yanofsky & Jake Hochendoner
They make needle felted animals from 100 percent sheep's wool, including toys and sculptures, mounted animal heads, mobiles, felt garlands and lots more. They enjoy making custom orders because they love the challenge of creating a new animal. They are in their second year of business and they've recently started teaching classes at sites around the Cleveland area.
Website: shopninnananna.com, follow on Facebook and Instagram @shopninnananna
Contact: info@shopninnananna.com
Places available: Artcraft Holiday Show (Dec. 5-6), December Holiday Flea (Dec. 11-13)
Price range: $8-$200
Foundry Woodprints - Jim Lanza
The Foundry Woodprints coasters are a favorite at events around Cleveland like the Flea and other art festivals. Their unique Cleveland-centric items include large wall art and are created on wood. They are even hanging on the walls of restaurants like Melt and El Carnicero.
Website: foundrywoodprints.com
Contact: jimlanza@gmail.com or send message on foundrywoodrprints.com
Places available: Pop up store at Crocker Park, steps away from the Apple store as well as various holiday events around Cleveland; website.
Price range: $5-$300
APE MADE - April Bleakney
Founded in 2011, APE MADE's focus is promoting themes of local pride with simple, original, and fun designs on quality handmade goods, with an emphasis on hand drawn design work. All artwork, design, printing, and packaging is done by hand in Cleveland using eco-friendly, water-based textile inks and no machines or harsh chemicals.
Website: apemadeohio.com and apemade.etsy.com and on social media, @apemade
Contact: apemadeohio@gmail.com
Places available: Etsy, April's showroom at 1667 E 40th, Suite 2G in Cleveland and check her site apemadeohio.com for upcoming events and to shop.
Price range: $12 - $35 generally and snow globes are $68 - $75.
Wood-n-What Knot - Kurt Klimko
He designs original, hand-made Ohio and Cleveland theme gift items made in Cleveland using locally obtained wood. He uses a food safe finish that's made in Wisconsin, and makes a variety of items including Ohio shaped key chains, coasters and cutting boards with several CLE themed logos. He also makes fun beer totes, a rustic bottle opener on the side and some are engraved. They're great gifts for guys or fill them with condiment bottles for your next picnic.
Contact: kurtklimko@yahoo.com or call 216-663-2744
Places available: Banyan Tree in Tremont , CLE clothing ,Grass Roots Collection in Hudson and at the Cleveland Clinic , Chestnut Hill in Chagrin Falls and at the Trail Mix store for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula.
Price range: $7 for the key chains, $42 for coasters, $56 for Ohio cutting boards and $60 for beer totes.