The gift-giving season is upon us, whether you celebrate
Hannukah, Christmas, or Winter Solstice, and who better to give you unique gift
ideas than Girl, Crafted! Here’s some of my favourite things from the past year
(and beyond), both big and small. Note that because I do so love to support
local, many of these favourites are Ottawa-based, but many of them have online
shopping.
EASY ONLINE GIFT HUNTING:
Bauss.ca: for the memorable moment lover
In a nutshell, Bauss takes
any sound clip, song, speech, laugh, etc., and makes it into a piece biometric of art. You
can see my post about the one they did for us, where they combined our two
departed dogs’ barks into one piece of art that reminds us always of our furry
friends. Bauss’ pieces aren’t inexpensive, but given the range of cool things
you can do—your dad’s speech from your wedding, a secret word for your loved
one, a child’s laugh—I find it’s worth every penny. A special, memorable gift
for someone you adore. Try out their website to see what a piece will cost,
depending on size and the materials you choose.
Rekindled Lighting: for the vintage fanatic
Margaret Sommerville is the genius behind these incredible
works of art and light. Rekindled Lighting repurposes old awesome things like handmixers and clarinets and
makes some fabulous lamps from these items. The finished product is something
incredible, worth passing down through the generations, and generally way more
useful than the antique mixer/clarinet/film projector would have been
otherwise. I
featured Rekindled last spring in my review of the Handmade Harvest show,
and I’m still in love with her today. Lamps range from about $60-$285.
Bombshell Revival: for the artsy chick
Kym Brown of Bombshell Revival is one of the coolest couturiers around. Kym uses a mix of recycled
textiles and homemade printed fabrics to create incredible art scarves, gothy
fascinators, and fashion-forward clothes. It would be hard to go wrong with one
of her hats or scarves for the quirky fashion diva in your life. Prices range
from $15 (funky hair clips) to $100 (art scarves), and up.
Embody: for the girl that`s totally unique
Embody Clothing
is a new find for me. I saw them for the first time this year at the Signatures
Craft Show in Ottawa, and I fell madly in love. If I could have Embody make
every stitch of clothing I ever wear out of the house again, I would be a very
happy girl. Embody is another upcycler/recylcer, and there’s a flair for the
dramatic that is tempered nicely by clean lines, assymeticral zippers, and some
neutral fabric pieces. I briefly covered
them in my ‘best in show’ wrap-up of the Signatures Show. I don’t have a
full run-down on prices, but I can tell you the ruffled skirts I was drooling
over were about $95 at the show, and I would have sold my grandmother to have a
whole closet full of this stuff. (Sorry, Grandma.)
BEST SHOPS IN OTTAWA
I can’t help loving what’s local, and Ottawa has got some
great shops for gift-giving.
The Comic Book Shoppe: for the geeks, nerds, gamers, and fans
For the geek in your life, you can’t go wrong here. A
girl-friendly, GLBTTQQ-friendly, kid-friendly, and clueless-friendly place, the Comic Book Shoppe is an easy place to find the perfect gift for that
diehard fan. More than just comic books (though they have lots of those, too),
the Shoppe boasts everything from Star Wars death star icecube trays, to My
Little Pony tee-shirts, to Dr Who sonic screwdrivers, you can find something
awesome to bring a smile to everyone’s faces. Popular this year are the Game of
Thrones glassware, the Breaking Bad tees, and the Adventure Time hoodies.
There’s also a Capital Geek Girls zone set up now, with favourite girly-geeky
things curated for your easy girl shopping pleasure. Prices range from
literally $1-and up.
I’ve featured the Shoppe many times, as they are our HQ for the Capital
Geek Girls; they never fail to impress with their wide array of kitsch,
boardgames, and (my guilty pleasure) Tokidoki charms.
A Curious Shop: for everyone who's hard to shop for
If you missed the craft show season this year, A Curious Shop is your
year-round substitute. Curious carries handmade and small-production goods from
all over the world. Shop here for your hippy/earthy/artsy friends. Take home a
new cardigan made from recycled sweaters, or a funky beaded bracelet; fall in
love with their adorable plushies, and ask if they have any of the patchwork
parasols left from India…I grabbed one this summer, and not only did I stop
getting heatstroke, I started getting huge compliments. You can read
more about them on this recent post I did.
Stroked Ego: for the fashionisto...is that a word?
For the dapper man in your life—or the girl who likes to
rock a gender-neutral look—Stroked Ego is
the place to go. They have some fantatic lush circle scarves right now, and
their cufflink collection is out of this world: we’re talking mini gaming
controllers, working compasses, you name it. Last year I got my boss some mini
airplanes; he got me some soap I’m allergic to, but hey, there’s always next year
to hope for an actual bonus. Popular and posh is their collection of razors and
shaving brushes, as the ‘slow shave’ is back in style. You can check
out a video on their ties and razors here. They also have an extensive and
infamous array of underwear; if you’re tired of seeing your favourite fella in
the gymsock-grey boxer-briefs from W-Mart, pick him up a stylin’ pair of
underthings and heat up your Christmas eve.
Cufflinks like you wouldn't believe, at Stroked Ego |
Handmade Bride: for something unexpected
I know, I know: TheHandmade Bride is not where you’d think to find Christmas gifts, but hear
me out. Owner Meaghan has found some of the coolest ties in town and has
stocked her store with them. Bowties and long ties, these babies are adorable.
There’s also some fabulous jewellery, and some adorable retro 1950s circle
dresses that are meant to be bridesmaid
dresses, but they’re so perfect for any party, there’s no reason not to grab
one. And of course, if there’s a bride-to-be in your life, it may be cool to
see if you can contribute a little money to the gown of her dreams. Check
out my post of their opening night. Prices for accessories and dresses
range from about $30-$3000 (somewhere in the $200-$300 range for the 1950s
dresses).
ADVENTURES AND
SERVICES
Body Poets Massage
Therapy: for the stressed and sore
Body Poets, located
in downtown Ottawa, is my favourite massage studio. Owner Ellen is a fantastic
therapist, but everyone here has a specialty. I’m particularly curious to try
Amy’s visceral manipulation massage, and of course there’s the luxurious hot
stone massages, as well. The studio is comfortable, professional, and easy to
access even though it’s downtown. Body Poets has helped me with both general
body relaxation as well as acute injury recovery. You can’t really go wrong
here. Call and talk to the receptionist if you’re hoping to book something
specific. Massages cost around $95 for an hour, and if you have benefits, you
may be covered.
Ottawa Nutrionist
Jodi Turner: Ottawa-Nutritionist.com: for the health-conscious friend
You may have seen Jodi giving facts and tips on CTV Ottawa
Morning Live; Jodi is one of my favourite health care practitioners in all the
land. For the loved one who’s looking to learn about sports nutrition, eating
for a gastro issue, or learning to use food as natural medicine for changes in
your physical self, Jodi’s services can’t be beat. Contact her directly to find
out what she’s got to offer in upcoming workshops, or ask her to assemble a
customize program for someone special.
Almonte Riverside Inn
& Kitchen: for the foodie
If you’re visiting the Almonte, Ontario area, you must do dinner at the ARIK. Check out my post
about our recent mini-vacation to
Almonte, where we had a dinner at ARIK that, months later, we still talk
about. I’m not kidding, we say things like, “This dinner is good…not ARIK good,
but good…” Bonus: the chef’s specialty is vegetarian food, so while the menu is
full of decadent things like duck liver and beef, there will likely be
something for everyone in your dinner party. Idea: instead of the usual New
Year’s nonsense, set up a special night at the Inn, have dinner, and then ring
in the new year more intimately, enjoying the snow from the window of your room
wrapped in nothing but a giant comforter.
Hotel Indigo Ottawa: for the overworked and underappreciated
I did a stay at the HotelIndigo Ottawa on my own, as a mini-staycation away from everything and
everyone. I’d never done anything like that before, and now I recommend it to
everyone. While you could definitely book a room at the Indigo for two, I
actually suggest setting this up as a gift for your family-saturated friend or
partner whose most precious commodity is time alone. Indigo’s styling is very
modern—no horrid watercolour flowers, no quilted floral bedspreads—and the
location in the heart of downtown means anything you want to do, eat, or buy is
a quick step away. I
heartily suggest you read my post, wherein I inform Indigo that I had such
a great time, they should invite me to live on site as a truly ‘resident’
blogger. No response from them yet on this idea; I assume their marketing
department is busily fleshing out the idea and preparing my permanent quarters.
Flo Glassblowing: for the creative (or wannabe creative)
I haven’t yet visitedFlo, but rest assured I’ll be there in the new year. Flo is a glassblowing
studio that offers classes for ages 2-102, and it looks like a great learning
activity. For about $25, a kid the age of my Max (9 years old) can learn to
make a witch’s ball (glass orb), and now that he knows about it, he’s super
excited to try it. Dad and I will be heading out to try making paperweights, as
we’ve been planning a glassblowing adventure for years. Check out their website to see what’s happening.
FAVOURITE SPARKLY AND
SUGARY THINGS
Pyrrha at Magpie: for the sentimental
Pyrrha is probably
familiar to you; they’ve grown in popularity consistently over the last few
years. In a nutshell, Pyrrha pendants are cast in silver or gold, from antique
wax seals. Each one has a special meaning, and they’re highly wearable by all
genders. I have two of them (one I bought for my 30th birthday, and
one bought for me by my sweetheart for our anniversary), and I could have a
dozen more without feeling like they were getting redundant. Magpie carries this precious collection
in Ottawa; check them out in Westboro, the Glebe, or Rideau Centre. You can
also do some shopping online, and if you don’t see what you want, either
contact Magpie or go straight to the Pyrrha source. Prices range depending on
the piece (I'd say averaging $150), so don’t be afraid to look around ‘til you find something that works
for you.
I did
a review of Sweet
Secrets Confectionary, and I still can’t stop talking about them. Their
specialty is various kinds of brittle, but I love love love their ‘honeycomb’,
a sponge toffee made from honey instead of sugar. They pride themselves on
avoiding the use of corn syrup in their treats, and if you don’t buy yourself
one of their ‘sea turtles’ while you’re shopping for your family, you’re a
total fool. These are affordable and easy stocking stuffers…just lock them up
or you’ll eat them all before they ever get under the tree.
Mad Faux Cheese: for the gourmand (esp. the Vegan and the dairy-free)
If you’ve got a vegan (or lactose-intolerant, like myself)
that tends to feel left out at the holiday feasting, bring along a couple
rounds of Mad Faux Cheese’s
cashew-based cheese rounds. I discovered
them at the Harvest Food Show, and I have been ordering from them ever
since. The best part: it’s so good, non-vegans seek it out. Their classic brie
is still my favourite. Freezable, this cheese can keep in the freezer until the
right time to give it over. Rounds are approximately $8.00 and can be ordered
online for delivery to Auntie Loo’s Vegan Bakery in Ottawa.
Michaelsdolce Jam: for the tea-time lover
Michaelsdolce
is, far and away, the best freakin’ jam you’re gonna find. I don’t know if I
can even describe how awesome this stuff is. Go check out their flavours and
see what I’m talking about; every one of them tastes exactly like the flavours
in it…I know this seems self-explanatory, but most jam tends to just taste like
a whole whack of sugar. I have a special adoration for their pear and vanilla,
and what’s great is that they make some really tiny jars, so it’s easy to get a
few flavours to test. You can serve these with cheese on toast rounds, or give
the jam as gifts; either way, they’re a sweet addition to the holidays.
Thimble Cakes and
Thimble Café: for the indulgent (who struggles with allergies)
If you frequent downtown Ottawa or Westboro, you may know Thimble Cakes; if you’re a southwest-ender
like me, Thimble Café is nestled in Barrhaven. This nut-free, allergy-sensitive
bakery and café is one of my go-to spots in town. If you’re vegan, dairy-free,
nut-free, or gluten-free, you’ll find a treat here. They have some fabulous
cupcakes, scones, and loaves; and their vegan chocolate cake makes me drool.
They’re always experimenting with their recipes, so I find a new surprise everytime
I try something—sometimes even when I try something I’ve already tasted—but
it’s a pretty safe bet you’ll enjoy your treat. If you need a potluck addition
for the Christmas feast, or want to be sure your poor allergy-ridden cousin
gets something in her belly at the family gathering, head down to one of their
locations and pick up some cupcakes.
YOUR FAVOURITES?
If you’ve got a favourite product or shop, from any city or
online, comment below! We just ask that it be an independent business,
handmade, or small-production shop.
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