Holiday Gift Guide, 2017
Posted on December 12 2017
This year our gift guide includes some of our absolute favorite California makers. We've had an incredible year of growth, and our small team couldn't grow without the support of our community (both near and far). As our business relies upon California-based suppliers, workers and small businesses, we're supporting other local makers this year with our holiday gift-giving. Here we've rounded up a selection of gift ideas from inspiring California makers, ranging from home goods, magazines, art, ceramics and the most delicious jam you'll ever taste.
Oh, and by the way, all the makers, artists and small businesses included in this guide are women.
Inna Jam is a local jam, shrub and pickle company based in Emeryville, CA. Every ingredient is sourced within 150 miles, and is honestly the freshest, simplest and purest jam I have ever tasted. This is the gift idea we've been returning to year after year, a delicious jar of INNA Jam just can't be beat. We even travel with it! Our favorites include Plenty Spicy Jalapeño (paired with eggs at breakfast or Manchego cheese and wine at happy hour), Seascape Strawberry and Polka Raspberry. Jam is $14.50 per jar.
GDS CLOTH GOODS
Friend and Oakland maker Geana is the brains behind GDS Cloth Goods. Geana is also our production partner for our Record Totes. This small studio focuses on sustainable and ethical materials and clean, simple design. They make a collection of beautiful and durable coffee filters and aprons, and our pick this year is the Mina Gerais Apron. This apron is an heirloom piece, sure to improve with age and regular use, and is made from a medium blue selvedge denim with white selvedge stripe. The apron is unisex like all of GDS designs, and is $108.
Anxy Magazine is a beautiful new biannual magazine with a clear and important focus: mental health. Founded by fellow CCA Alum Indhira Rojas, Anxy Mag is more than just a conversation about emotions, Anxy Magazine is an insightful, frank and profound series of stories, photographs, art and experiences around different emotional experiences, told through different voices, lens and perspectives. Anxy is $25 per issue.
KOEPPEL DESIGN
Our picks for holiday gift giving include The Record Tote 2 in electric blue and our newest product, The LP Block. The LP Block is a tabletop display to store and display 1-3 albums, and for us, solves the problem of LPs leaning precariously or piling up on the floor during a listening session. The LP Block comes in two styles for $76 each. The Record Tote ($109) is made in collaboration with GDS Cloth Goods, and is a structured and durable alternative to the ubiquitous record store freebie tote unraveling in your closet. Can't decide which one to give the music lover in your life? Gift certificates are available starting at $25.
ZELMA ROSE
Inspired by the beauty of Northern California, Zelma Rose mades gorgeous handwoven fiber art that you can wear. Artist Lisa Anderson Shaffer makes modern and natural fiber jewelry. While it is hard to choose a favorite, our pick is The Drake Bracelet, which comes in a variety of colors for $55 each.
"The best products are made with the best materials" is the ethos behind Bryr Studio, a sentiment near and dear to our hearts. Handmade Bryr clogs are the absolute best thing that has entered my wardrobe in the last two years. Bryr studio is run by Isobel and her small team in the Dogpatch district of San Francisco, every pair of Bryr clogs are hand-made by Isobel and her small team. I wear my Bryr clogs nearly every day that I am not in the studio- and my Bryr clogs are comfortable, beautiful and extremely well made. Bryr clogs come in a variety of styles and colors, but my personal favorite is the Emma Closed Toe in Tomato for $262.
Pen and ink Illustrator Sam Lee has pivoted to ceramics in addition to her beautiful prints and one-of-a-kind illustration work. Sam makes beautiful handmade ceramics in her San Francisco studio. We love her nesting bowls, ($80) but would be hard pressed not to fall in love with just about every item in her collection.
Another CCA alum, Angie Stalker is a Southern California based artist and graphic designer who excels in bold patterns, bright color and playful explorations in a variety of mediums. OK is a collection of fun, modern and colorful art pieces. Currently coveting this ink and watercolor piece, Sammy Bosco for $55.