It’s that dreaded time of the year again. The time for gift giving! The time that every single store plays Christmas songs! It’s mostly the time to get creative…and visit as many festivals/outdoor markets for inspiration for the perfect gift. For those of you who weren’t in the loop, Martha Stewart threw a big holiday fair this past Saturday at her headquarters on the west side. It was a collection of various vendors—some of them employed by Martha herself. However, it’s nothing to fret about—a lot of them were mostly overpriced crafters. Here’s a list of some of the most interesting ones to inspire your gift giving.

1. Vintage By Crystal. There is nothing that screams unique as these cotton spun figurines that can be strung on a tree or complete a design. The creator, Crystal Hanehan, is inspired by German figurines and anything vintage, creating some of the smallest animals to the best center pieces that have been featured on Martha Stewart.  Check her website: www.vintagebycrystal.com

2. Marcie McGoldrick Design. These were expertly crafted, intricately designed pendants that were strung as earrings or necklaces. Each pendant has a small groove in the middle, topped with swirly designs and colors. Perfect for the classy person in your life. Highly recommend the gold pendants—even if they’re more expensive. Her website on Etsy is: http://www.etsy.com/shop/marciemcgoldrick

3. Kathleen Anderson Art. This artist creates colorful vases that she paints herself and then blows into vases in order to abstract the paintings. A great idea for those who like to decorate their houses. The artist even has some metal work as well. Check her out at: http://kathleenandersenart.squarespace.com/

4. Sweet & Sour Goodies. This cute shop sells dolls with ‘sour’ faces, dressed in a variety of designs from geishas to ninjas and gnomes. These are all handcrafted by Kristine Domingo.  A good idea for kids, or grownups who appreciate the irony in the mean dispositions. Her website is: http://sweetandsourgoodies.com/

5. Kristin St. Clair, Lemmemakeit. Kristin designs intricate metal baubles for necklaces, such as her playful mushroom featuring an array of colorful designs. Check out her blog for her upcoming products, which also has her Etsy website:
http://lemmemakeit.blogspot.com/

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