Rochester Holiday Gift Guide

In case you still have people on your Christmas list and are doing some last minute shopping here are few great gift ideas right here in Rochester, NY.

Cat Clay has some really cute ceramic gifts... ornaments, jewelry, mugs and more. I love my Rochster necklace and vintage camera hair pins.

This Good World Holiday Gift Pack comes with two posters, two stickers and two buttons. Good idea for a good gift.

Joe Bean Roasters Gift Boxes for the coffee fan in your life. They have a gift box in store that comes with adorable coffee cups handmade by Vicki Hartman. You could even get someone their home brewing classes.

Fahsye really has something for everyone... cute jewelry, bags, candles, scarves and ties for the guys.

ljc holiday gift guide: Joe Guy Art

Here is another great gift I discovered at the Clothesline Festival... Joe Guy paintings and prints. Colorful art to brighten walls.

ljcfyi holiday gift guide: Plastic

Recently I discovered a little store in Rochester called Plastic. They carry the little designer plastic and vinyl toys that come in blind boxes so you don't know what you are getting. They are really popular with collectors... such as myself.

I was thrilled when Plastic moved into a store front in the South Wedge. All the better to feed my habit.

My favorites are the Dunny collection but I have been known to branch out.

If you have someone on your list that is a collector of cute things you should definitely stop by Plastic and check it out. They also have some interesting prints, clothes and other items.

ljc holiday gift guide: Hedonist Chocolates

Who doesn't love chocolate for Christmas? Ok I have a few friends that aren't chocolate obsessed but really it's hard to resist Hedonist Chocolate.

They have a cute little store front now in the South Wedge. So nice to go in and peruse.

They have such creative flavors... egg nog, fig, ginger molasses.... this one is POP ROCKS! It was awesome!

ljc holiday gift guide: Thread

If you want to do some local shopping - check out Thread! I snagged several gifts for folks on my Xmas list (sorry can't reveal) but you can find cool stuff like Shanna Murray's decals there!

Love their window displays!

ljc holiday gift guide - The Salvage Gallery

I saw these silverware flowers at the Clothesline Festival this summer. I think they would make great Christmas gifts!

They are made by The Salvage Gallery - a local Rochester artisian. You can find the flowers at Rehouse on Main Street in Rochester. Or you can contact them on their web page - if you have stainless steel flatware, they will give you a 25 cents per piece credit for merchandise!

UPDATE: You can now purchase silverware flowers on Salvage Gallery's Etsy Page!

ljc holiday gift guide - letterpress calendar

Letterpress is definitely making a comeback and it shines in this unique Rochester made 2012 calendar from the Genesee Center for the Arts & Education.

I've seen it in person and it not only strikingly designed but has the texture and heft that only letterpress can bring to the table.

I have high hopes for finding one of these under the tree for me this year. *ahem* It can be found here for purchase!

ljc holiday gift guide - Shanna Murray

It's that time of year for the Ljc Holiday Gift Guide! And this year I'm featuring local and handmade gifts!

The first gifts on my list come from the charming Shanna Murray. She came out with a holiday collection of decals and cards!

Cheery decals.

Heartwarming cards.

You can order them from her online shop or if you are in Rochester you can find them at Thread.

Shanna also collaborated with Pigeon Toe on some adorable ceramic ornaments. UPDATE - I just read that they are sold out! Bummer! Pigeon Toe does have some other cute items available however.

Boo - I wanted one of these too! Maybe next year.

Ljc's Holiday Gift Guide - Music, Movie & Reading

Here are some suggestions for a media themed Valentine's Day gift!

There aren't many albums where I like every song, but Florence and the Machine's Lungs is one.

Young Victoria is an excellent love story for Valentines. The costumes! *sigh*

This is a great book for a Valentine's gift not just because it has cute short stories from real life NY Times food writer Amanda Hesser but it has recipes from Amanda that you can try out yourself!

ljcfyi Valentine's Day Gift Guide - Wall & Window Decals

Here is a unique gift for Valentine's Day. Shanna Murray's wall and window decals would be great for a friend that loves to decorate. Or you could surprise your Valentine... apply it to a wall while they are out of the house and add photos and sweet nothings to accompany it for them to discover when they return.

There are several garlands, tidings and critters to choose from. Start with one or mix and match.

You can adhere them to a wall or a window. Easy to apply and removeable if you ever change your mind.

There are three matte shades and two metallic to choose from.

If you have a special message you would like Shanna also does custom decals. They are so charming bcause they look handpainted. So many opportunities for a delightful Valentine's surprise!

ljcfyi Valentine's Day Gift Guide - Little Sweet Thing Jewelry

What better gift for Valentine's Day than a little sweet thing? And that is exactly what today's featured gift is - adorable goodies from Little Sweet Thing Jewelry.

My favorite is the classic Sweetest Little Cupcake ring. How cute is it?! I could eat it!

There are also earrings like these little doughnuts. Aaron likes these best. He loves doughnuts. I might think he is staring at me adoringly but he is looking at the mini doughnuts on my earlobes.

Everyone knows macarons are the new cupcake.

Something for the guys too! Cufflinks!

You can like Little Sweet Thing Jewelry on Facebook.

Thanks to Little Sweet Thing I have some Little Sweet Things to give away! I will be giving away a Sweetest Little Cupcake Ring...

... a Donuts on a Plate ring...

and a Heart Shaped Love Cake ring.

Just leave me a comment on this blog post about which Little Sweet Thing goodie you like the best and I will randomly choose three winners for the giveaway rings!

I'll pick the winners on Valentine's Day!

ljcfyi Valentine's Day Gift Guide - Recycled Cupcake Ornaments

My friend Shruti got me one of these cute cupcake ornaments for Christmas and I thought they would be great for the Valentine's Gift Guide.

Not only are they cute AND I know the crafter Ashley, but they are made from 50% recycled and repurposed materials.

ljcfyi Valentine's Day Gift Guide - Helliemae's Salt Caramels

This week I am sharing some sweet ideas for Valentine's Day gifties!

As a thank you for inviting her to Pinterest, Ellen sent me a sample of her amazing Helliemae's Salt Caramels.

Oh wow. I had the box at work and shared them with my coworkers. Everyone's eye grew round as they tasted them! "They sweet AND salty! Mmmmm mmmm mmmm!"

The caramels are not only delicious but I love the story behind how Ellen started making them and the care that goes into each caramel.

Maybe this year instead of a box of chocolates, delight someone with a box of Helliemae's salt caramels!

ljcfyi holiday gift guide - handmade and local

I thought I was done with the holiday gift guide on Saturday but I just found out about something that I just had to add.

For the design lover that likes to know what day of the week it is... Limited Edition Letterpress Wall Calendar.

I've always had a soft spot for letterpress. For my birthday last year Aaron got me a letterpress class at the Genesee Center for the Arts and Education. Sadly, I traveled so much through the summer we were never able to nail down a Saturday to take it.

I think letterpress is having a resurgence. Nothing quite beats the heft and texture of letterpress. There was even an article in the last issue of City Newspaper about letterpress.

When @RochesterArts emailed me today about this fantastic letterpress calendar with each month from a different local artist I was practically drooling.

If you love handmade and you love local, you will love this calendar. Or someone on your gift list. I am having a hard time not referring to this in the first person because I love this calendar and I'm hoping someone gets it for me! : )