While droves of pup-tent pitching fanatics finalized their holiday purchases early this year, many (including this procrastinating pen smith) have barely begun to list the friends and family who will receive some holiday generosity. But before you swarm the nearest corporate outlet, take a gander at the Sun’s Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide, which features a collection of locally based artisans who handcraft quality products perfect for the holiday season.
For the little princess on your list
Local artisan costume designer Chris Frick started serious costume work in 1989 at none other than the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts, where she worked as a stitcher and later a staff cutter.
“My work experience at the local theater cemented me to the support of area artisans,” the local crafter wrote in an e-mail interview. “The princess dresses began with the birth of our first granddaughter in 2003, and has continued with each subsequent granddaughter.”
Frick’s work is a tribute to the classic Disney princesses, from Beauty and the Beast’s Belle to the classic Snow White gown. Her theater experience comes into play in that she makes each gown extra durable for endless hours of playtime.
“The girls enjoyed them so much I wanted them to be of high quality and durability,” Frick wrote. “Each dress is made to order once I have the relevant measurements and special instructions.”
A special holiday gown has been added to her collection, inspired by the Christmas edition of Beauty and the Beast, Frick explained.
“The dress is of red velveteen with a gold brocade insert on the front,” she wrote. “It is fully lined and comes with tulle petticoat; the skirt is extra full for ‘twirllability.’”
7Princesses
Chris Frick can be reached through her Etsy shop 7Princesses at etsy.com/shop/7Princesses.
For the quilt lover on your list
Quilts are a celebration of pattern and color, and local quilter Susan Jackson revels in the art form. After learning the how-to of a sewing machine at the age of 8, she’s since had a lifetime to perfect her craft.
“Quality homemade gifts are from the heart,” Jackson wrote in an e-mail to the Sun. “They are not something you can find on a mega-store shelf.”
Jackson’s skill has won her some accolades at international quilt competitions; she’s even included in the National Quilt Museum of the USA’s collection and book. But Jackson takes her art beyond the beautiful quilts that serve equally well as stunning wall hangings or thick throws to snuggle under.
“I start by making things for my own home full of spontaneous color,” she wrote. “The creations evolve; quilts, potholders, aprons, lunch sacks, pillow slips—it’s all fun!”
Many of her one-of-a-kind matching apron and hot pad holders can be viewed on her Etsy site, MoonlitNotion, the title of which is inspired by her night owl tendencies and her favorite time to quilt. More than anything, she enjoys creating items that people will enjoy using and looking at.
“These gifts are quality made and practical,” she wrote. “A potholder is a potholder until you put two drink on it, and it becomes a coaster.”
MoonlitNotion
Susan Jackson can be reached through her Etsy shop MoonlitNotion at etsy.com/shop/MoonlitNotion.
For the backyard chef on your list
What began as a business to provide Santa Maria-style barbecues to enthusiasts no matter where they are has expanded quite a bit since JD Sinor began JD Fabrications. After acquiring a new computer-guided metal cutter to make his pits precise, Sinor has been making unique 3-D metal art as well.
“We’ve done Santa Maria barbecue pits; that’s our main thing,” he said. “We have sort of changed them around to our own unique style and developed one that has a smoker attached to it.”
Sinor realized that he had a knack for making 3-D metal art when he started adding toppers to his barbecue pits by request.
“The barbecue toppers have been a big thing,” he said. “A lot of people want their favorite NFL team, or their name, or a Western theme.”
Besides designing quality signs for local businesses like Uliveto and Yoga for Mankind, JD Fabrications has provided many with hanging art pieces entirely made out of cut metal. Sinor has explored Western themes, Second Amendment slogans, garage culture, patriotic themes, and, of course, nature.
“All the stuff I use is made in the USA, all the tools I use are made in the USA,” the local artisan said. “It gives people here work; it doesn’t outsource the labor.”
JD Fabrications
JD Sinor can be reached through his business JD Fabrications at 637-6700, sales@jdfabrications.com, jdfabrications.com, or his Etsy shop at etsy.com/shop/JDfabrications.
For the cute and fuzzy lover on your list
For the person on your list who can never stop saying “awww,” the locally based Etsy shop Fuzzonme will certainly deliver on the cute factor. Local crafter Naomi, who asked to use her first name only, uses simply a needle and felt and allows her imagination to wander into whatever cute and cuddly creature she creates.
“I poke felt fibers millions of times with a felting needle,” she explained in an e-mail interview. “Making a shape requires lots of time and patience. Poking fibers is a simple motion, but it is amazing how you can make so many different shapes.”
Naomi’s shop is full of holiday inspired creatures, as well as autumnal themes. Bunnies, birdies, and reindeer will battle for a place in your shopping cart, wielding only their supreme cuteness against each other.
“Fuzzy wool felt adds warm and cozy feelings especially during the winter holiday season,” she wrote. “I also make ornaments for other holidays too.”
Fuzzonme
Fuzzonme has two shops on Etsy at etsy.com/shop/fuzzonme for the fuzzy felt creatures and etsy.com/shop/fuzzonme2 for scarves.
And, for the naughty person on your list …
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 12-19, 2013.