Four Favorites From Knoxville Makers
Halloween is in the rearview mirror, and Thanksgiving is just a speed bump as we race toward the season of decking with holly and ho-ho-ho’s.
Unless you’re one of those people whose gifts were bought in July and wrapped before Labor Day, you’re probably thinking about what to buy for whom as the holidays near. Cityview wants to help you — by offering some creative gift ideas — and the Knoxville maker community — by encouraging readers to support local small businesses.
Over the next five weeks, we’ll share some suggestions for items you’ll never find at a big box store and feature local makers and their wares. Some have appeared within Cityview’s pages over the past several months, and others are new finds.
We’re starting the gift list with four staff favorites we’d be happy to buy or find under our own tree. Here goes:
1. Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing — a ring. And as long as you’re shopping jewelry, Santa, drop in and see Jessica Weiss at her West Knoxville storefront. Weiss works with high-karat gold — 18 and 22 karat — for a rich color and organic feel. Read more about her work in this Cityview story or visit her website. Before you drop in at her store on Kingston Pike, call ahead to make sure she’s there.
2. For a sweet stocking stuffer, teacher present or gift exchange with the Bunco girls, look no further than Bradley’s Gifts in West Knoxville. Yes, there are lots of locally produced gift options — stationery, wreaths, pillows and much more — but I head straight to the chocolate, which comes from the Knoxville Chocolate Co. kitchen they operate next door. Pick up some bags of chocolate-covered popcorn or dark chocolate salted caramels (yes, please!) and make a friend for life! Check out their website.
3. Melissa Everett has spent a lot of time this past year making face masks, but her more typical work — quilts, jackets, napkins and tea towels — have a bright, bold, mid-century aesthetic that will appeal to the textile-lovers on your list. Everett even designs her fabrics, painting or dyeing them to use in her work. She also accepts commissions on quilts using the color palettes her customers prefer. Her work is sold locally at Mid-Mod Collective and on her website. Read more about her in this Cityview story.
4. Last, but certainly not least, we have to recommend a drop-in at Glitterville before you wrap up your Christmas shopping. Stephen Brown’s downtown gift shop transports shoppers to a world of both glittering whimsy and elegant sophistication, offering everything from dozens of different glass ornaments to ruffled Christmas tree skirts and colorful champagne flutes. Though Brown can’t possibly hand make the myriad items he sells, he does design them and works with manufacturers around the world to produce them. Check out the Glitterville website and read more about it in this Cityview story.
For more guides to help you find the right local gifts for friends and family, look below!
Holiday Gift Guides
