Need to do some holiday shopping? The Cherrywood Art Fair is coming up this weekend (December 8th and 9th, 2012) from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. It’s FREE to enter, kid-friendly, and a great place to buy holiday presents for those seeking unique and artful items from Texas artists (including painting, mixed media, sculpture, printmaking, photography, woodwork, and textiles in the forms of fine art, home décor, fashion accessories, jewelry, and much more).
There will be over 100 different artists, live music, a food court made up of several eclectic food vendors, and an entire area dedicated to interactive family activities. Adding extra meaning to each purchase of one-of-a-kind items, proceeds will benefit Little Artist BIG ARTIST—a program that pairs elementary students with professional artists to experience the creative process from ideation through commercialization.
Check out our top picks below for some gift-giving inspiration. If you still can’t find what you are looking for, the uber picky is sure to be pleased with something from one of the artists. Check out the entire list here.
For the kids
Planet Seymour, cute little felt creatures created by Marci from Austin, Texas. Marci is a receptionist by day and seamstress by night, sewing up these cute plush characters and accessories that are all original designs. Cost: Ranges from $12- $35.
Baby Bolt sells striking kidswear. Note: that baby above is not for sale. No, you will have to find another way to get a cute baby. But the bib…. yeah, you can buy that. Or one of her many other handmade locally in Austin items: t-shirts, crayon and colored pencil rolls, and welcome baby gift sets. Cost: $13 and up.
For Her:
Love Your Honey… Buy her some Bee Amour Jewelry! It’s handcrafted with love by Anna out of her studio in east Austin. Her hive of Italian honeybees that she had in her backyard served as her inspiration for creating bee-inspired jewelry. Have you heard of Colony Collapse Disorder? Neither have I. But apparently these little bees are pretty important to our environment and are at risk of disappearing, which is why Anna gives 5% of every purchase of Bee Amour Jewelry to organizations that promote bee education, research and sustainability. Cost: $36 and up.
I am going to go out on a limb here and say that these handmade lip balms and skin care products from LipGlosserie could also fit into the For Kids and For Him category as well. My little 5 year old daughter is obsessed with makeup already. While she isn’t allowed to wear makeup very often, she does use chapstick when the weather dries out her lips. I’ve been on a rampage lately, tossing everything that is made in China. These lip balms would be perfect replacements. Strawberry Swirl, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Butterceam, Hazelnut Latte…. um, yes. Handmade lip balms, cuticle balms and more. And mama, nobody wants to kiss un-balmed lips under the mistletoe. Cost: $3.25 and up.
For Him:
Gotta love a man who loves his garden, right? 2Wards Design Group is Christian and Julia Ward, artists and designers living right here in Austin. Advocates of riotous simplicity, the Wards love simple lines and explosive color celebrating the living world in your garden, your family, and your life. Sounds very harmonious. I bet you he’ll love a package of simple harmony sitting under the tree. And maybe he will have bought you some of that lip balm for a proper smooch after the gift opening is complete! Cost: Small steel planter is $25.
Doesn’t this just scream man to you? Chet Phillips Illustration has lots of man art. Don’t trust my word… check it out. See. Have a poker player in the house? How about some Simian playing cards?! The cards are a collection of lively monkey and ape characters exhibiting a vast range of professions and historical simian significance. The plastic coated, casino quality, standard poker deck is enclosed in a decorative tuck box. The custom designed card back has a distinctive monkey flavor. Each of the 54 cards (includes 2 jokers) has its own individual monkey portrait. Many of these figures will be included in the upcoming “Monkopolis” limited edition book. Perfect for playing card collectors, game players and simian aficionados. Cost for the poker cards: $12.00.
Check out the Cherrywood Art Fair at Maplewood Elementary located at E. 381.2 Street and Maplewood Ave.
