One way to feel good about taking part in the hyper consumerism of the holiday season is to shop locally. That’s why your pals at Perfect Duluth Day have again compiled a gallery of gifts produced by the hands and brains of your friends and neighbors. Click on the pics for details about each item.
Just like the 2009 guide, the fabulous showcase below is by no means comprehensive. List your own suggestions in the comments.
Loll Designs has been making durable, stylish furniture from recycled milk jugs. This year they introduced some innovative birdhouse designs. Available at lolldesigns.com.
Experience the great inland sea through Lake Superior Magazine. The award-winning bimonthly is published in Duluth, but focuses on the entire Lake Superior region — Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario and Wisconsin. Stop by the magazine’s retail store in Downtown Duluth to check out other gift items, or shop online at lakesuperior.com.
Help someone you know get in shape, relax and feel better. Yoga North has classes in Hatha, Power and Kundalini yoga for all abilities. More information at yoganorthduluth.com.
These Duluth-themed snowboarding gloves, featuring the artwork of Superior’s Patrick Sharrow, were specially made for Damage Boardshop by Celtek as part of a “Shop Here, Support Local” program. Available at Damage Boardshop in Duluth’s West End and at damageboardshop.com.
Get ready to cocktail party like it’s 1965. Apron Elegance and designer Rachel Hart have paired a “Mad Men-era” sexy hostess apron with a matching ruffled dog collar to create a gift that pays playful homage to the 1960s, when holiday aprons were the rage. Hart’s interpretations were made using metallic woven fabrics framed with loose ruffles and topped with bling-bling buttons. Add the outrageous gold lame ruffled dog collar and this party favor is designed for “maximum domestic divatude.”
Duluth’s Shane Bauer created Happy Face Positive Wear as a reaction to seeing shirts at a department store with the words “Bite Me” printed on them. He wanted to start a line of apparel to promote more positive messages, like, “count your blessings.”
His company, Laughingstock Design, opened a Happy Space retail store in the Fitger’s Brewery Complex earlier this year to showcase a growing variety of stylish shirts promoting positive messages. Available online at laughingstockdesign.biz.
What do you get a kid who’s already got a bajillion toys? Duluth Children’s Museum Memberships provide a year of free admission to all museums and exhibits in the Depot and support the Children’s Museum as it gets ready to move to a new space at Clyde Park. More info at duluthchildrensmuseum.org.
Duluth photographer Dennis O’Hara has put together a stunning collection of images for his first book. See Duluth’s parks, landmarks and historic buildings and homes through the lens of one of the area’s greatest talents. Available at most local bookstores and at x-communication.org. A hardcover edition of the book is offered exclusively through the X-Communication website.
Anyone who’s walked or biked past 14th Avenue East and Superior Street knows that Duluth has some tasty beans roasting every day. Alakef offers an assortment of gift boxes showcasing its fresh-roasted, specialty-grade coffees and other items like tea sachets and chocolate-covered espresso beans. Available at alakef.com.
Duluth Tent & Awning Co. has been making Duluth Packs for well over 100 years, and its reputation for quality craftsmanship is second to none. The Laptop Daypack is designed as a book bag durable enough for a wilderness adventure. The front pocket in the medium and large sizes feature slip pockets for pens/pencils, a calculator, cell phone, or iPod. Made in Duluth and guaranteed for life! Available at the Duluth Pack store in Canal Park and at duluthpack.com.
Duluth cartoonist Chris Monroe’s third book for kids, Sneaky Sheep, stars Blossom and Rocky, two sneaky and not very bright sheep who keep trying to get away from the rest of the flock in spite of the dangers they encounter. Monroe’s previous books for kids include Monkey with a Tool Belt (2007) and Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem (2009). All were published by Carolrhoda Picture Books and are available at most local bookstores.
Give the give of music … or noise for those with younger kids. Downtown Duluth’s Musicality offers beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons on a wide variety of instruments for all ages. Details at musicalitybiz.com.
In addition to designing jewelry, Tami LaPole Edmunds creates paintings, mosaic wall art, furniture and even beaded serving ware. Check it all out — as well as the work of her husband, potter Dan Edmunds — at their Art in the Alley shop, located in the alley of the historic Trade and Commerce Building in Superior. Peruse items online at artinthealley.com.
Duluth’s friendly West End is home to Aerostitch, makers of quality motorcycle jackets, suits, clothing and other gear. The one-piece Roadcrafter is meticulously tailored to minimize wind flutter and drag at higher speeds. Features include strategically placed external pockets, hip pads and back pad, underarm and back vents, side zippers for access to street pants, and a variety of adjustable tabs and zippers. Available at aerostich.com.
For 90 years Bemidji Woolen Mills has been making clothing, sweaters and blankets. (It is the official supplier of matching gig-wear for Duluth band Tangier 57, by the way.) The Paul Bunyon Jac Shirt is designed to hold up against the wind and moisture of a Minnesota winter. Available at bemidjiwoolenmills.com.
