I am really missing that extra week between Thanksgiving and Christmas. To demonstrate how out of sync I am with the season, I just threw the Halloween pumpkins out last weekend, and the other day wondered aloud what the wrens were doing congregating in the tree where I usually put a bird feeder. How did winter and the holidays sneak up on me like this? Which leads me to the subject of this post, and perhaps a few more to come…holiday gift suggestions.
There are many reasons to shop local, but one you may not have considered is that the shops in the CWE are likely to carry gifts you won't find elsewhere. That is only part of their charm however. Another big attraction is that you can walk from shop to shop, whether you live in the neighborhood, or are visiting the CWE. Just leave the driving to someone else…
Over the years we've come to depend on Bowood Farms for unusual offerings, and this holiday season Katherine McPheeters, the buyer for the gift shop, has found lots to choose from. From lower left, an assortment of miniature bottle brush trees (package of 8, $20) would make charming place card markers for your holiday table. According to Katherine, who peruses antique malls for inspiration, antique bottle brush trees are almost nonexistent.
Upper left, from Coral & Tusk, a machine-embroidered sachet, $42, and pillow with Bowerbird tucked in a pocket, $98. Apparently, the Australian Bowerbird goes to extraordinary lengths to decorate its nest, and the pillow represents an example of its skill (shall we pin it?). Upper right, if you've got little room for a Christmas tree, how about a tiny Norfolk Pine, $5? Reusable totes from Baggu, $9.50, would make great teachers' presents, stocking stuffers, or Secret Santa presents.
Bowood Farms carries a small-batch perfumery collection called Library of Flowers. Each shelf in the display at Bowood holds a different "chapter" of the Colorado-based company's assortment of products with botanical elements. You can build your own gift box from Bowood's selection, see above. Katherine suggested a selection of parfum crema, hand cream, and shower gel, in scents such as honeycomb, vanilla, or linden, $74. All products are sold separately too, for instance, bottles of perfume are $36.
Bowood Farms, Mon. – Sat. 9 to 5, Sun. 9 to 4, (314) 454-6868.
Jennifer Walker, crafts her own line of jewelry in a tiny shop at 449 N. Euclid (at Washington). From top, copper bracelets, $28, sterling/enamel bug ring, $65, and cut-out brass ring, $48.
You'll also find sterling silver/semi-precious stone flower-drop earrings, $36, and Amethyst & sterling silver hoops, $38 to $45.
Jenny Walker Jewelry, Fri. 9 to 2 & 5 to 8, Sat. 10 to 4, Mon. 9 to 4, closed Xmas Eve, 449 N. Euclid, (347) 528-3210.
Christiane Danna of Christiane's Handcrafted Jewelry is another jewelry located at 449 N. Euclid. There was lots to photograph but we settled on a lovely sterling silver beaded necklace with lemon quartz, $89, matching earrings, $29.
Christiane's, Mon. – Fri. 11 to 3, Sat. 11 to 4, Closed Xmas Eve, 449 N. Euclid, (314) 398-0636.