This week in local shopping, holiday markets continue virtually and in-person. Plus, explore several curated gift guides focused on small makers and local brands.
Local designer Tessa Louise drops a new winter capsule collection at a trunk show this weekend.
GIFT GUIDES:
The List: Minnesota-based online maker hub, The List, features handmade goods from a curated collective of 73 makers from the U.S. and Canada. They recently put together 7 themed gift ideas featuring goods from all of its makers with a new list launching daily through 12/6. Find the lists at findmeonthelist.com/blog
Minneapolis Craft Market: The in-person market has gone virtual for the season with an online marketplace. They recently launched curated gift guides with goods from its all-local roster of makers, including stocking stuffers under $10 and gifts under $25. Find the lists and shop everything at shop.mplscraftmarket.com
Threaded: Minnesota-based sustainable and ethical fashion and beauty guide, Threaded, has pulled together several themed, conscious gift guides featuring makers from its list, spanning the Midwest and Central U.S. Find it on their feed at instagram.com/wearethreaded
Minnevangelist: The local guide is doing a series of gift guides featuring all-locally made gift ideas, including jewelry, art and home goods. Find it on their story highlights at instagram.com/minnevangelist and online at minnevangelist.com
Wide Eyed Vintage: The local vintage seller has several themed gift guides available to shop. Find them on their story highlights at instagram.com/wide_eyed_vintage
Maritza & Kara’s Gift List: Local esthetician Maritza Ramirez and writer Kara Nesvig have put together a thoughtful gift guide filled with their favorite goods from local brands. Find it on both Kara’s and Maritza’s story highlights @ instagram.com/karanesvig & instagram.com/maritza_at_haus
Larissa Loden Jewelry: Be sure to check out the local jewelry designer’s curated gift guides, including ideas under $40.
NEW THIS WEEK:
This week’s local maker & vintage drops:
Local ceramics maker Fringe & Fettle is doing a shop drop Tuesday at 8pm @ etsy.com/shop/fringeandfettle
Local ceramics maker A MANO has just done a new shop drop featuring holiday ornaments and more @ www.weshopamano.com
The new collaboration holiday jewelry line from jewelry maker Jac & Violet and online shop Poppy Stella Rose is now live @ jacandviolet.com, and it’s included in the brand’s Small Business Week 20% off sale now through Friday, 12/4. Plus, select colors and styles will only be available in the Poppy Stella Rose online shop at poppystellarose.com
Local vintage seller Kollektiv Vintage does its weekly vintage drop every Wednesday at 11am @ instagram.com/kollektivmpls
Local vintage seller Salty Minneapolis Vintage is doing its weekly story sale on Wednesday at 6pm @ instagram.com/saltymplsvintage
Throughout the month of November, Wit & Delight Shop will be featuring a curated selection of home vintage goods for sale throughout the week on its Instagram story @shopwitanddelight and on its website every Friday @ shopwitanddelight.com/vintage
On the Shelf Jewelry is dropping a new capsule collection via story sale @ instagram.com/ontheshelf_jewelry
Moth Oddities has a story sale every Monday @ instagram.com/mothoddities
Up Six Vintage’s 20th Annual Holiday Sale: Save 20% storewide at the longtime St. Paul vintage shop during their annual sale event. They’ll be putting out new stock every day, so be sure to check back. Private shopping appointments and curbside pickup are available. You can check out their online stock at etsy.com/shop/UpSixVintage, but the deals are available in store or via phone orders only. Shop now through 12/12 @ Up Six Vintage, 189 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, instagram.com/upsixvintage
Founders Co. Holiday Pop-up at Southdale: This collective of local small business owners, creators and makers—founded by Excelsior Candle Co., B + D Custom Crafts, MEND Jewelry—are back for a second year at Southdale with an expanded assortment of goods from nine local woman-owned businesses. Expect a mix of elevated, handcrafted home decor, gemstone jewelry, clothing and accessories, organic skincare, fine art and modern pottery from Namakan Goods, Wondrous Crane, Kisa Boutique and more. Open 12/1–12/23 @ Southdale Center on 1st floor rotunda between Gap & The Body Shop, Edina, founders-co-mn.myshopify.com
Gamut Gallery’s Raging Art On: The Minneapolis gallery’s annual art holiday gift sale features handmade art, gifts, prints, jewelry and more from 40 Minnesota artists over three weeks. This year, in addition to in-person shopping, selected works will also be available online to shop. The gallery will be operating under limited capacity and you may request an appointment to ensure you can get in the door. 12/1 (members only) plus Wednesdays–Fridays from 12/2–12/22 from 11am–6pm @ 717 S 10th St, Minneapolis, plus online 12/2–1/4 @ gamut-gallery.myshopify.com
ENDING THIS WEEK:
Craft Bash 2020 Online: American Craft Council's annual Craft Bash is hosting a virtual marketplace filled with meaningful, handmade gifts by more than 90 diverse artisans from across the country. Local favorites participating include Lulu Organics, SCARFSHOP, Marisa Martinez Jewelry, Winsome Goods, Hideaway Leathercraft, Ethel Studio and DC Ice, and many items are one-of-a-kid or limited quantities. Learn more and explore the artists on the Craft Council’s website. Now through Sunday, 12/6 @ www.craftcouncil.org/show/season/craft-bash-2020
Filigree Jewelers Small Business Sale: The family-owned estate jewelry business is offering 10% purchases under $5,000 in store or online with code SMALL. (Excludes bridal.) Now through Wednesday, 12/3 @ 210 N 2nd St #101, Minneapolis, filigreejewelers.com
The Golden Pearl Vintage 20/20 Sale: This year, the Northeast Minneapolis vintage boutique is extending its 20/20 sale for over a week to enable social distancing while shopping. The store is offering 20% off everything in store and online with code “2020sale”. Also be sure to tune into their Instagram page (instagram.com/thegoldenpearlvintage) for story sales, all at 20% off. Private shopping appointments are also available. Now through Saturday, 12/5 @ The Golden Pearl Vintage, 507A E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, www.thegoldenpearlvintage.com
Julia Elise Small Business Week Sale: Save 15% on all orders from the local, natural skincare maker, plus 10% of each order will be donated to a coronavirus fund for Black and Indigenous women. Use code SHOPSMALL20 for the discount. Shop now through Friday, 12/4 @ www.juliaelise.com
Jac & Violet Small Business Week Sale: Save 20% site-wide from the local jewelry maker. Shop now through Friday, 12/4 @ jacandviolet.com
WEDNESDAY–SATURDAY:
Post-Small Business Saturday Weekend at June: Due to COVID exposure, last weekend's sale was rescheduled. Find 30% markdowns throughout the shop, including shoes, boots, clothing, housewares, bags and more. (Some exclusions apply.) There will also be a few racks from designer fashion reseller Shelley Spargur outside on Friday and Saturday. Since the store can only allow a certain number of people inside at a time, please be patient if there’s a line and enjoy a mug of hot cider. Wednesday, 12/2 & Thursday, 12/3 from 12–4pm, Friday, 12/4 & Saturday, 12/5 from 10am–4pm @ June, 3406 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, juneresale.com
THURSDAY & SATURDAY:
Northrup King Building Holiday Hours: The massive artist and maker studio building will have open hours throughout the holiday season, with select studios open for shopping. Those include Strey Collective, a co-op shop featuring apparel, leather goods and accessories by several local designers (#179); Excelsior Candle Co, which is offering exchanges on empty Excelsior candles and new products for the holidays, and local jewelry favorite, Larissa Loden (#265). 12/3 from 5–9pm & 12/5 from 10am–4pm, plus 12/12 from 10am–4pm & 12/19 from 10am–4pm @ 1500 Jackson St NE, Minneapolis, www.northrupkingbuilding.com
THURSDAY–SUNDAY:
Haupt Antiek Market: Holiday Markets: The occasional vintage market is known for its annual holiday markets featuring a new theme and fresh inventory each month. Look for a mix of holiday home decor, antique ornaments, table settings, festive furnishings, gifts, outdoor decorations, sleds, skis and fresh greens. Thursday, 12/3–Sunday, 12/6 @ 7570 147th St W #400, Apple Valley, www.hauptantiek.com
FRIDAY–SUNDAY:
Sacred Space's Holiday Bazaar: The Northeast Minneapolis yoga and meditation studio is hosting an in-preview sale in tandem with a virtual sale this weekend featuring local makers. There are two ways to shop: on Friday, there will be an in-person preview sale at the space, while Saturday and Sunday features a virtual sale hosted through featured maker We the Starborne's online shop with a live broadcast from the studio with giveaways. 50% from all sales goes directly to the artist or designer 50% goes back to support Sacred Space. In-person preview on Friday from 11am–4pm ($5 which converts to a $5 voucher to use on any purchase of $20 or more) @ 1955 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, plus Saturday & Sunday from 11am–4pm @ wethestarborne.com. Get tickets at sacredspacemn.com
Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt: Downtown Excelsior will be transformed into a German-style open-air holiday market for two weekends this season. Put on something warm and enjoy holiday foods and entertainment, decor and gift shopping and festive warm beverages. You can also get a picture with Santa, who’ll be enclosed in a COVID-friendly, life-size ornament. To ensure social distancing is met and the increased costs, guests are required to buy a $5 ticket for an hour-long time slot, limiting capacity to 250 people. Face coverings will be required. 12/4–12/6 @ Excelsior Commons, 135 Lake St, Excelsior, excelsiorchristmas.com
Make the Yuletide Gay–Online Queer Virtual Maker's Market: Shop goods from some of the best local queer makers from the comfort of your couch during this weekend-long virtual market. Find tarot cards, zines, ceramics, leather goods, jewelry, art and more from 30 featured artists and makers, including Sarah M Holm, Datura Leather, Las Ranas Jewelry and Sick Kitty Ceramics. The live link for the market website will be posted at 5pm on Friday, and will stay live until Sunday at 5pm. 12/4–12/6, find the link via https://www.facebook.com/events/354943955795031
SATURDAY ONLY:
Tessa Louise Winter Trunk Show: Local womenswear designer Tessa Louise will be debuting and selling a capsule collection of one-of-a-kind, exclusive pieces from her winter collection at this weekend’s trunk show at The Fitting Room boutique. She’ll also have her original fashion illustrations for sale (a fun gift idea!). Email thefittingroommpls@gmail.com or text 612-229-8170 with your preferred time to shop so they can manage the flow of traffic. Saturday from 12–3pm @ The Fitting Room, 316 W 38th St, Minneapolis, https://www.facebook.com/events/2777554575832177
The Artful Present: Veronique Wantz Gallery's annual holiday art and gifting event is back for a series of Saturdays of one-of-a-kind gifts from local artists and makers, including giftable paintings by Jim Hillegass and wood-fired stoneware serving dishes by Samuel Johnson, plus pop-ups from Goldfinch Modern Textile Craft and Yen Chee Designs jewelry. All artwork will also be 10% off for the duration of the event. Note, only 6 shoppers are allowed inside at a time. While you're there, visit nearby retailers UMEI for Japanese home goods and new interior design retailer J. Atelier. Saturdays through 12/19 from 11am–3pm @ Veronique Wantz Gallery, 901 N 5th St, Minneapolis, www.instagram.com/veroniquewantzgallery
Northeast Farmers Market: Winter Market: Put on your winter gear and support local vendors the first Saturday of each month, this weekend through April outdoors in the parking lot of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Shoppers are asked to wear a mask and keep socially distanced. (No pets allowed.) And, of course, dress warm. Saturday, 12/5 from 11am–1pm @ 629 2nd St NE, Minneapolis, northeastfarmersmarket.com
Franconia Frost Fest & Holiday Market: Bundle up and head out to Franconia Sculpture Park for a one-day holiday market and bazaar featuring unique gifts by local artisans and vendors. Timed ticket reservations are required for this free event. The event will also kick off Franconia's new, free community ice rink and artist installation, which will be open from 8am–8pm daily through February, weather permitting. Saturday 12/5 from 12–4pm @ Franconia Sculpture Park, 29836 Saint Croix Trl, Shafer, www.franconia.org/frost-fest
ONGOING DEALS:
Face Foundrié: Now through the end of the year, the boutique spa and skincare brand is offering a gift card promotion: Purchase $100 in gift cards and receive $20 credit. Now @ locations in Maple Grove, Galleria & North Loop, facefoundrie.com
ONGOING HOLIDAY MARKETS:
#BFOB2020: Virtual Black Friday on Broadway: In light of the recent surge in Covid cases, the event has canceled the in-person portion of this year's BFOB. The annual event presented by NEON and the West Broadway neighborhood supports small and local businesses that are part of the Northside community. Beginning Black Friday weekend, browse all our BFOB vendors and shop from them directly through the rest of the holiday season. The website will be active through the end of the year. Shop now @ www.bfob-mn.com
Holiday Reimagined & Collective Experience: While the planned, in-person Holiday Reimagined and Collective experiences from LAB will no longer be taking place at Galleria in Edina, the creative studio has pivoted to bringing the happening to life in a different way. The Collective window shopping experience will still be taking place, with a reveal happening this week before Thanksgiving and staying up through December. This will remain a safe, innovative, and beautiful way to view local products and enable contactless shopping through QR codes. Plus, watch out for exciting giveaways, DIYs and other fun Holiday Reimagined experiences on the brand’s Instagram page. Beginning this week through December @ Galleria, Edina & at instagram.com/labmpls
Holidazzle 2020 Virtual Experience: Holidazzle—which typically takes place in Loring Park—is moving online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its virtual experience is centered around The Holidazzle Show, a four-part series that features DIY holiday projects, holiday gift ideas from small businesses and more. Other online content and activities include activities, Holiday cooking recipes, Minneapolis Craft Market virtual shopping experience featuring local makers. Now through 12/24 @ www.holidazzle.com/2020
bread: A unique pop-up market: This holiday pop-up market created by local entrepreneur Marsha Magdalene will feature a mostly BIPOC group of locally owned brands and goods from local makers. Open weekends through 2/28/21 @ Maplewood Mall (lower level next to Lids/Caribou Coffee), 3001 White Bear Ave N #1015A, Maplewood, www.facebook.com/breadpopup
Fair Trade Holiday Market Pop-up: Beginning this week, four Minnesota-based fair-trade retailers are coming together to bring a new pop-up holiday shopping experience to Northeast Minneapolis. Fair Anita, Global Mamas, Elevāt and Trade Winds, plus displays from Gifts for Change, Multicolores and She is Love. These companies are joined together by their unique core values, fair trade, and ethically-made. Each group works with artisans around the world to curate globally-sourced products that have been made in ethical conditions. Now open through 12/24. Hours: Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday 11am–7pm, Friday & Saturday 10am–6pm & Sunday 12pm–4pm. @ 2516 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, www.fairtradeholidaymarket.com
Homespun Maker Market: A Minnesota-Made Holiday Pop-up Market: Shop the the best in Minnesota-made gifts for the holidays with a series of three holiday pop-up shops at local malls, featuring more than 70 local brands and makers at each location. The Ridgedale location is now open; look for stores to open at Southdale and Eden Prairie Center on Black Friday. Now open through 12/24 @ Ridgedale Center, Level 2 in Center Court, 12401 Wayzata Blvd, Minnetonka. Coming soon to Southdale Center in Edina and Eden Prairie Center. More info: homespunmn.myshopify.com
Minneapolis Craft Market Online Marketplace: As Minneapolis Craft Market’s live markets are currently on hold through at least winter 2020, you can now shop their makers online as well as live each week on virtual streaming app Popshop Live, where they’ll showcase a different maker each week. Use invite code MCMPOP to join for easy holiday shopping from the comfort of your couch. Download the free app @ bit.ly/mcmpsl & find upcoming live streaming dates and times at mplscraftmarket.com/events. You can also shop the full Minneapolis Craft Market collection from local makers online 24/7 @ mplscraftmarket.com
Community Commons at Mall of America: Mall of America recently debuted Community Commons, a new, rent-free space dedicated to businesses struggling due to the pandemic or displaced due to civil unrest over the summer. Several, including Peruvian poncho retailer Llakta, come from the Midtown Global Market on Lake Street, which was hit by some of the worst damage. The 17 vendors include Twiggy Fresh (bamboo toothbrushes), and Butters by Jay (shea butter skin and haircare). The space is currently set to stay open through Spring 2021 and will feature an evolving roster of retailers. Now open @ Mall of America, 238N South Avenue (2nd level), Bloomington, mallofamerica.com/directory/communitycommons
The List Virtual Makers’ Marketplace: One unfortunate consequence of the COVID outbreak is the dearth of makers markets, which many local makers and small businesses had relied upon for a majority of their income—especially during the upcoming holiday season. Hoping to fill that void is The List, a new, Minnesota-based online maker hub that is fully launching this week. The marketplace aims to be a one-stop shop for high-quality artisans, makers and other small businesses, just in time for holiday gift-giving season. Find a mix of fashion, home goods and skin care by 40 top local makers, including Strey Designs, Adam Turman, Essence One, FOAT Design, Hackwith Design House, ILO Design, J.Lux Jewelry, Joeleen Torvick, Julia Elise Skincare, Tiny Loud and Minny & Paul. Shop now @ www.findmeonthelist.com
For more holiday markets, both virtual and in-person, plus great local shops carrying gifts from local makers, visit my Holiday Market Round-up.
NEW STORE OPENINGS:
Now open: Mother Cactus Co. St. Paul: The popular cactus and plant shop has opened a second location in St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood. The shop specializes in varieties of unique, interesting and sculptural varieties of plants, direct from collectors and growers, plus minimalist planters, modern home goods and branded gear. For now, the smaller sister shop will be open by appointment only, but once gatherings commence post-COVID, the store hopes to utilize its large back patio for workshops and parties. Now open by appointment @ 162 Dale St N, St. Paul, mother-plants.com
Stranger & Co. at 50th & France: After first opening as an online shop in late 2019, Stranger & Co. is opening its first storefront this week. The small, woman-owned shop is focused on making high-quality design accessible and fairly priced, with items spanning fashion accessories to home goods to apothecary products. They primarily represent artists and designers who are women, people of color, LGBTQ+ and immigrants, and their ethos is one of inclusion, accessibility and visibility. Opening Thursday @ 3921 Market St, Edina, www.strangerandco.com