Handmade in the United States: A Gift Guide (From AL to MO)

Don't be afraid! You don't have to go to the mall! Photo courtesy of CaptureQueen via Flickr under a Creative Commons license.

Rumor has it you need to buy a few gifts. So, while my usual path around the handmade paradise of Etsy.com is, oh, random, I figured I should take a more organized trip to help you out of your what to buy for… jam. So, here, some good gift items from around these here United States. First, Alabama through Missouri. (Want Montana through Wyoming?)

Alabama: Ok, so the photog is from Georgia. But the 5×7 matte-finish print of “County Road No. 345” is all Alabama. $15

Alaska: Fairbanks artist Joe Milligan turns tree burls into polished works of art–and great places to leave your keys at day’s end. $35-$1500

Arizona: Turquoise jewelry shmurquoise jewelry. Consider Jason Hill’s digital illustrations of Phoenix architecture instead. $50

Arkansas: Simple packaging. Natural ingredients. Here’s to a relaxing 2010 with Hot Springs, AR-based Bathhouse products at your giftee’s bath side. $6-$18

California: Know somebody who can pull a hat off with style? Then, he or she totally needs this cashmere and wool-blend cycling cap outta Alamaeda. $35.99

Colorado: Keep Colorado close to your giftee’s heart. A necklace strung with a gold-encased aspen leaf should do the trick. (So pretty!) $39

Connecticut: Does somebody on your list dream of a place where she can just take time to stop, think, maybe read? She needs an 8×10 print of “The House on the Point.” $35

Delaware: Until your pal can afford to buy that old farmhouse, how about a farmhouse painting for his wall? $250

Florida: A poker chip on a necklace? Usually I’d say meh. But if it’s got palm trees on it and it came from the Florida Palms Casino? Meh turns to love. $18

Georgia: Once upon a time, it was just a map of the area around Macon. Now it’s a map AND a wallet. $6

Hawaii: Seriously, if you don’t know who you should buy this vibrantly-colored market tote for, put me on your gift list. It’s a beaut. $58

Idaho: Something old–vintage travel art–on something new–a leather journal. Buy this for your loved one who is certain to respond with an “oooooohhhhh!!!!!” $14.90

Illinois: It was tempting to recommend this finger puppet but, instead, a lovely little bird house that makes fine use of a recycled Illinois license plate. $25

Indiana: KittyKnit’s been getting busy knitting up fun fingerless gloves in Muncie. The tree-adorned pair is quite pretty. $20

Iowa: And Mindy’s been embroidering up a storm! Five-year-old me would have wanted a jacket covered in her monster patches. $6

Kansas: And, in Kansas City, Kansas, Ni-Chern Designs sews up some nice “everyday” bags and accessories from right purty fabrics. $22

Kentucky: A simple stoneware bottle. So pretty. $20

Louisiana: The good folks at mojoware make some fine t-shirts. But the pillow featuring a screen print of a tree on their grandfather’s cotton farm? That’s the first thing I would buy from them. $44

Maine: Oh, this looks like some fine hand-spun yarn. Buy it for your favorite knitter and you could end up with some way-cozy socks for your next birthday. (And that’s a very good thing.) $12-$15

Maryland: More vintage map treasures! Journals covered in Annapolis, MD maps. Nice. $12

Massachusetts: Boston terriers are just way cute–especially when they’re playing space rangers. Pick a kid in your life. Buy these prints for them. $26

Michigan: Out of Hamtramck, MI, BrightWall Studios, is doing excellent things with old luggage. Check out this three-piece set made cool again (or, well, for the first time) with hand-painted bombers. $200

Minnesota: Best play-on-the-shape-of-Minnesota t-shirt ever! (OK, haven’t really looked at many others. But this one is a lot of fun.) $20

Mississippi: A “quick little map doodle” of the Mississippi. May inspire some raft building… $35

Missouri: A print of Big Boy’s Restaurant. You know you want this one for yourself. $40

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