This year has been unlike any other, and this holiday season may be the make or break time for many small retail businesses. I encourage you to shop handmade, local, and independent artists this season.  When you buy directly from a small business, not only does your dollar have a strong economic impact, the small business owner does a little happy dance. 

That said, here are my picks for 2020, including a featured product that is not made by me, but is from one of my retailers who carries my work:

Starting at $35, my Rocky Mountain-inspired jewelry made in either oxidized silver and 18K gold, copper and sterling silver, or bronze fits any style and budget.  NEW this year is my "winter" mountain series (top right), featuring snow-capped peaks.  One of my newest retailer partners, Harperrose Studios, carries a lot of mountain-inspired handmade art.  One of my favorite artists is Brinkley Messick, whose art can be found on patches, stickers, and hats, making for perfect stocking stuffers.  Call Ann at the gallery to check stock; she is more than happy to ship to you.  Tell her I referred you!

Starting at $50, my genuine birthstone necklaces make great gifts for the hard-to-buy-for girl.  If you are looking for a true one-of-a-kind gift, I have plenty of statement pieces for her, or silver and stone bolos for him.  Canova Home, which carries gemstone and onyx lamps (such as this smokey quartz lamp), is much more than a lighting store. Located on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder,  not only do they carry my mountain, radiance, and birthstone jewelry, they have tons of rough and polished gemstones, which make fun gifts for kids (or adults, if you are a stone collector like me!).  If you are not local to Boulder, you can shop online on their website.

Whether she loves the sun and the surf or if she exudes positive energy (or both), my new Radiance Collection is a reminder for her to shine her light to the world.  One thing of many things I love about the national online catalog  Uncommon Goods, is that they celebrate the artist (including me!).  I just love the design of this handmade ceramic mug, which can be found here. 

My art-deco and geometric-inspired jewelry fits a variety of styles, from tiny stud earrings to bold pendants to rings for women and men.  This collection is crafted from sterling silver, or oxidized sterling silver with 18K gold.  This year I found a store to carry my work in my hometown of Lafayette, Colorado!  If you are in Boulder County, visiting Timbalier Dry Goods is a must: they have one of the best card selections as well as unique, high quality, and reasonably-priced gifts. You will also receive amazing service.  Please tell them I sent you can check out my geometric, mountain, and radiance jewelry assortment in their store.

I hope this gift guide has got your wheels turning.  With holiday art shows being cancelled this year, I hope you shop online or in person at one of my retailers nationwide.  I have a full list of my retail partners on my website.  

Be well and if you have any questions about any of the products I listed, please email me or call me!  

More than ever before, online shopping is faster, easier, and (mostly) secure.  With holiday craft shows cancelled and retail stores having limited capacity, you can shop for jewelry and other holiday gifts from the comfort of your home.  Here are five things to help you feel more confident when buying jewelry online:

1. Set a Budget.  Make a list of who you want to buy for and the budget for each gift.  Be sure to leave a little room for sales tax and shipping charges, as these are often additional.
2. Do Your Homework.  Perhaps you want to gift your daughter-in-law a jewelry, but aren't sure of her style.  A little research on photos posted on social media will give clues to her style (dainty vs. statement) or preferred metal type (silver vs. gold).  If social media isn't your thing, a quick call to a relative or friend will help with clues so that you gift the perfect piece of jewelry for her (or him).
3. Do More Homework.  Now that you have an idea on what you want to spend and the style of jewelry, start to research websites.  Make sure they have a secure website (https:// vs. http://) and order processing times.  Also, see if they have special offers (i.e. free shipping) and a written exchange/return policy.
4. Be Selective.  To take the last suggestion a step further, shop with businesses that align with your core values.  Is shopping local important?  What about women-owned or BIPOC-owned businesses?  Is a business that is eco-friendly or that gives back important to you?  Businesses will have their values on their About page or Core Values page.
5. Know Your Shipping Deadlines:  Whether the jewelry is shipping USPS, FedEx, or UPS, it's critical to know that you (or the recipient) will receive your purchases on time.  Be sure to consider order processing times as additional time to shipping.  

If you have any questions about how to shop for jewelry online, be sure to drop us a note or give us a call!  We answer all messages within 1 business day.