Looking for something special with no mass chains in sight? If it’s the little guys you love, then you’re like the rest of us supporting the Local First Arizona Buy Local Movement this month. The City Council has proclaimed Buy Local Month through Christmas, and Tucson’s Yelp.com Community Manager Corey Dane is planning a series of gatherings to further inspire shoppers. Check out small businesses around town, where items hand-spun or vintage-flavored have special significance.
Zócalo’s holiday list has a sackful of ideas to get you shopping for one-of-a-kind or funky gifts with stylish attitude. Herein find 20 favorites plus a best of the rest round-up. Be sure to call ahead as holiday hours will vary. Load up your sleighs and carry on, darling elves!
South by Southwest Sources
Cat Mountain Station 2740 S. Kinney Rd. 578-8795, CatMountainStation.com. Southwest on Kinney Road on the flipside of the Tucson Mountains is Cat Mountain, a complex that includes a café, bed and breakfast and a couple of local crafts and vintage shops. At Affairs of the Arts you’ll find handmade books, collage pins and small blown glass bottles, all under $10. Also in the complex is Cat Mountain Emporium, where there’s great jewelry including old Indian and Mexican pieces, vintage lace, whole sets of dishes and a plethora of unique items, from $5 and up.
Pima Air and Space Museum 6000 E. Valencia Rd. 574-0462, PimaAir.org. If you have an aviation enthusiast on your list, look no further than here! It’s not only a museum, but host to a shop full of airplane gear and other oddities. Authentic parts from military aircraft are good paper weights and pieces of art. All one-of-a-kind squawk boxes, fuel gauges, switches and toggles start at $20. Interior B-36 photography and in-flight shots of active and historic aircraft start at $15.
Triple T Truck Stop 5451 E. Benson Highway, 574-0800. This venerable truck stop rocks…for more than just the food. In the gift store you can pick up Zuni fetish earrings ($45) or browse a great assortment of regional books from local publisher Treasure Chest. After you grab a slice of the Triple T’s classic deep-dish apple pie from the diner, head into the Chrome Shop for more than mud flaps, odd steering wheel covers and country-western CDs. We know you’ve always wanted those Bull Balls to hang off the back end of your RV (in chrome, rubber or lights, $34 and up). Or add a smaller model to holiday stockings: Bull Ball key chains ($4.99).
(Triple T Truck Stop)
Downtown/Barrio Gifting Destinations
Museums-as-Markets: At MOCA, 265 S. Church Ave. 624-5019, MOCA-Tucson.org, you can do your kooky and cool shopping: A mod sampler might include a booklet-sized artist multiple by Bill Mackey (Neighborhood Ethnography Study, $25) or a mole-inspired napkin set, industrially embroidered, by artist-in-resident Armando Miguelez (set, $30). At the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. 624-2333, TucsonArts.com, pick up one of Allison Rockefeller’s hand rattles in the shape of horses, elephants, zebras, dogs or cats ($49). There’s also an assortment of hand-painted locally made HR Coors ceramics (plates start at $30).
(Neighborhood Ethnology Study at MOCA)
La Tiendita 311 N. Court Ave. 622-1922, ElCharroCafe.com. This quaint shop, stocked with quirky Mexicana, adjoins El Charro Café, which has released its Mexican art calendars since the 1930s. You can continue the tradition and pick up a 2012 calendar ($5) now in stock. You also will find El Charro salsas (including a Gluten Free Red Enchilada Cooking Sauce) or holiday tamales (including the holiday Festive tamales with red and green chili strips). If you purchase two $50 gift cards you get an extra $22 gift card, commemorating the year, 1922, that El Charro was founded.
(Salsa at La Tiendita)
Buffalo Exchange 250 E. Congress St. 882-2939, BuffaloExchange.com. This mecca of in repurposed, hip fashion also has a hodgepodge of hand-selected extras for gift giving. All kinds of juicy gift ideas including Gnome or Wild West Garden plant/garden kits ($14.50), or Robot Measuring cups ($9.50 for a full set). Buffalo Exchange is unique for the holidays because you don’t need cash to get gifts – you can do a trade with your former favorites. Remember also to participate in Coats for Cubs if you have real fur apparel, including trims. Your donations will be used to provide bedding and comfort to orphaned and injured wildlife. Coats for Cubs is on through Earth Day 2012.
(Robot measuring cups at Buffalo Exchange)
La Pilita 420 S. Main Ave. 882-7454, LaPilita.com. When you bundle up and head to Barrio Viejo on December 16 to watch Tucson’s traditional and colorful La Posadas procession, don’t forget to stop in the nearby La Pilita Museum, to browse a fascinating exhibition of historic La Posadas photos. Also check out opportunities for stocking stuffers (locally made or vintage ornaments, starting around $2), or larger regional gifts like talavera planting pots and bowls (starting around $20). La Posadas holiday cards by Virginia Oliveras are $1.
Mercado San Agustin 100 S. Avenida del Convento, 461-1110, MercadoSanAgustin.com. The mercado sparkles with its holiday fair December 16-18, however anytime this month you’ll find the market adorned with holiday ornaments and flowers, and full of shopping opportunities. In one stop you can nibble on Mexican pastries, slurp a snow cone or grab a warming platillos while shopping for locally and handmade moccasins at San Agustin Trading Co., or for Taxco silver at the Silveria. Sterling 925 bracelets start at $20. You’ll also find imported talavera crosses starting at $7 and locally-made Sonora paper flowers and cascarones, starting at $3.
(Handmade moccasins at Mercado San Agustin)
Maynards Market 400 N. Toole Ave. 545-0577, MaynardsMarket.com, Create rustic and locally-sourced gift baskets from treasures you’ll find at this adventurous depot market. Choose a wine, or select soap from the locally-made Flor de Mayo line. Mrs. Burns’ Famous Lemon Basil Herb (made with desert-adapted strain of culinary basil) is a favorite, crafted by local ethnobotanist/artist Martha Ames Burgess. Another choice for your basket is a loaf of artisan breads from Small Planet Bakery (in Tucson over 30 years).
St. Augustine’s Cathedral 192 S. Stone Ave. 623-6351, AugustineCathedral.org. On Sunday mornings in December, the Cathedral’s wrought-iron ramada, beautifully adorned with colorful metal flowers and butterflies, becomes the scene for a holiday market, where parishioners and passers-by can purchase religious mementos and gifts. Hand-made local tiles start at $10; there also are painted crosses ($10). If you miss the Sunday morning market, the Cathedral shop is open every weekday until 5pm.
Rockin’ Queen 45 S. 6th Ave. 461-1076, TheRockinQueen.com. This is the place to scoop up stretchy holiday frocks and other perfect pieces. It’s also a destination for gift shopping. Choose a pair of sapphire bead/gold vermeil hoops designed locally by Gretchen Kenough ($156) or a certificate for fashion styling consultation ($60). Or buy a Roberta Oaks Bamboo/Cotton Holiday dress ($140).
(Bamboo/Cotton holiday dress at Rockin Queen)
Tucson Herb Store 408 N. 4th Ave. 903-0038, TucsonHerbStore.com. There’s a kaleidoscopic selection of aromatic botanicals in this cozy spot, jammed with good stuff for your own health or gift bundling. Lavender or sage bundles start at $4; 100-percent beeswax votives from Colorado, in a variety of scents and colors, $3. Local gift bundles of teas start at $12.
Pop-Cycle 422 N. 4th Ave. 622-3297, PopCycleShop.com. In the market for upcycled gifts? Of course you are! This boutique has kitsch galore; Chunky Chulada Bottle Cap Jewelry by Mellissa Brown (under $10); A Sharon Thwing-Fidget Vegan Taxidermy Mounted Deer ($348); Melo Dominguez-Day of the Dead Couple paintings ($40); 6 cut-bottle glasses in a recycled carrier by Anita Goodrich ($58). Remember the 4th Avenue Street Fair is on Dec. 9-10. PopCycle’s in-house lines, DDco Design and Monster Booty Threads, will have booths with special street fair pricing.
(Monster Booty Threads at Pop Cycle)
Zoe Boutique 735 N. 4th Ave. 740-1201, ZoeStyle.com. It’s a contemporary parlor with the girly girl or the classic and it’s all yummy. Tasha Bundy’s delicate gold chain necklaces with little gems and charms ($44-$56) come with matching earrings ($28). There are also coin purses, pocket mirrors and greeting cards. Zoe’s annual party (December 17, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.) will feature not-your-typical holiday ornaments, which are reflective of local artist personal styles and can hang in your home even if it’s not the holiday season ($25 and under).
M.A.S.T. 299 S. Park Ave. 720-0299, IloveMAST.com. This hip spot is a showcase of local and international talent, and celebrates its two-year anniversary December 10. An edgy gifting pick: Zach Lihatsh is a featured artist in the Martha Stewart Gift Guide. Buy his forged iron bottle openers ($24).
(Forged iron bottle openers at M.A.S.T)
Central
Kuumba Made, Inc. 410 E. Ft. Lowell Rd., 881-5550. Treat your senses to the fantastical botanicals created by this local producer, based in Tucson 19 years. Herbs are cultivated in gardens here in Southern Arizona and also sourced from wild-harvested plants globally. At the Kuumba-Made shop you’ll find spicy oils, home spa body butters and an award-winning herbal first aid travel kit ($18) for holiday gifting. You also can purchase delicate decanters for the botanicals.
Ronald James Rocking Leather 3100 N. Stone Ave., #118, 884-7579. Ronald James has been producing elegant and engraved leatherwork in Tucson for more than a decade. You can get fun leather bookmarks designed with families of beetles or spiders ($8), or go for totes and bags ($40-80). Portfolios or journal covers, plain or engraved, are $150.
Bohemia 2920 E. Broadway Blvd. 882-0800, BohemiaTucson.com. Everyone knows this mainstay of the Tucson eclectic emporium scene. One give-back gift offered at the shop this year is for Ben’s Bells. There are four options: $10 necklaces, $12 ornaments, $20 bead strings and $25 mini bells. Bohemia donates most of each sale to this worthy non-profit. Proprietor Tana Kelch sources the best of the best in her veritable museum of local affordable crafts, so while you’re shopping you’ll see many other cool gifts in the $20 range, including stained glass, metal garden flowers and ceramic dishes.
(Ben's Bells at Bohemia)
Yikes! 2930 E. Broadway Blvd. 320-5669, YikesToys.com. Ephemera-filled Yikes! stocks endearing toys that are pop culture and fun. There is an amazing book selection with the best pop-up book selection in town (and great pop culture books for the curious adult). Yikes! specializes in tin windups (like the High Wheel Robot Tin Windup, which has sparking action and moving gears, $32). It also has a wonderful selection of Japanese items (including the exceptionally cute Froggy Tea-for-One; this Japanese import includes teapot with lid, cup and tea infuser, $44).
(Froggy Tea-for_one at Yikes!)
Bon Boutique 3022 E. Broadway Blvd. 795–2272, Bon-Boutique.com. You’ll find many options at this unusual nook, beautifully curated by a great mother and daughter team. For $15 and under you’ll find French pocket mirrors or bow barrettes. There’s also Yellow Owl Press stamp sets (which come in a little canvas bag and have 2-3 stamps of a theme, like Paris). Also this month: Fragrant paperwhites, potted for the holidays. For mid-range gifts there’s John Derian bags ($62), Christy Long religious necklaces ($62 and up), or small live Christmas trees ($20-$40). Higher priced items, too, including hand-stitched Eliza Eddy pillows ($148).
(Yellow Owl Press stamp sets at Bon Boutique)
Best of the Rest Roundup
At Betty’s Blue Junk Shop, 262 S. Plumer Ave., 624-7147, you can expect the unconventional, like a strand of Grinch holiday lights ($7), a 1957 first aid kit from Canada ($30) or vintage pyrex blue covered casserole dish ($12).
The desert is a diverse universe of plants and culture, and you can buy pieces of it for gifting at Native Seed Search, 3061 N. Campbell Ave. 622-5591, NativeSeeds.org. Mesquite cutting boards from Tumacacori ($21), a Sonoran Desert revegetation mix filled with desert marigolds, creosote and globe mallow ($10) and a tin of locally made mole verde mix ($9).
If western cowpoke tradition is your thing, the Tanque Verde Ranch at 14301 E. Speedway Blvd., 296-6275, TanqueVerdeRanch.com, has plenty of ideas. Go see the horses, eat lunch in the rustic hall, shop and make a day of it. There are Apache Edgar Castillo earrings crafted with stones mined in Arizona ($15-$20). Arts magnets and horse or lizard pins are hand made by Liz Miller ($5), and there’s a cool selection of socks and sunglasses for kids and adults ($9).
Crizmac, 1642 N. Alvernon Way, 323-8555, Crizmac.com, has finely crafted and handmade folk art from Tucson and around the world. Cindy Cook-Keller does wearable art vests and jackets using unique international fabrics ($45 and up). Thayer Keller’s wood and metal wall hangings and ornaments are $10 and up. Holly Swangstu’s elegant, colorful hand-painted silk scarves are $46 and up. You’ll also find woodcarvings from San Martin Tilcajete, Mexico ($25), African beadwork ($9) and purses from Cambodia ($20).
(Woodcarvings from San Martin Tilcajete, Mexico, at Crizmac)
Another world showcase is the UN Center, 6242 E. Speedway Blvd., 881-7060, UNTucson.org, with hundreds of small, authentic folk art gifts, all price ranges. You’ll also find another great winter gift find: hand-knitted woolen caps in the shape of strawberries, squashes, blueberries and other fruit ($16).
Tucson Artists Colony, 204 W. Grant Rd. #120, 664-6326, TucsonArtistColony.com, is a courtyard hideaway off busy Grant, with local crafters to explore. The Bello Barro Ceramic Arts Studio has small crosses, birds, hearts and functional dinnerware ($6-$250) and assortment of bowls, mugs, plates, pitchers, fruit bowls in varied colors of white, purple, teal and earth tones ($5- $50). Walk into the courtyard to find Brenda Semanick’s studio: She has Tucson Chamber Music Festival poster prints ($25) and boxed sets of art cards ($15).
One more courtyard for you is Many Hands, 3054 N. 1st Ave., 603-1003. It has a Holiday Artisans Market at Blue Raven Gallery & Gifts, BlueRavenGalleryandGifts.com, through January 14. See a variety of unique gourd ornaments, jewelry items and more by local artists. While you’re at the Many Hands courtyard, walk over to Howard’s Handwerk Haus, run by Esther for the past 10 years. Chances are you’ll find Esther spinning her wool on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. If you are interested in quilts, she has one-of-a-kinds (a twin-sized in variety of blue shirting material is $100). Folded-star hand-quilted pot holders and dish mats made by local quilters are beautiful holiday gifts ($6.95).
At DECO, 2612 E. Broadway Blvd., 319-0888, DecoArtTucson.com, you’ll find Dirk Arnold refrigerator magnets of local and historical signage ($12), Murano glass pendants strung on crocheted bead ropes ($79), and a neon steam-on vintage coffee pot by Jude Cook ($165), among other unique finds.
(Endangered Architecture refrigerator magnets at Deco)
The ladies of Church of Satin, 604 N. 4th Ave., 867-8907, Facebook.com/churchofsatin, have hand-crocheted caps for winter coziness ($29) and an assortment of handmade jewelry, purses and fashion accessories from Tucson and other Arizona designers ($15 and up).
If you haven’t explored the art of blown glass, check out lovely glass ornaments ($20) or small vases ($50) from Sonoran Glass, 633 W. 18th St., 884-7814, SonoranGlass.org; also visit Philabaum Glass Gallery & Studio, 711 S. 6th Ave., 884-7404, PhilabaumGlass.com, during its annual holiday studio sale December 1-3, which also features glass-blowing demonstrations.
WomanKraft, 388 S. Stone Ave., 629-9976, WomanKraft.org, is showcasing its Holiday Bazaar through December 20. Every piece is under $100, including 100% recycled shadow boxes, cholla light art branches, feathered jewelry and Christmas ornaments – all locally made.
It’s all about finest quality letterpress at Chax Press, 411 N. 7th Ave. #103, 620-1626, Chax.org. You won’t find big market best sellers here. Instead, there are very special handmade books with fine art paper, lovingly bound, $75 and up. Or pick up a chapbook (published in small editions and mixing desktop publishing technologies with hand bookbinding practices), $9 and up.
(Handmade poetry books at Chax Press)
Two centers of note, where you can browse our local nature, arts and culture while shopping: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org, has ornaments and wall hangings by a local company with home décor designs inspired by our Sonoran Desert (ornaments, $11). There’s also a Souvenir Treat Tin – chocolate covered pecans or Gummy Rocks and Rattlesnakes ($14). At Tohono Chul Park, 7366 Paseo del Norte, 742-6455, TohonoChulPark.org, there are three award-winning shops with merchandise as diverse as Native American jewelry, locally-crafted javelina salt-and-pepper shakers ($12) and contemporary, hand-painted pot pottery that you can fill with unusual low-water use plants and cacti. Prices vary.
Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd. 886-9203, TrailDustTown.com, is more than just a tourist attraction. This complex houses The Chocolate Depot, which has heart-racing edible dense dark and light chocolates to satisfy your cocoa and caffeine fixes. For $2, get sticks of fine Belgian chocolate in cowboy horseshoe or cactus shapes. There’s also handrolled chipotle truffle pieces ($1.50). All chocolate is handmade in small batches and will be gift-boxed.
(Chocolate at Trail Dust Town)
The Withers’ Ranch, 4010 W. Palo Seco, 572-3758, UniqueDesignsByKathy.com, is one of those rare places where you can purchase finely-crafted felted bags and scarves and meet the sheep or alpaca who supplied the fibers. Kathy Withers spins the yarns she uses in her products and will give you a tour if you call ahead for an appointment. Prices for handcrafted bags, scarves and shawls start at $75.
Monterey Court/Miracle Marketplace 505 W. Miracle Mile, 582-0514, MontereyCourtAZ.com. The restoration of this vintage motor court collection of studios, galleries, a café and arts gazebo is still a work in progress, but several of the 13 shops will be open in December with an eclectic mix of Tucson creativity. One of note open now: urban boutique Dragon’s Spark, featuring fair labor, vintage, resale and handmade fashions for individuals and home. A fun gift for teens and young adults: hand-drawn ink art on plastic sealed-with-resin pendants in a variety of colorful designs ($15). Also check out fashion-distinctive knitted cowls or jersey scarves in shades of brown and off-whites by Amy Som ($15).
Old Town Artisans 201 N. Court Ave. 623-6024, OldTownArtisans.com. Be prepared to unearth fabulously diverse and festive presents in the eclectic collection of stores housed in this historic courtyard. The fair trade focus at Patchouli Blue will make you smile. Here you’ll find local fine tailoring and baskets made by traditional artisans of the Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network, a grass-roots organization that helps in rebuilding lives of refugees from Bhutan, Burma, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. Buy purses and mats from Burundi artists ($20 and up) or baskets by Burundi weavers. Patchouli Blue also has little recycled glass earrings by Global Mamas from Ghana, West Africa ($14). You will feel good when making these purchases. The locale also includes the Old Town Pot Shop, among others, along with La Cocina Restaurant.
Social Science Modern Vintage 43 S. 6th Ave. SoSciVintage.com. Find home décor gifts in this retro stylish shop, like a Silvertone Solid State AM Radio in avocado green. For stocking stuffers there’s the retro pinback button wall, with its assortment of quirky and collectible buttons from the 1950s through the 1980s, $2 each.
(Collectible buttons Social Science)
Crafted/Arts Marketplace 403 N. 6th Ave. 882-3988, ArtsMarketplace.org. There’s an eclectic approach to modern crafting with a great selection, all organized, arrestingly, alongside retro pieces. There’s a holiday crafts market December 3-4, with locally-crafted items from the sale available in shop throughout December. Variety includes colorful hand-painted tiles by Carly Quinn ($24).
(Carly Quinn designed tiles at Arts Marketplace)
Turquoise Skies 4410 S. Mission Rd. 578-1673, TurquoiseSkies.com. This gem sits on dusty Mission Road with its weathered signs about traditionally handmade Pueblo pottery and local curiosities. It’s full of old pawn jewelry ($100 and up) and valuable Native American baskets. A junk store adjoining the local artisan treasures is full of interesting pieces, like the vintage 1950s Americano Mexican poker playing cards, colorful and beautifully boxed, a perfect stocking stuffer ($2). If that’s sold when you visit, look for other odd surprises.
Mission San Xavier del Bac 1950 W. San Xavier Rd. 294-2624, SanXavierMission.org. Our iconic mission is certainly an historic destination, but have you visited its gift shop? For the lover of mission churches on your list, gather local vigil lights ($5), O’odham bowls ($15) made on the reservation and a book by a local author Bernard L. Fontana, “Biography of a Desert Church” ($5), and create a White Dove of the Desert gift basket. Go on a weekend and enjoy fry bread baking under a Native American watto out in the parking lot.
Don’t forget your independent book and record stores – too many to mention in this feature. Whatever you’re in the market for, you’ll find it at an indie. Go local this holiday season!
