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Emily Benson 11/9/23 Emily Benson 11/9/23

2023 Coastal Virginia Handmade Ornament Guide

A gift guide featuring handmade ornaments from makers and small businesses in Coastal Virginia.

Local holiday ornament shopping guide!

One of my favorite Christmas memories is going to pick out and then decorating the Christmas tree. This is my husband and I’s first Christmas married and to add to both our childhood ornaments, we’ve been collecting ornaments from our travels, purchasing from local makers, and even making some ourselves.

I think it’s so meaningful to purchase ornaments that have meaning or a story behind them. If you feel the same, check out these coastal Virginia businesses you can purchase from this holiday!

Cheers,

Emily

Photos are from each of the businesses’ websites.

Jessica Bordi Art

**Handpainted Custom Ornaments**
Order a custom handpainted wood ornament of your loved ones as a gift or keep for yourself! Can include names and the year. Email Jessica to order!

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Werther Leather Goods

**Octopus Santa Ornaments**
These leather Christmas ornaments are handmade by Derek in Norfolk, VA. He makes these cute octopus santas and also elephant butts.

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She Makes Art

**Wooden Ball Ornaments**
She Makes Art crafts these cute natural wood-burned ornaments. Available in round or bulb-shaped in a variety of colors. Choose from a selection of designs or place a custom order.

shop

Renee Beamer Harbor + Home

**Boho Ornaments**
For the boho lover in your life, look no further! Renee Beamer makes beautiful ornaments.
Check our her wreaths and winter soulstice scented candle while you’re at it!

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VA Goods

**Artist-Made Ornaments**
Head to VA Goods for a classic, yet unique, gift to adorn your Christmas tree or hang in your window year-round. The shop offers a large selection of ornaments including glass-blown balls and more.

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Coleman Senecal Art

**Heirloom Oil Painting Ornaments**
Coleman’s tiny heirloom fine art oil painting landscape ornaments are framed in gorgeous handmade frames and tied with jewel-toned velvet ribbon. These are ornaments you’ll want to hang in your home year-round!

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Jars of Dust

**Spiral Ornaments**
Elevate your decor with the timeless beauty of Jars of Dust’s Ceramic Spiral Ornaments. Crafted from high-quality stoneware clay, these durable ornaments blend seamlessly with your holiday style. Their versatile design and subtle color make them a perfect holiday gift.

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Blair Family Woodcraft

**Oval Painted Wood Ornaments**
These 4“ oval original acrylic paintings are sublimation printed on solid pine and adorned with soft green velvet ribbon. Bonus: there’s a magnet on the back to help you display the mini art piece year-round!

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Ashlimarierose

**Bespoke Celestial Portrait Minis**
I ordered a custom silhouette of my husband (then boyfriend) and I last year and I adore it. These are beautiful and timeless works of art you can enjoy at Christmas or year-round!

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Amy Miller Art & Design

**Painted Globe Ornaments**
These ornaments are individually painted and designed by contemporary abstract artist Amy Cole Miller. They make beautiful original holiday gifts!

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Thirteen Winks

**Virginia Beach Acrylic Skyline Ornaments**
Thirteen Winks makes adorable artwork of including skylines! This acrylic ornament features my hometown’s skyline design printed on the back. Find all your favorite cities in her shop!

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Beverly Gurganus Art

**Handpainted Ceramic Ornaments**
Immerse yourself in the timeless charm of the season with Beverly’s exquisite collection of handpainted ceramic ornaments. Her designs feature vintage-inspired florals in rich shades of deep burgundy, soft pinks, and shimmering gold and copper.

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Monellisa

**DIY Ornament Kit**
Make your own set of 4 ornaments with this ornament kit! This DIY birchwood activity kit makes for a great activity for all ages. Check out Monellisa’s stationary, journals, and more on her website or at The Painted Tree!

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Crafty Mink

**Coastal Art Framed Ornaments**
Each of Crafty Mink’s adorable and funky ornaments has hand-cut leather straps, metal frames, and watercolor paintings. Available for purchase at Kitsch Handmade, Sunshine Sweetpeas, and 17th Street Marketplace.

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The Local Print Shoppe

**Glass Ornaments**
Shop locally designed and printed glass ornaments from The Local Print Shoppe! Options include everything from holiday to locally-inspired designs.

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Sand & Salt

**Clay Ornaments**
Winter berries and a classic wreath design adorn Sand & Salt’s delicate designs for a classic Christmas. Sand & Salt also created an extra special ornament this year — an angel wing to honor those who can’t be with us.

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ByJenniferLove

**Handcut Paper Ornaments**
This darling handmade paper ornament is made with a linoleum block print design. It is hand-cut, pre-folded, and comes with twine to hang it. The ornament can be conveniently unfolded for safe storage for future year’s use!

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Tanyag Studio

**Acrylic Ornaments with Calligraphy**
Tanyag Studio offers gorgeous acrylic and wooden ornaments with calligraphy writing. You’ll find ornaments for newborns, cat and dog lovers, home owners, and more — all of which can be customized!

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Fiona Twose Art

**Art Collage Ornaments**
Original art collage ornaments by Fiona will be available for sale at the Ghent Christmas Farmer’s Market on the first Sunday in December! These adorable cardinals are made with recycled paper, art paper, and handprinted paper on wood.

browse website

Kate Thomas Art

**Original Handpainted Ornaments**
These handpainted original ornaments and mini paintings by Kate can be hung on your tree or year-round on your walls!

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Sara K Originals

**Handpainted Wood Slice Ornaments**
Lovingly and carefully hand-painted wood slice ornaments that will add just the right quiet touch to your decor this year. There will be only one of each design! You can purchase your favorite through Sara’s online shop beginning Friday, November 24, 2023 at 9am EST.

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Looking to do more holiday shopping from local small businesses? Check out my shopping directory here!

Emily Benson 11/19/21 Emily Benson 11/19/21

#VAgoodness Holiday Gift Guide

A gift guide featuring women-owned micro businesses in Virginia!

the Ebc X VA Goods Holiday Gift Guide is HERE!

I think it’s important to support small businesses of all sizes but this year I wanted to highlight local women-owned micro businesses — those that operate on a very small scale as solo operations or with very few employees.

VA Goods is amazing because everything in their shop is made in Virginia with a large portion by women-owned micro businesses. Everything on this guide you can find at their shop inside Selden Market in Downtown Norfolk (208 E Main Street Suite 111 Norfolk, VA 23510). I hope this guide is helpful for checking people off your holiday shopping list!

xx,

Emily

Pssst…pay attention to the writing in bold below to catch special deals exclusive to this guide!

For the home

Renee Beamer Harbor + Home Reed Diffuser

For the boho lover in your life, look no further! Renee Beamer makes beautiful wreaths, reed diffusers and other home items.
I love products that are both functional *and* beautiful and Renee’s Boho Reed Diffuser is both. The Winter Soulstice scent welcomes a calming state with notes of fir, citrus, and cedar wood and is hands down my favorite (I stock up on it so I can enjoy year round!).

For All Handkind Glass Ball Ornament

A classic gift to adorn your Christmas tree or hang in your window year round. Each ornament is unique & hand blown by Kim McKinnis. Check out a behind-the-scenes making of the ornaments here. **DEAL: Mention this gift guide and receive $5 off an ornament! Offer good through 12/31/21.**

EJ Coastal X FAHK Holiday Wine Candle

Looking for a unique, upcycled gift? Check out these wine bottles that were cut and polished by For All Handkind and turned into candles by EJ Coastal. Available scents include Mistletoe, Eucalyptus & Mint, Pumpkin Spice, and Winterberry. DEAL: Purchase $75 worth of products from VA Goods and receive one of these handmade wine candles for FREE when you mention this gift guide! Offer good through 12/31/21 or while supplies last.

Fig & Fire Holiday Matches

Pair these natural wood, color tipped matches with your favorite candle and you’ve got the perfect holiday gift for the ‘homebody’, a client, co-worker, or teacher. Makes an easy stocking stuffer, too!

For the foodie

Vessel Craft Coffee

Artisanal small batch coffee roasted to perfection? Yes, please. Their Holiday Blend makes a great gift for coworkers, in-laws, or an easy host gift. If you really want to level up your stockings this year, add a bag of coffee! **DEAL: Buy 2 bags receive 3rd bag 50% off when you mention this gift guide. Offer good through 12/31/21.**

Mother Shrub Mixing Vinegar

Mother Shrub has a delicious selection of mixing vinegars but their holiday Vanilla Hickory Pear made with slightly sweet pear, creamy vanilla and a hint of smokiness from wildcrafted hickory bark syrup from Virginia-based Falling Bark Farm…is a MUST.
Mix with vodka, amaretto and top with club soda to make a cocktail version of a frangipane tart. Add a splash of elderflower cordial, a squeeze of lemon and top with sparkling water and an edible flower garnish. Tastes great in an Old Fashioned, too!

NuLand Hot Sauce

NuLand prides themselves on ridiculously fun, surprising, and unusual flavored “hot stuff” with heat that builds. And with flavors like Cherry Chili, Maple, and Cranberry Habanero, I’d have to agree. Made at their Family Farm, these "Farm-to-Flavour” hot sauces are the perfect gift for anyone who loves flavor and spice!
Stop by VA Goods on Small Business Saturday (11/27) for a tasting by NuLand!

Lazy Lux Wellness Steeping Jar

Cold Weather calls for comfy sweaters and warm drinks! Infuse cider, apple juice, spirits, or coffee with these delicious spices.
Directions: Place loose tea in tea bag or steeping ball. Steep in 8oz of water for 8-10 minutes. Jar contains 10-12 servings.

It Started with a Fig Jams & Butters

These vegan, all natural jams made with fresh fruit from local farms instantly elevate any pb&j, toast, or really anything you add them to!
It Started with a Fig’s seasonal flavors include Cranny Apple, Apple Butter, 24 Carrot, Black Razz & Plum Spice, and Peaches Y’all (peaches, brown sugar, almond flavoring & nutmeg).

Dee’s Peanut Butter

Dee’s Peanut Butters are vegan with no added sugar, made with natural peanut butter, loaded with ground flax and chia seeds and blended into a lightly chunky, smooth consistency. YUMMM.
Dee’s seasonal flavor is Chocolate Chili and I can’t wait to try it!

KēWi Teas Spiced Chai

Inspired by the traditional "Masala Chai", this well-rounded blend of premium black tea and traditional, aromatic chai spices is perfect for a cozy night at home. Enjoy by itself or with milk & sweetener for a delicious hot or iced chai latte!

Skincare & Self-Care

Maven Made Mini Size Gift Set

These plant-based gift sets are perfect stocking stockers or gift for someone who needs some pampering (including yourself!).
**Relaxation Gift Set includes:**
- Tonka Bean & Lavender Room and Linen Spray
- Sleep Serum
- Headache & Tension Remedy
**Skin Love Gift Set includes:**
- Facial Serum
- Rosewater Wondermist
- Every Body Oil

Naked Goat Soap Co NOURISH Clay Mask

NOURISH is a gentle blend of clays and botanicals designed to polish and cleanse skin. Made with Kaolin White Clay, Rose Clay, Colloidal Oatmeal, Pomegranate Powder, Chamomile Powder, Rosehip Seed Powder, Rose Absolute Oil, and Palmarosa Essential Oil. Great gift for anyone who enjoys a good face mask!

Olive Culture Soap

I’ve smelled each of these soaps and they smell sooo good they’re hard to put down! Scents include Milk + Honey, Citrus + Patchouli, East Beach, Rosemary + Sage, Lavender + Cedar Wood.

Yōō Clean

I love and use everything Yōō Clean makes but my favorite gift-able items are her All Purpose Cleaner (it cleans counters, windows, mirrors - anything & everything!), Car Diffuser, and Coffee Vanilla Sugar Scrub.
Her products are organic, all natural and incredibly effective!

Accessories

Kristin Paige Leather

From leather and thread to hardware and tools, nearly every element of what goes in to making Kristin Paige’s bags are sourced from small businesses in America!
VA Goods is stocked with a selection of Kristin’s card cases and trinket trays. She will be working at VA Goods on Small Business Saturday (11/27) — a great chance to stop by and meet the maker!

Fringe & Fire Clay Earrings

These handmade polymer clay earrings make a unique gift for your funky friends! Michelle is always coming up with new designs and VA Goods has several styles stocked.

Aquí Boutique Leather Bags

These handcrafted bags constructed of naturally conditioned leather are super cool because of their unique and traditional designs from Chiapas Mexico. I have one of these bags and their laptop sleeve is on my wish list!

L.O.U.D. Accessories

Tasteful, minimal, beautiful. L.O.U.D. Accessories makes 14kgf unique handmade jewelry that goes with any outfit! I have a couple of her rings and wear them daily.

XO Jennifer Alexis

For the person who loves a bit of glitz and glam, these Space Cadet Fused Glass Earrings are perfect. Dichroic Glass and Argentium Silver ear wires make up these hypoallergenic and low tarnish earrings.

Holiday Cards by Rowena F. Finn

Finish off your gift with a handmade card! This stationary set features prints of original designs by contemporary realist painter, Rowena F. Finn.

After stopping in VA Goods, check out these women owned micro businesses next door inside Selden Market!

Lorak Jewelry

With the desire to create beautiful and unique pieces for every budget and occasion, LORAK has several distinct collections. Working in brass, "vermeil" silver with a heavy gold plate, silver, and gold alloys, Anna employs a mix of traditional old world and modern jewelry techniques. She hand fabricates, carves, casts, and hand finishes each piece. Combined with her attention to detail while designing, each piece is specially made with a personal touch.
I have their Arcata Drop earrings and always receive compliments when I wear them!

Sugar & Grace Co.

Erica at Sugar and Grace Co makes soy candles that are 100% natural, with no paraffin, petroleum, or phthalates. She also has a great selection of plants, flowers, home items and offers DIY candle making!

Shop Gallagher

Gallagher is a women's clothing brand committed to sustainable sourcing and ethical production. Each piece is hand-sewn in Norfolk, VA.
I have their Perrin top and one of their neck scarves and the quality is unmatched.
Their scrunchies make for great stocking stuffers!

If you purchase from VA Goods, I’d love to know what you get! Tag me in a photo or send me a DM on IG at @emilybensonconsulting.

Interested in learning more? Meet the women behind these businesses here.

Emily Benson 11/1/20 Emily Benson 11/1/20

EBC's Small Business Holiday Gift Guide

It may seem early to be thinking about holiday shopping, but now is the time to leisurely shop and start checking people off your list!

Three cheers to all the small business owners who have weathered the storms of 2020. This holiday season support our local economy by purchasing from small businesses in Hampton Roads! There are so many great options that I had a hard time narrowing it down but here are a few of my favorites.