Getting a jump start on holiday shopping? Where to find handmade gifts locally

Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas
·3 min read

As the Hudson Valley turns to the beautiful colors of autumn, we are reminded the holiday season is coming. The time when you get together with friends and relatives, share food, exchange gifts, and show gratitude for the goodness in your life.

Finding that perfect gift for the important people in your life can sometimes be a struggle. Luckily we live in an artistically rich area that provides many opportunities to shop locally, either from small businesses or the yearly pop-up artist markets.

The Holiday Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop is the perfect place to start. Opening Nov. 7 and running through Dec. 16, artists and makers from five counties are represented in this boutique-style shop. All are welcome to shop from 70 artists from the Hudson Valley and can find items including locally-made glass, jewelry, greeting cards, textiles, ceramics, wood products, prints, paintings and home décor at Arts Mid-Hudson located at 696 Dutchess Turnpike in Poughkeepsie.

Earrings by Celia A. Calvo are among the items featured at the Holiday Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop.
Earrings by Celia A. Calvo are among the items featured at the Holiday Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop.

The weather turning colder makes textile and fiber gifts perfect for sharing warm wishes across distances. With over 10 fiber artists creating cozy knitted and printed scarves, hats, shawls, and blankets, you can’t go wrong.

Looking for one-of-a-kind jewelry for that special someone? Janet Baskerville, Susan Bores, Celia Calvo, Carrie Decker, Marie Elliot, Maggie Inge, Lori Meehan, and Barbara Willmer are talented jewelers specializing in different mediums. Shoppers will be able to choose from handcrafted metals, beaded, or glass jewelry.

More: Celebrating art's best in Dutchess County: Here are the honorees

If you are like me, this time of year calls for a new mug for tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and just about anything else. With artists like Maryam Ali, Phyllis Bussell, Jessica Murphy, and Marilyn Price working with porcelain, stoneware, and other clayworks, you are sure to find the perfect set of mugs for you or a friend.

A mug by Kayla Thompson is among the items featured at the Holiday Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop.
A mug by Kayla Thompson is among the items featured at the Holiday Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop.

Need something that is easy to mail? Many accomplished authors and poets who call Hudson Valley their home will have their work available this year. Or maybe one of the Letter Perfect cards or mailable cakes (not to eat!) are on the list. It is always fun to walk into the post office with a piece of mailable chocolate cake.

Oscar Burkowske is back this year with stunning lathe-turned wooden bowls, as well as cutting boards by Antonio Hung, and wooden household items by Peter Brown and Dennis Turney. Nicole Hughes will have reclaimed wood cheese boards and utensils with acrylic pour design.

Ornaments by Lynn Lombardi are among the items featured at the Holiday Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop.
Ornaments by Lynn Lombardi are among the items featured at the Holiday Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop.

More than 20 visual and mixed media artists have created a colorful portfolio of matted prints, original paintings, notecards, wearables, and more that will have you ready for any gift exchange. With so many diverse offerings, it is hard to know where to start. So bring your list and be prepared to go home with a little something for yourself too!

Here's the full list of participating artists: Maryam Ali, Carlise Azmitia, Stephanie Basch, Janet Baskerville, Deborah Bein, Jim Bennett, Rita Bolla, Susan Bores, Jody Borhani-D'Amico, Peter Brown, Patricia Broun, Oscar Burkowske, Phyllis Busell, Celia Calvo, Donna Castelluccio, Lucia Cherciu, Rosalia Damanti-Henry, Carrie Decker, Vitalia Deriabina, Carolyn Dicky, Sue DiGilio, Marilyn Dvozenja, Marie Elliott, Peggy Farrington, Gabriella Fryer, Ilene Goldman, Nereida Gonzalez-Bridges, David Held, Cara Hochhalter, Nikki Hung, Antonio Hung, Maggie Inge, Lynne James, Vanessa Joy, Anita Kiewra, Paul Kmiotek, Linda Lavin, Gillian Leslie, Lynn Lombardi, Brittany Lower, Alexis Lynch, Diane-Ellen McCarron, Lori Meehan, Lauren Miller, Peggy Milone, Chikako Mori, Jessica Murphy, Marilyn Price, Sonia Reynoso, Amy Rosen, Ulana Salewycz, Tammy Scotti, Barbara Shapley, Kim Steinard, Linda Storminger, Kayla Thompson, Dennis Turney, Daniela Velez, Bettina "Poet Gold" Wilkerson, Barbara Willmer, Lamise Witt

If you go

What: The Holiday Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop

When: Pop-up shop is open Nov. 7 - Dec. 16; Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; Opening night 5-7 p.m. Nov. 7

Where: 696 Dutchess Turnpike, Ste F, Poughkeepsie

More information: info@artsmidhudson.org, artsmidhudson.org/dutchess-handmade

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Find handmade gifts for this holiday season at Dutchess pop-up shop