‘Tis the season for gift-giving, and shopping local is trending. That makes this community-minded guide quite relevant.
We’ve compiled 10 arts-centric, Charleston-themed and locally-sourced present ideas into one list. There’s a little something for everyone, from the foodie to the music buff to the literati to the art collector.
Here’s hoping you can find that something special for that someone special this holiday season!
Kardea Brown cookbook
Kardea Brown’s first cookbook, “The Way Home,” is out now, featuring over 100 recipes inspired by multi-generational Gullah classics. Available at Amazon Books, Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble as a $24.99 paperback or $34.99 hardcover, this one is for the adventurous at-home chef looking to make an authentic she-crab soup, crabcake benedict or sweet potato cheesecake. They’ll also learn a bit more about the Charleston-raised celebrity behind Food Network show “Delicious Miss Brown” and the Charleston International Airport’s acclaimed restaurant. You can find more details at kardeabrown.com/the-way-home.
J. Stark bag
J. Stark is known for locally hand-crafted, high-quality bags, ranging from totes to backpacks to briefcases to crossbodies to duffels. They even designed a clear one for Spoleto last year that was a big hit and have a mini crossbody collab with Music Farm and Charleston Music Hall you can snag at the venues for $60 for the concert-lover in your life. For something more traditional, you can opt for a work or travel bag. Backpacks start at $87, while briefcases are $350. They also have accessories like belts, wallets, laptop sleeves and dog collars at a lower price point (between $50 and $150). Go to starkmade.com or visit the shop at 1042 E. Montague. Ave, North Charleston, for more.
Sunwoven wall art
Erin Barrett creates unique woven wall art in her West Ashley home, from $50 mini textured weavings to $500 large tufted statement pieces. If you’re scoping for a unique, cozy piece of hangable artwork, this is the shop to peruse. For the holidays, she’s made 100 handwoven “teeny weavings” that are 4-by-9 inches and can be used as ornaments or small wall décor. They’re $48 each and available on Nov. 29 for Small Business Saturday. There will also be “scrap ornaments” available, glass ornaments filled with colorful yarn scraps leftover from other projects. For the current inventory, visit sunwovenstudio.com. You can also browse her found and vintage items, curated online shop or request a custom piece.
True Lucia smiley face ring
If you’re looking for a fun present for any age, True Lucia is a colorful and artsy maximalist storefront at 424 King St. to peruse. They have everything from beaded smiley face rings for just $5 to Salty Cowgirl trucker hats for $30 to one-of-a-kind hand-painted denim and purses, ranging from $25 to $185. You can also bring someone there to pick out their own charms from the charm bar to make a bracelet or necklace. For more online, visit truelucia.com.
The Tiny Tassel Septima scarf
Visit this colorful shop that is also a Black and Asian-owned business at 46 Spring St. The Tiny Tassel has been featured on the PBS show “Start Up.” Owner Mimi Striplin also made a unique pocket square for Kevin Frazier, who rocked it on the Emmys red carpet earlier this year featuring an artistic interpretation of his relative and local legend Septima P. Clark. You can buy that scarf for $52. You can find everything from beaded shrimp cocktail earrings for $38 to Rainbow Row beaded ornaments for $24 to Charleston playing cards for $32. For more, go to thetinytassel.com.
Itinerant Literate book box
For the book lover in your life, there are a variety of bookstore subscription options throughout Charleston. Most at new dark academia Mount Pleasant bookstore The Archive are sold out, but you can get your name on a list for the Banned Book Club, Coven Club or Thriller Book Club. The Itinerant Literate in North Charleston offers the Treat Yo’ Shelf Gift Box for $60 a month that includes a book, a literary tea and a surprise item. There’s also the Get Lit Book Club Package for $40 a month that includes the upcoming book club pick, a companion book and “bookish goodies.” For more, head to the store at 4842 Chateau Ave. or go online to itinerantliteratebooks.com.
Brackish bow tie
Brackish is a classic Charleston brand that’s made unique feather bow ties for celebrities from Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli to country singer Thomas Rhett to Jesse Tyler Ferguson from “Modern Family” to race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the Lowcountry’s own Bill Murray. The list really goes on and on. If you want to gift one of these very local gifts, starting at $225, you can visit the storefront at 1854 Wallace School Road in West Ashley or order online at brackish.com. If you’re looking for something at a lower price point, try a $75 lapel or $85 pocket square. There are also accessories for women, from brooches to earrings.
Monster Music & Movies gift card
You could purchase countless gift cards across town at a variety of worthy mom and pops, but the music lover in your life is really going to appreciate this one to West Ashley’s local record store at 946 Orleans Road that also hosts pop-up events and occasional live shows. There, they will be able to peruse new and used records to their hearts’ content. More at monstermusicsc.com.
Craft-DIY experience
For the crafter in your life, you can give an experiential gift by booking a session at Craft-DIY, a boutique craft and design studio on the second floor at 356 King St. where you can learn how to make something unique while enjoying a drink and socializing with like-minded makers. The two-hour sessions include pet portraits, glass etching, wood burning and charcuterie design. Oyster shell ring dishes go for for $55-$75. You can select options like Making & Mimosas or the Sangria Session for $52 to learn multiple guided crafts while enjoying beverages, as well. Learn more and choose from experiences, gift cards or bundles for the whole crew at craftdiy.net.
Gola Sweetgrass sandals
For more wearable art that supports the Gullah-Geechee community in Charleston, you can buy sweetgrass sandals from Gola, which are available online at golasweetgrass.com or in-person at the International African American Museum, 14 Wharfside St. The sandals come in tan or black and are $150. Owner Jocelyn Patterson, who grew up in Georgetown, loves showing off this cultural art form that has been passed down from generation to generation. She hires all local makers and comes from Gullah roots herself.
