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Feel Good Holiday Gifts

11/30/2018

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​The holidays are a stressful time for many. And sadly, we create much of that stress ourselves. Over-thinking, over-spending, fighting traffic then the crowds just to stand in line... We're running ourselves ragged in pursuit of "the perfect gift" but our carts are filled with a bunch of plastic crapola that will soon be forgotten, broken, recalled for potential health threats, discarded in landfills or worse, set adrift at sea. 
When giving & receiving gifts, it's the thought that counts, right? What if I told you that finding the perfect holiday gift is easy once you start thinking outside of the "Big Box" store? You don't have to fight traffic or crowds. "Feel Good" holiday gifts are made & sold in your own community by your friends & neighbors. When you realize that, your holiday shopping experience will become much less stressful. You may even start to enjoy it. We do!

We make a few gifts ourselves each year and purchase the rest from local artists, artisans and small mom & pop shops within our community. Since we started this tradition our gifts have always been hits. What's our secret? We look for locally made items that are FUL - thoughtful, useful or beautiful. Gift recipients are always thankful and those we purchased our gifts from are grateful. When everyone is FUL there's no room for stress. Here's a few of our favorite feel good gift sources:​
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​Support Local Art!
We always find awesome handmade gifts at The Winter Fantasy Art Show. If you missed the show, you can still find the Winter Fantasy Artists here. Or check out your local art councils for holiday shopping events. We're members of the Jordan River Arts Council & participate in JRAC's Holiday Gift Market every year. JRAC's Gift Market is filled with affordable art & gifts created by JRAC members with 30% of sales supporting JRAC. The Gift Market is open daily 1:00-4:00 until December 21st.
​If you have creative friends (artists, writers, musicians, actors, dancers) match their talents to the interests of those on your holiday shopping list. Artwork, books, music/CDs, concert & theatre tickets all make wonderful gifts and help your artist friends earn a living & grow their audience.
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We are fortunate enough to count two published authors as friends. (I was even given a nod by author Laura Alden in the acknowledgments of her first two books in her PTA Mystery series. How cool is that?!!) Of course, we purchased their books for gifts and asked our author friends to sign them. History & military buffs will enjoy Joseph R. Clark's "Not Quite A Hero: Fighting the Migs with Gabreski, Mahurin and Adams."
​Send Local Specialty Goods to Friends & Family Out of State!
We love Harwood Gold Maple Syrup products from Parsons Farm. Select from a huge variety of delicious maple syrup based products or choose one of their handcrafted gift crates full of yummy maple treats. We purchase direct from the farm but you can also find them in Downtown Charlevoix or order online and they will pack & ship for you. 
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​Maple candies, miniature jugs & tiny glass leaves filled with maple syrup make great stocking stuffers for kids of all ages. So do gourmet caramel apples from Royal Farms. Yum!
Support Local Artisans - Buy Handcrafted Goods Made Locally!
We love handmade soaps by Latter Rain Soaps and soaps, lotions & balms by SAP Soap & Beyond. We have gifted pottery, local honey, beeswax candles, 10 toxin-free nail polish by Northern Nail Polish, I could go on. All of these items were hits with our family & friends. 

Our area happens to be filled with orchards, wineries, breweries, artisans & craftsman of all sorts. Local wine, beer, cheese, pastries & such all make great hostess gifts and tasty dishes to pass. And don't forget to visit your local farmer! Our friends at Providence Farm & CSA still have plenty of healthy organic veggies, meats & berries. They offer gift shares & gift certificates and they can help you donate fresh, healthy food gifts to our local food pantries.

Out of Wrap? Still Need A Toy? Or a Last Minute Gift? Or a ???
For everything else I head to Bachmanns Store in Central Lake. Since 1942, this 5 & dime variety store has been a family run business, now in it's third generation. Their motto is "If we don't have it, you don't need it" and that's the truth! We love their old-fashioned candy counter and it's a great place for the kid-clueless (like me!) to find cool toys. Plus, they gift wrap! A trip to Bachmanns Store is always a step back in time to the good ol' days.
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And just like that I've checked everything off my holiday shopping list. No malls, crowds or stress. We're keeping our hard earned money in our own community. Visiting our neighbors, supporting small businesses, making new friends.
And best of all, EVERYONE is FUL!
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Happy Holidays!
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Winter Fantasy Art Show!

11/14/2018

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If you missed this year's Winter Fantasy Art Show you still have plenty of time to shop the Winter Fantasy Artists! Please visit our Winter Fantasy Web Page for a preview of the artwork & specialty goods handcrafted by this wonderful group of Michigan artisans. You will also find the artist's name & website available below. If you would like to contact an artist who does not list a website, please feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to put you in touch! 
Thank you for shopping your Local Artisans!
We make everything we sell with our own two hands.
We are the smallest Small Business Owners.
Your support means the world to us!
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Visit the ​​Winter Fantasy webpage for a sneak peak of the wonderful items
you will find at The Original Winter Fantasy Art Show 2018!

​

Participating Artists
Pillywiggins Garden
​Warm Glass & Cool Gourds
Jason & Julie Sitzema
Central Lake, MI
PillywigginsGarden.com

Saverine Creek Heirlooms
Organic Heirloom Seed Jewelry
Debbie Groat
Rhodes, MI
SaverineCreek.com

Unique Brushstrokes
Fiber Arts
Carol Krajnik
Traverse City, MI
​Unique Brushstrokes Online
​​
Tree House Pottery
Pottery
Karen Attee
Charlevoix, MI
​Tree House Pottery Online

D. Marie Studios
Fine Art Photography & Digital Arts
Dawn Thompson
Onaway, MI​
DawnThompsonPhotography.com

Good Harbor Studio
Paintings - Acrylic Landscapes
Taylor Mentzer
Ann Arbor, MI
​GoodHarborStudio.com


Quarry Creations Granite
Granite Home Decor
Kim Schneider
Charlotte, MI
QuarryCreations.com
​The Filigree Frog
Vintage Bead Jewelry Designs
Linda Stephenson
Williamsburg, MI
The Filigree Frog Online
​

Harrington's Hunting & Outdoors

Woodworking, Nature & Outdoors
Scott Harrington
Pinckney & Williamsburg, MI
etsy.com/HarringtonOutdoors

Stoned by Pam

Stone Art from the Shores of Mullet Lake
Pam VonSeggern
Cheboygan, MI
Stoned by Pam Online


Made by Michelle Raye
Decorative Signs, Ornaments & Decor
Michelle Atkinson
Alma, MI​
Made by Michelle Raye Online

Parsons Farm & Harwood Gold
Gourmet Maple Products
The Parsons Family
Charlevoix, MI
HarwoodGold.com
​

Plain Jane Pure & Simple
Vinegars, Up-cycled Bags & Accessories
Jane Kowieski
Interlochen, MI

SAP Soap & Bee-yond
Natural Soaps & Aromatherapy
Susan Grieves
Kaleva, MI
​SapSoap.com

​Woven Rugs by Margaret Learner
Rapid City, MI
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  Pillywiggins Garden, LLC
  • Welcome
  • LANDSCAPING
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • EVENTS
  • Pilly...what?!
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
  • Welcome
  • LANDSCAPING
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • EVENTS
  • Pilly...what?!
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
Welcome to Pillywiggins Garden.
​Please visit often to see what's in bloom.