Each year I strive to bring a small touch of handmade goodness to the holiday season without sacrificing my sanity. With a three month old baby to entertain during every effort, I now need more help than ever. And while there will sadly be very few handmade-by-me ornaments, table decorations or yummy treats this year, I have resolved to keep my shopping as local and as handmade as possible.

Knowing I’m surely not the only one in such a predicament, I decided to share the folks whose items just might wind up underneath my tree. Then while I was at it, I thought I’d go ahead and ask them a few questions to better appreciate their life as an artisan- and that’s the story of how Minnesotamade Holidays was conceived.

Ranging from well established small businesspeople to independent artists just starting to market their work, each participant offers unique items sure to delight everyone on your gift list. For the next 5 weeks I’ll be posting 3 interviews per week (it’s a loose schedule, but mostly Wednesday through Friday starting next Wednesday the 10th). The post you are reading right now will serve as Minnesotamade Holidays Central. Each time I publish a new interview, I’ll also post a link below so that when the series is over we’ll have a handy Minnesotamade Holiday Shopping Guide.  If you don’t make it yourself, buy Minnesotamade!

Minnesotamade Holiday Shopping Guide

• Linden Leaf Designs (prints, cards and other artwork featuring local landmarks)
• byrd & belle (sophisticated handmade gadget clothing)
  
• Sacred Suds (delectable handmade soaps)
• Cindy Lindgren Designs (Arts & Crafts Movement inspired prints, card, rugs and fabric)
• Tracy Westhoff (splendid handmade quilts)
• Pilot Design (modern clocks and lighting)
• From Out of the Cracks (spirited handmade jewelry)
• Penguin & Fish (lovely quirky animal plush and hand embroideries
• Crafterall (handcut topographical paper art)
• Beth Elliott (whimsical copper containers)
• Too Many Suitors (hand screen printed t-shirts, art prints and delightful soft ornaments)
• Gentry Night Studios (whimsical fabric toys and ornaments)
• Pollen (vibrant laptop cases named after inspiring women)
• craftyMSP (unique handcrafted home and personal accessories)
• PickleBerries (vibrant millefiori fused glass jewelry)

Updated 12-10-10: THANK YOU to all the artisans, readers and word-spreaders that made this project a success.  Happy Holidays! -Jen