By the time December rolls around in Buffalo, the days are short on sunlight. Here are five ideas for gifts from local artists that are sure to brighten spirits.
Whimsical magnets
Magnet, Tiny Moo Moo
Luiko Montagliano has lived and worked all over the world and now creates functional art from her home in Byron, N.Y. Her business, Tiny Moo Moo, makes air-dry clay magnets that “celebrate the female body in all its forms.”
There is a stick of butter with dazzling eyelashes, a hot dog with a pair of puckering lips and even a voluptuous Pop-Tart. Her work “embraces the beauty of being big and bold, taking up space and feeling confident.” And for just $12 each, you can stick them on your fridge for an extremely cute daily reminder.
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Stunning stained glass
Cowboy worm plant stake, Modern Moth Designs
Nicole Deneve taught herself, during the early days of the pandemic, the basics of stained glass. Now, she makes sun catchers, custom panels, jewelry, plant stakes and so much more as Modern Moth Designs.
“Most of my designs incorporate elements of nature with color palettes that create playful light reflections while using textured glass to add a sense of movement,” Nicole says.
You can snag one of her most popular items, a Cowboy Worm Plant Stake, for $50. In time for the holidays, Modern Moth Designs will also be offering small batches of ornaments and tree toppers.
Playful prints
Hedgehog Picnic print, Rabbitsun Studio
After health concerns put a pause on a career in the film industry, Kanchalee Deganis-Librera turned to watercolor painting. Her Rabbitsun Studio’s stickers, greeting cards and art prints illustrate wildly whimsical scenes using a palette of the friendliest colors.
Sometimes it’s a Great Horned Owl atop a decadent Black Forest cake, and other times it’s a family of hedgehogs sharing a forest picnic with pretzels, pies and s’mores. Food is a common theme, because Kanchalee believes “it connects us to someone; a friend, a family member or even a home.”
Prints can be purchased for $45.
Football gear with a twist
Chappell Roan Buffalo shirt, Akasya Crosier
As a lifelong artist, Akasya Crosier always knew making art for a living was the goal; it was only a question of how. Fast forward to today, Akasya turns out playful shirts, totes, stickers and art prints “that use humor and local themes to make Upstate New York smile.”
She’s even immortalized the “it girl” of the moment, Chappell Roan, on a Bills-themed ringer tee. The vintage-style shirt spells out B-U-F-F-A-L-O a la the pop star’s chart-topping song, “HOT TO GO!” Akasya also offers tote bags that imagine our furry friends as card-holding members of Bills Mafia.
The shirt is $36, while the totes are $30.
Bold ceramics
Mugs, OC Ceramics
Olivia Caldwell produces beautiful yet functional wares that seamlessly integrate into everyday life. She uses a hand-me-down kiln and wheel to make everything from mugs, planters and bowls to spoon rests, garlic graters and soap dispensers.
OC Ceramics offers both bright and neutral color palates to appeal to minimalists and maximalists alike. Her wares have distinct vertical carvings or grooves that allow her to play with contrast. Plus, it adds a signature texture that you’ll be reaching for time and time again.
Mugs range between $30-$40.
