Sure, it is easy and convenient to order the hottest toy of the year or the latest electronic device on the website of your choice: Amazon or Walmart will ship it your house and you didn’t even have to leave the comfort of your home. But sometimes, you just want something unique, meaningful, locally and hamemade. Besides, the holiday season is a great time to show some love to local artisans and small business owners, who depend on your support to keep the lights of their businesses on.
The greater Sacramento area has dozens of spots for you to pick up local, hamemade gift, from jewelry to home decor, pet supplies to food item and everything in between. Sacramento region has a long history of supporting local artists and makers. So, no matter what you’re looking for (even if you don’t know what it is) or who you’re shopping for, you’ll most likely find it in a shop nearby. Following are some of my favorite places to pick up handmade gifts in the greater Sacramento area.
Midtown Farmers Market | Midtown Sacramento
Address: 1050 20th St
Hours: Sat 8-1
Phone: 916-442-1500
Kind of gifts: Jewelry, Clothing, Pet Stuff, and more.
If you have never been to this farmers market, you have missed out. Not only you will find local fresh produce (and eggs, meat, honey, fresh cut flowers) but also you will find all kinds of unique gifts. You can enjoy live music while shopping, too.
Ambrose Woodworks | East Sacramento
Address: 922 57th St Sacramento
Hours: By appointment
Phone: 925-639-7962 Email: [email protected]
What: Furniture made out of wood and steel
Mike Ambrose is the owner who runs a one man show. If looking for unique, handmade furniture, check out his website.
Sunlight of the Spirit | Midtown
Address: 2314 J St
Hours: Mon-Sat 11 to 6 Sun 12 to 5
Phone:916-440-1533
What: Spiritual Gift-shop: Crystals, Jewelry, Sage, Incense, Statues, Spiritual Books, Tarot & Oracle Decks
This place has it all if you are looking for any spiritual gifts. They”carry a wide range of merchandice including Crystals, Jewelry, Sage, Incense, Statues, Spiritual Books, Tarot & Oracle Decks, Herbs, Candles, Singing Bowls, Self Care items, Recovery Products, Tapestries, Meditation Gear & More! We offer in store Readings & Healings by a variety of gifted individuals including psychic readings, oracle and tarot card readings, shamanic healings, intuitive guidance, mediumship, and reiki to help each individual on their next step.”
Make Local Habit | Grass Valley
Address: 112 West Main St
Hours: Wed-Sat 11-6
Phone: 530-477-5100
What: Ceramics, Leaf Tea, Natural Body Care Products, Earrings, Home & Garden
This shop is located in Grass Valley (in the foothills of Sacramento) and its main goal is to showcase artists and makers of that community. You may give them a call and they will give you a “virtual shopping experience”. Just a reminder that Nevada City Victorian Christmas is happening Dec 3,10,17 and Wednesdays 6& 13.
Art on the Divide | Georgetown
Address: 6295 Main St
Hours: Thu-Mon 11-4
Phone: 530-210-8858
What: Leather Goods, Woodcraft, Jewelry, Glassware, Pottery, Paintings & Photographs.
About Us: “Discover a cozy gallery in a historic brick building on a tree-lined street, richly filled with the work of member artists. Art on the Divide Gallery is a cooperative, whose members share the work of staffing and freshening the gallery. Works are added monthly, so you are always likely to find new cards and paintings, jewelry, pottery, functional woodwork and art works small and large to add to your own collection or for the pleasure of sharing as gifts“.
Kulture | Woodland & Old Sacramento
Address: 526 Main St
Hours: Tue-Sat 12-6. Sun 11-4
Phone: 530-665-6795
What: Colorful Hand-Painted ceramics, Hats & Belts, Jewelry (Latin Vibe)
Kulture, with two locations in Woodland and Old Sacramento, is a great place if you like that latin vibe. They import their hand-made gifts from Mexico, Peru, Columbia and Guatemala.
Sparrow 5 | Roseville
Address: 213 Vernon St
Hours: Mon-Thu 11-6 Fri-Sat 11-9 Sun Closed
Phone: 916-772-7769
What: furniture, repurposed musical instruments, rocks, sea glass, more
Sparrow 5 offers unique gifts, vintage items, artwork and collectibles like sea glass, rocks, metals, repurposed musical instruments. They showcase 75 Northern California artists. They call it “amusement park for the eyes” and “what Soho” used to look like. For more of what you might find there, check their website here.
The Artery | Davis
Address: 207 G St
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5 Second Friday open till 9
Phone: 530-758-8330
What: Jewelry, apparel & textiles, art & decor.
Founded in 1974, the Artery is an artist owned and operated cooperative gallery of Fine Art and Contemporary Crafts. They have 50+ members and this is a place one can find high quality artisan-made work. You can expect to find paintings, prints, scarves, shawls, pillows and even books written by members. Best to visit their website or instagram account to find out their inventory. Or just give the store a visit. Davis is always fun to visit.
The Constellation Marketplace | Downtown
Address: 1021 R St
Hours: Tue-Sat 10-4 Second Sat 10-8
Phone: 916-706-2344
What: Apparels, Apothecary, Ceramics, Clocks, Furniture, Jewelry
They are located on the first floor of the Arthouse, on R St, in Downtown Sacramento. Everything there is made by local artisans. Their collections sections has over 13 different subcategories: The Holidays Collection, The After Hours Studio, Blue House Designs, etc. Their website as well as their instagram page has tons of pictures to help you get a feeling for what to expect once you get here. And if you are new to R St Corridor, you can find plenty to do there including great restaurants and coffee shops.
Superbum Plant Co. | East Sacramento
Address: 4800 Folsom Blvd
Hours: Mon-Sat 11-6 Sun 11-4
Phone: 916-282-8772
What: Indoor Plants, Vintage Clothing & Decor
Superbum in East Sacramento, is well-known for its vintage items and houseplants. It also has a huge collection of stained glass, jewelry and art prints.
Panic & Swoon | Placerville
Address: 430 Main St
Hours: Call & find out.
Phone: 530-487-1115
What: Handmade Goods, Bath & Body Items, Clothing & more
Panic & Swoon is located in historic downtown of Placerville. They offer “carefully curated new and vintage good selected by Adrienne Spring Beatty, a graphic designer with a passion for the old fashion, especially early Americana art and graphics.
