Gift Guide 2022

Nov 15

We’re thrilled to share PDC’s 2022 curated gift guide with you—featuring some of our favorite ways to shop small this year. When you support a local business, you’re strengthening and contributing to the livelihood of your own town, city, and neighborhood. We love supporting local creatives and makers and hope this list inspires you on your search for thoughtful gifts this holiday season!

01 Still Life Studio

Painting lessons & creative workshops for emerging artists taught by Still Life Studio’s owner, Adria Moynihan Rusk. LK and Abby have taken a few workshops via Zoom as well as in-person. Adria’s approachable teaching style and killer tips make the process fun and stress-free.

Current giftable offerings: either a package of private lessons or a single private workshop. Adria doesn’t have any group classes planned right now, but private lessons can be booked any time of year. Check out SLS’s online shop as well.

02 LOQUAT

“We know that art can save lives. Our materials, motifs, collaborations and contributions are selected to directly benefit and empower marginalized people, causes and aesthetics. Our goal as artists and designers is to honor the individuals, traditions and communities that have made LOQUAT possible.” —LOQUAT

Owners Madison Poitrast-Upton and Jordan Carey are graduates of Maine College of Art’s Textile and Fashion Design program. From beautifully crafted handbags and embroidered apparel to home goods and more — LOQUAT’s work is collaborative and intentional. They feature their own work, along with a handful of amazing makers. Check out their storefront on 58 Exchange in Portland.

We dig: their Rose Jasmine Hand Rolled Incense and their pineapple leather products.

03 Herself x TACHEE Collab

Herself was established by Heather Stilin in Portland, Maine. She designs and creates vintage-inspired elevated basics using natural and sustainable fibers. Rachel Adams Gloria Adams is the owner of TACHEE, a textile design company that offers small batch printed goods, design collaborations and digitally printed fabric, wallpaper, and homegoods through spoonflower. Their collaboration pieces are a must.

We dig: the Handmade Bandana in light blue + navy. We also love TACHEE’S floral + geo crewnecks.

04 Armstrong Pottery

Armstrong Pottery is the work of Emily Armstrong, a resident artist at Running with Scissors and graduate of Maine College of Art. She can be found on Etsy, at The Merchant Co. and at local makers markets; check her upcoming lineup here.

We dig: Abby has been drinking her morning coffee in one of Emily’s handmade mugs *literally* since the day it arrived.

05 Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams is a Portland, ME based artist and nationwide muralist with a background in traditional graffiti. He’s well known for his hand lettered signage and signature ‘gem’ style — bold and colorful geometric letterforms filled with depth, movement, and messages within. “These statements can be literal or figurative, but often bringing attention to a social or cultural issue. Ryan’s mural work is driven by the desire to bring representation to often overlooked members of the community along with making the arts more accessible to everyone.” — via Indigo Arts Alliance

We dig: the Fall In Love print and the Better Off Tee.

06 Near & Native

“We exist for a mindful mission to elevate the experience of home fragrance through refillable candles, crackling wooden wicks and clean, calming fragrances. Made in small batches by an all-female team in Maine.” — Hannah Martin, founder

Local and woman-owned and operated? Our fave. And how cool is their candle refill program? A customizable and sustainable gift option at a fraction of the cost.

We dig: the woodsy Cedar & Amber Candle.

07 Dromore Grange

If you haven’t already read our blog post on the Dromore, check it out. Located in Phippsburg, Maine, the Dromore Grange is home to Paper Tides and Xenos Works, along with a handful of other talented Maine makers and gifts. Their shop is closed for the season, but they’ll be open for select holiday shopping hours — November 26th and December 3rd from 10-4.

We dig: the Cluster Ring and Barnacle Ear Climbers by Xenos Works.

08 Hills & Trails Co.

Original, hand-printed designs inspired by the Maine outdoors, Hills & Trails is a family-run business, owned and operated by Kanya Zillmer and James Frydrych. Their online shop and storefront in Biddeford, Maine features a wide range of beautifully illustrated, nature-inspired gifts at various price points. They also sell work from other Maine-based makers, a win-win!

We dig: the Blueberry Branch Baby Onesie.

09 Sabrina Volante Design

Sabrina Volante is the owner of Sabrina Volante Design, specializing in branding, packaging, illustration, and creative strategy. She’s a fellow graduate of Maine College of Art and serves on the board of directors for communications at Maine AIGA.

She recently opened a shop with gorgeous foil prints on metallic papers, perfect for gifting!

We dig: That’s What Friends Are Spore Foil Print on metallic navy blue paper.

10 radical emprints

“The goal of my printmaking is to nourish organizers of all kinds with fierce, beautiful words that keep them invested in movement work for the long haul.” — Nicole Manganelli

radical emprints is the work of Nicole Manganelli, a letterpress printer and graphic designer who has also recently started to explore risograph printing. She primarily focuses on making prints to support the work of social movements for racial, economic, gender, and climate justice. She’s also PDC’s Junior Designer & Copyeditor and we are so lucky to have her on our team!

We dig: winter solstice cards, 2022: letterpress printed and the solidarity art fund.

11 Little Something Co.

Based out of Portland, ME, Little Something Co. is comprised of “three best friends with a shared fridge, art school experience, and a knack for collecting stickers.” With stickers, cards, and goods to brighten your day—this shop is the perfect fit for the stationery lovers in your life. Check out this list of retailers that carry Little Something Co.

We dig: the Maine Felt Pennant and the other items in their Holiday Collection.

12 Zoe Keller

“Artist Zoe Keller uses graphite and digital media to create large-scale, meticulously rendered visual narratives. Placing a special focus on at-risk species and wildlands, Keller weaves drawings that explore the interconnectedness of fragile, vanishing ecosystems. By highlighting the biodiversity at risk in an era of human-driven mass extinction their work aims to inspire reverence for the natural world and action to defend what we have left.” — Bio on Zoe Keller’s website

We’ve been obsessing over Keller’s work for years — her exceptional work fills our studio walls :)

We dig: ‘Owls’ Print, featuring thirty-four species of owls from around the world.

13 Little Chair Printing

Little Chair Printing is an accessible and community-centered screen printing studio owned by Hope Rovelto. Their work is part of an ever-expanding network of social justice artists, activists, nonprofits, and individuals who share a common goal in the fight for justice. Check out their shop for some amazing gift ideas.

We dig: Abortion Access Helps Communities Thrive T-shirt, designed by Caitlin Blunnie, @liberaljane.

14 Black Artist Space

Black Artist Space is a global online art gallery and shop featuring visual artwork from Black artists around the world.

“The Black Artist Space print shop was created to give the artists we feature in our gallery the opportunity to sell prints of their work without having to worry about manufacturing, packaging, and shipping them. We do all of it! When you purchase from this shop, you are supporting each artist directly. While we do make a profit, we do not take a percentage from the artist. They receive every penny that they charge for their pieces!”

We dig: ‘Rising Sun’ print by Janae White. Check out their print shop and merch.

**Credit**: Maker’s Market at Thompson’s Point

15 Maker’s Market at Thompson’s Point

Every other Sunday from 10-3, Thompson’s Point in Portland, ME hosts a Maker’s Market featuring craftspeople, makers, farms, artisans, and vintage goods. Mimosas while shopping for handmade goods? Yes please.

Upcoming dates: November 27, December 4, and December 18. Vendor applications can be found here.

16 Running with Scissors Holiday Market

December 9th-11, @rwsartstudios is hosting a 3 day market featuring 40+ local fine artists and craftspeople.

Handmade holiday gifts, fashion, unique artwork, tasty treats and sweets from Three of Strong and Oh My Cookies — all under one roof! Free parking and access to event.

Dates: Dec. 9, 4-8pm, Dec. 10, 10-5pm, Dec. 11, 12-5pm

17 Portland Design Co

Sorry but, we had to :) Our shop features decals, mugs, and cozy custom apparel printed locally by LK and Abby.

Do you and your loved ones have everything you need this year? Check out these local and nationwide alternative ideas that can make a huge impact.

**Credit**: National Network of Abortion Funds

Consider gifting this incredible community-centered organization an in-kind donation or drop your thoughtfully sorted, gently used items — but be sure to check their website for information on what’s currently being accepted.
An organization that builds power with members to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by centering people who have abortions and organizing at the intersections of racial, economic, and reproductive justice. Gift a donation or check out their shop.
An engaging and compassionate community coming together to take bigger risks for racial justice through community-centered workshops. “Together, we support each other to understand how we as white women and genderqueers are complicit with white supremacy and patriarchy.”

Add a workshop ticket to your wishlist, gift one to a friend, or support their Free Ticket Fund for cross-class solidarity.
A life-saving animal rescue organization in Westbrook, Maine. Through awareness, education, training, events, foster programs, and so much more — any support given to ARLGP goes a long way. Consider a donation or volunteer opportunity.
A nonprofit, nonpartisan, legal organization — American Civil Liberties Union has been defending people’s constitutional liberties nationwide since 1920. Make a donation here, or check out their shop.

Thanks for reading!

Cover image credits: Winky Lewis for Herself x TACHEE, Andrew Xenos for Xenos Works, Jiwana Soleimani for LOQUAT

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