Hello friends! Well, here we are. Another year is coming to a close. And as it does, we pass through the wonderful, overwhelming, magical, chaotic, holidays.
If you are among those that choose to give gifts at this time of year, you may be looking for ideas. Every year for the past several years, I have developed a gift guide to try to help you find gifts that nurture, inspire and support. An this year I've added a new twist... (drum roll please)
This year's gift guide not only highlights businesses that inspire and honor connection, but it also focuses on giftables that are made by small, woman-owned business that I know (or wish I knew!).
You see, when you buy things from
Found and Rewound, I am who you are supporting. Your support keeps me in tiny scissors, paper, glue, and breathing room so that I get to keep making things and putting them into the world. And when you buy from the makers featured in this gift guide, you are supporting a woman or family and making it possible for them to continue sharing their gifts with the world. And that is a much much needed thing right now.
**Full disclosure -
none of the links provided below are affiliate links. I just honestly love these people and their work and think you will too. **
Life & Health Coach Extraordinaire 
Melanie McCloskey is a healer through and through. This amazing woman is a professional "whole person" life coach, a cancer journey coach, reiki master, and essential oil guru. As she explains "I believe connection heals all. My absolute passion is empowering people to more deeply connect with themselves, others and nature. Through this, my mission is to facilitate personal transformation in changemakers so they may feel internally resourced to be more courageous in their own vision and actions, having a powerful ripple effect on our world." I've had the honor of calling Melanie a friend for many years and I can tell you from first-hand experience, that connection with this woman will help you grow on so many levels.
Give the gift of a session with Melanie for anyone who is ready for a change.
Hands Free Mama
I shared this beautiful woman's work last year, but it is worth another share. This is one of my sheros, the author of
Hands Free Mama, Rachel Macy Stafford. She is "letting go of distraction, perfection, & pressure to grasp what really matters" and helping countless others do the same. Her books are beautiful accounts of her journey to live a life that is more connected to the present moment and her family. Aside from her books, she also has a shop full of lovely inspirational gifts. One of my dear friends gave me a leather bracelet from her shop that says "Only Love Today" and I love it. It's a thoughtful gift for any woman you know. Who wouldn't appreciate this reminder?
Batik Artist and Muralist
Rin Carroll Jackson is a mother, artist, and community organizer. I had the incredible good fortune of meeting Rin when she founded the
SE Area ARTWalk, and working with her on the a 720 sq ft
“Creating Community” mural in SE Portland. She and her partner Joe Jackson, have co-created
Sleeping Bee Batiks. Using locally raised beeswax they create beautiful and incredibly detailed designs. They welcome your ideas and often do custom orders. Their focus is on positive, community supportive, sustainable endeavors. Great thought and care goes into every step of their
remarkable creations.
Nikki McClure
Nikki McClure is one of my all time favorite artists and another shero of mine. She does all of her work with cut paper - just an exacto knife and major skills. Always inspiring. I love how she captures the lifestyle and culture we live here in the Pacific Northwest. As she says, "I cut my images from black paper with an X-Acto knife. Everything is connected. It is all one piece of paper, yet now it holds a story."
Any of her books, cards, prints, or (gasp) originals are truly an inspiring gift.
Woodworking Wonder Woman
Two words:
Ariele Alasko. Have you seen this woman's work? If not, do yourself a favor and head on over to her Instagram feed for some serious wooden eye candy. Ariele Alasko is a full-time sculptor and woodworker. She started working with wood and building furniture for her own apartment in 2009, and it swiftly grew from a fun hobby taking place in her small living room, to a full time job. Perusing her Instagram feed, you'll quickly see why it is hard to get your hands on her work, but if you snag a piece, it would make an amazing gift. The best way to hear about available work is to
sign up for her email list.
And... then there's me.
And finally, one shameless plug for my
2018 wall calendars. They are full of all new art focused on honoring our connection to each other and the natural world. This one is a gift that keeps giving in the way of inspiration and gentle loving reminders throughout the year.
There you have it, friends. Thank you in advance for supporting us. You make the world a beautiful and inspiring place!
