5 Gifts to Grab at the Open Studio Sale!

At a time when holiday markets are a-plenty, Open Studio, on Tuesday, November 21st from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 2885 West 33rd Avenue in Vancouver, stands out. Why? Think a carefully curated seasonal shopping event featuring five fabulous local artisans in an intimate setting that lets you mix ‘n’ mingle with the real-life makers behind the brands—and score incredible gifts for every last name on your list, to boot. Below, five gifts you absolutely must grab at Open Studio this year! —Noa Nichol

wish wrist. Vancouver-based lifestyle brand Jai Style offers hand-crafted designer jewelry forged with the finest semi-precious stones, sterling silver and authentic amulets—not to mention, love! We’ve got our little Yuletide eye on this stunning grey jasper and sterling silver amulet bracelet ($150), gorgeous on its own or stacked with other Jai Style bangles.

j’adore décor. Graphic designer and lettering artist Emily Cheung‘s got a passion for print and handmade objects—and it shows! Her hand-lettered and printed goods, ranging from greeting cards to prints, totes and tea towels, combine clean, contemporary and bold graphic design with a playful, personal touch. On our shopping list: these festive glass ornaments ($15 each), all hand filled, painted and lettered, to trim our Tannenbaum.

green with gladness. Born from true friendship (and an itch to create), it’s no wonder the gals behind Botany Living build the kind of beautiful succulent arrangements that are meant to last! This festive-for-the-season piece features a for-keeps glass container with preserved moss and wood for the perfect naturally organic holiday home accent or Christmas dinner centrepiece ($45 large, $22 small, gift box included).

welcome mat. With yogis a dime a dozen in this town, there’s no better gift than one of Supported Soul‘s supreme all-in-one yoga mats ($98). Designed in Vancouver, this eco-friendly, toxin, chemical and odour-free mat-towel combo boasts a microfibre suede top and natural tree-rubber base (read: the top absorbs sweat while the bottom creates traction). Best of all, each eye-catching print is limited edition, so the yoga-lover in our life will stand out like fashion royalty in a sea of conventional mats!

in the bag. If the teddy bear coat is any indication, ’tis the season to go woolly, and this natural-print Holstein cowhide tote with a generous 27-inch strap and German-milled black leather on the back ($415)—from Joanna Baxter’s line of Lover Fighter bags, featuring unfussy, simple made-in-Vancouver designs with genuine leather snagged from near-and-far-flung locales like L.A., Paris and Italy—perfectly fits the bill (the Rorschach test has never been more wearable!).

Open Studio, Tuesday, November 21st, 2017, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 2885 West 33rd Avenue, Vancouver, B.C.