ABINGDON, Va. — Getting down to the wire out on the holiday tightrope, we turn this week to what we’ve dubbed “reliables.” These are larger small businesses where we feel sure we’ll have quick success amidst many choices. They’re the kind of places you can get out of with say, four or five unique presents of good quality. These kind of lucky Christmas shopping strokes we call hit and runs.
Favorite spots reliably provide … Gifts Outside the Box
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Here is Susan Lilly’s African-American Santa, reminding us that peace on earth is due all. He’s at HMA.
Kiln-formed glass, by Tazewell artisan Nancy Brooks, shimmers at HMA, beauty meeting practicality.
Wytheville’s Diana Brown revives tatting, creating lace from looping and knotting thread on a shuttle. The French tradition goes back to early 19th Century.
An HMA rocking chair displays a table runner and a hanging pillow sampler by Elk Creek artisan Laura Bryant. Either will make you a memorable gift giver in the eye of a recipient.
Sock monkeys get riotous at HMA, amidst a sock menagerie. They’re by Troutdale’s Debby Clark.
A Bluff City rolling pin and checked cutting board, share display place with another board of combined woods crafted in Johnson City. Cards are by Abingdon’s Whitney Copenhaver. Sign up for an 11x14 of the cat image — to be rewarded to a shopper this holiday season. All are inside HMA, on Park Street at Court.
Susan Prior Fields’ beaded jewelry seduces the eye at Holston Mountain Artisans. The copper color of the necklace and matching earrings is festive, the tree earrings, subtle and beguiling. Her zipper ears are party stoppers. But Fields’ red bracelet may take the cake.
Susan Harrell, at HMA, keeps alive the tradition of corn shuck dolls, originally a Native American craft.
This is HMA work by Bristol, Virginia’s famous Mary Warner. Warner does all of her quilting work the hard way — by hand.
A tiny small outdoor metal child’s rocking chair will be just as handy inside. It’s at Main Street Marketplace.
Main Street Marketplace has long been a reliable source for acquiring Cumbow China. The famous painted stoneware’s a testament to the grace that once was Abingdon. It always makes an appropriate Christmas present between locals.
A wonderful set of oak kitchen chairs and table, at Main Street Marketplace. Since the building may change hands soon, it’s a great season to search out a bargain. Generally negotiable prices may be even more prevalent.
This elaborate faux opal pendant at Main Street Marketplace, leaves no doubt a man honors the allure of the woman he is gifting.
Men will settle for a drink, a sandwich and the remote, but women like surprises. Main Street Marketplace has easy stocking stuffers like these vintage earrings and pins. Wrap them in a pocket and enjoy the element of surprise when you pull one out.
You can shine the light with this witty lamp at Main Street Marketplace, seemingly created from a vintage women’s pocketbook.
A beautiful, large red-and-black chiffon scarf is bound to make an impression on a woman recipient. It awaits a shopper at Main Street Marketplace.
This Main Street Marketplace Victorian wire basket is an unforgettable present.
