Handmade gifts and art for everyone on your list
11/18/2019 10:27AM ● By J. ChamblessDave Eldreth’s collectible Santas and snowmen, and this year’s commemorative Oxford holiday ornament, are for sale. (Photo by John Chambless)
By
John Chambless
Staff Writer
In a season when gift ideas are sometimes elusive, the Oxford Arts Alliance’s Artisan Gift Shop has all the answers you’ll need. The gallery is packed with everything from stocking stuffers to major splurges.
There are original paintings and prints of Lauren Litwa’s enigmatic buildings in the night, shrouded in secrecy and symbolism. There are also some of Ki Crittenden’s wonderful lamps that merge sculpture with the perfect accent lighting. And you’ll be amazed by the three dazzling steampunk light creations by Dan Meixell, who sees castoff materials in a whole new way. His “Rocket Light” has flickering flame tail lights that are just perfect.
But not everything is a high-dollar item, and you’ll find amusing collage greeting cards by Bird House Studio, Mary Beth Verget and Clarissa Sherrow, and a wide range of beautiful jewelry by Diana Eldreth, Cindy Roth, Stacey Peterson and Andrea Barrier, as well as recycled jewelry by Dona Antonelli.
There are itty-bitty glass creatures by WGK Glass Art in Toughkenamon, beautifully crafted pens and accessories by Mike Elliott, and a selection of collectible Santas and snowmen by Dave Eldreth at bargain prices.
Added to the mix are handmade soaps and scents by Carrie Neeley, and adorable felt figures by Alyce Templeton – each one a tiny treasure. Maggie Creshkoff shows locally themed crocks, as well as three of her whimsical tin can people sculptures. And Tom Hartnett makes cutting boards fun with his pig-shaped boards and other beautifully crafted wood accessories.
The Oxford Arts Alliance Main Gallery is at 38 S. Third St., Oxford. Artisan Gift Shop hours are Thursday and Friday from 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special hours include: Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Dec. 16 to 20, noon to 8 p.m.; Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays in December from noon to 3 p.m. Visit www.oxfordart.org.