It’s that time again. Feasting on copious amounts of turkey, stuffing, and sweet potato pie are behind us, which means it’s time to move on to the next tradition—decorating for the gift-giving season. In the wake of #shopsmall, we’re keeping with the trend and supporting independent makers. Here are some of the prettiest ornaments to adorn your tree for everyone from the monochrome minimalist to boho-inspired.
Zai Divecha
You may know the work of San Francisco-based Zai Divecha from her metal working days when she wielded geometric shapes into steel home wares with touches of marble and wood. Recently, she’s shifted her focus into fine art, implementing those same forms into paper. She emphasizes”mountain” and “valley” folds, pattern play with shadow and depth in her three-dimensional art. Her framed and hanging pleats have now made their way into orbs as objéts, or with a string attachment to be hung on the tree or mantle. It’s also a much more affordable way to score a piece of Divecha’s art. // Get the her ornament ($34) at zaidivecha.com.
BlancLaine
Crafter and minimalist enthusiast, Ariane Gatien, is an accountant-turned-interior designer, who discovered weaving in the process. With an artist for a mother and a general contractor for a father, it comes as no surprise that she has since become a full time fiber artist creating fluffy wall hangings, woven pillows, and intricate needlepoint. She’s downsized her beautiful designs into mini ornament-size weavings. // Shop her array of work at her Etsy shop.
Jess Palmer
Based in New York, studio potter Jess Palmer has been creating functional porcelain pots and jewelry for the past eight years. Her work draws from Art Deco architecture as well as minimalism, creating a balance in geometry, line, pattern, and color. Using porcelain as a canvas, she hones in on intricate details, not limited by any style or technique; though she does work with an emphasis on instilling a sense of calm. Leaning towards whites, blues, turquoise, soft greens, and grays, she will add in a pop of color with red, coral, or gold luster to her otherwise mostly monochromatic palette. Her holiday wares come in seashell shapes and angels in soothing hues. // Ornaments ($40-$42) are available at jesspalmerceramics.com.
Lindsay Rose
Calligrapher and watercolor painter, Lindsay Rose translates her adventures in nature with her husband and two dogs into hand lettered prints and paintings. From inspirational quotes to picturesque landscapes, moon phases to flowers, her works exudes a sense of positivity and hope. These scenes of wanderlust make their way into her galaxy and moon ornaments—rustic wood slices adorned with mountains, moons, outer space, sunsets, the desert, cacti, star maps, and cityscapes. // Galaxy ($15) and Moon ($5) ornaments are available at her Etsy shop.
Kina Ceramics
Kina Gorska creates contemporary china crockery and handmade giftware, all with a whimsical twist. Think: a mug with spikes that protect your hands from heat, bowls on fingers marching on shelves, or little figurines of monsters and animals. Her ideas transform from sketches into plater models and prototypes before they become plaster molds. Using an industrial slip casting technique, her designs comes to life, and then are decorated with transfers or hand painted with gold or platinum. Her collection of ornaments are classic in form, though adorned with her standard sense of melding elegant pieces with quirky fun resulting in alabaster orbs with emoticons, flora and fauna, pinup girls, and more. // Ornaments ($23-$80) are available at kinaceramicdesign.com.
Biomorphics
Jamie Greene and Joel McGrady make up the creative duo that is Biomophics. Each play their own part in creating their ethically made pieces that focus on sacred geometry. Greene, an interdisciplinary artist and “multidimensional visionary thinker” harnesses his background in metal arts, digital graphics and drafting, and industrial design; while McGrady stands as their resident computer programmer, textiles specialist, and designer. Based in San Francisco, the two create lost-wax cast recycled metal jewelry, laser and CNC cut reclaimed wood pieces, eco-conscious contemporary clothing and accessories, and reusable sacred geometry stencils and vinyl decals. Inspired by nature in all its forms from stones and fossils to plants and microscopic life, their pieces invite viewers to stop, question, and ponder their place in the greater scope of reality unfolding around them. Their ornaments—wooden ammonites, oak leaves, and mandalas—channel this same energy, serving as a reminder to stay present during the holidays. // Ornaments ($20-$44) are available at their Etsy shop.
Kindred Species
Abby Emerson began as a knitter. While working on a scarf, she ran out of yarn, and while visiting a local fiber store, she discovered a needle felting kit. She made a single bluebird and never looked back. Nearly ten years and several hundred critters later, she’s developed what she calls her “little wool menagerie” with beautiful little “woolnimals.” Her creatures ranging from rabbits to crocodiles to an iguana in its own habitat, each are crafted with detail and are irresistibly charming. “I adore animals and it’s as much a surprise to me as anyone else to see the personality and soul of the creature emerge from a ball of wool.” With a bit of string, her collection is instantly transformed into the cutest ornaments you’ll ever see. // Ornaments ($43) are available at her Etsy shop.
Whale and Anchor
Jess Yeomans is a merchant mariner, licensed 100 ton master, and former launch boat captain who is current a tugboat deckhand. She is also an illustrator and artist creating nautical art while at sea. For the holiday, she’s created lobster buoy ornaments with four different designs including a snowflake, anchor, tree, or lobster. // Ornaments ($15) are available at their Etsy store.
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