A Colorado Gift Guide
Unique Colorado-made goods for inside, outside and all around the town
WHAT A pom-pom winter hat rendered in naturally dyed wool and felt, by Boulder textile artist Maryanne Quinn; $1,600 framed. WHY It’s a smile and a perfect bit of pink and textural joy for your wall. WHERE TO BUY maryannequinn.com
WHAT Original pen-and-paper illustrations are screen-printed by hand onto everyday items; tea towels, $14. WHY Who doesn’t need a dish towel with holiday panache? WHERE TO BUY counter-couture.com
WHAT Ceramicist Liz Quan designs vases with simplicity in form, meant to highlight your flower of choice; from $85. WHY Even without blooms, these vessels are stand-alone sculptural objects. WHERE TO BUY lizquan.com
WHAT Hand-formed, vegetable-tanned leather bowls with hand-drawn ink; $48. WHY So you’ll have an elegant place to leave your keys, or a lovely objet d’art. WHERE TO BUY alexaallenis.com
WHAT Enstrom Almond Toffee; boxes from $23. WHY Sweet, salty, crunchy perfection in a confection. The Enstrom family has been satiating Colorado’s sweet tooth for 60 years. WHERE TO BUY enstrom.com
WHAT A tote composed of natural, veg-tanned leather, with a large front-patch pocket for your phone and keys; $275. WHY Because we all need a classic, go-to bag that multitasks with ease. WHERE TO BUY byelke.com
WHAT Zachary Maytum Custom Saddles combine traditional materials and style with modern ergonomics; from $4,000. WHY Saddling up should be comfortable for both horse and rider. WHERE TO BUY zmaytum@gmail.com
WHAT From renowned Moxie bread makers, Feed + Seed offers freshly milled grain, sourced from family farms in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and beyond; $9 for 3 pounds. WHY Kneading and fresh-baked bread are their own form of winter therapy. WHERE TO BUY 4593 Broadway, Boulder
WHAT Resilient and robust Colorado seeds, selected for gardeners in high-altitude regions; $3.75. WHY All seeds have been field-tested. WHERE TO BUY highdesertseed.com
WHAT Hayden Kessel builds high-quality custom blades to your specifications; from $250. WHY So every home cook can feel like an Iron Chef. WHERE TO BUY haydenknife.com
WHAT A Palm Tree Ukulele handcrafted by a father and son team in Manitou Springs; prices vary, $2,595 for this one. WHY It’s a beautiful way to make music. WHERE TO BUY palmtreeukuleles.com
WHAT With a focus on textures, painter/potter Fanta Watson creates pieces meant to be touched; from $68. WHY Functional items can and should be beautiful. WHERE TO BUY Island Farm, 1122 Pearl St., Boulder; fantawatson.com
WHAT A jigsaw puzzle depicting the things that make the Centennial State great; $29.99. WHY A thousand pieces of distraction when you need some indoor entertainment. WHERE TO BUY etsy.com (search: Lantern Press Colorado Puzzle)
WHAT Laws Whiskey House Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey; $65. WHY Colorado heirloom varietals are cooked up and stored for three years in charred oak barrels. WHERE TO BUY lawswhiskeyhouse.com
WHAT Acme Fine Goods paracord bracelets in multiple colors; $12. WHY Owner Eric Reed shills his 12-year-old nephew Tucker Smith’s bracelets, and they add a funky pop to any outfit. WHERE TO BUY Acme Fine Goods, Louisville, Colorado; acmefinegoods.com
WHAT Lenz Sport ski-bike technology fuses a bicycle and a pair of skis for a whole new kind of downhill magic; from $1,700 to $3,700. WHY Mountain bike fun without the rocks. WHERE TO BUY lenzsport.com
WHAT A do-it-yourself watercolor project with desert or mountain illustrations, by Carbondale artist Sarah Uhl; $15. WHY For anyone who loved paint-by-numbers kits, this is a creative upgrade. WHERE TO BUY sarahuhl.com
WHAT Engineered yurts for all Colorado climates in an array of colors and sizes; $10,000 to $30,000. WHY Get close to nature, with room for friends and family to share the experience. WHERE TO BUY coloradoyurt.com
WHAT Beeswax candles are hand-poured into handmade ceramic pots and scented with a touch of rose or lavender essential oils; $24. WHY The combo of candlelight and scented air can be a mood changer. WHERE TO BUY beeandrose.co
WHAT Kemo Sabe Grit hats—made of beaver and winter-hare fur—are flat-shaped or curled to your liking; from $595. WHY In the words of singer Lyle Lovett, “You can have my girl, but don’t touch my hat.” WHERE TO BUY kemosabe.com
WHAT From embossed to beaded, custom collars for your dog; from $40. WHY Because every pooch deserves a classy collar. WHERE TO BUY Mary Manka, Colorado Custom Collars, 303-829-0406
