Written By Karen Nitkin
Wine is fine and candy is dandy, but why not think outside the (chocolate) box this Valentine’s Day, with some creative gifts from local merchants and artists?
The Bold and the Beautiful. Gift-givers can’t go wrong at Hickory Stick. Clever gadgets, colorful home decor, terrific jewelry and unusual gourmet snacks seem to crowd every corner of this multi-room wonderland. Splash-of-sunshine pocketbooks, including this Valentine-colored one from Meta ($58) are among the top sellers. Hickory Stick, 28 Liberty St., Westminster, 410-848-4370, www.thehickorystickwestminster.com.
Mirror, Mirror. This unique mirror frame by local artist Cathy Trani brightens any space. Trani, who lives in Baltimore, cuts her tiles by hand to create her cheery mirrors, vases and other pieces. The piece shown here is $45 at the Carroll County Center for the Arts, 91 W. Main St., Westminster, 410-848-7272. She’s also part owner of Wild Yam Pottery in Hampden. Check out her web site, www.wildyampottery.com.
Bling Went the Strings of My Heart. Dj vu, at 8 South Main Street, Mount Airy, 301-829-1707, sells vintage clothes, fun jewelry and terrific pocketbooks, often with a young, West Coast vibe. This choker by William Wang Designs, made with Swarovski crystals set in sterling silver, is $49.99, and guarantees that your heart will be close to hers.
Basket Case. The Westminster Gift Basket Co., located alongside Gypsy’s Tea Room at 111 Stoner Ave., Westminster, will make custom gift baskets based on your budget and the preferences of your loved one. Choose from a wealth of bath and body supplies, chocolates, tea-related accessories and pretty home items when filling the basket, or let the experts take charge. Call 410-857-0058.
What a Mug. “My clay is my therapy,” says Carolyn Boniface, who paints her vases, teapots and other items in a food-safe glaze. Mugs are $12, the creamer shown here is $16, some larger pieces are a little more. Find Carolyn’s Creations and other gift items at Contrary Mary’s, 7606 Main St., Sykesville, 410-549-9005, www.contrarymarys.com. Carolyn also gives pottery classes through the Carroll County Dept. of Recreation and Parks.
Wiggle Room. This set of pounded silver earrings and matching necklace ($55 for the set) was created by Westminster artist Laura Schultz, who works with silver, semiprecious stones and glass to create her own designs and do custom work. Her jewelry is on sale at the Carroll County Center for the Arts, as well as the Pour House, where she works as a barista. Pour House, 233 East Main St. Westminster, 410-751-9171 or contact Schultz at primitivel@aol.com.
Shaken or Stirred? We haven’t forgotten that men deserve Valentine gifts, too. We like a guy who enjoys a stogie or a drink now and then, and so do the folks at Retro Metro, a great new shop in Mount Airy. The martini glasses and pitcher from Not Neutral are $59.95 and the cigar tube-flask combo from Torre & Tagus is $31.95. Retro Metro is at 118 South Main Street, Mount Airy, 301-831-0310.
