Shop Local: Gift ideas by Pittsburgh artists
The best gifts are not the mass manufactured products that three other people in the office also received. The best gifts are about the kind and thoughtful gestures that live as relics to cherish forever. Art is a shared bond to a collective experience. It inspires authenticity, develops communication, and connects us to sources of our identity and expression.
This holiday season, we curated a gifting guide for you featuring Pittsburgh-based artists, including staff recommendations and suggestions from our Instagram community. We believe it's important to support our local arts because, honestly, there is beauty desperately awaiting every moment to be captured. In these moments, it is artists who preserve the essence of humanity — that is what gift-giving is about. Instead of getting the same generic options, support your local artists as a precious gift that will nourish your loved ones and our community.
Pocket Mirrors by Otto Finn
Where to buy: ottofinn.com
Product description: Rona Chang, the artist behind Otto Finn, has created a sustainable fashion line featuring one-of-a-kind designs well worth a look. But she also offers affordable gifts for folks with a budget. This 2.75-inch pocket-sized mirror boasts a "touch of sustainability," encased in a cover crafted from Kantha scraps sourced from her jacket production process.
Price: $25
Recommended by: Lisa Cunningham, Director of Marketing and Communications
FLYGIRL Earrings by Blakbird Jewelry
Where to buy: blakbirdjewelry.com
Product description: Selima repurposed her art history studies to craft these beautiful nickel-free bronze earrings; the style is inspired by ancient Egyptian fly amulets that symbolize life and fertility.
Price: $48
Recommended by: Ajani Powell, Advocacy and Communications Associate
Fish Skeleton Tote Bag by Ally Lush Illustration
Where to buy: allylushillustration.bigcartel.com
Product description: Now that the single-use plastic bag ban requiring customers to pay for paper bags has gone into effect in Pittsburgh, save your friends some coins by gifting a tote bag illustrated by a local artist. We recommend Ally Lush’s fish skeleton tote – what better to take while shopping at Wholey’s?
Price: $25
Recommended by: Morgan Kasprowicz, Director of Research and Special Projects
Small Lace Finger Bowls by Emmanuelle Ceramics
Where to buy: emmanuelleceramics.com
Product description: These small decorative bowls crafted by artist Emmanuelle Wambach are a beautiful addition to add decorative flare and functionality to your living space.
Price: $25
Recommended by: Mia Hooper, COO
Pet Portraits by Peach’s Customs
Where to buy: peachscustoms.wixsite.com
Product description: The fur babies deserve love, too. That is why we recommend these watercolor paintings by Allison to accentuate the vibrance one's pet adds to our lives.
Price: $80+
Recommended by: Soren de-Niz, Communications Intern
The Flyaways – Blue and Clear Earrings by SaraBeth Post
Where to buy: sarabethpost.net
Product description: These unique and abstract earrings, made of sterling silver and borosilicate glass, are the statement piece your closet begs for.
Price: $145
Recommended by: @ultralit.sb
Winter Solstice Candle by Syzygy Scents
Where to buy: syzygyscents.com
Product description: Spruce up the winter aroma with a candle made by Lexie of Syzygy Scents. This fragrance carries nodes of cedar, pine, and balsam fir.
Price: $12
Recommended by: Mia Hooper, COO
Venus - Black Girls in Space Graphic T-Shirt by Black Girl Absolute
Where to buy: blackgirlabsolute.com
Product description: A graphic tee that encapsulates the passion of Black LQBTQ+ romance, this shirt is designed by Black Girls Absolute and printed by Pittsburgh-based custom apparel company Clockwise.io.
Price: $34.99
Recommended by: Ajani Powell, Advocacy and Communications Associate
Pinball Pop Bumper Night Light by Tiltcycle
Where to buy: etsy.com/shop/tiltcycle
Product description: Pittsburgh artist Nikki Burfield creates upcycled artwork from pinball machines. We think her night lights, featuring upcycled pinball machine pop bumpers, are the perfect gift for your favorite gamer.
Price: $27.50
Recommended by: Lisa Cunningham, Director of Marketing and Communications
Darkness Hip Bag from Mountain Scavenger
Where to buy: mountainscavenger.com
Product description: This Black Hip Bag is made of handmade leather craftsmanship, equipped with brass rivets, O ring accents, and heavy duty brass clips.
Price: $90
Recommended by: @witchhazeljewelry
Dog Bag Holders 3.0 by Safran Everyday
Where to buy: safraneveryday.com
Product description: Functional, cute, and colorful, these dispensable dog bags holders take a convenient and sustainable approach to your dog-walking routine.
Price: $60
Recommended by: @ottofinn
cypress k-grip by Stone + Sparrow
Where to buy: stoneandsparrow.studio
Product description: A minimalist yet eclectic twist to your favorite coffee mug, Kate Marchand has produced a pottery gem with a great combination of traditional and modern design.
Price: $56
Recommended by: Patrick Fisher, CEO
“What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker” by Damon Young from Tiny Bookstore
Where to buy: tinybooksonline.com
Product description: Damon Young is a Pittsburgh author who explores the cultural observations of existence through the humorous lens of masculinity and distinction of Black identity. We recommend purchasing a copy at Tiny Books, a Black-owned independent Pittsburgh bookstore.
Price: $17.99
Recommended by: Ajani Powell, Advocacy and Communications Associate
Whipped Sugar Scrubs by Plants for Skin
Where to buy: plantsforskin.com
Product description: Pamper your skin with an all-natural sugar scrub that smells like luxury. With a blend of Vitamin E oil, Shea butter, sweet almond oil, and sugar, this scrub will have your skin feeling hydrated and smooth.
Price: $25
Recommended by: Ajani Powell, Advocacy and Communications Associate
Perpetual Calendars by Meshwork Press
Where to buy: meshworkpress.com
Product description: We initially featured Meshwork Press' amazing squiggle earrings, but they're currently sold out! Luckily for us — and you! — this local shop offers a bunch of other rad gift ideas including these letterpress-printed calendars, perfect for helping keep track of all your important dates in the new year.
Price: $45
Recommended by: Patrick Fisher, CEO
Bow Ties by Knotzland
Where to buy: knotzland.com/shopall
Product description: A 4.5 x 3-inch accessory for many to enjoy, these sustainable bowties created by artist Nisha Blackwell are thoughtfully handsewn to preserve character and embody style.
Price: $55+
Recommended by: Ajani Powell, Advocacy and Communications Associate
Copper Chainmail Raccoon Vertebrae Bone Earrings by Witch Hazel Jewelry
Where to buy: witchhazeljewelry.com
Product description: These earrings, created by a Pittsburgh-based, one-person artisan business, feature a copper electroformed real raccoon vertebra.
Price: $65
Recommended by: @witchhazeljewelry
Burnt Orange Candle by Jordan Candle Shop
Where to buy: etsy.com/shop/JordanCandleShop
Product description: Jordan has prepared you with smells of cozy comfort in a jar. This candle contains hints of sweet orange, sandalwood, and cinnamon leaf.
Price: $20
Recommended by: Morgan Kasprowicz, Director of Research and Special Projects
Less Said by Nasir Watson
Where to buy: nhwarchive.com
Product description: Nasir Watson is a Pittsburgh artist whose work can be viewed at Radiant Hall. His artwork takes on a neo-expressionist approach, utilizing colorful and abstract methods to join oil pastel and acrylic paint on paper.
Price: $100
Recommended by: Ajani Powell, Advocacy and Communications Associate
If you are interested in contributing to future lists, make sure to follow us @pghartscouncil.