We are back with the next gift guide from our new December series #VCMarketplace! We got to hang out with six awesome local small business owners and chat about their holiday gift favorites that should be on your shopping list this season!
(If you missed the live event and want to watch, click here. Pro tip: Skip to 11:40 for the gift recommendations!)
Bella Vita Jewelry
Bella Vita Jewelry and Gifts is located at 6th and Main St. in downtown Little Rock. The main focus of the shop is their hand made jewelry line, Bella Vita Jewelry. All jewelry is handmade, in their shop/studio. In addition to jewelry, they also feature gift items made by local artists. Everything curated for the shop is handmade, vintage, local, or fair trade. They also do jewelry repairs and travel for events!
What should be on your list:
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This Felted Advent Calendar. Adorable.
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Get sentimental with cuff bracelets with hand stamped location coordinates to commemorate any moment or memory.
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Add DIY Candle Making Kit to your list of must-haves for quarantine
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The stylish ZARA Drop Necklace in ANY of the colors! Throw it on over pretty much anything to spice up your Zoom call.
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VC Staff favorites:
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Make a statement with the BIB Necklace! Comes in a variety of colors.
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Got a hat? A scarf? A funky jacket? Trust us — it needs a bird clip.
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What you need to know to shop:
Order before 4 p.m. for same day shipping/fulfilling. If you choose curbside pickup, we will call when your order is ready!
Monday-Friday: 10:00 – 6:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 4:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 4:00
Location:
108 W. 6th St, Suite A, Little Rock, AR 72201
501-396-9146
info@bellavitajewelry.net
Tammy Sue’s Critters
Tammy Sue’s Critters, a family-owned dairy farm, is home of all-natural, cruelty-free, wonderfully scented products for the home. Tammy Sue has been crafting and inventing products for the home all her life. Growing up in the country, she developed a love for nature and a desire to create products that would help protect the world and serve the people who use them. All products are small-batch made and organic, without chemicals or petroleum byproduct and dyes.
You can find the products at these retail stores.
What should be on your list:
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The beloved goat’s milk lotion, which comes in a pump bottle or a 2 oz. size and more than a dozen scents!
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For keeping your immune system in tip-top shape, the elderberry tincture, made with distilled vodka from the local Rocktown Distillery!
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On the topic of wellness, the beeswax-based menthol chest rub
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The Arnica Goat’s Milk Cream, perfect for providing cool relief and soothing muscles and joints
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VC Staff favorites:
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Gift baskets! Contact Tammy to put together custom baskets from $15 to $100
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Give the gift of self-care with any of the organic bath products! Our favorites are the shampoo bar (zero waste for the win!), the loofah scrub (made with the loofahs grown on the farm!) and the most delicious smelling salt scrub
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What you need to know to shop:
Visit the farm at 4 Cheyenne Trail, North Little Rock, AR 72120
Shop the store online or visit them at live venues!
Location/Contact:
tammysuescritters@gmail.com | 501.920.1532
Kristin Chase
You’ll find clothes and accessories from markets in New York, Dallas and Atlanta at Kristin Chase. The store is known for having the best pants designers with the most flattering fits – Fabrizio Gianni, Peace of Cloth, Ecru and Tractr Jeans. Tops and dresses by 3 Dot, Lilla P., Finley, 525 America, and Jude Connally complete the mix. They have the best jewelry and accessories including Love Quotes Scarves, Coralia Lees Jewelry, Simon Sebbag (coming in November), Annabel Ingall, Spanx and Hanky Panky.
What should be on your list:
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The poncho of the year! It’s one size fits all and comes in 18 colors.
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We’re still obsessing over the water-resistant, non-wrinkle Python Print Anarak jackets. It also comes in camo!
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The unbelievably lightweight diamond cut-out earrings in gold or silver
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Modern take on the classic pearl earrings
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VC Staff favorites:
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Jewelry for the most independent: this freshwater pearl necklace with magnetic back for ultimately easy closure
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What you need to know to shop:
Monday-Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Pickup available
Location:
5008 Kavanaugh Blvd Little Rock, AR, US 72207
(501) 663-1665
If you see something you love on their Facebook, call to have them put it back for you!
James Hayes Art Glass
Owner James Hayes was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He owns and operates the James Hayes Art Glass Company in Pine Bluff. After receiving an art degree from Hendrix College in Conway Arkansas in 1988, he searched for a new medium to express his artistic talent. Three months later he discovered glassblowing at the Arkansas Arts Center Museum School. He has studied glassblowing in Murano, Italy; Paris, France; the Glass Furnace in Istanbul; Urban Glass Brooklyn, New York; New Town Plaza in Hong Kong; and the Pilchuck Glass School near Seattle, Washington.
His art is available at these retail locations or you can visit his showroom.
What should be on your list:
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The Christmas figurines, cardinal, reindeer or snowman!
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Christmas ornaments. They can even be customized if ordered by 12/18.
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Colorful bowls, vases and centerpieces
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VC Staff favorites:
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Glass parties! You and a group of 6 or more can order glass and then watch Hayes build the fire and make the product! Lasts 2.5-3 hours.
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What you need to know to shop:
When in Little Rock, visit Everyday Chef to see James’ art.
When in North Little Rock, visit Red Door Gallery.
Masks required in showroom.
Come see the art at any of these events!
Location:
James Hayes Art Glass Co.
2900 Ridgway Road
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
James Hayes: (870) 543-9792
Lynette (Assistant): (870) 540-9080
Email: james.hayes@hayesartglass.com
Cocoa Belle Chocolates
Cocoa Belle’s handcrafted artisan products are inspired by Southern desserts for a nostalgic taste. While in Europe, owner Carmen Portillo traveled to Paris, France and caught the chocolate fever! When she returned home to Little Rock over a year later, she longed for that experience again, so she researched ways to learn the trade and techniques for making delicious, artisan truffles.
Carmen has gathered techniques from world-renowned chefs and studied at the Notter School for Confectionary and Chocolate Arts in Orlando, Florida. This combined with a certificate from Ecole Chocolat Professional Chocolate Arts, makes Carmen the first and only Certified Professional Chocolatier in the State of Arkansas.
What should be on your list:
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A box of handmade, organic/fair trade truffles! They come in variety boxes of 9, 16, or 25 pieces.
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We are absolutely drooling over these the cocoa spiced pecans!
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The Vogue-worthy (literally — they were featured in 2017 Vogue’s Culinary Collection) chocolate sauces and chocolate butter. You can eat it on pastries, but we simply recommend a large spoon.
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VC Staff favorites:
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The perfect winter gift: Hot cocoa mixes! These vegan and allergen friendly packets come in five flavors: original, autumn spice (think pumpkin spice!), holiday jolly peppermint, campfire, and Champurrado.
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What you need to know to shop:
Purcase online! The Little Rock store is located inside Bella Vita Jewelry, masks required.
Call or visit the website to inquire about direct ordering, subscription services, business to business sales, or events.
Open Tuesday to Saturday
11am to 4pm
Location:
Factory:
3614 Market Place Ave Suite 1
Bryant, AR 72022
Little Rock Location:
108 W. 6th Street
Good Earth Garden Center
The Good Earth Garden Center opened in 1974 on the outskirts of Little Rock, west of the city limits. Over time, the town expanded to the west, enveloping The Good Earth in a thriving new area full of growth. What began as primarily a retail store and growing facility has developed into a full-service garden center, complete with landscape design/build services, irrigation installation and repair, lawn and landscape maintenance, and a gift shop. We still grow most of our perennials and have the largest perennial and pottery selection in the state.
In the spring of 2011, The Good Earth Garden Center purchased neighboring Arkansas Garden Center-West, creating even more opportunities to serve the community. For over 45 Years, The Good Earth’s mission has been to provide a wonderful experience. Within The Good Earth’s inventory, you’ll find a sampling of some of the best-selling trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and houseplants carried throughout the year. Don’t miss the 5000 sq. ft. gift shop either!
See some of their favorite locally made gifts here.
What should be on your list:
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Pottery from local potters such as Piper Brokes from Honey Bee Pottery and their very own Chad Oppenhuizen.
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Bright colored calendars, refills and other stationary from local artist Cary Collins
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Handmade jewelry from Uganda. It even comes with an awesome backstory: through a mission trip a few years back, The Good Earth began a relationship with and commitment to Save Street Children Uganda school, orphanage and farm. They now sell the handmade jewelry in their store and 100% of proceeds go back to the organization.
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Fingerless mittens and adorable seasonal hats from Peruvian knitters!
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Winter-themed rain chains and outdoor ornaments
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VC Staff favorites:
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Classic seasonal Poinsettas to brighten any holiday. Here are some tips on how to care for it.
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Indoor/Outdoor lamps made from cocoa leaves, indoor/outdoor covered,
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What you need to know to shop:
Masks required
Sun: Closed
Mon-Sat: 8:00am – 5pm
NOTICE: Sunday hours (11 am to 5 pm, spring and fall only) are seasonal. Regular hours are Monday-Saturday 8 am to 5 pm. We offer extended hours during peak spring season only. Also, we are primarily an outdoor business so weather conditions like extreme rain, sleet, and snow impact our hours. Check our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter for the most recent updates during inclement weather. We are closed on Easter Sunday, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and may close early on other holidays such as July 4th, Memorial Day, Christmas Eve, etc. Check Facebook/Twitter for early closing notices on major holidays.
Location:
The Good Earth Garden
15601 Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 72223
501.868.4666
Email:
Check out last week’s guide here!