Support Austin creatives this season! Follow along our Holiday Gift Guide to find one-of-a-kind presents from our favorite local shops.
Two years ago, Sara Barnes started Frond Plant Shop in a quaint corner off South 1st Street. Sara, a Native Texan, comes from a long line of plant-loving family members and creativity. Her parents are both artists.
This eclectic shop specializes in a variety of house plants and handmade ceramics that can be customized to fit anyone’s style. Even the tiniest plant can make your home feel more alive.
Novice plant owners will be surprised at the happiness a flourishing plant can bring to their home. Plant lovers will be consumed with the choices that Frond Plant Shop offers.
Convince that friend who believes plants are doomed to die under their roof that even they can successfully care for a low maintenance air plant.
Affordability: $
Spotlight Gift: Customize a plant by choosing a ceramic pot and air plant
Perfect for: Your friend who recently moved and is looking to bring a little life to their new home
507-A W Mary St, Austin, TX 78704
frondaustin.com
Perfume is a classic holiday gift, however it is also one of the hardest to choose. Treat your friend to a truly unique experience by inviting them to partake in creating their signature scent.
Founder Krista Lacey started creating all natural perfumes after having an adverse reaction to synthetic fragrances. She wanted to make something chemical free without losing the traditional methods of perfumery. For Krista, it’s not about mass production. She creates perfume with the sole purpose of making people feel good.
Though Roux Saint James began in 2011, the first brick and mortar shop was opened this past September at Springdale General. Along with a studio space for creating unique scents, the space is also open for visitors to explore and partake in workshops.
Roux Saint James products are for everyone, even people tied to the idea that perfume is too pungent. By using all natural ingredients, this perfume is perfect for an everyday scent.
Affordability: $-$$
Spotlight Gift: Gift certificate to a workshop for $75. Each workshop lasts for 2-3 hours and guests are introduced to 25+ essential oils. Guests leave with a custom blend in the form of a 6ml bottle perfume roll-on of their own creation.
Perfect for: People with allergies and high sensitivity to synthetic fragrances who are into mindfulness and sick of “stinky perfume.”
1023 Springdale Rd, Building 9, Suite F, Austin TX 78721
rouxstjames.com
In early 2010, Raw Paw started with a mission to be everything creative. Literally. Pretty soon they developed into a publisher, book, magazine, art party series, record label, poetry reading series, musical festival…the list goes on and on.
With a hand in every sector of Austin’s creative scene, Raw Paw began to find out who they are. They focused on perfecting their business as a screen printing studio, art collective and media label. At the core of all their ventures is a desire that supersedes all others: supporting the local art economy by finding and creating opportunities for artists to prosper.
This past September, Raw Paw hit a new landmark by opening up their shop and screen print studio in the St. Elmo area. Entering their pink door will lead you to their quaint and colorful shop, filled with products that celebrate the local art community.
Affordability: $
Spotlight Gift: Shirt from the Artist Series: an project that commissioned 16 local artists to design their own t-shirts
Perfect for: Anyone looking to broaden their style with custom wearable art
506 E St Elmo Rd a3, Austin, TX 78745
rawpaw.ink
Shop all the way up to Christmas Eve at the 43rd annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar!
For the next ten days, the Palmer Events Center will be taken over by 180+ independent artists, musicians and local businesses.
The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is the perfect family activity. It’s great for shoppers of all ages. This annual affair has solidified their community-driven art market and have taken it even further this year with their 12 Days of Giving.
The 12 Days of Giving initiative was designed to support Austin nonprofits, with each receiving a portion of ticket proceeds from their designated day. Some of these nonprofits include Art Alliance Austin, Chula League and even yours truly! If you attend the bazaar on Friday, December 21st, you’ll be supporting Almost Real Things and in turn, countless Austin artists.
Spend a day at this art market, live concert and family fun event to get in the holiday spirit!
Affordability: $
Spotlight Gift: A ticket (preferably on December 21st) is only $10! Free admission for kids 12 and under
Perfect for: Family and friends from out of town who want an authentic Austin community experience. Also people who want to buy all of their gifts in one place
Palmer Events, Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
armadillobazaar.com
So you went to EAST and think you’ve seen everything the Austin art scene has to offer? Think again.
Art for the People has managed to fit original work from over 120 artists in the form of jewelry, ceramics, sculptures, paintings, prints, fashion and home decor.
Unlike traditional art galleries and boutiques, Art for the People opened with the purpose of creating a space for artists of all genres. Along with promoting the local art community, Art for the People also allows visitors to learn about art in a comfortable environment.
This gallery isn’t easy to miss. If you’re strolling down South 1st St, just look for the quirky painted house with a butterfly on the front.
Affordability: $-$$
Spotlight Gift: Mini handmade crochet cactus from talented local artist Will Crochet
Perfect for: The friend or family member who has made the mistake of buying a print from Ikea and is annoyed by seeing the same piece in every other house they visit
1711 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
artforthepeoplegallery.com
Give the gift of style this holiday season!
Wet Salon opened their doors in 2000 with a desire to create a comfortable salon environment for everyone. Now home to 9 professional stylists and 2 master colorists, Wet promotes personal style and individual taste.
In addition to offering creative hairstyles, the owners of Wet have been fervent supporters of the local art scene. Each month, they offer up their walls to local artists to hang and sell work without taking a fee or commission. This month, we’ve hung up art from our featured artists along with A.R.T. prints designed by our own Zach Zulch.
Help a friend or family member feel like a rockstar and start the new year with a fresh look.
Affordability: $$
Spotlight Gift: Pair a gift certificate with a piece of local art straight off the walls (and treat yo’self to a new hair style for fun!)
Perfect for: Your friend who desperately wants a new look but is too timid to take the first step
2004 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
wetsalonatx.com
We can attest to their motto “small pies, big taste.”
As we strolled through the South Lamar bakery to look for a spotlight gift to recommend, we couldn’t resist picking up a tiny pie for ourselves. They are too good to resist!
Tiny Pies has been family owned and operated since 2011. Baking pies have always been a part of the owners lives and they still use traditional family recipes.
Upon visiting one of the two bakeries, you’ll find a variety of miniature seasonal pies both sweet and savory. To retain their delicious taste, the pie crusts are always made from European butter, not lard or shortening.
Pies are baked daily in small batches, using only high quality natural ingredients from Austin and the greater Texas area. Orders can be placed for pick up or delivery. You can even ship some tiny pies to family across the country.
Affordability: $
Spotlight Gift: Assorted pie bites. The bite-sized even tinier pies come in classic pecan and turtle pies and are packaged by the dozen
Perfect for: Families who can never agree on one dessert and fans of not sharing. Bypass the arguing and get everyone their own individual pie
South: 2032 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
North: 5035 Burnet Rd #100, Austin, TX 78756
tinypies.com
Give the gift of A.R.T. this season and support the local art community in the process!
The Almost Real Things shop is a combination of our custom branded fashion and featured products that have crossed the border from “almost real” to “real.”
Peruse the shop online to find products ranging from the one-of-a-kind Betch Tease t-shirts from interviewee Tessa Renee in our first issue, Flingamo flamingos that always make an appearance at our events and all 12 past issues.
Affordability: $
Spotlight Gift: Represent Almost Real Things with the distinct visible A-frame logo on hats and sweatshirts
Perfect for: Almost Real fans who can’t wait for the next issue to come out
Shop anytime online or in person at the Armadillo Art Bazaar on December 21st!
A.R.T. Shop