CACGA 'Holidays' catalog supports local makers

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen has announced the launch of "Handmade for the Holidays," a digital catalog of handmade gifts, home décor, accessories and more featuring 24 Virginia makers and businesses.

In a response to the  impact of COVID-19 on local artisans and the events they rely on for sales, the catalog aims to showcase makers and their unique wares, offering shoppers products for gift-giving as well as a glimpse of the story behind the products. Purchases made through the catalog support the individual maker and their business as well as The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, a non-profit organization.

"Handmade for the Holidays" has gift options ranging from personal accessories and gourmet foods, stationery, and art prints to sturdy wood toys and decorative accents for the home.  Among the catalog highlights are Herbert’s Wine Jellies, a business formed to help support and employ those struggling with mental illness; One Little World, a locally created and managed fair-trade company that works with artisans in a variety of countries; 3D printed gifts, including contactless door openers, by local middle school librarian Desiree Hopkins; and custom memory blankets or pillows made out of old t-shirts and other clothing by sewist Megan Miller.

Glen Allen artist Roger Lacy offers detailed charcoal and pencil drawing prints of beloved celebrities. Art prints include Art by Ichshe’s colorful collage prints, Sean Toler’s photographic prints of spaces and places from around the state, inspirational art by Silver Tree Art, and J2’s sci-fi inspired prints featuring unusual landscapes and space themes.  Rabbit & Wren designs eco-friendly products that also celebrate flora and fauna species native to Virginia.

The catalog offers tea towels, zipper bags, and pocket notebooks with various Virginia plants and animals, as well as hand-felted ornaments of Virginia’s birds.  Unicia Buster’s Coloring Curls series based off her "Coloring Curls: An Adult Coloring Book for Natural Hair," includes the namesake book and its successor, a mask, tote and fabric doll. Other options available are designer jewelry and accessories; all-natural beard care for men and natural unisex body oils; pet bandanas in a wide range of sizes and designs; home décor and soy candles; and seasonal stationery.

"Handmade for the Holidays" is available as a digital flip-thru catalog at artsglenallen.com. Orders may be made through the Center’s online gift shop or by phone Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling 261-6206. Anyone interested in placing a custom order with an artist may do so by emailing programs@artsglenallen.com for information.