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 Christmas by Hand Five tips on making your own gifts
If you’re looking for some inexpensive gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, check out these fun, quirky handmade projects that can help you get in touch with your inner Martha Stewart. But, you know, cooler.
1. Knitting is all the rage again, and not just for grandma. Whip up some cell phone or iPod cozies or an urban poncho for your loved ones with the help of The Sweatshop of Love. You and your peeps can get your yarn on in one of her many classes and not flail around with needles in a public setting. Contact owner Allyson Dykhuisen through the Sweatshop’s MySpace page (myspace.com.thesweatshopoflove).
2. Dying to give all of your family special t-shirts or bandanas with your face on them so they can think of you all year round? They might make fun of you, but Lill Street Art Center (4401 West Ravenswood, (773)769-4226, www.lillstreet.com) can make your dream a reality with their "Screenprinted Gifts for the Holidays" class on Sunday afternoons.
3. Looking for a little bling? Want to get back to those friendship bracelet days? Check out Beadniks in Wicker Park (1937 West Division, (773)276-2323, www.beadniks.com), where the owners, Mary and Lauren, will help you string together a slammin’ stocking stuffer for both your sweetie and your sweet new pal.
4. Are you more of a "designer" than a "production person"? That’s okay, we can’t all be sewers and knitters. The 1154 Lill Studio (904 West Armitage, (773)477-5455, www.1154lill.com) allows you to design your own handbag, but they’ll do the dirty work of constructing it. They even host designing parties for you and your friends so you can all give unique, thoughtful gifts without all the trouble of having to sew it yourself.
5. Are you in desperate need of a purple ashtray or a plate with your handprint on it? Head over to one of Glazed Expressions’ (www.myglazedexpressions.com) five Chicago-area locations and paint yourself some happy. You pick the ceramic piece and paint it. They fire it, you pick it up a week later. Take the opportunity to give personalized coffee mugs to everyone you know.
Also by Beth Dugan The Gentle Garage
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