The CBC Arts holiday gift guide: 2018 edition
Dear Santa, please send the following items to everyone we know
Let's go to the mall? Not today, Santa, not today! If you're still hunting for gifts — and sweet baby Jesus be with you if you are — those presents had better be unique! One of a kind! More festive and special than a quarter chicken and fries with a tiny Toblerone dessert! That's why we've made you this list, pal. Everything's made by folks we've featured on CBC Arts, so let's start stuffing that shopping cart...
"USBbs"
Kaley Flowers, $60
Putting the "bae" in USB, these ceramic figurines by Toronto's Kaley Flowers double as 16 GB flash drives.
"Winter solstice" pillowcases
Alicia Nauta, $50 (for two)
Perfect for any "long winter's nap."
Dream Mask
Jaik Puppyteeth, $25
We don't all love the holidays, and if you know someone who wants to sleep through the whole festive nightmare, they're probably already a fan of Puppyteeth. These silk sleep masks were painted by hand, and per the artist: "The first ones were made with love and the rest were made with resentment."
Lourdes the Merry Virgin T-shirt
Etsy, $35
Your prayers have been answered! Librarian (and T-shirt designer) by day, drag queen by night, Lourdes the Merry Virgin (a.k.a. Jonathan Busch) sashayed into our hearts in this episode of Canada's a Drag, and you can stan for YEG Drag — or pop icons Ariana Grande, Britney, Madonna and more — in a sparkly tee designed by her holiness herself.
Yi Stropky temporary tattoos
Inkbox, starting at $16 (US)
Not everyone can commit to a tattoo. And not everyone can get on Yi Stropky's waiting list. But this sought-after Vancouver tattoo artist has a whole collection of minimalist designs available through Inkbox. Now if only we could help you get his eyebrows...
Ola Volo slip-ons
Native, $39 (US)
Oh, to walk a mile in an international street artist's shoes. These shoes, for instance.
Andrea Wan "Little Ghost" keychain
Andrea Wan x Herr PONG Berlin, €48
The ghost of Christmas presents? This spooky little dude turns up in a lot of Andrea Wan's work, and as an extra bonus, each one of these leather keyrings comes with a small print by the Vancouver artist.
Mickalene Thomas pocket mirror
Artware Editions, $25 (US)
You're shopping for someone special, right? Remind them they're a work of art...every time they see their face.
Rebecca Chaperon 2019 calendar
Rebecca Chaperon, starting at $29
You might remember Rebecca Chaperon waxing on about the importance of fantasy and escapism in her episode of Art Minute. So why not escape the everyday — every single day of 2019? (By the way, this calendar of her paintings comes in two sizes.)
Sour vs. Sour chocolate bar
Willy Wonka, eat your heart out. Only a bunch of elementary school kids could've come up with a chocolate bar like this one — and that's exactly who's behind it. From Vancouver art collective Big Rock Candy Mountain, Sour vs. Sour is a clash of high/low flavours: a fair trade dark chocolate confection stuffed with dried fruit and lemonade wild cherry Nerds.
News tote
Tylor Macmillan, $15
In the words of Tylor Macmillan, these screenprinted totes are "so crispy."
Ceramic tabletop mirror
Lindsey Hampton (via Slowdown Studio), $130 (US)
She's a designer, a photographer, an illustrator — a featured artist in our Art Minute series. But it's Lindsey Hampton's ceramics that we're singling out here, specifically this Memphis-inspired mirror (available for pre-order via Slowdown Studio). There's plenty more to see, though: browse what's available via the Vancouver artist's website, plus her various stockists worldwide.
urchin softlight
molo design, starting at $400
It's the season of light, after all. This luxe, morphing lamp from Vancouver's molo design could make for a major holiday splurge.
Sandra Chevrier leather jacket
Galerie C.O.A., $1,400 (US)
The women in Sandra Chevrier's paintings are fragile and resilient. They're also badass — as badass as a classic leather motorcycle jacket, hand-painted by the artist herself.
"Lazy" socks
Sitji Chou, $8 (contact artist to purchase)
Because some people actually want socks for Christmas.
Léonce mittens
Léonce, $65
This Montreal company is all about winter accessories, and for this line of eco-friendly mitts, they've partnered with five local artists, including two you met right here: Amélie Tourangeau (pictured) and Célia Marquis.
Holiday cards
Moon and Sparrow, $15 (10 pack)
Cats and dogs and mice and even skating sparrows. Take your pick of Christmas creatures — there are plenty of options in Moon and Sparrow's holiday shop.
Holiday gift tags
Pickle and Francois, $13 (pack of four)
Whatever gifts you choose, you're going to want to wrap them up right. Top that perfect present with a tag by Calgary artist Dena Seiferling, a.k.a. Pickle and Francois — and frankly, her designs are so charming, bet they'll wind up doubling as Christmas ornaments, too.
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