From eclectic artful, to fun stocking stuffers, to high end splurges. Shopping in Durango is a unique experience. This week I popped by a few spots for holiday gift ideas and listed them here with photos to give you an idea as to how an hour of shopping can easily become a delightful all-day treasure hunt.
Above is a detail of a Chuck Sabatino painting……
His work always invites me to lean in for a closer look at the details of beading, fur and texture.
These works are from the Sorrel Sky Gallery.
Detail from…..
‘Elk Skin Beaded Bag‘ Chuck Sabatino
They also represent fine jewelry artists, including Ben Nighthorse who created this gorgeous turquoise necklace.
‘Round Rock Art Pendant’ Ben Nighthorse
A new painting ‘Winter Rhythms‘ by Peggy Immel
Here is a link to their paintings page.
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Studio & Gallery and artist’s working studio.
If you live in Durango, no doubt you’ve been following the articles about our Arc of History sculpture. Some like it. Some call it the Jurassic Croissant. Or the Stone Kabob. On Halloween a dinosaur head mysteriously appeared, was later stolen, then handed over to the police. Now it has anonymously shown up at Studio &……..
…….and is on auction to raise money for the Durango Art’s Center. Auction ends Tuesday Nov. 25th and I am already jealous of the lucky duck who gets it!
‘Incandescence Encased’ by Tim Kapustka
Crystal Hartman art jewelry.
Limited edition holiday cards.
Their holiday Bizarre Bazaar featuring over 20 local artists will be Friday Dec. 12 thru Sunday Dec. 14th.
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I can easily get lost there for half a day.
Toys, puppets. Huge variety of children’s books.
Wind-up toy stocking stuffers.
Great card selection. And 2015 calendars are now in.
Maria’s is celebrating their 30 Year Anniversary. Stop in, or shop online here.
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Located along the Animas River, this is the view from their lounge and roof-top.
Couples massage room with hot tub.
Custom gift assortments from their Signature skin care line.
Gifts for men
Here is a link to their spa treatments. Gift certificates available.
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Toh-Atin. They call it a gallery, I call it a museum.
Native American blankets, both vintage and contemporary. They have longstanding relationships with generations of artists. ‘Authentic’ comes to mind when describing them.
Here is a link to their pottery page.
Great stocking stuffers, hand carved fetish animals and figures.
Gourd ornaments.
Squash blossom necklaces, in many styles both contemporary and vintage.
Vintage Hogan jewelry box and squash blossom.
Here is a link to see their paintings and sculptures.
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Items from Nepal, India and Tibet. These are Ganesha statues for good luck.
Incense, reiki energy candles, votives. This is a terrific place for stocking stuffers.
Dangly beaded earrings.
They are also a clothing store, most are one-of-a-kind pieces.
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Skis, ski boots. Pretty much everything you need for the slopes. And sport climbing.
The lastest goggle designs.
Inflatable solar lantern. How cool and only $15.
Outdoor wear for adults and the kiddos.
And here’s a link to their events page.
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Gardenswartz Sporting Goods. Hunting, fishing, outdoor everything you need.
A practical gift, and also quite possibly the warmest most insulated gloves I’ve ever seen.
Boots for everyone, with Thinsulate insulation.
Birdcalls, bear bells. The frog and bear are key chain lights.
For the little prospectors in the family, gold panning kits for $20.
The much anticipated annual Gardenswartz Extravaganza sale is this weekend Nov. 21 thru the 23rd at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. 20 to 60% off. Both of the downtown stores will be closed during the sale.
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Smoking Peppers Durango. Family owned American glass art and smoking devices shop.
After all, this is Colorado………..
Whimsical architectural vertical pipes with wig-wag patterns. To see them up close in person, the craftsmanship is incredible.
Chile peppers and spider pipes.
Nothing says the holidays like a vertical Grinch pipe. $1200.
They offer a huge variety of theme, color and patterned smoking devices.
Glass chillums from $12 to $20.
They also have caps, clothing and tees.
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I had to stop by Grassburger. To keep up my shopping stamina with a 100% grass fed beef burger.
FYI they now offer gift cards!
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Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Christmas Tree Truffle assortment. Cute packaging!
Vintage design Foil Chocolate Santas.
They have boxed samples, and you can create your own custom assortment as well.
Pecan Bear Apples with White Chocolate Swirls.
This is the Fudge Mountain. Yep. A mountain of fudge, with pine cone and snow mobile decorations.
Here is a link to their holiday candy page.
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‘Uncommon clothing and fun stuff.’ Have a look at the slide show on their home page to really get a feel for this fabulous boutique.
Fun bags, coin purses, cosmetics totes, clutches, eyeglass cases.
Colorful purses, and women’s apparel.
Fragrances and skin care products.
Make a note to check the Chinese antique shelving and furniture, most are also for sale.
Artsy earrings.
When you’re done shopping, walk into the adjoining tea room………
For your choice of a relaxing or energy enhancing cup of tea………
……….and more shopping. This is a Kyushu tea pot used for sencha teas (green loose leaf Japanese teas.)
Huge selection. If you have a tea lover on your gift list, this is the place.
I tried the Montana Gold, it was like a spiced holiday in a cup. The Cherry Blossom Sencha smelled divine! Often times in tea shops I just follow my nose.
Tea Duckie infuser, and other infusers for great stocking stuffers.
Handblown glass teapots are very popular right now, and they offer several designs.
Button release thermoses, every accessory you need. And a quiet little tea break if need be.
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Two of Karyn’s paintings, influenced by nature and Japanese art. For me, there is something mystical and soothing about her art.
She represents other artists. These are Prosperity Bowls by Cheryl Williams.
Maple Heart Candle Holder by Kovesces.
She offers a very fine selection of wooden boxes and fine art wooden inlay pieces.
Unusual contemporary stainless steel art bracelets, and Opera Collection Bag by Boguckis.
Beautiful modern art jewelry pieces by Greg and Mar.
There is always something new in this gallery, Karyn is probably painting and creating new pieces right now as you read this. So I make a point to stop in often.
Here is a link to Karyn’s book of recent paintings, with 33 gorgeous printed reproductions of her work. She also offers giclee prints.
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Animas Chocolate Company.
All of the shops I’ve covered are located in the downtown area, except for this one. An extraordinary chocolate store on north Main Avenue, where they invite you to ‘lose your soul in chocolate.’ I’m game!
(The company was inspired by the Animas River’s historical name ‘Rio de las Animas Perdidas’ which means The River of Lost Souls.)
My bag of Frost Bite chocolates that I put aside for the holidays has mysteriously disappeared. I just cannot imagine what happened to them. Hmmm.
Hot chocolate mix from the highest quality mixture of chocolates.
Chocolate covered potato chips.
I love the quality of their chocolates, and the detail they put into decorating them.
Here is a link to all of their products.
They offer gift baskets year-round, and special assortments for the holidays.
Here is a link to their online store.
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The Earthen Vessel functional pottery, jewelry and eclectics.
They represent many artists, including………..
Nick Blaisdell. I am huge fan of his beautifully detailed work. This green colored glaze is called Sandy’s Green, named after his darling wife.
I’ve seen him work in his studio, he free-hand draws into the clay. I am not kidding.
These bold pieces are by Durango artist Kurt Glover.
Leaf design pieces by Durango artist Donna Rowe. I love how the leaves look so effortlessly placed.
New heart dishes by Nancy Zoller.
They have a large inventory of handmade, one-of-a-kind art. Stoneware, raku, mixed media, fountains. I can always find something unique and inventive here.
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Durango Arts Center (DAC)
And Gift Shop………….
I’ve said it before, some of my most successful shopping is done in museum and art center gift shops.
DAC’s gift shop has an eclectic variety of handmade fine, practical and wearable art like these dyed silk scarves, and this Japanese dress.
Southwest inspired photography.
Cairns hanging stones by Feather Smith and her son.
Artsy earrings with fossils, stones, metal work and variety of materials.
Next door the Winter Solstice Artisans Market was being installed in the main gallery……
Clocks and Instruments by Barbara Edidin.
Paper Baskets by Mary Ellen Long, how beautiful and delicate.
Votive Candle Holder made from a barrel stay, by David Rust. To the left is a barrel stay Wine Rack.
I walked through the gallery, most of the work had been installed. ‘Ceramics, jewelry, metal, textiles, glass, wood, notecards, ornaments, calendars, photography, painting and drawing.’ This is going to be a fabulous show, from Friday Nov. 21 thru Dec. 24th.
Wishing you all happy local shopping! And that the meaningful, beautiful gifts you find today become tomorrow’s special keepsakes!
xoAmy
Note: Durango’s 12th Annual Noel Night downtown shopping event is December 5th. With special sales, refreshments, caroling, free gift wrapping, entertainment, music and an appearance by Santa!