It has been scientifically proven that gift-giving not only makes the receiver of the gift feel good but also helps the gift-giver as well. A gift not only shows that you care but it also helps to define both your relationships and strengthen the ties that bond you with family, friends and co-workers.

We here at MOUNTAIN MADE understand the importance of gifts. We have a hand picked selection of handcrafted gift items from a wide range of handmade "character" cards, printed art greeting cards, walking sticks, hand tied broomcorn brushes and brooms, handmade soaps, natural hand balms, soy candles, and some very wonderful wooden desk sets, keepsake boxes and letter openers.

Take a stroll though our online collection and see what you can find for that special person on your gift list…

handcrafted gifts
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Linda Bellino Pat's People, Burnsville NC Linda's whimsical characters - Pat's People - are entertaining and very popular gift items. Linda is mostly a self-taught artist and who was first introduced to fiber art by her family. Later on she became well known for interesting lampwork beads. Her line of jewelry, frogs and lizards was started in the 80's and has naturally expanded to include new artistic creations. Linda's multi-media art work always brings joy and smiles to her customers. (Linda is also listed under Jewelry.) Website: n/a

Tina Glenn Fairie Made Soaps, asheville NCSoap making became a passion for Tina after receiving her first bar of handmade soap in 1999. She became intrigued with the process of soapmaking; and six months later, she overcame her fear of lye (the alkali that turns oils into soap) and a passion and an addiction began. Since 2002, she has worked from home creating her signature artisan soaps, hemp seed oil lip balms, perfumes and fine skin care products using all natural ingredients. Website: faeriemadesoaps.com

Bob Grytten Causal Lane Rustics, waynesville ncRustic furniture designer, Bob Grytten has branched out from his passion for furtniture to an all natural Soy wax poured heritage candle. Each of these robust lights is housed in a pillar made local tree limbs, mostly saved from Bob's own wood stove. Each piece is then bored out by hand and filled with the soy-based wax. All natural wicks are used to complete each piece. These candles burn cleaner and provide light for 35 to 50 hours.

Elke Spirakis Wellsprings Farm, Burnsville NCNow in her 18th year of making these all natural soaps, Elke only makes soap in small batches using olive, coconut, palm and vegetable oils, spring water and quality fragrance oils. No artificial colors or preservatives are used. She also handcut the bars and let them age for four to six weeks. Because of the method she uses in making the soaps the natural glycerine is retained, resulting in soap that is kind to the skin. Available in: Lavender, Apple and Spice, Lemongrass, Cinnamom Oatmeal, Gardeners Soap (cornmeal, aloe, Clove frag), Cedarwood with oatmeal.
Website: www.wellspringsfarm.com

Kate Stockman hendersonville NCKate is a mixed media artist who creates one-of-a-kind handmade journals using a variety of natural materials. A native of Charleston, she grew up surrounded by her mother’s and grandmother’s needlework. Ever since playing in her grandmother's button box as a child, she has delighted in color, shape, and texture. These early creative pastimes expand into her current work, combining her love of jewelry, photos, fabric, nature and the written word.
Website: kate-stockman.blogspot.com

art cards & greeting cards
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Kimberly Anderson Sgrafitto on board illustrations, fletcher NCKim has had a pencil in her hand and been drawing something since she was 3 years old. She is a self taught artist and is an illustrator at heart - which lends itself well to a variety of artwork. She works in many different mediums, and enjoys learning new materials and techniques. However her favorites are works in pen, ink & watercolor, Sgrafitto on board, block printing, and silk painting. Kim's intricate Sgrafitto illustrations are available as small Art Card sized prints: 4.5" x 4.5". Website: kimanderson-art.com

Diane English Great Cosmic Card Company, weaverville NCDiane is a self-taught artist and illustrator who, at midlife, threw caution to the wind to follow her dream of combining art with her spiritual path. And after years of deep meditation, medication, fasting, prayer and a few bottles of Merlot Diane believes that she now knows the secret to enlightenment is being in the 'Now' with a piece of rich, dark chocolate! Her popular line of illustrated greeting cards includes a large selection of all occasion humorous designs that will make you laugh out loud.Website: greatcosmichappyass.com

Diane Hanson Asheville, NCOriginally from Michigan, Diane now resides in Asheville, NC and is a self-taught artist who creates a fantastic line of hand-crafted gift cards. Her interest in this uncommon and whimsical art form was inspired by her father who brought home a series of colorful paints for her to play that he had mixed together at his paint factory. Diane’s love of colors, textures and beadwork can be seen in her current work. Website: n/a

Lisa Ringlespaugh-Irvine (Lisa Ring) Fine Art & Photography by Lisa Ringelspaugh-Irvine, Asheville NCOver her career, Lisa says she has painted over 2,000 original works, now hanging in public spaces, company offices and private homes up and down the East Coast of the United States. Her paintings are all about beauty - the natural and the overlooked wonders seen of our daily urban lives. Selections from her extensive portfolio are available as small prints in Art Card format. Lisa is known as Lisa Ring and Lisa Ringelspaugh-Irvine. Website: .lisaring.com

Jo Kelly Jo Kelly Cards, waynesville NCJo Kelly's career as a painter has spanned 40 years in diverse genres, including charming realistic landscapes and florals in both watercolor and oils. Her love of mountain scenery and nature has produced a lifetime body of work from which popular scenics and florals are reproduced and available in Art Card format.( Jo is also listed under Paintings) Website: www.jokelley.com

Jane Voorhees Voorhees Studio Designs, Asheville NCJane grew up in a large creative family. Both her parents were painters who in 1964 made the decision leave their NYC rat race and move their family of eight to the North Carolina coast to pursue their artistic passions. Jane was so influenced by her parents' creative endeavors and artistic nurturing, she and several of her siblings developed artistic careers of their own. Jane's paintings are inspired by the ever changing colors and moods of the Western NC mountain landscape. Many of her watercolor images are featured in her popular Art Card collection. Website:.janevoorheesart.com

Patti Waltz Patti’s Paw , marshall NCPatti Waltz is a painter, illustrator and jewelry designer. Her line of cat Art Cards - Patti’s Paw - showcases the cats she shares her life with. Patti feels these cat greeting cards are mini- vignettes from an illustrated book. Her wonderful pencil illustrations not only capture the beauty of the feline form, but more importantly, reveal the whimsy and wisdom of the character behind the cat. Patti's pencil compositions are reminiscent of the painterly lines of texture and color that she mastered during earlier studies at The Cleveland Institute of Art. Website: .pattispaw.com/cards/

special gifts for the holidays
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Frank Argento asheville NCMusician and educator, Frank Argento has a BA in Music From Hartt College of Music (The University of Hartford) majoring in education and piano. While a working musician in rural Alaska, he was also a teacher, principal, part time bakery manager and hydroponics greenhouse supervisor, for about 22 years before coming to Asheville in 2000. Now Now he develops curriculum for elementary music and teaches music and choir. His CD production of traditional Christmas music is the most recent of many recordings. Website: frankargento.net

Jackie Jones Western NCJackie's limited edition Holiday okra ornaments first start in her garden! In late May she plants her ornament crop since orka is a tropical plant (related to cotton) and needs the warmer weather found during a WNC summer. As each plant blooms, small pods begin to form. Jackie carefully harvests her pods in July and cures them naturally under the summer sunlight. As the okra pods dry, this special variety turns very woody and stiff - perfect for Jackie to paint and decorate in time for the holidays. The decorative Angels and Santas make great gifts or as unusual seasonal Holiday ornaments. Website: n/a