(This is an updated version of an article originally published in the Elk Rapids News.) 

Christmas shopping can be very pleasant when you do it close to home.  Just for fun, I went looking for gifts made by local artists, authors or growers – extending “local” to the whole Grand Traverse region – and found a lot to choose from.  

Start your expedition at Guntzviller’s on US-31 just south of Elk Rapids.  Send the kids through the Spirit of the Woods wildlife museum while you shop.  You’ll find carved walking sticks, Native American beadwork, buttons made of antler, and polished Petoskey stones, all by local artisans.  There are a lot of great books, including Deana Jager’s Recipe Book for Feeding Wild Birds and The Comet Kid, fishing tales by Sonja Richards. 

Heading north, stop at the Twisted Fish Gallery.  Be sure to check out the kaleidoscope fountain on your way in.  There are some lovely things from local artists that are particularly suited for gift-giving: handwoven scarves in silk, blown glass ornaments, wood carving, reed weaving, jewelry, and whimsical pottery. 

Continue north, turn left onto River Street in Elk Rapids.  At The Nature Connection I spotted Find My Friends, a toddler board book by Carl Sams and Jean Stoick, and The Rustic Gourmet by Williamsburg author Marie Lapointe Hanis, as well as titles from Terry Wooten, Kathy Jo Wargin and Glenn Ruggles.  There were handmade knives, Petoskey stone clocks, and handsewn hotpads – all locally produced.

At Nifty Things I found handpainted Torch Lake ornaments, Barn House jigsaw puzzles, and deliciously imaginative clocks by David Scherer.  Viola Gallery offers jewelry in stained glass, pottery by Rosita Gendernalik and June Otis, and five different lines of greeting cards by local artists.  At Mullaly’s 128 Studio and Gallery you’ll see glass and paintings by nationally known artists.  You’ll also find high quality gift ideas from local artists: cast metal by Scott Nelles, paintings by Joani Braun and ceramic tiles by Mary Endress.  Finally, stop at the Corner Druggist for the Cerise line of hand and body lotion, cherry-based products developed by Northwestern Michigan’s Ray Pleva. 

Or – you can start north of Elk Rapids, in Atwood.  Friske’s Farm Market features its own preserves and toppings, along with local maple syrup and honey.  There are books by local authors, including Whistle up the Bay, a classic by Nancy Stone and Betty Beeby, set in Antrim County and based on a true story.  Continuing south, stop at Royal Farms for balaton cherry juice in an elegant bottle.  Make a quick detour eastward on Essex Road to Rocky Top Farms, where you can fill a white cedar box with a selection of preserves and sauces – the cherry almondine topping is especially wonderful – at the self-service shop.  You can also buy cutting boards or a handcrafted gardening tote. 

Back on US 31 just south of Eastport you’ll find Brownwood.  Standouts here are chocolate cherry topping, Famous Cherry Butter, Cherry BBQ Sauce, and Famous Kream Mustard.  There are dark or milk chocolate covered dried cherries, and a whole line of cherry-based skin products.  They also carry maple syrup in pretty bottles from the Mason Family in Boyne Falls.

Proceed to Elk Rapids and explore as above!  When your shopping is done, treat yourself to a busy-day dinner.  Take home a pizza from Chef Charles or an entrée from Home Kitchen.  One last note – the local hot item is certainly the CAMP board game developed by Education Outdoors in Eastport.  New shipments were being delivered this week, and you can find the game at Guntzviller’s, Nifty Things, The Nature Connection, Friske’s Farm Market and Sonny’s Torch Lake Market.