A Very Made in Monmouth Holiday
By Elizabeth Wulfhorst
Worried about supply chain issues as you shop for holiday gifts? Put those shipping fears to rest by shopping local this season. Whether you are looking for a hostess gift, a stocking stuffer or a one-of-a-kind surprise for family and friends, think Made in Monmouth for the holidays. One of the county’s best programs for creators, artisans and small businesses, Made in Monmouth is sponsored by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and organized by the county’s Division of Economic Development. A dedicated website lists all the participating vendors with contact information. Many of these makers sell their wares through Etsy, Facebook or their own website, but some only sell at craft shows and pop-up events, like the Mini Made in Monmouth show coming up Dec. 4 in Manalapan. All makers are based in Monmouth County, though, so most are happy to coordinate pickup. More information on each of these artisans – and many, many more – can be found in the vendor directory on the Made in Monmouth website at madeinmonmouth.com.
Light, Relax, Rub, Repeat
Beach Bum Beauty owner and creator Ashley Burgos makes lusciously scented candles with ingredients like soy wax flakes, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils. But these candles do double duty, creating a lovely ambiance while also providing a luxurious oil that can be used for moisturizing your skin or for a sensuous massage. It’s the perfect gift for a significant other.
Available in matte black or glossy white, the candles come in a plush drawstring pouch with a small wooden spoon to scoop out the warm wax.
Beach Bum Beauty candle,
assorted frangrances:
8 oz., $30; 14 oz. $45
bbbeautynj.com,
732-749-5033
There’s Something Fishy Going on Here
A dish towel, a wine bag, note cards – these are classic hostess gifts. But Bridget Sawitsky, the owner of Sea & Scales, puts a seriously fishy twist on the old standards, making them an unconventional conversation starter that your giftee will treasure. Sawitsky employs the Japanese art of gyotaku (fish printing) to create images that are then transferred to home goods. So that fish, crab or shrimp on the dish towel? That was a real fish, crab or shrimp, most likely caught by one of Sawitsky’s family members. She inks the creatures and presses them to rice paper to capture all the details.
Dish towel, assorted designs, $20;
single wine bag with handle,
assorted designs, $25
seaandscales.com, 732-757-5138
It’s Time to Snuggle
If you need a gift for a little one – or anyone recovering from the turmoil of the past 18 months – look no farther than Olli’s Blankie. Owner and creator Leigh Wellman makes soft cloth blankies in three sizes that feature colorful and soft fabrics, some with satin edging, perfect for soothing little fingers. The gender-neutral designs are pre-washed and machine washable.
Wellman also knits soft, squishable creatures she calls “Meh Cats,” stuffed companions that can help you when your attitude toward life is “meh.” The cats come in multiple sizes, colors and patterns and no two are the same.
Meh Cats, assorted sizes and colors, $10-$35;
Blankies, assorted sizes and colors, $20-$60
ollisblankie.com, 203-912-1105
An Illuminating Idea
Watching Rachael Crane, the owner of A Thousand Paper Lanterns, weave the intricate designs of her hand-crafted accent lights is almost as much of a gift as the lantern itself. She uses paper art straws to create both hanging and setting lights that can be used as centerpieces, nightlights or statement art pieces. The hanging lights include a wrought-iron stand and battery-powered “fairy lights” with a remote; larger pieces come with a plug-in light source.
5-inch hanging paper lantern with stand, $35;
large plug-in centerpiece lantern with remote, $57
etsy.com/shop/1000paperlanterns, 908-892-0630
Take a Dip
While the dip mixes from Country Herbs make a perfect stocking stuffer, they also come in handy during the holidays when the neighbors stop over and you need a quick nosh. Owner Jeanne Tanis creates the all-natural dip and spread mixes and seasonings from gourmet blends of herbs, spices and dried vegetables. Each mix – like Country Spinach, Apple Cinnamon, Pizza Party and many more – comes with two generous packets and a recipe card with dip suggestions, using readily available bases like sour cream or cream cheese. Country Herbs also sells rubs and jarred seasonings like Carolina BBQ and Butchers Blend for spicing up your holiday dishes.
Dip mixes, assorted flavors, $4.95;
rubs, assorted blends, $7.50
countryherb.com, 732-546-4094
The ‘Write’ Gift
While email rules the day, nothing beats a hand-written note, especially one penned with a writing implement that is really a work of art. Owner and craftsman Joseph Thein of JT Woodworks, creates pens, golf pencils and much more from beautiful pieces of exotic wood like cocobolo, curly maple, zebrawood and many others, finished in their natural color, with gold, chrome and gunmetal accents. Even if you’re just jotting down a to-do list, the weighty and comfortable pens will make the task more enjoyable. And if you aren’t having a great day on the links? Keeping score with a handcrafted pencil could ease the sting.
Thein doesn’t currently have a website, but contact him through Facebook, email or by phone and he can help you choose the perfect gift.
Pens, $20 to $45; golf pencil, $30
Facebook: jtwoodworksnj, thein3457@msn.com, 848-218-2293
What’s Behind Door No. 1? Chocolate!
Want to give a gift that keeps on giving through the holiday? Then grab a chocolate-filled advent calendar from Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe and gift it before Dec. 1. Your lucky recipient will get a treat each day during the season. The calendar is filled with 24 scrumptious confections, like caramels, nonpareils, marshmallow clusters and more.
The shop offers many other treats sold by weight (you can always just buy one or two pieces for a quick pick-me-up while shopping – for gifting or stress eating). One favorite is the Red Bank Twist, a pretzel dipped in homemade caramel, peanut butter and chocolate. Yes, please! The shop can also create custom business gifts and party favors.
Chocolate advent calendar, $24.95;
Red Bank twist, $28.95 per pound
17 White St., Red Bank,
redbankchocolateshoppe.com, 732-219-0822
A Picture Perfect Holiday
Need a gift for a Jersey Shore native? Maybe it’s someone who has moved to another part of the country or just someone who loves where they live; either way anyone who enjoys the beach towns New Jersey has to offer will appreciate photographer John Hamm’s artwork. In addition to beautiful framed and unframed landscape photos, canvases and triptychs, Hamm and his wife Trish offer photo collages with iconic images from many Jersey Shore areas through Hamms Art Studio. The Sandy Hook collage features the landmark lighthouse, Tillie is a prominent part of the Asbury Park collage, and of course the Highlands collage includes both Twin Lights towers. Many other towns are available on Hamm’s website.
Beach town collages, $45
hammsartstudio.com, 908-489-7965
‘Rock’ Around the Christmas Tree
What Jersey Shore denizen wouldn’t want art made from the beach’s treasures: sea
glass, driftwood, rocks and shells? Owner Amy Desmond of Amy’s Beach Craft creates unique pieces, like her punny “Jersey Rocks” – flat sea rocks mosaiced in the shape of the state on canvas and framed – perfect for wrapping up for the holidays.
Desmond collects all the materials she uses from beaches along the Jersey Shore or Cape Cod. She accepts commissions for other states and also offers mosaics of other sea-inspired things: whales, crabs, anchors and more, in rocks, sea glass and driftwood – in addition to ornaments and jewelry.
‘Jersey Rocks’ artwork, 5×7, $20; 8×10, $25
amysbeachcraft.com, 732-939-4768
The article originally appeared in the November 18 – 24, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
