Retail Therapy: Want to Buy Local for holiday gifts? Go to these events

It’s the polar opposite of Amazon.com: A week of local events selling local gifts made by local artisans.

Maybe you’re part of the Buy Local movement, or are trying to avoid the madness of the malls. Or maybe you’re just looking to put something different under the tree.

Regardless, everything from hummingbird feeders made from soda bottles to affordable works of art by big-name local artists are for sale at these events.

Many artisans sell their gifts online and in stores too, so check out their websites if you can’t make the events.

▪ An Evening with the Artist, Thursday, Dec. 17, 5 to 8 p.m., The Brush and Easel Gallery, 1476 W. Shaw Ave.

This shop has local art for sale during its regular hours, but you can rub elbows with the artists who make it at this event. Expect food, drinks and live music.

The gallery and store sells lots of big art, but an “artsy ornament show” continues all month featuring ornaments and 4-inch by 4-inch paintings by local artists such as Richard Silva, Jackie Ryle and Roy Harland. They range in price from $10 to $35.

“They’re not just ornaments, but they’re little miniature works of art that can be kept up year-round,” says gallery owner Valerie Greene.

▪ Pop-up shops by Iron+Copper+Bronze, Thursday, Dec. 19 through Tuesday, Dec. 22.

A Fresno nurse and an artist who make high-end leather bags by hand have been enjoying all kinds of success since getting their start in a downtown Fresno art studio.

Bibi Bielat and Cathy Caracciolo have added several new bags to their lineup, including the large “Yosemite” leather tote and a small clutch-style purse. All the bags are available online at http://ironcopperbronze.com/pages/about.

They are also hosting several pop-up shops at local stores, including at The Foundry Collective, 516 Fifth St. in Clovis from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17; at the previously mentioned Brush and Easel Gallery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec 19; and at Embellish & Restore, 115 N. West St. in Visalia from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec 20.

Bags can also be purchased at Misc. Trading Co., 2017 Tuolumne St. and during special hours listed on the Iron+Copper+Bronze website at their downtown art studio inside 1821 Gallery & Studios at 1821 Calaveras St.

▪ The Artisan Faire at Mia Cuppa Caffe, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19. The monthly sale at the Tower District coffee shop gets tons of vendors, selling everything from potted succulents to baked goods.

One vendor getting lots of attention is Sean Matthew Howard. An artist by day, he also makes hummingbird feeders out of retro soda bottles, Buddha-shaped beer bottles and the occasional vodka bottle.

Most cost $25 and can also be purchased online at www.etsy.com/shop/HummersSodaFountains.

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 5:54 AM with the headline "Retail Therapy: Want to Buy Local for holiday gifts? Go to these events."