Handmade Christmas gifts from Ottawa, all under $40

If you want to give something handmade this year without spending a lot, here are the gifts from my studio. Everything below is painted by hand here in Ottawa, nothing is printed, and all of it costs less than $40.

I've sorted them by price, with a few notes on who each one suits. If you want to see everything at once, it's all on the handmade gifts page.

Under $5: cards that are gifts too

The Christmas Gnome postcards are painted one at a time in watercolour, so no two gnomes come out quite the same. There are two designs, one holding a little love letter and one with “Joy”. Write your message on the back and you have a card people tend to keep, or prop it on a shelf as a tiny painting.

For someone you love, the Together postcards show two pandas under a heart balloon. They come in five versions, from “Love you” to no words at all. They're $2 each, and they're lovely tucked into a bigger gift.

Under $20: stocking stuffers

Each of my fridge magnets is a little landscape, about 3 inches square, painted in oil with my fingers instead of a brush, then sealed with a glossy coat. Right now there's a Peaceful Waterfall in summer blues and greens, and an Autumn Waterfall in reds and golds. They're $15, small enough for a stocking, and they suit almost anyone: teachers, coworkers, a neighbour, the person who has everything.

Under $40: a small original to hang

These are my framed pieces. Each one is about 5 inches across, painted in acrylic, sealed in glossy epoxy resin and set in a natural wood frame with a rope hanger. They're all $35 and one of a kind, so when one sells, it's gone for good.

For a new home or a hostess gift, try the folk art florals: bright flowers on a deep black ground, in a traditional folk art style. They look good in a kitchen and cheer up a dark entryway in February.

For someone who loves the outdoors, the Nature & Sky pieces have northern lights, moonlit trees, sunsets and gardens. If they spend their summers at a cottage or their winters wishing for one, start here.

Getting your gifts in time

If you're in Ottawa, you can pick up for free in Blackburn Hamlet, and I deliver free there too. Anywhere else in Canada, orders arrive in 1 to 7 days, and postcards and magnets can go by Lettermail for $3 to $5. With holiday mail being slow, I'd order by early December to be safe.

If you'd like something made just for one person, like a favourite place or a pet, email me soon. Commissions take time, and December fills up fast.

Handmade gifts at Ottawa craft fairs

Craft fair season is one of my favourite parts of the year, and it's the best way to find gifts made by local artists. The Manotick Artisan Fair (opens in a new tab) is on November 7 and 8. Later in the month there's the Glebe Craft & Artisan Fair (opens in a new tab) and the Hintonburg Artisan Craft Fair (opens in a new tab) on November 28. Check the links for times before you go.

Whatever you choose, from me or from another maker, thank you for buying handmade this year. It means more to small artists than you might think.