EVANSVILLE — locally made handicrafts are a great gift choice for those on the Christmas list who are hard to buy. Fortunately, we have many galleries and gift shops, and you can find them in southwestern Indiana.
The Confectionary is a new store you can't miss. The store has only been open for more than a year, and it features confectionery soap, jewelry and living plant creations by the owner Sara Rhoades, as well as artworks from a group of local manufacturers.
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Rhoades is a silversmith and jewelry manufacturer, and he developed a second passion for soap making about four years ago.
"When I started making soap, my husband thought I was crazy," she said. "One day, he noticed all these soaps in my jewelry cabinet and thought,'What happened?' The name The Confectionary actually started from a joke. I will make soaps for my daughters. Cupcakes or strawberry soap, and then I made a farmers’ market and it became so big, so fast."
Rhoades also teaches jewelry making at the University of Evansville. She works full-time at home and has successfully sold soap and jewelry in markets and events for several years, but it was the epidemic that prompted her to open a store.
"A lot of my friends are in the same situation as me," she said. "All arts and crafts activities are closed and we can't make any money. I either open a store or make some very difficult choices about where to work, because my previous career didn't happen. So, we After opening this store, in the process, I helped some friends find a selling point."
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Throughout 2021, she has been developing this store and now has a wide range of merchandise. Approximately 50% of store inventory is Rhode’s own products. The other 30% are from regional artists, and the remaining 20% are from domestic or international small manufacturers.
Local items include tea towels from Hat and Rabbit, honey from Loughrie, fragments of Naynaysay Glass and Bonfire pottery, and prints by Hannah Girten. Garb2art Cosmetics of Columbus, Indiana offers shower bomb doughnuts with sprinklers, which can be purchased separately, in a doughnut box, or in a combination box with Rhoades coffee soap.
Rhoades said: "I just want this store to be sweet, eclectic, fun, modern and happy."
The Confectionary is located at 2003 Lincoln Ave.; 812-204-7901
Holiday hours: Monday from 10 am to 2 pm; Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm; Friday from 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm
Here are other shops where you can find interesting gifts. From now to Christmas, business hours may vary, so we recommend that you check Facebook or call ahead.
Arts Council of Southwest Indiana, 212 Main Street; 812-303-3178
The art committee is full of presents on the table. As commodities are sold, they will be replaced by new commodities. Looking for ceramics and jewelry, paintings, prints and paper art, wooden decorations, fabric art, etc.
Bluestocking Social, 606 S. Weinbach Ave., Suite B; 812-402-2055
This bookstore sells selected books by local authors, as well as greeting cards, wooden decorations and more.
Evansville African American Museum, 579 S Garvin St.; 812-423-5188
You can find bath and body products for Deborah Wagner's D and Company and Company of Women dolls here. These beautiful dolls were made by four generations of Wagner women and dedicated to many unknown women who provided wealth to the people around them.
Inman's frame and gallery, 2828 Lincoln Avenue; 812-471-8651
Paintings and more by pop artist Cynthia Watson, sweet painted rocks, decorations, ceramics and more.
Mason-Nordgauer Fine Arts Gallery, 510 Main St., New Harmony; 812-682-6127
The exhibition of Evansville artist Gary Hobdy (Gary Hobdy) will continue during the holidays, and you will find many exquisite paintings and prints by artists from other regions and regions, glassware and more.
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Nansi Gallery, 662 South Green River Road; 812-476-6295
Nance is a large gallery exhibiting exquisite works of art from all over the world and the locals. You will find woodwork by Donald Meuth in Henderson, glass by Michael Hudson in Louisville, and other regional works and whimsical artworks from around the world.
New Harmony Contemporary Art Gallery, located at 506 Main Street, New Harmony; 812-682-3156
The ever-changing art selection of this modern gallery contains many ceramics combined with the current ceramic cup exhibition. We also like the comical ceramic wall sculpture by Dee Schaad in Indianapolis.
Posh on Main, 330 Main St., Suite B; 812-401-0075
Posh on Main has 45 local artists and craftsmen, providing a wealth of gift options and clothing, jewelry and art from all over the world. Items produced nearby include hand-sewn baby and children’s clothing, soap and bath products, preserves and condiments, hot chocolate bombs, coffee, honey, gift cards and more.
Rare Gift of Rare Birds, 2605 Lincoln Avenue; 812-473-0645
This Lincoln Avenue store offers a wide range of interesting and unusual goods, and is known for its humor. From local artists, you will find knitwear, turned wood, jewelry, coffee and more.
River City Coffee + Goods, 223 Main St.; 812-550-1695
Shop for a wide variety of local art and jewelry at River City Coffee + Goods, while enjoying a cup of premium coffee and pastries. The arrangement from Timberview Flower Farm, the fabric art of Bruce's Heirloom Rugs and the soap from Sith Street Soapery are just a few of them.
Social Bird Boutique, 2744 Epworth Road, Newburgh
In this new gift shop, honey, kettle corn, fabric art, and more goods from local manufacturers share space with everything from handbags to kitchen utensils.
Contact Aimee Blume at aimee.blume@courierpress.com.