Christmas Gift guide - buying local & handmade in Adelaide
Why buy local?
Whether you love it or hate it, choosing and buying Christmas gifts is one of those recurring tasks that can’t be avoided.
Gifts for Mums, gifts for Dads - gifts for Mothers in Law and gifts for teens. Finding just the right thing can cause such angst.
It’s especially hard if the person for whom you’re buying is one of those people who seem to have everything already.
If you’re haunted by nightmarish visions of Christmas past - hellish shopping trips, staggering along your local high street, credit card clutched in hot little hand and the sheen of desperation on your brow, then consider keeping things local or at least, keeping things hand-made.
Shopping locally simplifies things - no huge queues, no long drives and of course, there’s the added bonus of the warm glow you get from supporting local artists!
Why support independent artists?
Many of our talented South Australian artists are not just practising creatives - they’re also hardworking and gifted business people. Selling art is a full-time job and the actual creation of the artworks is only part of the journey.
Each and every artist represented at Fleurieu Arthouse and elsewhere, is a small miracle of ingenuity, tenacity and practicality. From the creative skills needed to conceive of and produce the works they sell, to the marketing, the packaging and the care taken in engaging with their audience.
These are hugely talented people who are extremely dedicated to their work.
When you choose to support an independent artist, you’re acknowledging their talent and their grit. Supporting them by purchasing their work helps keep our high streets and our homes, interesting, appealing and exciting - after all, when it comes to art, home decor and fashion, who wants the same as everyone else?
Something for everyone at Fleurieu Arthouse
Artisan hubs like Fleurieu Arthouse have everything you need for Christmas - maybe not the turkey, but in terms of gifts, there’s literally something for everyone.
We stock a carefully curated selection of art, homewares, ceramics, jewellery, sculpture and even lighting.
Who wouldn’t covet one of Paperscapes’ beautiful lamps? Each piece is individually crafted from handmade recycled paper and natural elements, capturing the unmistakable colours and atmosphere of our region.
Paperscapes handcrafted paper lamp
Then there are prints - so many prints! Fleurieu Arthouse stocks the work of many of our best, S.A. artists including printmaker Sally Heinrich who’s fantastic homage to Julia Gillard, “Julia” regularly sells out as fast as we can restock.
Julia comes in the form of cards, tea towels and prints (framed and unframed) The work is a bright, celebratory reminder of the famous misogyny speech made by our first female Prime Minister.
Julia by Sally Heinrich
Prints are always a great Christmas gift option - especially if they include the beautiful flora and fauna of South Australia. Dana Kinter’s work is ever-popular and here at the Fleurieu Arthouse, we stock a number of beautiful giclée prints both framed and unframed by the celebrated South Australian artist.
Do get in touch if you have any enquiries about the work of Dana Kinter.
The Small Things Dana Kinter
Handmade home décor - made in Adelaide
There’s a wealth of beautiful, unusual and iconic home décor pieces here at Fleurieu Arthouse. A Small Art Factory produces a variety of metal wall art, sculpture and jewellery from their beachside studio in Moana.
The small Wall Bee pictured below is available here at Fleurieu Arthouse or direct from A Small Art Factory. There’s a lot more in stock in addition to the Wall Bee though…butterflies, dragonflies and much more. Visit us and check out the full range.
Wall Bee by A Small Art Factory
Original paintings and prints by Tony Wilson
Tony Wilson is a Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri/Narrunga/ Italian Australian artist based in Adelaide. Tony creates intricate and evocative artworks exploring themes of identity, collective resonance and connectedness. Tony’s work is much celebrated and collected here in Australia and has a growing international audience.
Enquiries welcome - visit us in person to see Tony’s work or get in touch via email or telephone.
Handmade jewellery - silver, gold, ceramic and more
If you’re looking for a special piece for a loved one, or maybe something particularly gorgeous for yourself just in time for the party season, call into Fleurieu Arthouse and check out the works of Anja Jagsch, Shirley Wu, Anna Small and Squink.
Anja Jagsch botanical jewellery
Anja Jagsch’s earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings are miniature works of art inspired by the natural world.
Australian plants are the stars of the show, as using a process called “lost wax cast” Anja immortalises seeds, buds, leaves and flowers with the actual plant materials in question. Delicate, whimsical and elegant earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings by Anja can all be found right here in McLaren Vale at Fleurieu Arthouse.
Buy a creative experience for your loved-ones this christmas
Right here in McLaren Vale, we have a broad selection of creative workshops on offer all year round. Since we’re on the subject of jewellery, why not book into one of Shirley Wu’s fantastic organic silver ring workshops and create a one-off, handmade silver ring for yourself or to gift to someone else? Or, if you know someone who’d love to learn the basics of jewellery making, book them in to one of Shirley’s workshops as a present?
There are plenty of dates coming up right through November and December - book your tickets here
Create a ring and set it with beautiful natural stones under the guiding hand of Shirley Wu, resident artist at Fleurieu Arthouse
make a fused glass christmas tree ornament with joy levins
Joy Levins is a brilliant glass artist who’s work can be seen here in the design space at Fleurieu Arthouse all year-round. This Christmas she’s hosting two fused glass Christmas tree ornament workshop.
Participants can make their very own glass Christmas tree - or more than one, in her fun, 45 minute workshops.
The workshop is suitable for adults and children over the age of 5 - under 8s must be accompanied.
Joy provides all the glass elements pre-cut so the participants both adults & children can have maximum fun adorning the trees with handmade beads, rod pieces & stringers.
This is a really festive activity to enjoy and you can always relax in our coffee bar with a barista coffee or hot chocolate and pastry afterwards! Ornaments will be kiln-fired by Joy and available for collection at the gallery the week after the workshop.
Joy Levins handmade fused glass Christmas tree ornaments
Whether you come to the Fleurieu Arthouse to buy a special gift, to take part in a workshop, or just to enjoy a barista-made coffee and pastry whilst you bask in our sunshine filled gardens, you’ll find plenty to look at and to inspire you for the festive season.
The Fleurieu Arthouse is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 11.00am and 4.00pm daily. Find us in the grounds of Hardy’s Tintara McLaren Vale at 202 Main Road.
Written by Lindsay Nightingale