I need MI-made gift suggestions

There is a woman in my networking group that makes teddy bears and other items (like santa's and angel's) from old fur coats, robes, etc. Those items of clothing that you just can't get rid of because of the memories. They are beautiful!! Please let me know if you would like her phone number. I would gladly pass it on.

Georgette

Hello Everyone-

I just wanted to add a couple gift ideas to the list for you.

First- There is a great little store located in St. Clair, MI called Riverplace Mercantile (http://www.riverplacemercantile.com/) that sells only products that are made in MI. They have a wonderful variety of hand crafted items such as quilts, jewelry, garden art and much much more along with food products that are made in MI. If any of you don't know where St. Clair is, it is located about 45 minutes north of Detroit. I know it may sound a little far away, but let me tell you it is worth the ride. You could make a day out of it on a Saturday if you wanted, there are several great shops to wander through to find unique gifts for everyone on your list as well as some great coffee shops and other places to eat. If anyone needs ideas of where to go while you are there just send me a message!

Second- I should really talk about my own business a little too! We have several holiday sweatshirts for sale that make great gifts for moms, aunts, grandmas, teachers etc. I will have pictures of them posted on our website later this week. Also, we offer custom embroidery and can personalize bath robes, towels, picnic sets, blankets and much much more for a special holiday gift. (www.danbert-ent.com)

I really like James Clary's nautical paintings.  A print of his Ambassador Bridge water color hangs next to my desk. 

Cap'n Jim's Gallery in Port Huron has a number of reasonably-priced prints and originals.  Take a look on-line.

I would have to agree with Ralph that Jim has a lot of wonderful artwork of ships and other great lakes maritime scenes. His work is also available at the Brush & Pallete in St. Clair if you read my previous post and are going to make a day of shopping

Thanks for all of the great suggestions.  If any of you have a relationship with the companies/individuals you mentioned, please suggest that they take advantage of our FREE (or sponsored) listing opportunity at www.BuyMichiganNow.com.  We are in the process of creating a holiday gift guide (hence my question) and businesses that are listed in the Michigan Blue Pages are top choices for us to feature because our viewers can find them year-round.

I wanted you to know that I have three new books featuring photographs of three great Michigan small towns: Birmingham, Royal Oak, and Northville.  These books are available at select local stores, www.rodarroyo.com, and Amazon.com.

My two primarily goals in producing these three books were to 1) raise awareness of these great communities and encourage people to shop and dine there and 2) raise funds for a local non-profit in each community. A portion of the proceeds benefits the local historical society in each community.

I plan to add more communities in 2009.

Best regards,

Rod Arroyo

Well Lisa,  "Face- The Real Deal" is a great gift. A deck of instructional face reading cards that allows a person to make, accurate, rapid personality profiles. They were conceived, designed and manufactured right here in metro Detroit, in fact many of the faces of the deck are MCC members. Here is a link for people to check them out.

http://facereadingbylin.com/products.html

Hi Lisa,

I own my company, called Soy Happy Candles, Inc., and make 100% pure soy candles.  They are all natural, highly fragrant, and I purchase all my supplies right here in Michigan!!  The purchase of Soy Happy Candles is a two-fold support to our state!

Please visit www.soyhappycandles.net for more information about the benefits of soy, including the support of American Soy Bean Farmers (and not international oil companies) as well as a complete list of fragrances and jar selection.  I have yet to deal with an unsatisfied customer, or even one that doesn't say "wow!"

Greetings Michiganders! Great question.

While the following suggestion is not about items specifically made in Michigan (yet!), it's one way to show your support and share the Love for our Mitten-shaped state.

My company just started work on a much-needed “call to action” campaign for the state of Michigan called, “get SMiTTEN!®,” in hopes of igniting passion and inviting collaboration from our state's residents at: http://www.getsmitten.org. We invite you to share your Mitten memories therein or you are welcome to purchase any of the get SMiTTEN! items at the Mall of the Mitten link on our site. 

We hope our efforts will go a long way to remind us (and the world around us) of all the Great things about Michigan. The way we see it, it’s not so much about the state as it is about our collective state of mind.

Give Michigan a voice: YOURS! Happy Holidays!

There is a store in Dearborn Heights called Sewards Deals that has a whole gift section of items from Michigan.

Ask for Dave or Jeff to assist you - you may be able to buy in bulk and get a deal - tell them Deb Seivers referred you.

Then maybe Dave the Cheapskate will give me something for free.....

Just kidding - they are brothers and great guys!

There is also a store in downtown Royal Oak who puts together baskets with all Michigan made products including wine, vernors, mackinaw fudge,sanders,better made chips, and they also have U of M and State baskets as well!

Visit www.bogartsgifts.com or call 248 336-9779.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!