We are so fortunate to live here on the South Shore of Nova Scotia! Our beautiful beaches and trails, our friendly and supportive communities and an abundance of talented artisans and committed entrepreneurs are just a few of the reasons this area is so unique. During the upcoming Holiday season, we can do our part to support our local economy by spending our money right here in our communities and province, which is why we are happy to present the Simple Local Life 2017 Holiday Gift Guide!

The goal of the Simple Local Life 2017 Holiday Gift Guide is to make it easy for you to locate unique local gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list. Some of this years Holiday Gift Guide  is dedicated to makers, producers and creatives, and some of this years guide is dedicated to independent shop and business owners. Each wonderful in their own way and each providing beautiful good and services for us all to enjoy.

Amos Pewter

The artisans at Amos Pewter in Mahone Bay are proud to be keepers of time-honoured pewter practices and methods while at the same time offering innovative designs inspired by nature and our beautiful coastal surroundings.

Each piece of pewter is thoughtfully chosen by someone with a particular sentiment or memory in mind. From jewellery and ornaments to home decor you are sure to find a special gift for anyone on your list that will become a much-loved keepsake.

This years much anticipated 2017 Annual Ornament is entitled Seasons and beautifully captures nature during the 12 months of the year.

You can visit Amos Pewter at their open studio and shop on Main Street in Mahone Bay or place orders online.

Sand Dollar Silver

Sand Dollar Silver captures your loved one’s moments in time. Finger, hand, foot prints, even paw prints and hand writing can all be made into timeless pieces of jewellery in Sterling silver. They design and hand make your jewellery with care , in their studio in Lunenburg.

Their unique online ordering system and special print kits make it easy for anyone to order their personalized jewellery, take prints and create a keepsake to treasure for life. Choose from fingerprint necklace, Pandora style charms, paw print key chain and more. If you’re crazy about your pet then our nose or paw print jewellery makes a unique gift and keepsake.

Check out Sand Dollar Silver’s website to see more of their beautiful offerings and for ordering information.

Essence Soulful Diffuser Jewellery

You can check out Essence Diffuser Jewelry’s beautiful and stylish line of necklaces, bracelets and earrings on their Facebook page. Products are currently available at both Dartmouth and Halifax locations of Lady Luck Boutique and SprigApothocary in Mahone Bay and Primrose Lane in Lunenburg.

Sweet Treasures Confectionary

Sweet Treasures fudge gift boxes are back,  just in time for the holidays!  Choose 1-4 flavors per 1lb box, $12/box 5+ boxes $11/box! They also have fudge filled trees, which make a great stocking stuffer and are available in vanilla or chocolate, $3/ tree.

They have many flavors including, Rocky Road, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Skor, Dark Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt. Oreo, Vanilla Chocolate Swirl, Mint Chocolate Swirl, Maple and Chocolate !

Fudge must be preordered by December 14th.  Lunenburg pick up is at Sweet Treasures, 125 Montague Street, December 16th, 11:00am-2:00pm. They also have pick up available in Halifax and Dartmouth.

Sweet Treasures Confectionary is located at 125 Montague Street in Lunenburg. You can check them out their Facebook page for more details.

Ocean View Woodworking

Looking for an heirloom quality gift from locally sourced, sustainably harvested and reclaimed wood? Look no further than Ocean View Woodworking. Allan Maxwell from Ocean View is an artisan who specializes in Indigenous Woods like Maple, Ash, Birch and Tamerack, harvested locally from sustainably managed woodlots.

Cutting boards, furniture and other home decor pieces are some of the products that come out of Allan’s workshop in Blue Rocks, Lunenburg County. Choose from the most popular “The Block” a round butcher block from Walnut, natural edge cutting boards, or a walnut charcuterie tray, to name a few. All of Ocean View Woodworking’s food products are finished with mineral oil and his own Board Butter, a blend of oil and beeswax infused with rosemary or lemon oils These products are beautiful functional art which are meant to be admired and inspire conversation.

Ocean View Woodworking is at the Lunenburg Farmers Market every other week, and at the occasional seasonal show. You can also view all his beautiful work on his website or Facebook page.

Delong Designs

At Delong Designs they strive to live creatively and work responsibly. When you purchase from them you not only acquire a lovingly crafted piece, you also contribute to a social purpose initiative. They have recently partnered with the Kidney Foundation of Canada with ornament sales helping them in two ways. They are raising funds for the Foundation, and are also raising awareness regarding organ donation, a cause very near to their hearts.

Delong Designs is back this year with a new line of beautiful pewter Christmas ornaments to add to their collection. The Kidney Heart, Kissing Cod and Celtic Christmas Tree are some of this years beautiful new additions.

You can find Delong Designs Metalworking at various seasonal markets, and you can connect with them on their Facebook page or through their website. Ornaments can be picked up, delivered or mailed.

Fiber Arts Studio

Fibre Arts Studio is located in West Lahave and run by Henriette Maier. A talented artist, Henriette loves to work with wool and yarn and enjoys the process of creating unique pieces. Hooked rugs, crochet sealife, fancy knitted tea cozies and at Christmas time hand crafted snowmen, Santa’s, and pine cone elves are just some of the delightful hand crafted items Fibre Arts Studio sells. If you are searching for a unique, individual gift for someone, you must check out Henriette’s work!

Fibre Arts sells her art pieces at the Craft Coop in the Lahave Bakery, the NSDCC Gallery in Halifax, at Spruce Top Rug Hooking Studio in Mahone Bay and Riverhouse Rug Hooking Studio in Petite Riviere, and also at her home studio. You can connect with Fibre Arts through their website or by email.

Sherri’s Silhouette’s

Sherri from Sherri’s Silhouette’s was looking to try something new to de-stress and fell in love with painting silhouettes on 1/8 inch canvas board. She meticulously hand paints each one, with each being original and unique. Animals, quotes, maps and characters are just some of the many things that Sherri hand paints in a silhouette. What a creative way to personalize a room or office!

You can find Sherri’s Silhouette’s at various craft shows through the season or you can connect with Sherri on her Facebook page.

Yoga Room of Essence

How about giving the gift of good health and healing this Christmas? Yoga Room of Essence was born out of Passion and Experience. It is an organization that takes pride in offering our community a variety of wellness options from Yoga and Meditation, to Reiki, Essential Oils and Massage. Their vision is to provide people with flexible, unique, and affordable options for personal wellness, and to provide the inspiration and tools to live a fully aware, and authentic life.

The moment you walk through the door you will feel at home. Warm, welcoming and knowledgeable staff, complimentary tea, and personalization of your experience sets Yoga Room of Essence apart. You can find their full schedule of classes and workshops online.

West Lahave Juice Yard

Growing up it was normal for Dieter Maier and his wife Henriette to go out in the fall and collect apples from neighbors and friends and the 2 apple trees in their yard. They would drop them off at a little family run business who would wash, sort, grind the apples and press them, so their families had juice in the winter. Since Dieter and Henriette got married this has never changed. Each fall they would go out and get some apples  and press them into juice. Later they started pasteurizing and filling the juice in bags and boxes, which was much easier than cleaning bottles to fill.

They never intended to sell their juice but word of mouth got out and they had more and more inquiries, so they pressed a bit more each year and their hobby evolved into a small business. West Lahave Juice Yard have no plans to grow bigger as it is and should stay, a labor of love that they both enjoy and are passionate about.

This year West Lahave Juice Yard has juice from Liberty, Red Delicious, Ida Red, Honey Crisp, Cortland and one Cider Mix from 5 different kind of apples plus their Spiced Juice for the Holiday Season. They sell them in 5 and 10 liter bag in box containers with a spout for easy dispensing.

West Lahave Juice Yard is located on Highway 331 in West Lahave and is open by chance or appointment. Phone 902- 693-2102 and please call ahead if you make a drive down. It is also available at the Rosebay General Store.

Nourished Natural Self- Care

Struggling with issues such as poor sleep, skin irritations and digestive issues? Nourished Natural Self-Care helps introduce healing ingredients such as magnesium, lavender and shea butter can make a difference in your health and body’s reactions. Connecting to natural ingredients, Nourished products are designed with our inner and outer well-being in mind.

Magnesium products, skin hydration, oral care and skin oils are some of the offerings included in this line of natural products that are of the earth. Using products daily that are good for you and the earth…sounds like the perfect blend.

Nourished Natural Self-Care is available at a variety of retailers across Nova Scotia and Ontario, or you can shop online from the comfort of your home. They are also regulars at the Lunenburg Farmers Market where you can chat with Amanda and have your questions answered about the ingredients, products and results.

Bennett’s Boxes

Bennett’s Boxes offer a selection of curated and custom gift  boxes that are perfect for all occasions. Whether a celebration, welcoming that new bundle, saying thank you, client relations, or just because, they cover it. All of their boxes are curated and hand wrapped with love using products from Canadian makers, including the South Shore’s own Ironworks Distillery.

Check out this year’s Micah Holiday Box with Hot Dark Chocolate with Fleur de Sel from Manual Food & Drink , Classic Sock from Stanfield’s LTD, Masala Chai Candle from TNT Candle, Raw Edge Wood Ornament from Mombo Design Studio, Merry Christmas Card from A Creative Destiny and completed with a red mug.

Check out Bennett’s Boxes website for ordering information, shipping dates and to view their beautiful collection of special occassion gift boxes.

Duckish- Natural Skin Care

Duckish Natural Skin Care is a handmade,  natural skin care company. Their range of bath and body products, including body butter, bath salts, lip balm, lotion sticks and diaper rash sticks, are all natural and made with organic ingredients whenever possible.

Treat yourself or someone you love to a little bit of everything all bath and body with our Duckish Starter Kit. With this combo, you’ll get the chance to sample our delightful natural skin care products, and you’ll save a little money, too. Everybody wins! A gift that don’t blow your budget? Yes, please! You’ll get a 115g pouch of bath salts, a 2oz jar of body butter, one of our best-selling mini lotion sticks, a lip balm, and a box of 2 bath bombs.  ($34.99)

Is there anything better than a nice, hot bath or shower? Yes, yes there is: a nice, hot bath or shower with a Duckish Bath Bomb! Drop a bomb into your tub with you and hear that sweet fizzing sound as the all-natural ingredients hydrate and detoxify your skin. Duckish bombs are cubes, so they won’t roll away from you like so many fickle bombs have in the past. Each box has 2 bath bombs infused with orange flower water, as well as sweet orange, grapefruit and bergamot essential oils, giving them a delicious and balanced citrus scent. ($9.99 )

Duckish products are available online and locally at The Kiwi Cafe in Chester.

Suttles and Seawinds

Suttles & Seawinds has been a Canadian Icon for over 40 years. Located in beautiful Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. Original owner and designer Vicki Bardon and her skilled team choose seasonal on-trend fashions, accessories and home decor from all over the world. Suttles gives the customer an elite retail experience found nowhere else. From a personal shopping service to exclusive events and fashion launches, Suttles is the perfect fit!

Suttles and Seawinds carries a selection of beautiful gifts for almost anyone on your list. Make shopping enjoyable again by stopping into  their beautiful shop in Mahone Bay, or you can shop from the comfort of home at their curated on-line store.

Old Barn Pottery

Vickie Gray has been a potter and musician for many years but realized she should combine the two when  playing her cello at Celtic music sessions at a local craft brewery. As they sat around the table, the glasses accumulated, and it was hard to tell whose glass belonged to whom!

Old Barn Pottery make mugs, beer barons, wine goblets and shot sippers with instrument names stamped in them so each player would know which one was theirs. The musicians want them for their late night jams, pub sessions, and kitchen parties. Their families and friends want to give them as gifts. Old Barn Pottery also carries  stoneware for non-musicians and can create custom pieces.

Old Barn Pottery has an online ordering available on their website or contact Vickie through their Facebook page for information on local shows or pick-up.

Here Nor There Shop

Here Nor There is a newly opened curated lifestyle shop in Mahone Bay. Selling products for your home, your body and the people you love, owner Hailey Thomson takes pride in selecting things to speak to her and her customers.

Here Nor There also offers curated box sets perfect for gift giving!  All box set are customizable and all items can be purchase individually. All boxes come with crinkle cut paper and some evergreen tips, the boxes are than tied up with string and ready for your favorite people.

Here Nor There is located at 529 Main Street in Mahone Bay or you can check out their online store.

A Novel Idea Bookstore

Newly opened in Mahone Bay, A Novel Idea Bookstore caters to book lovers and writers. They carry a diverse selection of books, stationery products, and unique literary gifts perfect for any book lovers on your list!

Owned by local author Lisa Pomfrey-Talbot, who also runs Cathydia Press, opening a small bookstore seemed like the next natural step. Her publishing company uses a small-town boutique approach to working with and supporting new authors so they can bring fresh, new voices and perspectives to book-lovers worldwide.

A Novel Idea is located at 662 Main Street in Mahone Bay and you can check their Facebook page for open dates and times.

Cocoa Organic Spa and Boutique

Gifting an experience is something to consider over the holidays and a spa experience is a lovely gift to give anyone!  Our lives can get so hectic and busy that it is nice to just slow down and take some time to yourself.

Cocoa Organic Spa & Boutique is a full service spa and beauty boutique located in beautiful Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. At Cocoa Organic Spa & Boutique they are committed to giving you the most relaxing and exceptional spa experience. Delight your senses with one of their soothing spa treatments or organic facials and experience the difference that using real active natural and organic ingredients can make.

Cocoa Organic Spa and Boutiques have Gift Certificates available,  even ready for online printing. What could be easier!

Choyce Glassworks

Over the years Charlie Ley has experimented with drawing, woodworking, carving, sewing, sculpting, metalwork and more. ln 2003 he had the opportunity to learn how to work with glass, a long time desire. Charlie  produced a few projects using the tiffany style construction and his success grew with each new endeavour.

ln 2004 he attended a short course in Fused Glass at the Atlantic Stained Glass studio and has been inspired and  creating ever since.  Working with warm glass provides Charles with so many avenues to transform the art in his mind into physical, tactile creations.

Angel Suncatchers would make a beautiful gift for someone special and currently sell for $30.00. You can contact Charles through email  if you have any questions or to place an order.

Origins of Beauty Spa and Salon

How about a gift for someone special that deserves a little pampering? Origins of Beauty Spa and Salon in Bridgewater is the perfect place to treat yourself or someone you love to a manicure, pedicure or nail enhancement. Gift certificates are available, you can stop in and see Krystal and leave with a gift that’s ready to go and easy to wrap! 🙂

Origins of Beauty Spa and Salon is located at 10 Hillcrest Street in Bridgewater. They are dedicated to providing modern beauty services (manicures, pedicures, gel nail enhancements and makeup applications). This is done through education, passion, and dedication to helping women transition their inner beauty outwards. You can check out their website for more info, or book an appointment through their Facebook page or call (902) 530-2657.

I hope you have enjoyed this years Simple Local Life 2017 Holiday Gift Guide and are now ready to shop and support local this holiday season! I’ve had so much fun meeting new people, visiting local businesses and chatting about services and products being offered here on the South Shore. It’s never been easier to shop and support local….and I hope this Gift Guide shows that. 🙂

Check out our Facebook page for videos from some of this years participants and also be sure to get your name in for give-aways that are happening over the next few weeks where you have a chance to win something from the 2017 Holiday Gift Guide! Fun! 🙂

*This post has been sponsored by the Gift Guides participants, but all opinions are my own.