All They Want For Christmas

MAKE ALL THEIR WISHES COME TRUE WITH GIFTS FROM AUSTIN ARTISANS AND LOCAL BOUTIQUES

By Darcie Duttweiler and Carrie Crowe Let’s be honest, it’s boring to shop off of an Amazon wish list for your loved ones. There’s no thought or care involved, and the whole thing lacks pizazz and oomph. Instead, take a cue from our guide of locally made and sold wares that includes everything from incense to sapphires. This holiday season, whether you’re shopping for the most ardent music fan in the family or your picky mother-in-law, we’ve got you covered.

For the girl who has everything, no graphic t-shirt is going to cut it. Splurge on your trendsetter with a luxurious bag or hat — or even some perfectly sultry sandalwood perfume.

1. Lovard Mini Croissant Bag ($395) shoplovard.com 2. Covet Rye Hat ($795) covethats.com 3. Miranda Bennett Studio Bundle

Dyed Neckerchief ($39) shopmirandabennet.com 4. Maison Louis Marie Eau de

Parfum No.04 Bois de Balincourt ($92) The Garden Room 5. Understated Leather American

Woman Jacket ($890) understatedleather.com

Featured Items:

• This cute, small purse is reminiscent of a baked good Kanye West once rapped about — and we mean that as a compliment. Snag a bubblegum pink version for the ultimate statement piece. • If your gal is channeling her inner

Kacey Musgraves, she’s definitely already coveting this amazing leather jacket for her finest golden hour selfie.

FASHIONISTA OUTDOOR VOICE

Austin is one of the most outdoorsy cities in the country, so you definitely have one loved one who’s an avid hiker, biker or camper. Here’s some ideas on how to fill their stockings this year.

1. Yeti Tundra Haul Hard Cooler ($399.99) yeti.com 2. SUAVS The Zilker Sneaker ($95) suavshoes.com 3. Slow North Not Today Bugs

Citronella Spritz ($20) slownorth.com 4. Desert Door Camp Blanket ($40) cargo.desertdoor.com 5. Pure Jerky Co Tripi’s One

Pound Variety Gift Box ($75) purejerkco.com Featured Items:

• This cool gift box comes filled with a variety pack of handcrafted beef jerky made from 100 percent U.S. Angus beef. Yum! • While Harvest Red is the newest color of this classic Yeti cooler, you can’t go wrong with any of the hues. This rugged chiller will stand the test of time and be welcome on any camping (or glamping) trip.

CAP PHOTO BY TYLER HOOD. GROWLER PHOTO BY CAT PHOTO BY ASIA EIDSON. JAR PHOTO COURTESY OF BARKIN’ CREEK. BREW BUD

In addition to the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is also well-known as a big beer and coffee town. Whether your BFF is a hop head or a pour over pro, these offerings are sure to give them ample buzz. Featured Items:

1. Blue Owl Brewing Fancy Ass

Growler ($64) blueowlbrewing.com 2. Willie’s Remedy Hemp-Infused Dark Roast Blend Coffee ($25.50) shop.williesremedy.com 3. Son of a Sailor Saguaro Bottle

Opener ($72) sonofasailor.co 4. Easy Tiger Classic Mug ($15) easytigerusa.com 5. Austin Beerworks Leather

Beerdrop Cap ($30) austinbeerworks.com • Every beer snob needs a fancy-ass growler, and Blue Owl

Brewing’s 64-ounce vacuum-insulated container is BPA free and bound to keep their beer cold for at least 24 hours. • Austin Beerworks has some of the best merch of any brewery in the city, so get them something good with this custom stamped leather cap that’s also water repellent.

PETS’ BEST FRIEND

For the ones who say, “I didn’t rescue them, they rescued me,” these presents are the next best thing to actually buying them a new “fur baby.”

1. Barkin’ Creek Treat Jar with

Baked Snacks ($21.95) bcdk.store 2. Annie Digs Laura Park Dog

Pillow ($250) anniedigs.com 3. Svetlana Novikova Custom Pet

Art Print (From $500) svetlananovikova.com 4. Boots & Arrow Grey Diamond

Dog Poop Bag ($35) bootsandarrow.co 5. Made by Cleo Bow Tie Cat Collar

Set ($27.95) etsy.com Featured Items:

• Cats are always dapper, but this floral Made By Cleo bowtie will turn any cat into a total Don

Draper wannabe. Meow! • Fido won’t even know what he’s tasting when he chomps down on these delicious (we hope) hand-crafted snacks. Fill this gift jar with various flavors, including apple crackers, canine crackers, peanut butter cookies or pumpkin molasses cookies.

WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

ROCKSTAR PICKY MIL

From musician to record collector, we’ve all got a music man (or woman) in the family. Brighten the soundtrack of their life with these four gifts.

Featured Items:

1. Mondo: The Art of Soundtracks ($50) bookpeople.com 2. Waterloo WL-JK Guitar ($2,650) austinvintageguitars.com 3. Drive-By Truckers Live from

Austin, TX Colored Vinyl ($26) store.newwestrecords.com 4. Scott Newton Willie Nelson 1974 Print (From $600) modernrocksgallery.com • Local art and collectible company Mondo started producing vinyl records more than 10 years ago, and this book is a musthave for any collector of posters, music or art. • Scott Newton is world-famous for his Willie Nelson black-andwhite prints, so snag this newly released 1974 print for any

“redheaded stranger” fan. Sure, she raised your significant other, but will you ever please her? Spoil her rotten with these absolutely luxurious gifts and find out.

1. Hotel Saint Cecilia Kimono Robe ($220) hotelsaintceciliastore.com 2. August Sage Chunky Wool Blanket ($400) augustsage.com 3. Milk + Honey Milk Bath No. 05 ($32) milkandhoney.com 4. Square Feathers Bombay Tiger

Pillow ($262.50) shop.squarefeathers.com 5. Korman Fine Jewelry 18KT

Emerald Cut Rainbow Sapphire

Tennis Stretch Bracelet ($13,480) kormanfinejewelry.com

Featured Items:

• If you really want to outdo any other family member this holiday season, go wildly extravagant with this gorgeous rainbow tennis bracelet from one of the city’s top jewelers. • Handcrafted from natural wool fibers from the mountains in Peru and looped entirely by hand, this lush, extra-chunky throw will have her feeling like she’s snuggling a cloud.

WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

FOODIE:

For the person who won’t let you touch your brunch without snapping a pic for the ‘Gram first, pick up some of the city’s best foodie finds.

1. La Barbecue Sweet & Tangy

Barbecue Sauces ($12/each) labarbecue.com 2. Frankie Jean You + Me + Tacos

Pennant ($14.50) frankiejean.com 3. Round Rock Jelly & Co. Hot

Pepper Jam ($10) roundrockjellyandco.com 4. Dai Due Chipotle Sambal ($10) daidue.com 5. The Austin Cookbook: Recipes and Stores from Deep in the

Heart of Texas ($29.99) bookpeople.com Featured Items:

• Finally in its own brick-andmortar shop in East Austin, it’s never been easier to grab some of the most delicious barbecue sauce in town. Since you won’t be able to decide between sweet and tangy, you’ll just have to get both bottles of La Barbecue’s finger-licking-good nectar. • One of the original Eater Austin editors, Paula Forbes knows her stuff. Your foodie friend can learn fun stories from some of the most famous Austin eateries and master a recipe or two in their own kitchen.

BEST DAD EVER

No matter if he’s your dad or the father of your children, the man is impossible to shop for. So, treat the fella to some killer goods this holiday — and don’t forget the whiskey.

1. Sweetens Cove Blended Straight

Bourbon Whiskeys ($199.72) sweetenscovespirits.com 2. Made In Tecovas Carving Knife ($169) madeincookware.com 3. Rogue Territory Supply Jacket ($398) stagprovisions.com 4. Alvies The Manchaca Boots ($345) alvies.com 5. Vesper and Vine Hammered

Round Copper Flask ($140) vesperandvine.com Featured Items:

• Sweetens Cove is a blend of straight Tennessee bourbons that was inspired by the ritual of a shot of whiskey on the first tee at the golf course of the same name.

Owned by Andy Roddick, Peyton

Manning and others, this bottle was named the “No. 1 celebrity spirit in the world,” making it a fun gift for any golf aficionado. • He’s going to need something swanky and cool to sip that bourbon out of, and this retro-looking round hammered copper drinking vessel fits the bill. This flask is handmade in Austin from 100% recycled copper, which is said to have Ayurvedic health properties.

WANT FOR CHRISTMAS BIBLIOPHILE

If they dream of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in a home library to rival the one in Beauty and the Beast, they can obviously use more books. Head to BookPeople and pick up some tomes from famous ATX writers or intriguing non-fiction reads on a plethora of interesting topics.

1. Ellsworth Kelly: Austin ($50) bookpeople.com 2. The Midnight Assassin: The

Hunt for America’s First Serial

Killer ($18) bookpeople.com 3. God Save Texas: A Journey into the Soul of the Lone Star State ($16.95) bookpeople.com 4. The Souvenir Museum: Stories ($26.99) bookpeople.com 5. Invisible in Austin: Life and

Labor in an American City ($24.95) bookpeople.com Featured Items:

• The capital city is one of America’s most economically segregated cities, and this important sociological study explores the lives of those working at the bottom of the social order, including house cleaners, cooks, cab drivers and more. • No matter if they’ve seen the

Ellsworth Kelly Blanton Museum of Art’s installation in person or not, the beauty and majestic use of color is bound to amaze them on the pages.

HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST

If you can never last two seconds in their home before they offer you a snack (with a pressed serviette, naturally), the following items would definitely be welcome in their well-stocked abode.

1. Eliana X Stampworthy Goods

Tiled Tray ($304) elianabernard.com 2. Katie Kime Cheetahs Folded

Notecards ($28) katiekime.com 3. Tawa Threads Sunburst Summer Rays ($124.99) tawathreads.com 4. VoChill Perfect Pair Wine

Chiller ($84.99) vochill.com 5. Noah Marion Leather Coasters ($60) noahmarion.com Featured Items:

• No hostess is complete without a gorgeous tray to serve their famous cocktails or hors d’oeuvres on, and this bright and festive pink tiled one with gold accents is practically dripping in opulence. • You wouldn’t dare rest a glass on their table, so the gift of these luxurious-yet-sturdy leather coasters from Noah Marion is basically a gift to yourself.

WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

KIDS BIG AND SMALL

From toddlers to kids at heart, there’s a little something for everyone, whether they’re learning to ride a bike for the first time, exploring their love of cooking, or trying to master a brand-new card game.

1. The Heart of Cthulhu Card Game ($39.99) emeraldtaverngames.com 2. Texas Musicians Coloring Book ($25) hotelmagdalenastore.com 3. Woom Bike ($359) us.woombikes.com 4. Pool Burger Best Buns in

Town Toddler Tee ($20) mcguire-moorman-hospitality. myshopify.com 5. Austin Nature Works Kid Friendly Flower Press ($46) austinnatureworks.com 6. Erin Condren Dreams in Bloom

Notebook ($15) erincondren.com 7. Savilino Mini Myung Kids’ Apron ($50) savilino.com

Featured Items:

• Created by Austin-based artist and conservation biologist Patrick

Kelleher, this new card game was a smash hit on Kickstarter earlier this year. Inspired by classic tabletop card games, this indie adventure game includes more than 200 original works of art and is allegedly easy to master … if you WITCHY dare. • Got a sous chef in the making? WOMAN

Nurture their interest of helping in the kitchen with this adorable

Savilino apron, which matches the exact same style for adults. No matter if she’s going to cast a spell or not, these trinkets are ideal for anyone oozing Stevie Nicks vibes. 1. Roux Saint James Dreamer Fragrance ($105) rouxstjames.com 2. Apothecary Made Palo Santo Incense ($13) apothecarymade.com 3. Carrie Moss Harmonize Your Chakras Gift Certificate ($325 for two sessions) carriemoss.world 4. 7th Street Candle Gardenia Mint Wooden Bowl Candle ($40) 7thstreedcandle.co 5. Karacotta Ceramics Ocean Abalone Smudge Dish ($36) karacotta.com Featured Items:

• Not only do the scents from

Roux Saint James smell, dare we say, dreamy, but the small perfumery creates intention-based botanical compounds with all-natural ingredients, adding in a dose of aromatherapy. • Inspired by the sea, this abalone dish, crafted for use with a smudge stick or bundle, would also make the most adorable jewelry holder.

Claire Puckett

Austin Classical Guitar Inspires Hope and Artistic Vision

STUDENTS FIND LIFELONG BENEFITS THROUGH MUSIC

By Bryan C. Parker Photos by Phil Kline

Angelica Campbell

AUSTIN IS A CITY BURSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH MUSICAL talent, and some of its youngest residents tap into their abilities in grade school thanks to the work of Austin Classical Guitar. Formed in 1990, the non-profit organization works in around 50 Austin-area schools to teach the fundamentals of guitar and the joy of artistic expression through music.

Travis Marcum, ACG’s Director of Education since 2005, says the program’s primary function is inspiring and motivating students, both within music as well as their lives generally.

“Being creative and making music with your peers, performing classical guitar, writing songs, and composing — these are things that are fundamentally nourishing and have all kinds of positive benefits,” he says.

ACG performs dozens of concerts per year, and instructors sometimes provide private lessons, but most of the program’s work is in Central Texas schools, where they assist band and orchestra directors or teach their own guitar classes. That instruction is free of charge to districts and is funded through individual donors, grants and foundations.

Marcum’s first project with ACG was working to establish a guitar program at McCallum High School — an experience he calls “awe-inspiring and energizing.” The nascent program lucked into two incredibly talented students, Fabi Reyna and Claire Puckett. Young adults are prone to skepticism with any newcomer, and Reyna was no exception when Marcum arrived. But after a few weeks, something began to change.

“When you put a guitar in your lap and sit face to face, we let our collective guard down,” says Marcum. Reyna fell in love with guitar and went on to found She Shreds, a magazine devoted to women and gender non-conform-

Justice Phillips

ing musicians. She’s currently on tour with Sleater-Kinney, one of indie rock’s most famous bands.

Puckett also pursued a music career, first by performing original music in Austin bands such as Mother Falcon and Hikes and, more recently, by joining the staff of ACG. Puckett says being a guitar student gave her patience and a strong work ethic, but more importantly, it provided stability.

“My teenage years were a bit tumultuous, but when I was in ensemble or preparing for a solo performance, I felt there was a clear path,” she says. Now, she fosters that same emotional clarity as the Program Manager for the Music and Healing department of ACG, a sector of the organization that helps people use music to process challenges like poverty, homelessness, or physical and mental health diagnoses.

Former ACG student Angelica Campbell experienced that same healing power of music as a teen struggling with depression while attending Travis High School.

“The only time I really felt happy was when I was doing something creative with my time, my favorite use of time being guitar,” she says. Guitar led her to UT’s Butler School of Music, where she furthered her musical training. Along the way, her former ACG teachers stayed in touch with her and offered supportive encouragement. That connection turned into a career when Campbell accepted a communications role with ACG at the beginning of this year.

Alumnus Justice Phillips says ACG gave him “real performance opportunities in great halls,” tangible experiences that many young musicians don’t have. His role has come full circle, as he now composes music for ACG students to perform for special projects in public performances and in classes at school.

MY GOAL IS THAT WE ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP TO ART, SO IT MAKES THEM BETTER HUMANS AND BETTER AT COPING WITH LIFE IN GENERAL

One branch of ACG’s education program works with incarcerated youth in facilities such as Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center in Austin and the Williamson County Juvenile Detention Center. Students in such facilities continue their high school coursework, but offerings can be limited. According to Jeremy Osborne, the Juvenile Justice Program Director for ACG, the only option for an arts elective credit was computer-based until ACG initiated their program.

Many of the young adults in these facilities have little agency in their lives. “Everything is mandated, scheduled, watched over,” Osborne explains. But precious moments in guitar class offer opportunities for expression and creativity. In short, it’s an escape from the confines of the walls around them. Osborne begins teaching students to perform songs on the first day of class, asking individual students to play a single note in rhythm to craft an ensemble piece together. That immediate success is transformative, especially for students trying to rebuild their lives.

Osborne doesn’t approach teaching with the goal of making students into career musicians or concert guitarists. Instead, he says, “My goal is that we establish a relationship to art, so it makes them better humans and better at coping with life in general.” Ultimately, working with guitar affords all of the program’s students similar benefits. Whether incarcerated or enrolled in an arts magnet school, Osborne says learning guitar “helps them to be more introspective and gives them a voice for themselves.” austinclassicalguitar.org