Image courtesy of Pewabic Pottery
Still Christmas shopping? Trying to find the right (and very last minute) Hanukkah present? Building on last year’s Gifts from the Mitt post, here are few more made-in-Michigan gift ideas:
Achatz Handmade Pie Co. – I wasn’t much of a fruit pie sort of gal until I moved to the Midwest and tasted an Achatz (rhymes with ‘jackets’) pie, specifically the Michigan 4-Berry. Not overly sweet like so many other pies, with big chunks of fruit, flaky dough and crunchy crumbs on top. It was perfect; I was hooked. With only a couple of exceptions, the pies are vegan, and the company tries to use locally grown fruit. I was seriously geeked when I found out they recently opened a store in Ann Arbor. The company does mail order, and prices listed on the website include shipping.
The Cherry Hut – In keeping with the pie theme, The Cherry Hut started out in the early 1920s as a roadside stand along the north shore of Crystal Lake, where the Kraker family sold homemade cherry pies and jams made from their orchards’ fruit. The company has expanded since then, and its store–and seasonal restaurant–on US 31 in Benzonia sells jams, dried cherries and souvenirs in addition to its pies (with the signature “Cherry Jerry” face carved into the crust). The Cherry Hut doesn’t ship the pies, but it does mail its other items.
Detroit Spice Co. – Detroit-themed spice blends that pay homage to the city’s melting pot and a line of hot sauces that will make your eyes water.
Pewabic Pottery – Arts & Crafts ceramic tiles and other items with distinct iridescent glazes from a historic, nonprofit pottery. The pottery was founded in 1903 by artist Mary Stratton, who also helped establish the Detroit Arts & Crafts Society and the ceramics department at the University of Michigan. Pewabic is holding an Earthy Treasures Holiday Show through December 30th, 2011, and it’s open on Christmas eve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ugly Dog Distillery – Vodka distilled from Michigan grain, by hand, in small batches in Chelsea. Owner Jon Dyer named the company for his own “ugly dog,” Ruger, a German wirehaired pointer who is featured on the bottle labels (and has been a guest on Animal Planet’s “Dogs 101″ show).
Feeling creative? Michigan food blogger Elaine McCardel, who publishes The Italian Dish, offers ideas for great-looking candles and candy cane marshmallows, among others.
Happy Holidays!
