Here Are Few Of Favorite Gifts: Meet Local Makers

TAMPA BAY, FL — Each year, Patch editors have the fun duty of combing Tampa Bay gift shops, craft festivals and farmers markets in search of locally made items for holiday gift giving.

And, as always, the choices this year were abundant and varied. Tampa Bay has no shortage of cottage industries and creative entrepreneurs offering gifts that appeal to all tastes and interests.

With the help of online shopping sites like Handmade Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, Zibbet, iCraft and Indiecraft, along with flourishing weekly markets throughout Tampa Bay, cottage industries are now big business.

Last year, Etsy attracted more than 33 million buyers from around the world, who spent more than $3 billion on products sold by cottage industries.

Handmade Amazon attracted 250 million customers worldwide and sold more than 3.8 billion products, averaging 7,400 every minute, with Florida ranking second in the nation with more than 50,000 sellers on Amazon. California was No. 1 with more than 88,000 sellers.

While a hand-knitted sweater from grandma might not elicit the same degree of excitement as tearing open a gift containing an Xbox Series X or Playstation 5 on Christmas morning, the retail industry is reporting an increased interest in purchasing gifts that support small businesses, are eco-friendly and benefit worthy causes.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on consumer spending, said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. People are giving less extravagant gifts in favor of those that are more personal and thoughtful.

With that in mind, here are a few of our favorite things this holiday season.

Jeff Benes of Odessa is the owner of BENESandBENNY, who makes cloth dog collars, leashes and other dog accessories on his sewing machine at home. He started his business in June 2020 during the midst of the pandemic and now sells his handcrafted items at local markets and on Etsy.

"I've always owned dogs and I love my dog Benny, a Catahoula leopard dog, who came to me a number of years ago from a local shelter," he said. "I am an artist and I create products that I would want my dog to wear."

You can reach Benes through his Facebook page.

Dunedin artist Elizabeth Mason works wonders with simple sea glass found while exploring Florida's beaches. She's the owner of EJM Designs and her jewelry can be purchased at local craft shows and through her Etsy store.

Just look around Pinellas County and chances are you'll see the handiwork of artisan and metalworker Bill Coleman of the Institute for Creative Arts at 968 Douglas Ave. in Dunedin. From whimsical bike racks to decorative metal gates and railings, Coleman has had a hand in bringing beauty and public art to parks, public buildings and businesses throughout the county.

While a 6-foot metal statue might not be the most practical gift, Coleman also creates smaller items like his popular knives fashioned from authentic railroad spikes. He can be reached through the Institute for Creative Arts Facebook page.

What started out as a hobby for Tampa resident Tim Wiley 10 years ago has turned into a family business with his daughter and grandson, creating unique writing utensils adorned with gold, silver, chrome, antique brass, pewter and wood, each a work of art. Most recently, Wiley's company, 3 Gen Pens Company, has added a line of custom handmade rings fashioned from abalone, mother-of-pearl, opals and other precious stones.

By the way, one of Wiley's passions is giving back. A portion of the sales of each pen goes to fight domestic abuse.

There's nothing more symbolic of Ybor City than the hand-rolled cigar.

J.C. Newman Cigar Company continues to make cigars the same way they were made 100 years ago at its landmark factory in Ybor City. Built in 1910, the Regensburg factory was one of the last and largest cigar factories ever built in Tampa. Like every cigar factory in town, the Regensburg had a nickname: El Reloj, Spanish for “The Clock.” For generations, residents rose and retired to the hourly chimes ringing from the factory's tall brick clock tower, which was restored by the Newman family in 2002.

In addition to hand-rolled cigars, J.C. Newman Cigar Company at 2701 N. 16th St., offers custom-made humidors and other accessories for the cigar lover.

See related story: Here's Why Shoppers Should Support Small Business Saturday

This article originally appeared on the Tampa Patch