Locally-made gift ideas for the holidays…
Whether you’re searching gifts for loved ones or a sweet treat for yourself, check out these holiday shopping ideas, so you can support stores and brands that manufacture their products right here in Los Angeles. Find a store with carefully curated LA-made goods, or shop direct with various brands.
Keep tabs on #ShopLAMade as we share more gift ideas this month on social media.
(Are we missing any key LA-made stores or manufacturers? Let us know for next time using this nomination form!)
Locally Curated Stores
Arts District Coop
453 Colyton Street
Los Angeles, CA, 90013
(213) 223-6717
The Arts District Co-Op is an eclectic mix of retail concepts coming together in a communal environment that fosters creativity and commerce. It’s located in the heart of the Downtown LA Arts District and offers a blank slate for vendors and local artisans to showcase their (mostly locally-made) wares in a funky brick warehouse, sometimes accompanied by performances on the central stage.
Barrio.LA
The brother-sister team behind barrio.la, Jen and Rick Kanter, have combined their love for LA and their experience in media to create an online platform for sharing LA stories and showcasing locally-made products. All barrio.la goods are designed in and around the Los Angeles area. Most products are locally produced, with the neighborhood prominently celebrated for each item. When they curate their collection, they seek “eco-friendly & eco-conscious, multi-purpose & multi-use, and ethically-sourced made by cool people in L.A. communities using sustainable ingredients and processes.”
CRAFTED
Port of Los Angeles
Warehouse No 10
112 E. 22nd St.
San Pedro CA 90731
CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles is a large-scale permanent handmade artisan marketplace. Their classically restored 1940’s-era warehouse is home to more than 100 individual artists, crafters and food makers, each presenting their unique handcrafted goods in a vibrant patchwork of shop spaces. In addition to shopping, viistors can takie classes and meet the makers Fridays through Sundays. Parking and admission are free.
L.A. County Store
4333 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
The Los Angeles County Store is a shop dedicated exclusively to fine goods made in Los Angeles. From artisanal food to small housewares, apothecary to prints and stationery, it is a thoughtfully curated collection of beautifully crafted wares from across the county. Specializing in gifts and gift boxes – both pre-selected and custom-made – Los Angeles County Store is a great place to get a housewarming or baby gift, a unique souvenir of the City of Angels, or something for that hard-to-shop-for someone.
Made in Long Beach
240 Pine Ave
Long Beach, CA 90802
Made in Long Beach is a brick-and-mortar store based in downtown Long Beach featuring products from more than 120 local makers.
Shoes & Accessories
Broken Homme
BROKEN HOMME is a 100% American Made boot collection that partners a contemporary and working class aesthetic to a range of classic silhouettes. Founded in 2012 by best friends Josh Johnson and Jim Leatherman who, after years of sourcing and designing for other companies, saw first hand the importance of domestic manufacturing and decided to do something about it. Their products are manufactured in a boutique factory in Los Angeles that has been producing safety boots for the Union Longshoreman in the Port of Los Angeles. Incidentally, they have a Kickstarter campaign to acquire and revive the factory.
JAKIMAC
Inspired by underground subcultures, JAKIMAC aims to redefine the accessory. Their leather goods are handcrafted for the bold, the wild, and the unconventional. Each and every JAKIMAC piece is handcrafted using tried and true leather techniques with some of the best leathers in the world. All of their pieces are locally made in Los Angeles.
MaeMae Jewelry
3125 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
MaeMae Jewelry is the story of designer Rheena Mae’s life as told through jewelry pieces on affirmation cards. She aims to create affordable gifts that convey meaning and can be worn every day.
Malibu Cali
Malibu Cali products boast premium leather and precision design from the most renowned contemporary designers & brands. Their collection is inspired by the clean lines of a Malibu sky and the vibrant life of its famous beach, and all of its are made right here in Los Angeles with the precision of Italian-trained craftsmen and American-trained businessmen.
NewBarK
NewbarK was launched in 2009, by the stylist sister duo – Maryam and Marjan Malakpour. The L.A.-based luxury brand is best known for elegant, minimalist, comfortable shoes and handbags. All NewbarK products are handmade in Los Angeles, California.
R.B. of McD
R.B. of McD is a line of luxury leather bags founded by designer John McDavid Lehman. “It is a brand made in Los Angeles by Los Angeles, but lends itself to a broader culture and global aesthetic.” so says creative director, John McDavid Lehman, a third generation Los Angeleno. “The goal has been simple with R.B. of McD… create a brand that is authentic and gives a sincere voice to Los Angeles and downtown LA.” Learn more about John’s interesting perspective on design and manufacturing in his The Art of Manufacturing interview and profile here.
Te Amo
The Te Amo collection makes one-of-a-kind, 18k modern heirlooms from the silhouette of your child. Each custom piece is handcrafted by 3rd generation Los Angeles jewelers in Downtown LA’s Jewelry District. Te Amo’s founder and designer, Katy Saeger, was born and raised in Southern California and comes from a family of collectors and designers, including her grandfather who worked with steel and precious metals and raised her mother in neighboring San Marino and Monrovia. With a passion for harnessing the love between mother and children, Te Amo donates 10% of the profits from each piece to organizations that support women and children around the world.
Apparel:
ABL Denim
ABL Denim makes innovative jeans for people with permanent and temporary disabilities that is both therapeutic and fashionable. They offer a range of styles for men, women, and children with different needs. Listen to our interview with designer Stephanie Alves, who shares her experiences with designing adaptive products and the ups and downs of launching a manufacturing business, on The Art of Manufacturing podcast.
City Threads
719 S. Los Angeles St. #515
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Based and created in Los Angeles, City Threads makes kids clothes that feel great and look cool. That mindset transcends every stitch in every piece they design, resulting in apparel that is enjoyed by little ones and parents alike.
Hedley & Bennett
3864 South Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, CA 90058
Hedley & Bennett aprons are the cult favorite of chefs and makers like Martha Stewart and Mario Batali. Each product is made in their L.A. factory from start to finish using top grade American canvas, raw Japanese selvage denim and European linens. Each fabrication detail is carefully designed and tested to handle the rigorous hustle and bustle of a profession kitchen. The premium apron brand is quickly growing to be the go-to of aprons in the culinary industry and beyond. Listen to The Art of Manufacturing interview with the inimitable founder, Ellen Bennett, and read her profile here.
Groceries Apparel
Groceries Apparel manufactures simple yet stylish garments that can be worn as-is, or to be used as blanks for printing. They are committed to transparency and human responsibility by supporting family farms, localized manufacturing, living wages and GMO-free, organic ingredients. They operate their own vertically-integrated, local, and traceable production facility in downtown Los Angeles, and operate the only natural dye house in LA.
Karl Kani
Karl Kani was the original pioneer of urban streetwear, and his brand still resonates globally three decades later. Originally hailing from Brooklyn, Kani’s style was inspired by Hip-Hop and street culture; apparel with aesthetic was nowhere to be found, so 16-year old he decided to make his own clothes. People took notice of his unique threads, and he began taking orders. Under a new moniker, Karl Kani, he moved to Los Angeles in 1989 to pursue his passion. His styles became the choice of hip-hop stars like Tupac and Biggie Smalls. Today the Karl Kani brand spread throughout 25 countries in Europe and 13 flagship stores in Japan, including one in Harajuku, and Karl Kani has stayed true to his label. Along with keeping his passion for quality, design and craftsmanship, Kani continues to produce all his garments in the U.S. Learn about Kani’s crazy entrepreneurial exploits in his The Art of Manufacturing interview and profile here.
McMarden
The duo Anastasia Marden and John McDavid Lehman started their high-end fashion brand to capture an essence that is uniquely L.A. Their styles have been on the shoulders of Lenny Kravitz and on the racks at Barneys, and they are all made here in Los Angeles. McMarden builds each piece around a series of cinematic images or movements, thus the cleaner lines and multi-layered function of each look. “Our pieces are the lovechildren of street, ready-to-wear and the contemporary hybrid of couture!” Hear more stories and musings from John in his The Art of Manufacturing interview and profile here.
Reformation
Created in 2009 by Yael Aflalo, Reformation is the bohemian-inspired brand favored by celebrities like Taylor Swift and Rihanna. Reformation designs and manufactures the majority of their limited-edition collections in their factory headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. They source sustainable fabrics and vintage garments while incorporating better practices throughout the supply chain to make beautiful styles at a fraction of the environmental impact of conventional fashion.
Salud Shoppe
Salud Shoppe is a modern, sustainable lifestyle collection. Their factory partnerships support woman-owned, fair wage, transparent operations. Their garments in particular are ethically made by hand in Southern California sewing factories.
Health & Beauty:
Chivas Skincare
2220 Bardsdale Ave.
Fillmore, CA 93015
(805) 524-3134
Chivas Skincare was originally conceived by Donna Johanson when her pet goats started producing way more milk than her family could consume, and now distributes dozens of natural costmetic products to stores around the country. Donna handcrafts goat milk soaps on their Southern California family farm with fresh goat milk, all-natural essential oils, and fair-trade shea butter. She and her daughter Lauren run the operation; learn more about this mother-daughter duo and the ups and downs of running their business on The Art of Manufacturing podcast and profile here.
ORLY
2015 marked 40 years in the nail care industry for ORLY, and it might surprise you to learn that 100% of this global brand’s products are still manufactured right here, in their Van Nuys factory. ORLY pioneered the French Manicure®, and this past year ORLY has been celebrating its long-time love affair with Los Angeles with the Made in L.A. campaign, inspired by the people, places and heartbeat of the City of Angels.
OSEA
OSEA is a family-run cosmetics business founded 20 years ago by Jenefer Palmer. Their natural skincare line uses certified organic seaweed infused with essential oils to create natural anti-aging solutions and blemish treatments free of toxic, synthetic ingredients. In 2002, OSEA was the first company to sign “The Compact for Global Production of Safe Health and Beauty Products,” which has been joined by over 1000 companies since. OSEA products are plant-based, vegan, packaged in recyclable glass bottles when possible, and made in Los Angeles.
UpCreek Paddle Brush
UpCreek Paddle Brush provides all natural wooden hair accessories that feature one-of-a-kind paintings and prints by local artists, making for a unique gift. UpCreek Paddle Brush was established in 2013 as a platform to support hair appreciation and local independent artists, designers and modern makers. In an effort to limit its eco-footprint, UpCreek uses as many non-toxic and sustainable materials as possible in the design and packaging process.
Food & Beverage:
Compartes Chocolates
912 S Barrington Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Compartes Chocolates is an L.A.-based chocolatier that has been around since 1950. All chocolates are handmade using the freshest and purest ingredients in the kitchen of their Brentwood store. Among the newest products this season in chocolate bars and truffles is a dark chocolate truffle infused with the luxurious Reserva de la Familia, an extra añejo tequila from the Jose Cuervo estate.
Golden Road Brewing
5410 W San Fernando Rd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(213) 542-6039
Golden Road Brewing is one of Los Angeles’ favorite craft brewers with over 20 varieties. Its headquarters are in Glendale, CA, with a taproom in Anaheim and a downtown location at Grand Central Market opening soon. Golden Road is committed to bringing fresh, delicious craft beer to the L.A. area in the most sustainable way possible. They have even developed special brews to benefit local charities (Heal the Bay IPA for Heal the Bay and 2020 IPA for the River LA).
Greenbar Distillery
2459 E 8th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 375-3668
Launched in 2012 by USC alums Melkon Khosrovian and Litty Matthew, Greenbar Craft Distillery is the first distillery in Los Angeles since The Prohibition. Since then, they’ve become the world’s largest producer and distributer of organic spirits—all made by hand with natural ingredients. The company uses lightweight bottles, 100% recycled labels and plants a tree for every bottle sold. They offer tours and tastings at their 14,000 sq ft warehouse space in the Arts District of Downtown L.A.
LAMILL Coffee
1636 Silver Lake Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Launched by founder Craig Min in 1998, Alhambra-based LAMILL Coffee introduced craft coffee to Los Angeles long before the recent influx of third-wave roasters. LAMILL sources coffee from the farthest reaches of the globe, seeking the newest and most obscure, sought-after and delicious coffees and teas. Known for bringing a culinary angle to their brew, LAMILL is served by chefs like Michael Mina, Michael Ciramusti and Walter Manzke in their restaurants. Their flagship boutique, located in Silverlake, offers an all-day menu. Their coffees and teas can also be purchased through their online store.
Milk Jar Cookies
5466 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 634-9800
Milk Jar Cookies, known for its delicious Snickerdoodle, has developed a cult following in their Los Angeles home. It offers 13-15 flavors daily, including classics like Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Sugar, Oatmeal Raisin, and White Chocolate Macadamia and best sellers like Banana Split, Birthday, and Chocolate Peanut Butter. All cookies are made from scratch in the Milk Jar kitchen in small batches throughout the day. Gluten free options are available as well as a seasonal flavor each month.
Sqirl
720 N Virgil Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Sqirl’s jams and marmalades include unique mouthwatering concoctions like Aprium & Olallieberry Jam and Blueberry Rhubarb. Some of their batches take up to three days to produce, and are made with produce from family-owned farms that practice sustainable, certified organic methods in close proximity to their kitchen in Los Angeles, California. Located between Hollywood and Silverlake, Sqirl also features breakfast and lunch items in a very simple and clean space, or you can buy their products online.
Home & Garden:
A Question of Eagles
A Question of Eagles is the passion of Melissa Tolar and Jonathan Ballak. Born in Illinois, the company recently settled in Los Angeles after some time in Portland, Bend and Eugene, OR, and upstate New York. This duo’s products are inspired by nature, their travels through the American landscape, and their love of the handmade. Their ceramics and jewelry are made in Los Angeles. (The quilts are a special collaboration with Melissa’s mom, Marcia, and handmade in Illinois.)
Barrington Blue
Barrington Blue features vintage textiles and furniture and is the brainchild of Carrie Olshan. Born out of a love of travel, design, upholstery and textile craft, Barrington Blue breathes new life into vintage & handmade textiles and furniture. All custom pieces are handcrafted by Carrie in Los Angeles.
Brentwood Home
2301 E. 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90023
(855) 979-1416
Brentwood Home manufacture products such as all natural cotton bedding, organic pillows, draperies, therapeutic pet beds, scented candles and all natural mattresses. Their skilled craftsmen design these items using only natural, non-toxic materials produced and they are assembled here in Los Angeles. Their goal is to hand-craft quality home products that inspire a healthier life by using all natural and non-toxic materials.
Brook Perdigon Textiles
Brook Perdigon Textiles is a Los Angeles based design company founded by artist and designer Brook Perdigon. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Brook began her career as an independent designer creating custom textile collections for interior designers in Los Angeles, New York, and Paris. She went on to hone her skills as a senior designer for Tai Ping Carpets, where she designed carpets for high profile clients and prestigious projects worldwide. Shop from a range of unique pillows or create your own gift from her one-of-a-kind textiles.
Cotton & Flax
Cotton & Flax offers boldly patterned textile home decor, handmade by designer and founder, Erin Dollar, in Los Angeles, California. With a background in fine art printmaking, Erin brings a simple, modern aesthetic vision to the company, which she founded in 2012. Each piece is designed to help you express your individual style, and enjoy more memorable celebrations and everyday moments at home. Discover beautifully patterned linen throw pillows and hand crafted tabletop goods that will imbue your home with style and meaning.
Knotwork
Knotwork LA was originally created as an outlet for Linda Hsiao and Kagan Taylor, beginning as evenings and weekends spent in the shop and studio. Their company now products a wide range of home goods made from ceramic, porcelain, and wood. Their signature product is the handmade wooden rattle.
Robert Siegel Ceramics
Robert Siegel Ceramics is a design and fabrication studio focused on limited-edition, custom and small batch porcelain production. Based in Los Angeles, California, they create one-of-a-kind objects for the table and home, crafted from the highest quality, locally-sourced porcelain.
Sports & Hobbies:
Conway Electric
Conway Electric was founded in Boulder, Colorado, by Kevin Faul after he searched for an electric cord for the floor lamp he was designing. Frustrated with the ugly and poorly made options, he built a prototype of the Exto, with its signature braided cloth cord. With his aim to create something safer, less toxic, more stylish, and packaged plastic-free, he launched Conway Electric and started building out a whole line of products. He moved to Los Angeles and has been producing his colorful electrical accessories here ever since.
Guy Ozakaki Surfboards
Guy Okazaki’s waterman experience spans decades, starting on Waikiki Beach as a child, then surfing in Australia with pioneers of the shortboard revolution, before making SoCal his home many decades ago. His expertise of all shaping methods and riding styles has led to successful, original, hand-crafted surfboard designs in Venice Beach for more than 30 years. Guy continues to embrace technology and innovations in surfboard design and materials, while staying true to his individual style and gut instinct. His custom approach of matching the best board shape with the individual surfer’s skill level, riding style, preferences and wave conditions allows surfers to reach their fullest potential for fun and high performance. As your skills progress and taste changes, a personal relationship with your local shaper ensures your quiver will be up to speed and ready for the next wave of your life.
KILLSPENCER
3235 N. San Fernando Rd. Unit 2C
Los Angeles, California 90065
(213) 484-0888
KILLSPENCER originated in 2009 as a personal project of Los Angeles-based industrial designer Spencer Nikosey to locally craft the perfect sustainable and waterproof backpack. With increasing demand, Nikosey’s passion blossomed into a full-time business. All goods are designed, developed, manufactured, and sold out of their Los Angeles workshop and storefront, and Nikosey and his team of master artisans strive to bring the highest level of performance, functionality, and quality to every handmade product.
Kit Hub
If you’re looking for educational gifts for your kids (or your kid-at-heart), check out Kit Hub’s wide range of STEAM and environmental monitoring kits. These products are hands-on and creative projects for the classroom and at home, aimed at elementary schoolers, teens, and even adults. From a $15 motorized art bot to a $1000 air quality monitoring station, there is something for every maker and learner on your list.
Orange Mud
Orange Mud builds technical gear for the outdoor lover. Their Urban Hippy Tripster Pack is built in their facility in the San Fernando Valley and is perfect to take for the daily grind and global travel. The pack features military-grade materials; a stash pocket for documents, cash, passports, and other critical items; a floating fortified laptop and tablet sleeve; over-sized bottle holders; and a sunglasses compartment that can hold three or four sunglasses.
URB-E
54 W. Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91105
The URB-E is the world’s most compact foldable electric scooter, engineered in Pasadena by former Porsche Lead Engineer Sven Etzelsberger. Weighing just 35 pounds and built from carbon fiber and aircraft-grade aluminum, it’s the ultimate last-mile transportation solution.