Shop Local: 39 New England Businesses to Boost this Season

Looking to support local New England makers, artisans, and shops this holiday season? From sweet treats and fine jewelry to home decor and colorful wearables, these thirty-nine New England businesses have something for everyone on your list.

Massachusetts | Candy, Soaps, Lanterns & Bowls

Erickson Silver Shop,Gardner. Heir to a family tradition of craftsmanship, master silversmith Peter Erickson creates flatware entirely by hand, tempering and hammering his elegantly simple place settings and serving utensils without dies or machinery. Timeless, uncluttered designs are the shop’s trademark, and his pierced serving pieces are exceptional works of art. Erickson also crafts jewelry for men and women, including wedding rings that are a worthy alternative to gold. ericksonsilver.com

Just Soap,Ashfield. Frederick Breeden launched his own industrial revolution when he harnessed a bicycle to power the mixing paddles in his soap vats. Pedal power blends olive, palm, and coconut oils, along with herbs, spices, and essential oils for scent and soothing qualities. Breeden’s soaps and rosemary shampoo bars are pressed and cut by hand, and are available individually or in five-bar sets. Just the thing for lathering up … after a bike ride. justsoap.com

Mrs. Nelson’s Candy House,Chelmsford. Now in its seventh decade, Mrs. Nelson’s continues to craft handmade candies from the finest chocolate, butter, cream, honey, nuts, and fruits. Treats like chocolate-covered cherries or pretzels and novelty chocolate shapes are offered by the pound, and bonbon lovers can skip the “wonder what this one is” mystery by choosing “Hard-N-Chewy” or all soft-center boxes. There’s even a sugar-free milk chocolate assortment. mrsnelsonscandyhouse.com

New England Shirt Company,Fall River. Carrying on a New England garment-making tradition that’s now all but lost to foreign production, cutters and tailors working in a historic Fall River mill transform fine linen and cotton fabrics into classic, long-wearing dress and casual shirts in solids, stripes, checks, and plaids. Denim and chambray lines feature the deep blue that only natural indigo dyes can provide. newenglandshirtco.com

Queen Adeline, Lowell. The vibrant colors and bold patterns of wax print fabrics are characteristic of Queen Allotey-Pappoe’s native Ghana. Queen’s collection of dresses in flowing, comfortable, and strikingly original designs are crafted from fibers sustainably sourced in Africa, on principles of fair trade with small-scale artisans. Shop online or check the website for pop-up retail and open studio events. queenadelinecollection.com

Sandwich Lantern,Sandwich. Handcrafted of brass or copper in a variety of finishes, Sandwich’s signature “onion” lanterns—so called because of their plump glass globes—provide a warm front-door welcome, or lighting compatible with traditional interior design. Also available are anchor lights, with cylindrical globes in clear or “red on port, green on starboard” colors, as well as wall sconces and an extensive collection of chandeliers. sandwichlantern.com

Spencer Peterman,Gill. Castoffs from locally harvested hardwoods—cherry, black walnut, and the “Ambrosia maple” given its tiger-stripe patterns by the Ambrosia beetle—are fashioned into bowls and cutting/serving boards in a variety of silky oil and wax finishes. Oval or round bowls are offered in smooth or “live edge” rims that reflect the outer edge of the logs they were turned from; boards are available with or without handles. spencerpeterman.com

Vermont | Pottery, Leather, Toy Trains & Cheese Boards

Bergamot + Amor,Williamstown. Premium American-sourced cowhides—many from New England tanners—are cut and stitched into durable tote bags, laptop bags, and more, all copper-riveted and available in waxed or oiled finishes. Next door to Bergamot’s workroom is a gallery featuring work by local crafters, alongside bags in a variety of sizes. Special orders, including belts made to fit, are always welcome. bergamotamor.com

D. Lasser Ceramics,Londonderry. Daniel Lasser is a potter with a passion for color. Driving past his studio, it’s hard not to stop at the sight of his outdoor displays, and his dozens of online offerings are just as eye-catching. Lasser’s vivid dinnerware, goblets, serving pieces, vases, and even sculptures for the garden feature bold abstract designs and a color palette that banishes earth tones back to the ’70s. lasserceramics.com

Farmhouse Pottery, Woodstock. The name says a lot about the simple, clean-lined stoneware crafted by the potters at Farmhouse: These are just the kinds of elegantly utilitarian crocks, mugs, plates, bowls, and pitchers, in shades of beige and cream, that might be found in a tidy, old-fashioned farmhouse. There’s also an extensive line of woodenware, glass, and enamelware, which you can peruse in person at the Woodstock store. farmhousepottery.com

JK Adams, Dorset. If it’s made of wood and meant for the kitchen, chances are it’s made by the artisans at JK Adams. Select Vermont hardwoods go into an extensive line of long-lasting, professional-grade cutting boards, cheese boards, serving bowls, wine racks, and utensils. Cookware, gourmet treats, Vermont maple syrup, and all things kitchen round out the offerings. jkadams.com

Mad River Glass Gallery,Waitsfield. For over 30 years, Melanie and David Leppla have fashioned and displayed their gorgeously imaginative glass creations at their Waitsfield workshop and gallery. Their vases and bowls venture far from utility into art, drawing on a luminous color palette and motifs ranging from flowers to undersea life. Their purely decorative pieces—especially a series of delicately balanced glass cairns—are truly museum quality. No surprise the Lepplas’ work graces several museum collections. madriverglassgallery.com

Maple Landmark, Middlebury. Plastic simply isn’t part of the Vermont brand, especially for toys. For more than 40 years, Maple Landmark has been crafting hardwoods into toys for kids of all ages—from teething rings to building blocks, and trucks to trains, including the company’s signature “name trains” that spell out a child’s name as little hands guide them down their wooden tracks. maplelandmark.com

Simon Pearce,Quechee. In the years since Irish native Simon Pearce brought his pottery and glassmaking skills to Vermont, his eponymous glassblowing studio and retail store has set the state standard for artisanship. Classic, uncluttered design and impeccable execution mark bowls, vases, carafes, and drinkware that makes a martini look invisibly clear. Pottery, woodenware, and special holiday items are among Pearce’s offerings, and many items are available as boxed gift sets. simonpearce.com

New Hampshire | Chocolate, Pewter, Textiles & Sleigh Bells

Buue,Wilmot. “B-yoo” was the way a certain toddler said “blue,” and her mother, Melissa McKeagney, started making clothing for her when she couldn’t find just what she wanted. Melissa now sews colorful block-printed cotton fabrics into an adorable line of skirts, pants, and flouncy little dresses in sizes from toddler up to 6. buuestudio.com

Frye’s Measure Mill,Wilton. Water has powered the Frye’s mill since 1858, turning the belt-driven machinery that artisans still use to create classic trays and round or oval boxes true to Shaker design. The “measure” in the company name refers to early containers sized for specific amounts, but these simple wooden boxes look lovely holding fruit, dried flowers, or nothing at all. fryesmill.com

Hampshire Pewter, Somersworth. “Every special occasion deserves a little pewter,” say the Hampshire folks, and for these pewterers, special occasions abound. They offer pewter Christmas ornaments, spoons and porringers for the new baby, and goblets for wedding and anniversary toasts; they’ll even work from clients’ custom designs. To make any dinner a special occasion, select from bowls, plates, mugs, and serving pieces in traditional designs. hampshirepewter.com

Handweaving by Nancy, Ashuelot. Weaver Nancy O’Connor’s cotton rugs, placemats, tea towels, pillows, and table runners—all fashioned on her hand-operated floor looms—add a bright, textured note to home decor. O’Connor also weaves colorful shawls using soft, breathable bamboo fibers, and scarves woven in a combination of bamboo and alpaca. Find online or at six retail outlets in New Hampshire and Vermont. handweavingbynancy.com

L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates, Walpole. Swiss-trained chocolatier Larry Burdick started with a simple idea, to elevate American chocolate craftsmanship to an art form based entirely on fresh ingredients in their natural state: cocoa from the finest beans, cream, butter, vanilla beans, whole fruits, and never extracts or artificial flavorings. Taste the results in six shops, including Burdick’s Walpole café, or in a mouthwatering array of bonbons for order online. burdickchocolate.com

New England Bells,Bradford. “He gives his harness bells a shake,” wrote Robert Frost, and they were probably bells like the ones this outfit makes in New Hampshire. Here are strap bells, dog collar bells, bear bells for hikers, and door hanger bells that sound a lot nicer than a buzzer, all fashioned from brass (some available in nickel plate) with high-quality leather on strap models. newenglandbells.com

Shanware Pottery,Rumney. Richard Wetterer’s 50-plus years of experience as a potter stands behind a line of stoneware and porcelain useful and extensive enough to entirely outfit a kitchen. Bowls, lidded casseroles, dinnerware, mugs, and goblets are all oven-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe, and their deep, rich glazes are lead-free. Beyond the kitchen and dining room, Shanware vases, baskets, planters, and even clocks might find a place throughout the house. shanware.com

Maine | Tourmaline, Sail Bags, Doormats & Walking Sticks

Cross Jewelers, Portland. Cross has worked with tourmaline, Maine’s state gemstone, for more than a century. The firm’s artisans employ a full array of precious and semiprecious stones, but tourmaline—mined in the mountains of southwestern Maine—has a special place here. Rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, and more appear in the gem’s color palette of greens, blues, and the distinctive pink variety that couple with a naturally occurring rim of green in Cross’s “Watermelon Patch” line. crossjewelers.com

Greyfeather Woodcraft,Isleboro. Staffs are great for hiking—but what about walking? Get into the right rhythm, and a walking stick can actually help propel you along. Greyfeather’s Steve Miller fashions both staffs (no handles) and walking sticks (capped with handles). They’re made from wood sourced on Isleboro, and no two are alike. Choose from the inventory, or have a custom model made to a specified length, with brass, rubber, or pointed tip. greyfeatherwoodcraft.com

Little Salty Rope,Deer Isle. The problem with doormats is that they get treated like doormats. Most last just a couple of seasons—but not rope doormats, a clever by-product of the Down East lobster fishery. Woven from the tough polypropylene rope that tethers lobster traps, they’re all but indestructible. Little Salty’s father-daughter team make their mats in Maine, offering them, along with matching woven-rope baskets, in an array of cheerful color combinations. littlesaltyrope.com

North Country Wind Bells,Round Pond. North Country’s Maine-made bells are inspired by the sounds of the seacoast, and their collection of buoy bells reproduces the distinctive tones—each one different from the others—heard in harbors from Down East to Charleston, and even along the Pacific. An extensive selection of “windcatchers” brings the bells to life with a touch of breeze, summoning memories of foggy mornings and sharp salt air. northcountrywindbells.com

Sea Bags,Portland. There’s recycling and then there’s “upcycling,” which is what this Maine company does with the tough textiles that have propelled sailing vessels Down East and beyond. Sails that have finished their useful life, many still bearing nautical insignia, are fashioned into totes, pillows, and home accessories ranging from wine bags to deck chairs in workrooms on a historic Portland wharf. Shop online or at one of 50 locations throughout the Northeast. seabags.com

Seacolors Yarnery, Washington. Seacolors’ blankets aren’t just made in Washington, Maine—they’re grown there. The sheep at Meadowcroft Farm yield wool that’s dyed in seawater using natural colors, and woven on antique looms just a few miles from the meadows where the animals graze. Distinctively striped blankets in a lush twill weave come in king, queen, and “napper” sizes, all soft, lustrous, and sure to become family heirlooms. Sweaters, yarn, and unspun fleece are also available. getwool.com

Connecticut | Kitchenwares, Knots, Pies & Soaps

Goatboy Soaps,New Milford. Milk from the soapery’s goats combine with olive, palm, and coconut oils, and vitamin-rich shea butter to create soaps mild enough for the most sensitive skin. Choose from 30-plus scents, ranging from patchouli to “Manly Man,” in 5-ounce bars, 11-bar “logs,” and bargain, end-cut “Scrapples.” Available online and at select shops in Connecticut and Rhode Island. goatboy.us

Kinship Glassworks,Milford. Vivid colors, textured surfaces, and custom artistry are hallmarks of Kinship’s line of functional and decorative glassware. All orders are custom—vases, drinking glasses, paperweights, ornaments, votive candle holders, and more—and are crafted at the studio and gallery by master glassblower Christopher Demott and his team. Enrollment in a class, with a finished product to take home, is a great gift idea for anyone who has always wanted to try glassblowing. kinshipglassworks.com

Meb’s Kitchenwares,Woodstock. In their solar-powered workshop in Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner,” Meb and her husband, Tom, fashion free-form kitchenware out of locally sourced hardwoods including cherry, curly maple, beech, apple, and black walnut. Their bowls, cutting and serving boards, knives and spreaders, and even table utensils are sanded to a lustrous smoothness and finished with linseed oil. As seen on Weekends with Yankee. mebskitchenwares.com

Michele’s Pies,New Canaan. Here’s the headquarters for a life of pie: fruit pies, nut pies, cream pies, savory pot pies, and even quiche. They’re handcrafted by Michele Stuart and her dedicated baking team with fresh, locally sourced, and seasonal ingredients. Yes, there are National Pie Championships, and Michele’s has won 33 first-place awards. Shipping is via Goldbelly, and “Pie of the Month” gift cards are available. michelespies.com

Mystic Knotwork,Mystic. Old-time sailors with time on their hands elevated the knack of creative knotting to an art form, which survives today in Mystic’s line of wearables, household goods, and more. Look for bracelets and anklets, necklaces and barrettes, trivets and napkin rings, woven bowls and wreaths, and even tightly woven balls to toss to the dog. Lanyards? Of course—just like what you made at summer camp, only better. mysticknotwork.com

Nutmeg + Honey, West Hartford. An intrepid search for Connecticut-made gifts could involve traipsing all over the state … or a simple online scroll through Nutmeg + Honey’s vast trove of specialty foods, housewares, luxury soaps and facial treatments, and more, all carefully curated and attractively presented in theme gift boxes, baskets, and bags with a seasonal focus. nutmeghoney.com

Woodbury Pewter,Woodbury. Pewter, the material of everyday housewares in colonial times, has enjoyed a revival as a less expensive alternative to silver. Calling on time-honored methods—and, for some pieces, molds hundreds of years old—Woodbury’s artisans use today’s lead-free pewter alloys of tin, antimony, and copper to craft modern and reproduction cups, pitchers, teapots, plates, serving utensils, and decorative pieces available in bright or satin finishes. woodburypewter.com

Rhode Island | Coffee, Cornmeal, Wampum & Pottery

Clancy Designs, Jamestown. Glass-blowers David and Jennifer Clancy create uncannily accurate, vividly pigmented sculptures of aquatic and botanical subjects, fashioning fish that look as if they’re ready to swim away, and flowers that seem kissed with morning dew. The Clancys’ functional pieces—bowls, pitchers, tumblers, martini and margarita glasses, all hand-blown—are splashed with bright, happy colors. clancydesigns.com

Dave’s Coffee Syrup,Narragansett. Rhode Island’s state drink, coffee milk, is made with cold milk and a few dollops of a sweet elixir known as coffee syrup. At the Dave’s roastery in Narragansett, this Ocean State staple is crafted from cold-brewed Brazilian coffee, cane sugar, and cassava root. If the Dave’s locations in Providence and Charlestown are too far a drive, the company’s syrup and coffees are available online. davescoffee.com

Kenyon’s Grist Mill,West Kingston. In Rhode Island, cornmeal means johnnycakes, and Kenyon’s has ground meal for the Ocean State’s iconic flapjacks for 327 years. The current mill was built in 1886, and corn (pesticide-free and non-GMO) is still ground between the original stones. Buy yellow, red, blue, or white cornmeal—some from rare Rhode Island flint corn—along with pancake and johnnycake mixes online or at the mill store. kenyonsgristmill.com

Peter Pots Pottery,West Kingston. Since 1948, the crafters at Peter Pots have created durable, stylish stoneware at remarkably reasonable prices. The colors are classic: Mugs, tableware, bakeware, and lamps all appear in the company’s signature blue, green, and brown, easing into a warm cream base tone. Of special interest to retro fans is a vintage line of designs from the ’50s through ’70s—perfect complements to midcentury modern interiors. peterpots.com

The Purple Shell,Charlestown. For the indigenous Narragansett people of New England’s southern coasts, “wampum” has a specific meaning: It refers to the purple portions of hard-shell clams, from which ceremonial and exchange beadwork was made. Narragansett Allen Hazard fashions wampum into exquisite bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and medallions in traditional designs, all on display at his retail shop. Facebook