A Merry Midwest GIFT GUIDE

FEATURING 20 LOCALLY MADE PRODUCTS WE LOVE— AND SOME STORIES BEHIND THEM.

- PHOTOGRAPHER BRIE GOLDMAN

Baqette Purse Cincinnati

I discovered these handmade leather purses while reporting a story in Ohio and bought the citron Crescent Woodie (pictured) as a birthday gift to myself.

A local woodworker makes the handles. The shape is so fun, and I always get compliments when I carry it. $198. baqette.com

Sew Bueno

Company Bike Bags

St. Paul

Sew Bueno is a small, woman-owned brand creating tough, colorful gear for cyclists. From $40; $70 for Pizza Slice Wedge. sewbuenocompany.com

MAKERS & SHAKERS Sew Bueno Company

Cyclist Rachel Todd and her husband spend a lot of time on their local Twin Cities trails. But she launched Sew Bueno when she lived in Springfield, Missouri. Curious to try quilting, she asked for a sewing machine for Christmas. “I’m completely self-taught,” she says. “I started with basic online patterns and made so many missteps!” She found her groove with a bike bag. A year later, she had a business, with a name echoing her multicultural heritage. Todd has since sewn more than 2,000 bags—but, she says, “I still have yet to make a single quilt.”

Gravesco Candle Holder

Indianapolis

Potter Rebecca Graves Prowse has a shop and studio on East Michigan Street in Indy. These sweet little tea light holders give colonialmeets-contemporary vibes.

I can't wait to tuck one on my bookshelf. $36 each.

gravescopottery.​com

Deep Cut Creative Wall Art Ankeny, Iowa

Inspired by her woodworker grandfather, Emily Gall crafts scroll-cut, layered, painted art of the cutest subjectspajamas, bolo ties, fruit bowls, you name it. Each piece is unique. Watch for new ones on Instagram or reach out for a commission. From $50.