'Tis the season to shop locally

If you're like me, you've still got a few people on your list to cross off. I've decided to focus my gift-giving efforts this year by buying locally-made goods, so thought I'd share with you my top resources or gifts that are not only local, but beautifully made and one-of-a-kind.

Sisbro ceramic jewelry

You may remember jewelry sister-brother design duo SisBro from the collection of WTF?/OMG! oversized plastic necklaces they created for Voltage 2008 (as worn by MC/VL). With its latest collection, available only at the MNfashion holiday shop in Gaviidae II, these one-of-a-kind origami-inspired designs show the line has grown more sophisticated while retaining a sense of irreverence. (About $48 each, available through Jan. 10.)

Catlin Weston feather headpieces

Image by Steve Rice for Vita.mn / Styling by Eclecticoiffeur / Dress by Carmichael Claith / Modeled by Lily

It's amazing to think Mezzanine salon hairstylist Catlin Weston just began creating her feather hair accessories this past summer in her South Minneapolis home. What makes her headpieces unique is that, rather than standing apart from the head, they seem to blend with it, making for a very modern take on the cocktail hat. They're not available in stores, but custom orders can be made by contacting Catlin@mezzaninesalon.com.

Hazel & Melvin recycled shirts

Long a member of the Minneapolis fashion community, Rebecca Yaker and her line Hazel and Melvin is best known for her myriad takes on the Sock Monkey - from infant onesies to a gown made completely out of the stuffed animal. However, she is far from a one-note. Her design talents include hand-knit mittens with messages like "Bitch Slap" woven into the fabric, and my personal favorite, her recycled shirts in which she repurposes sleeves as ruffles. Best of all, the shirt cuffs stay intact, hitting at the shoulders like quirky epaulets. Each is one-of-a-kind (mine is pictured above) and available only at the MNfashion holiday shop through Jan. 10. ($45 each.)

Solid Gold Limited-Edition T-shirts

First of all, you should buy this Minneapolis band's new CD, the critically-acclaimed Bodies of Water, if you haven't already. But what a lot of people don't know is that the DIY-to-the-core band hand-prints its own self-designed T-shirts (on American Apparel tees, natch). If you can wait, go to their vita.mn-sponsored New Year's Eve show at the Loft, where the band is hoping to have brand-new, gold-foiled-printed T-shirts for sale. Otherwise, you can buy one of the band's limited-edition T-shirts (they pick the color), as well as the band's critically acclaimed new album Bodies of Water and their EP, via the band's myspace. They're only $15, a steal especially considering they're sold in a Brooklyn shop for about eight times that price.

Ruby3 cold weather accessories

Image by Jayme Halbritter / Styling by Miyagi / Modeled by Aurora

Minneapolis likely doesn't have more of a multi-purposer than it has in Anna Lee. While most know her as Voltage Producer and MNfashion director, the talented Miss Lee still manages to find time to craft Ruby3, her line of feathered cocktail hats and cold-weather accessories made from recycled sweaters. A sort of pull-over scarf, her acrylic and wool neckwraps are available at the MNfashion pop-up boutique; for her arm warmers and special orders, contact her at annalee@ruby3.com.

Rare Affections holiday dress collection

Image by Nic Marshall / Styling by Eclecticoiffeur / Dress by Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman / Modeled by Kate Fuller

This ten-piece collection of one-of-a-kind holiday party dresses promises that you won't get caught wearing the same dress as anyone else on New Year's Eve. From the sophisticated couture-with-an-edgy by Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman, to the anachronistic, hand-painted aesthetic of Max Lohrbach, there's something for everyone in this eclectic collection, co-curated by myself and Emma Berg. Available through Jan. 10 at the MNfashion shop in Gaviidae II.

Calpurnia Peach screenprinted tights

Calpurnia Peach legwear design from Spring 2008

Inspired by the trunk show they did with Ruby3 earlier this month at the Red Stag Supper Club, fashion design duo Calpurnia Peach’s newest screenprinted tights ($20 at the MNfashion holiday shop) display a graphic of, yes, a stag. While deer have become a trendy design element as of late, there’s something about deer that seem very winter – and very Minnesotan.

Other great local-focused gift guides to check out:

L'etoile Magazine: L'etoile's Guide to Holiday Cheer

Secrets of the City: Secrets of the Season: A Guide to Holiday Harmony

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Style Parlor Blog: Shop Local on Etsy