The Best Places to Buy Local Handcrafted Gifts in Nashville

With plates, mugs and other dinnerware pieces handcrafted by owner Morgan Williamson, Handmade Studio TN is where to find unique ceramics for your home. The process of creating pieces at this studio involves sculpting, carving, glazing, and firing. This process makes the products safe to use in the microwave and dishwasher. Each piece crafted in the studio is done with love, out of admiration for the Creator’s ability to make beautiful things from dust. The studio also does custom orders and can even work with couples on creating pieces for a wedding registry. http://instagram.com/p/BO43-RgA9xW/?taken-by=handmadestudiotn

Located inside The Hermitage Hotel is Rachel’s Boutique, which sells artisan clothing and jewelry, handcrafted candles, and other souvenir items. The shop also offers gift basket arrangements for special occasions. Of the boutique’s inventory, 30% comes from local vendors.

Located in the trendy area of Hillsboro Village is a store where you can connect with a global community. With fair-trade products handmade by artists from developing countries all around the world, Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit that partners with independent artisan groups, co-ops, and workshops. Every product is made using natural or recycled materials, and every purchase provides makers with a stable income.

With programs guided by 24 principles, influenced by the Benedictine Rule, Thistle Farms is a sanctuary for women who are survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking, and prostitution. Founded by Episcopal priest Becca Stevens, the residential program provides housing, medical care, therapy and job training for up to 32 women. Thistle Farms operates a natural bath and body product line that employs its residents and graduates. The handmade items you can find at Thistle Farms include shave gel, lip balm, lotion, and body butter. There is also a selection of products for the home, as well as products for men. http://instagram.com/p/BITW_kUgKI-/?taken-by=thistlefarms

Friends Lee McAlilly and Zach Lever started Original Fuzz after playing in bands together in college. Zach used to carry his guitar pedals in a gym bag that wasn’t very reliable, so the duo set out to make something better for their creative lifestyles. The shop sells handmade guitar straps, camera straps, and t-shirts. One of Original Fuzz’s most innovative creations is the seatbelt strap, which is available in a variety of colors. It is a repurposed airline seatbelt that comes with full-grain leather, heavy-duty stitching, and vintage-style hardware.

After seeing firsthand how extreme poverty in Ethiopia affects young girls and women, Rachel and Barrett Ward founded FASHIONABLE. Their goal was to provide an opportunity for women to earn a living outside of prostitution, which is how many women in the African country support their families. The FASHIONABLE line is a collection of handwoven scarves and leather goods made in Ethiopia, as well as jewelry handmade in Nashville. The woman-focused business also has a Ring Bar that allows customers to design their own sets of rings.