We scoured local shops for made–in–New Mexico wonders and found prime picks for serious collectors, avid cooks, youngsters, and the young at heart. Let your loved ones open the artistry of New Mexico this year. Ready? Set? Shop!
True Certified! Objects marked TRUE are New Mexico True Certified—businesses and products made here with local materials. Tap into the growing network of homegrown artists, makers, growers, brewers, and more at newmexico.org/truecertified
1. Harvey jackrabbit sculpture, based on a Fred Harvey–era original, by Ward Brinegar Detours at La Fonda; $950. (505) 988-1404; lafondasantafe.com
2. Artisan Truffles Cacao, the Art and Culture of Chocolate, Santa Fe; $45 for a 16-piece box. cacaosantafe.com
CHILD’S PLAY
Dear Santa: We’ve been very, very good this year and hope you’ll do some New Mexico shopping before coming down our chimney, because these are the only, only things that we really, really want.
1. Painted cottonwood roadrunner, by Matt Yellowman (Navajo) Wright’s Indian Art, Albuquerque; $325. (505) 266-0120; wrightsgallery.com
2. Wooden sword, by Larry Lopez Twirl, Taos; $21. (575) 751-1402; twirltaos.org
3. Felt matryoshka doll with baby, by Rebecca Porter Twirl; $30. (575) 751-1402; twirltaos.org
4. Monster pillow toy, by Los Muertos Fine Art Works Detours at La Fonda, Santa Fe; $26. (505) 988-1404; lafondasantafe.com
5. Soule flower barrette, by Siri Soule Twirl; $15. (575) 751-1402; twirltaos.org
6. Siberian spruce boomerang, by Paul Milner The Farm Shop at Los Poblanos Historic Inn, Albuquerque; $16. (505) 344-9297; farmshop.lospoblanos.com
7. Cocky, by Loyd Tireman; illustrated by Ralph Douglass, just one of the 1940s-era Mesaland books republished last December by UNM Press. The Farm Shop at Los Poblanos; $16. (505) 344-9297; farmshop.lospoblanos.com
8. Origami wishing star bracelets, by Jessica Kimmey Twirl; $5. (575) 751-1402; twirltaos.org
9. Wooden truck, by Lorenzo Gonzales Tapetes de Lana shop at the Mora Valley Spinning Mill, Mora; $27. (575) 387-2247; moravalleyspinningmill.com
FUN STUFF
What to get co-workers, neighbors, and nephews may befuddle your average gift giver. Trust the professionals: These items will bring a smile without busting your budget.
1. New Mexico letterpress print, by Kyle Durie Power and Light Press, Silver City; $20. (207) 772-6584; powerandlightpress.com
2. Glass chile, by Brad Smith Santa Fe School of Cooking; $30. (505) 982-4511; santafeschoolofcooking.com
3. Reproduction Mimbreño china mug Detours at La Fonda; $22. (505) 988-1404; lafondasantafe.com
4. Silk-screen gift cards (set of eight), by Kei Tsuzuki and Molly Luethi Kei and Molly Textiles, Albuquerque; $24. keiandmolly.com
5. Lemon Drop Martini Soap, label by Elizabeth Jose Detours at La Fonda, Santa Fe; $9. (505) 988-1404; lafondasantafe.com
6. Zia T-Shirt, by Santa Fe Metroglyphs Detours at La Fonda; $25. (505) 988-1404; lafondasantafe.com
7. Route 66 pouch, by Leslie Montana Detours at La Fonda; $35. (505) 988-1404; lafondasantafe.com
8. Painted glass state ornament, by Becki Lee Couture Santos y Mas, Arroyo Seco; $12. (575) 776-2088; santosymas.com
9. Recycled license plate dustpan, by Pat Rez Santos y Mas, Arroyo Seco; $16. (575) 776-2088; santosymas.com
10. Hand-painted matchboxes, by Leslie Warnick Bella Mundi Gallery, Arroyo Seco; $2.50–$7. (575) 776-3189; visitseco.com
WHAT’S COOKING
Culinarily speaking, New Mexico makers spice up traditional favorites with a dash of contemporary verve. From pantry to grill to dining table, serve up some tasty treats that have locavore cred.
1. New Mexico Piñon Coffee; $9. (505) 298-1964; nmpinoncoffee.com TRUE
2. Alligator juniper cutting board Santa Fe School of Cooking; $84. (505) 982-4511; santafeschoolofcooking.com
3. Taos Lightning rye whiskey KGB Spirits, Alcalde; $38. (505) 852-0083; kgbspirits.com
4. Small-batch hot sauce The Farm Shop at Los Poblanos, Albuquerque; $10. (505) 344-9297; farmshop.lospoblanos.com TRUE
5. Taos Twist cheese knife Santa Fe School of Cooking; $13. (505) 982-4511; santafeschoolofcooking.com
6. Tinned herbs Santa Fe School of Cooking; $5.25–$10.75. (505) 982-4511; santafeschoolofcooking.com
7. Cask-aged balsamic vinegar, made in Monticello, New Mexico; $44 for a one-ounce bottle. (505) 344-9297; farmshop.lospoblanos.com
8. Wooden bowl and plates, by Laura Yeats $50–$75. laurayeats.com
9. Chile pods Santa Fe School of Cooking; $8. (505) 982-4511; santafeschoolofcooking.com
10. Tortilla warmer, Embudo Design Santa Fe School of Cooking; $13. (505) 982-4511; santafeschoolofcooking.com
11. Stove-top grill Santa Fe School of Cooking; $30. (505) 982-4511; santafeschoolofcooking.com
12. Hatch Valley Flame-Roasted Green Chile 505 Southwestern; $72 for a dozen 16-ounce jars. 505chile.com TRUE
13. Red Chile Mustard Old Pecos Foods; $7. oldpecosfoods.com TRUE
LADIES’ NIGHT
Mother, daughter, sister, best friend, favorite aunt. What woman can resist being pampered—especially when the indulgences come Land of Enchantment style?
1. Peyote Body Milk, by Nature’s Emporium Detours at La Fonda, Santa Fe; $24. (505) 988-1404; lafondasantafe.com
2. Lavender salve The Farm Store at Los Poblanos; $22. (505) 344-9297; farmshop.lospoblanos.com TRUE
3. Cashmere arm warmers, made in Santa Fe; Chocolate + Cashmere, Santa Fe and Taos; $75. (505) 989-3887; on Facebook
4. Painted olla, by Tablita Fragua (Jemez/Ojibwa) Wright’s Indian Art, Albuquerque; $75. (505) 266-0120; wrightsgallery.com
5. Hand-beaded butterfly pendant/necklace, by Charlene Holy Bear (Standing Rock Lakota Sioux) C. Holy Bear Beadwork, Santa Fe; $125. squareup.com/store/charlene-holy-bear
6. Gold-filled bangles and Saturn ring, by Cynthia Jones Cynthia Jones Fine Handmade Jewelry, Santa Fe; $66 and $134. cynthiajonesjewelry.com
7. Clutch bag, by Lee Coren Textiles, Craig Varjabedian Photography Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Store; $66. (505) 946-1000; store.okeeffemuseum.org
1. Digitally printed scarf with dentalium shells, antique seed beads, brass tacks, and brass sequins, by Jamie Okuma (Bannock/Luiseño-Shoshone) Case Trading Post at the Wheelwright Museum, Santa Fe; $150. (505) 982-4636; wheelwright.org
2. Glass coasters (set of six), by Laura Cowen Rippel and Company, Santa Fe; $160. (505) 986-9115; johnrippel.com
3. Silver and turquoise cuff Lilly Barrack Jewelry, Albuquerque; $509. (505) 822-8401; lillybarrack.com TRUE
4. Sterling silver and turquoise Taos snowflake necklace, by Claire Haye Claireworks Gallery, Arroyo Seco; $150. (575) 776-5175; claireworks.com
5. Turquoise and silver earrings, by John Rippel Rippel and Company; $195. (505) 986-9115; johnrippel.com
6. St. Francis Cathedral pendant, by Catherine Maziere Detours at La Fonda, Santa Fe; $130. (505) 988-1404; lafondasantafe.com
7. Silver flower earrings, by Catherine Maziere Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Store; $135. (505) 946-1000; store.okeeffemuseum.org
YE MERRY GENTLEMEN
Treat the menfolk on your Christmas list to the kind of rough-hewn glamor that will earn them style points. (The women on your list might want to share.)
1. Cast silver and turquoise buckle; Navajo, 1950s Shiprock Gallery, Santa Fe; $500. (505) 982-8478; shiprocksantafe.com
2. Hand-printed indigo horse handkerchief, by Minetta Designs Santa Fe Spirit Clothing, Santa Fe; $85. (505) 982-2677; santafedrygoods.com
3. Woven Chimayó tie, by Susan Meredith Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Store; $85. (505) 946-1000; store.okeeffemuseum.org
4. Colkegan single malt whiskey Santa Fe Spirits; $45. (505) 780-5906; santafespirits.com TRUE
5. Sterling silver and 14k gold cross, by Roland Brady (Navajo) Wright’s Indian Art, Albuquerque; $450. (505) 266-0120; wrightsgallery.com
6. Hand-thrown ceramic mug Hanselmann Ceramics, Corrales; $30. (505) 897-0271; hanselmannpottery.com
7. Mountain Goat Shaving Soap Love+Leche, Santa Fe; $14. (505) 412-1857; loveandleche.com
8. Hand-carved, single-blade, Japanese-style knife, by Shehan Prull Shi.Han Fine Knives, Santa Fe; $240. shihanfineknives.com
9. Santa Fe silver pin/pendant, by Catherine Maziere Detours at La Fonda, Santa Fe; $95. (505) 988-1404; lafondasantafe.com
THE GOOD GOODS
Who’s your sweetie? Someone with an eye for quality and, perhaps, a touch of quirk? New Mexico artisans crafted up one-of-a-kind options for making this their most memorable Christmas.
1. Navajo churro wool Heritage Blanket, by Leigh Alexander and weavers Dain Daller and Amanda Speer Española Valley Fiber Arts Center; $460. (505) 747-3577; evfac.org TRUE
2. Folk-art birdhouse, by Thomas Hagan Detours at La Fonda; $315. (505) 988-1404; lafondasantafe.com
3. Two Humpback Yei rug, by Ora Jim (Navajo, 1969) Shiprock Gallery; $600. (505)982-8478; shiprocksantafe.com
4. Navajo basket Case Trading Post at the Wheelwright Museum, Santa Fe; $150. (505) 982-4636; wheelwright.org
5. Silver bracelet with turquoise cabochon; Navajo antique, 1960s Shiprock Gallery, Santa Fe; $600. (505) 982-8478; shiprocksantafe.com
6. Nuevo Mexico Photo Bombin’ pendant, by Roland Brady (Navajo) Wright’s Indian Art, Albuquerque; $2,950. (505) 266-0120; wrightsgallery.com
7. Bear fetish, by Mark Swazo-Hinds (Tesuque) Wright’s Indian Art; $165. (505) 266-0120; wrightsgallery.com
8. Hemis Mana kachina; Hopi antique, 1960 Shiprock Gallery; $225. (505) 982-8478; shiprocksantafe.com