National Shoppers Buying Local Marblehead Gifts for the Holidays

A local nautical Santa figurine could be ending up in Australia or Kentucky. That's because shopping portal Marblehead Works is connecting 30 local businesses and artisans to a new customer base via a website launched in May 2016.

Founder Elizabeth Angelino knew small businesses were hurting when she drove through downtown Marblehead last winter, and came up with the idea of connecting local artisans to national and international buyers. The website has launched a holiday section, where the hand-painted Santa figurine, sold by Hestia Creations, sells for $75.00, along with nativity sets, ornaments, and other wares.

But other sections of the heavily nautical-themed crafts are to be kept in mind for the holidays. Take the Golden Cod Wooden Mailbox, retailed at $200.

Image from Marblehead Works

Angelino told Patch, "A man in Chicago saw the mailbox, and he sent the link to his parents in Ohio who bought it!" Each piece has a description outlining its inspiration, in this case, the great vessels of Marblehead that once caught cod along the North Shore and beyond.

Local stores and artists features on the site include: Lizzy Loo Designs, Grace Oliver, Marblehead Sailbags, Patsy Kane Jewelry Designs, Pawsitively Marblehead, Shipshape, Spirit of 76 Books, Tinker Island Fish Company, and artist Susan J. Shrader.

Patsy Kane told Patch that her Monkey Fist earrings would definitely make a great holiday gift (in red of course).

Image from Patsy Kane

She has been working with Angelino since the site first launched. Kane said, "Elizabeth approached us last spring with her dream of creating a curated offering of the best of Marblehead. We thought it was a fabulous way to showcase local artists and makers!"

Hestia Creations owner Joanne D’Alessandro said her store is celebrating their 30th anniversary, and has also been selling with Marblehead Works with "a dialogue from the beginning." She recommended taking a look at the hand-carved ship chess set, one of the more expensive pieces on the site at $895, with each of the 420 chess pieces hand-painted in Marblehead.

For avid readers, a literature section recommends historical reads about the history of Marblehead, and fiction from local authors. And don't forget your coastal Christmas ornament, and check out the Pewter Seashell Ornament for $16.00, which comes in Lobster Tail, Scallop Shell, and Sand Dollar options.

Is it the little one's first Christmas? The Ainsley Mini Blanket by Minnow Baby can keep them warm. Even your pup is considered. Pawsitively Marblehead sells Louie the Lobster Rope Toy on the site for $15.95. Louie is dyed with non-toxic vegetable dyes.

Image from Pawsitively Marblehead

Customers are so pleased, they're even posting on the Facebook page. Niecy Dobson-Shea of Worcester was introduced to the site by her daughter, and bought a sweater. She told Patch, "It's a great place--always nice to support local business and our artists."

Angelino has been using social media to promote holiday gift ideas. Only a quarter of her clients have websites, so she hopes that online exposure will bring more customers from outside of the area.

She explained, "I'm trying to help Marblehead artisans and shops reach people outside of Marblehead, giving them a bridge." Angelino recommends following the hashtag #visitmarblehead to follow local artisans' work.

Cover image courtesy of Hestia Creations.