Shop local for the holidays with our 2023 Baton Rouge gift guide

Looking to support local artists, artisans, retailers, chefs and more?

We’ve gathered a list — and we’ve checked it twice. It’s filled with locally made products, some of which may surprise you! It’s everything from handmade soap and honey made by local bees to toothpick art and custom notebooks. 

Abe’s Studios

Two words: Toothpick. Art.

Yes, you read that right. Artist Abe Negaran creates meticulous freehand designs by using a toothpick as a paintbrush. Other forms of his work feature designs made entirely of toothpicks. Visit www.abesstudios.online to view and shop his pieces online or find his work at these retailers in Baton Rouge: 

• Lagniappe Frame Shoppe And Gifts, 9696 Jefferson Highway
• Acadian Frame and Art, 3550 Drusilla Lane
• Paper N Things, 7649 Jefferson Highway
• The Bougie Bar, 711 Jefferson Highway
• Local Leaf Gallery, 555 Caddo St.
• Circa 1857, 1857 Government St.
• BRASS by Circa 1857, 327 North Blvd.

Mimosa Handcrafted Jewelry 

541 S. Eugene St. 

From making jewelry at the kitchen table to making it in a studio, Madeline Ellis has years of experimenting with ceramic jewelry, glass beads, enamel and more. Her main process of work focuses on the ancient art of lost wax casting.

Mimosa offers earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces and other products, which often have a deep story behind them. Her designs are inspired by landscape, culture and the human experience.

Visit mimosahandcrafted.com to shop online or visit the store. The Mimosa Shoppe hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Bergeron Pecans

10003 False River Drive, New Roads

From candied and chocolate pecans to roasted and fresh-shelled pecans, Bergeron Pecans has it — all prepared following recipes that are more than 100 years old. Visit bergeronspecans.com to shop online. Store hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday. 

Crafted Nibbles Handcrafted Charcuterie 

Let’s be honest: Who doesn’t love a good cheese board? Mother-daughter duo Valencia and Michelle Anderson turned grief into joy after Valencia’s mother passed. More specifically, they turned sorrow into charcuterie. The Andersons create charcuterie boards with an assorted mix of meat, cheese, fruit, jams, nuts and more for birthday parties, holiday parties, etc. 

Visit craftednibblesbr.com to place an order. 

Time Warp Boutique

3001 Government St.

Time Warp Boutique curates funky fashion pieces from past decades to highlight clothing, accessories, jewelry and unique gifts. Store hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. 

Zoe’s Zoo Friends 

Suzie Edwards was looking for a “lovey” for a child named Zoe when she decided to make her own. Zoe, 4, has Down syndrome and was born with two heart defects. Edwards wanted to make a sensory toy, so she started to crochet animals like frogs, horses, ducks, elephants, lions, bunnies and even mermaids and unicorns in various sizes. Since starting to make the plush toys, she has donated many to local foster children. 

Visit her Instagram page, @zoeszoofriends, to see her products and place an order or email [email protected].

The Plant Barn 

2912 Valley St., Baton Rouge

From succulents to fiddle-leaf figs, to mustard greens or petunias, The Plant Barn has options that are sure to delight the plant lovers (or beginners) on your holiday list. Store hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call 225-726-7097 for more information. 

Burned in Time 

Amanda Takacs shares her love through pyrography, or woodburning, through different artistic mediums. Pyrography is the free-handed art of decorating wood or materials with burn marks, resulting from the application of a heated object. Takacs offers wood-burned boards, stickers, plaques, art prints, original works, shirts and greeting cards. 

Visit etsy.com/shop/BurnedInTime to shop her work. Email [email protected] for more information.

Basic Bee

Local products like honey are a great gift for anyone (home cook or not) on your list. Basic Bee offers interesting flavors like bourbon honey, smoked honey and hot honey, as well as honey cubes, beeswax and board butter to use on cutting boards, leather and more. Visit basicbee.co to shop online or find products at Local Supply, 1509 Government St., Baton Rouge, and Red Stick Spice, 660 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge.

Jane Evans Designs 

With a focus on religious and cultural iconography, customers can find LSU Band, cross, butterfly, champagne and other ornaments at Jane Evans Designs. Find pieces at Custom Linens, 7639 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, and mint, 7809 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, or shop online at www.janeevansdesigns.com. 

Fern Meadow Soap

The handmade soap from Fern Meadow Soap is made in small batches using the cold-process soap-making method with oils, butters, fragrances and other additives. Customers will notice intricate designs such as flowers, honeycomb, marble effects and glitter in the bars of soap, making each one unique and luxurious. At first glance, the soap looks like something you could take a bite out of. 

Christmas preorders are available at fernmeadowsoap.com. 

Delicia Gourmet Brigadeiro

Remember what Forrest Gump said about a box of chocolates? As in life and in chocolate, you never know what you’re going to get. Brigadeiro is a traditional Brazilian dessert made with condensed milk, butter and cocoa powder. Email [email protected] to place an order or call (225) 333-9769 for more information. 

Mariposa Vintage 

Mariposa Vintage, on online vintage store, curates antique home goods for customers to elevate their homes. Owner Julia Summers collects everything from chinoiserie lamps and brass swan vases to mid-century onyx marble hand-carved aztec bookends. Visit mariposavintagebr.com to see the collection.

Kaydipity Krafts

Kay Nguyen creates plush animals, plants and flowers. She has crocheted Batman, Baby Yoda, Jack Skellington and other characters. Visit instagram.com/kaydipitykrafts to see her work, and email [email protected] for purchase inquiries. 

Blackbird Letterpress

1607 Main St.

Blackbird Letterpress features elegant letterpress printing with products like stationery, handmade notebooks, gift card holders, cards, stickers and more. Their custom notebooks are offered in 12 cover colors and 10 thread choices for binding. Visit www.blackbirdletterpress.com to shop. Email [email protected] or call (225) 960-2453 for more information.

Note: 1607 Main St. is the mailing address. Blackbird Letterpress is not an open studio, but they do schedule appointments.

Légende Artwerks

Légende Artwerks offers linocut prints, watercolor art and more with traditional culinary ingredients, landmarks of Louisiana and nature. Through a linoleum block printmaking process, each linocut print is an original artwork that is printed by hand, signed and numbered by artist Kathryn E. Mills.

Works of art are available at www.legendeartwerks.com and at the Légende Artwerks tent where Mills participates monthly in the St. Gabriel Farmers Market at 3494 La. 75, Saint Gabriel, every second Saturday of the month. 

Jack Duncan 

541 S. Eugene St. 

Jack Duncan’s brand message is simple: Born in the south. Worn in the south. Husband and wife team Dave and Brittany Tubb Duncan offer handmade men’s clothing in unique prints and patterns. From cutting the pattern from fabric, sewing the pieces and putting the finishing touches, everything is done in the Duncans’ home studio in Baton Rouge.

Visit www.jackduncandesign.com to shop online. Store hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. 

Samara Thomas 

Hailing from Sussex, England, Samara Thomas is now a Louisiana resident who works in the mediums of mixed media pen and ink drawings, large-scale mixed media installations and black and white film photography. Her work features fine lines and an organic aesthetic that is inspired by her botanical studies. Thomas has traveled to exhibitions and markets in Baton Rouge; New Orleans; Jackson, Mississippi; and more. 

Visit www.samarathomas.com to see her work and to contact about purchase inquiries. 

Ornement Artisan Jewelry

Each necklace, earring, bracelet or custom piece is designed by owner Tiffanie Lasseigne and handcrafted in her studio. Her pieces features gemstones, natural beads, metals and vintage finds. Ornement’s latest collection was inspired by the ocean jasper gemstone, which is characterized by its spherical patterns that resemble orbs or circles. Visit ornementjewelry.com to shop. 

If you’re looking for other Louisiana-owned shops with a variety of gift options, check out these Baton Rouge spots: 

• Laura Welch Taylor Studios, 17650 Highland Road
• Local Leaf Gallery, 555 Caddo St.
• The Garage Men’s Clothing Store, 375 N. Foster Drive
• The Hope Shop, 3115 Government St.
• Sweet Baton Rouge, 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd.
• Pink Elephant, 2648 Government St.
• Sanctuary Home & Gifts, 7480 Highland Road
• Mid-City Artisans, 516 Moore St. 
• Fleurty Girl, 3622 Government St.  
• Red Onion, 15680 Perkins Road and 1680 Lobdell Ave.