Feminist Gift Guide
The gifting rubric for our recommendations below require all gifts to be useful, meaningful, and beautiful. Gifts can be physical objects, in-person experiences, donations, or handmade. So, for the purposes of this guide, we are going to break things up into the following categories 1) DIY 2) Experiences 3) Donations 4) Buying Local. This isn’t a comprehensive list of all feminist makers in Pittsburgh, but we hope this inspires you to support our community.
1) DIY
We know DIY isn’t for everyone, but here are a few projects we’ve found that are great for different skill levels. Best of all, you can make any of these at Prototype! To find out how to become a member, visit prototypepgh.com.
Beginner: Marbled Jewelry Dish
These marbled dishes can be used for jewelry, keys, or even paperclips. Taking only a few hours and needing minimal materials, this is a great project to make with a group of friends or for a crafty young person. If you’re already familiar with crafts and clay, take this to the next level by making a marbled succulent planter.
Intermediate: Custom Journal
Journals and notebooks are a universal gift. Customizing one gives it that personal touch. With just a few tools, there are endless options for unique customizations. For example, Moleskin journals are easily laser-etched or embossed. The title link will show you how. If you are more interested in leather working, this journal-cover tutorial teaches you the basics.
Intermediate: Metallic Fanny Pack
Metallic (faux) leather everything. This fanny pack is a great gift for stylish friends—its also a great way to learn some basic sewing. Including how to install a zipper (don’t be scared). The half-round shape is unique, but with a minor pattern edit you can make room for pockets by choosing a square shape.
Advanced: 3D Print + Walnut Lamp
Pictured above. The 3D element of this project earns it the advanced spot. If 3D printing isn’t exciting to you, this could be adapted to incorporate brackets instead. Either way, this mid-century inspired lamp is incandescent. With this gift, you will raise the bar for everyone weary of DIY gift giving. No macaroni jewelry without irony.
2) Experiences
Experience gifts are perfect for your closest loved ones. The recommended experiences below are best for 21+. For family or youth experiences, check out nextpittsburgh.com.
MAKEnight
MAKEnights are once-a-quarter after hours events where adults (21 and up) take over MAKESHOP for a few hours. No kids, no chaos, just food, drinks, making and fun! Every event is different and features cool new projects and techniques to try, along with old favorites. Past activities have included: scrunchie sewing for 90’s night, shot glass etching, crayon molding, cheese making and light painting.
SIX x ATE
SIX x ATE events offer delicious food, great art, surprising locations, and real community at an amazing price. Artists and chefs showcased come from all genres—from students to MacArthur geniuses. Each responds to the theme of the event and creates a unique experience.
sometimes. we. cannot. be. with. our. bodies.
Pictured above. This installation at the Mattress Factory is a work by Vanessa German and will be on display until July 2018. Vanessa German is a poet, actress, photographer, sculptor, designer and educator who creates arresting visual and performance pieces for audiences in the U.S. and around the world.
BOOM Concepts
BOOM Concepts is a creative hub and project incubation space in the Garfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh. We host exhibitions, screenings, shows & meetings! Boom has a ton of events every month. Check out what they’re up to next on Facebook.
3) Donations
We all know people who are hard to find gifts for—for them, we suggest donations in their name. The organizations below are where we plan on giving such gifts.
SisterFriend
SisterFriend aims to support menstrual hygiene management for vulnerable women and girls. They are working toward a world where every woman is treated with dignity, respect and receives the right to hygienically manage their menstruation wherever they are.
Dreams of Hope
Through the power of the arts, Dreams of Hope provides the region’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and allied (LGBTQA) youth a welcoming environment to grow in confidence, express themselves, and develop as leaders. Their creative contributions educate audiences, build awareness, and increase acceptance.
Black Unicorn Project
Black Unicorn centers the literary and artistic contributions of Black women; Black queer, trans people and gender nonconforming people and honors the far reaching influence our courageous story telling has had on the lives of generations worldwide. Using a black queer feminist approach Black Unicorn brings a unique experience and lens to material collection, information sharing and community building.
She Runs SWPA
Our mission is focused on welcoming all women to run for office and those who want to support women candidates throughout Southwestern PA. We recognize the added adversity that women of color and women in depraved economic situations face when considering civic engagement. We don’t want these added obstacles to go unnoticed by this campaign. We welcome you, regardless of race, religion, orientation, and economic standing to unite. The donations link is currently down. For more information, visit the contact page.
4) Buying Local
Visceral Jewelry
A fellow Bloomcrafter, Kelly is a jeweler who makes necklaces and earrings out of metal, teeth, and feminism. Organic and raw, this jewelry is equal parts punk rock and artisan craft. Visceral Jewelry is made for anyone who loves feminism.
Knotzland Bowties
Knotzland founder, Nisha Blackwell, is a phenomenal entrepreneur, maker, and Protobabe. She founded Knotzland in 2014. Since then, Knotzland has multiple employees and a production facility. They’ve also sold thousands of bowties and vastly reduced textile waste. For those conscious of style and our environment, Knotzland has the right gift.
Ujamaa Collective
Ujamaa is a place you have to visit in real life to fully experience. Located in the Hill District, Ujamaa carries pottery, jewelry, clothing, and art from around the world. Their mission is to to “create spaces, opportunities, networks, education and support for Africana women to grow as entrepreneurs, artisans, and servant-leaders so that we may ‘lift as we climb.’”
Bread & Water Printshop
Pictured above. “The fallacy that punks listen exclusively to punk is so limiting, and punk style and iconography are used in such a big part as a way of demonstrating cultural capital, visible belonging.” Solution? A bootleg-Bart-style mashup of Nicki Manaj and Napalm Death. Here you will find the perfect gift for people who equally love Missy Elliot and Kylesa.
The Flower House
“A creative space cultivated by group-centered artists who practice cooperative economics to empower women and families.” Yes, please. Not only does Flower House have an outstanding mission, but they also sell amazing art, accessories, and home goods. Looking for an experience gifts for young people? The Flower House also offers arts-based youth enrichment programs.
Bridge Witches
Genevieve Barbee-Turner showed up at Prototype to outfit her Handmade Arcade booth. She’s made stickers, edited cards, and even hired other Protobabes for help. The result? Bridge Witches Tarot. Bridge Witches Tarot is an effort to combine witchy wisdom with the many and diverse communities within the City of Pittsburgh. A gift for anyone who loves real stories of Pittsburgh.
