The 10 List - Coolest Gifts Made in Michigan
by Nettie Boivin
November 29th, 2007 in Companies, Creative, Design, Dining, Drink, Fashion, Features, Lifestyle, Products, The 10 List, The Goodwill Issue
This month’s 10 List provides a quick shopping guide to the coolest gifts - all made in Michigan. And remember to buy local! You’ll not only feed the economy but you’ll also decrease the fumes by limiting shipping from across the country.
Tees
Surprise your boyfriend with a vintage-looking Spartan T-shirt from Rich Robots. Or for you blue bloods, take a look at these clever UofM tees from its MGoStore. We love the Grand Rapids “palm” shirt and the Grand Haven tee too! All $20 and printed on the softest American Apparel shirts.
Speaking of cool shirts, you gotta check out the Detroit Evolve long-sleeve hoody in asphault or black ($36) at idUnited.
Books
Little did you know about WSU Press that turns out amazing titles from Detroit and Michigan writers each year. An outstanding gift for your favorite coffee table: American City: Detroit Architecture, 1845-2005 ($60).
Spirits
Catch up with friends over favorite brews from Founder’s or Bell’s seasonal Winter White and Best Brown Ales. And what better way to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year than with a little bubbly. Spice up your gift exchange with Sex from M. Lawrence produced in the Leelanau Peninsula. Buy it (about $14) at any of these local stores.
Music
Tired of the all-Christmas-music station? Funk up your holiday with a disc or two from Detroit’s blues diva, Thornetta Davis. Hear it at her MySpace page and buy her CDs at any of these local stores. And if you aren’t in the Detroit area, order it here at Amazon.
After a five-year stint in Chicago, Nettie returned to her native Michigan to discover the state's infinite production of creativity. As editor of MiLifeMiTimes.com and Media Mix Director for BrainGain, Nettie spends her time writing about and promoting Michigan's reinvention through its outstanding arts, culture and creative talent.
Comments
Kim writes:
December 14th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
I counted 10! - 1 Spartan Tee, 2 UM Tee, 3 Grand Rapids Tee, 4 Grand Haven Tee, 5 Detroit Evolve hoodie, 6 American City, 7 Founder’s Ale, 8 Bell’s Ale, 9 sexy book, 10 Thornetta Davis (yee-haw - you *need* some Thornetta! I was glad to hear her perform at the Campus Martius tree lighting).
But I agree with Eric - a more representative list that might appeal to more gift recipients might be way cooler.
May I suggest all the wonderful Michigan crafters on etsy? Check out this article and scroll through the comments for even more Michigan artists:
Miss White says Buy handmade!
Jenean writes:
December 15th, 2007 at 12:15 am
I agree with Kim. I’m always looking for something unique as a gift and Etsy offers that. Also, with Michigan being known for manufacturing, why not buy a gift that was “manufactured” or handmade.
Brad writes:
December 15th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Etsy is really a fabulous resource. I’ve used it to purchase a few different things, including a great set of paintings.
And not only are you supporting quality local artists, there are tons of good bargains.
Eric writes:
December 16th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Mrs. White…sorry I can’t help myself but refer back to your teacher name…
I’ve got a bone to pick with you.
1. You said this list was QUITE lame on your blog
2. Thank you for thread-jacking by having all your friends post about their arts & crafts made in Michigan
3. Just kidding! Thanks for checking out the site and sharing with your friends!!!
Eric - DCDS ‘92
Nettie writes:
December 16th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Wow - Etsy is news to me but will quickly become a favorite. Great resource for future stories here too. Thanks for the tip!
Kim writes:
December 21st, 2007 at 9:07 pm
OK, maybe I shouldn’t have said LAME. You know what I meant, Eric - just not SUBSTANTIAL. And no thread-jacking resulted, so it’s all good. Merry, merry Christmasm everyone!
Add Your Response
May 16, 2008: Otis Taylor at The Ark
May 17, 2008: Papa Roach at Emerald Theater
May 16, 2008: Grand Rapids Symphony: Patriotic Broadway at Devos Place/Devos Performance Hall
May 17, 2008: Down the Line at Magic Bag
May 17, 2008: American Speedway, They Never Sleep, Nick Wolf Band and Black Knots at The Belmont
Enter AIGA's Celebrate Michigan Poster Design Contest.
The Career SociaList
by Nettie Boivin
Looking for a job? This is one area where social networking shines in making life a lot easier. Here are 10 sites that will help in the "It's all about who you know" department.
The Creative SociaList
by Nettie Boivin
From DIYers to graphic designers, these sites bring you unprecedented access to artists, photographers, designers and their work in Michigan and around the globe.
The Music SociaList
by Scotter Bragg
Radio has given way to iTunes and MySpace - and bands and fans benefit with more music offerings than ever before.
The Green SociaList
by Scotter Bragg
Green is a movement. Green is a new way of living. And green is all over the internet. Here are our favorite sites that connect you to eco-friendly friends and resources.
The Entertainment SociaList
by Bradley Gula
If an exciting night means paper football and a Designing Women marathon, social media is here to help.
- Sonic Drive-In to Debut in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Michigan Snowfall Tops Average This Season
- Downriver Sonic Opening Soon in Southgate, Michigan
- Rothbury Music Festival to Launch at Lake Michigan Double JJ Resort
- New York Times on Detroit's Revival
- The 10 List - Coolest Gifts Made in Michigan
- Michigan Is for Gay Lovers
- Miss Michigan Gina Valo Reigns at Google
- Southeast Michigan Cities Approaching Seasonal Snowfall Records
- What Everyone Must Know About the Brain Drain Myth in Michigan
- jame: thank you
- Yee-haw!: in March, MiLifeMiTimes’ Nikki Stephan wrote candidly about the event — dubbed...
- jpfeffer: Thanks for the comment and information, David. It is definitely worth weighing all of your...
- Benny: When is this place gonna open already!!?!?!??!?!?!
- Heather Carmona: This is a great list! Thanks for sharing. I participated in the Green Street Fair...
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Google Bookmarks
reddit
Newsvine
Technorati
Ma.gnolia
Stumble Upon
Eric writes:
December 9th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Cool story but where’s the “10″?
Next time you do a list can it actually be a list?
Thanks,
EC