This holiday season, celebrate the art of giving with experiences and handcrafted treasures from some of Charlottesville’s finest local artisans, each gift infused with quality, heart, and a personal story.
Allens Scottish Shortbread
allensscottishshortbread.com
Allens Scottish Shortbread pays tribute to family and home-baked traditions. Founded by University of Virginia alumni Laura and Anwar Allen, the business honors a recipe passed down from Laura’s grandmother, Jessie Rabbit, whose shortbread—served as a “wee nibble” with tea—was a beloved staple at her Berkshires bed-and-breakfast in the 1980s. Jessie’s shortbread became a family fixture, always present at gatherings but never sold commercially.
Years later, Laura and Anwar revived the recipe and created a thriving business. Now, from their Charlottesville kitchen, they produce more than 60,000 boxes of shortbreads annually, staying true to the original by using Jessie’s custom pans and cutters. Their selection ranges from Traditional Shortbread to creative varieties like Wahoo Chocolate Chip and Lavender Shortbread—along with samplers and holiday gift boxes.
“My Scottish grandmother passed away this past summer, and the sense of value that our work carries increased exponentially within me,” says Laura Allen. “Not only do we carry on the tradition of baking Grandma’s heirloom family recipe to share with the world, we also carry the baton that she entrusted to us to run our portion of the race to build a family legacy business. As a Scottish immigrant, Grandma’s dreams knew no limits, and they remain clear within us, having become our own.”
Infinite Repeats Studio
infiniterepeats.com
Perfect for the aspiring artist or DIY enthusiast in your life, Infinite Repeats Studio, founded by Thomas Dean, is a welcoming screen-printing shop, located next to Visible Records in Charlottesville’s Woolen Mills area. Dean’s passion for screen-printing began in high school art class, leading him to print shirts for his band and later work in a commercial shop, where he mastered the craft.
Dean created Infinite Repeats with a community-first mindset, offering space and equipment that most can’t fit into their own homes. “I wanted to create a space where people could access the tools and gear needed to explore the possibilities of printmaking, whether that’s for t-shirts, posters, or any other creative expression” he says. “Our goal is to get people excited about making prints and discovering what they can create.”
Gift options include workshop experiences where participants learn the basics of screen printing and leave with their own custom t-shirts or posters. With sessions lasting two to three hours, each workshop guides attendees through the entire process—from design to print—resulting in a unique, handcrafted piece of art to take home.
Pepper Stone Ceramics
pepperstoneceramics.com
Anna Richardson’s pottery journey began at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where her artistic roots led her from painting and portraiture to the world of ceramics. Her first pottery class sparked a new passion, prompting her to delve deeper into the craft with additional ceramics courses before graduating in 2018 with a Bachelor’s in Economics and a minor in Studio Art.
After college, Richardson continued to create and sell her pottery in the Wilmington area before moving to Charlottesville in 2020 and establishing Pepper Stone Ceramics. Her work brings the elements of the earth into functional, modern pieces designed for your home. Each item is hand-thrown on the wheel using durable stoneware clay, crafted to withstand years of re-use and refilling. With every piece made by hand, her pottery brings a sense of human connection into daily routines, turning everyday objects into small sources of warmth and connection.
“One of the many things I love about pottery is the meeting of function with art,” says Richardson. “Each person who uses a handmade mug is able to feel the care and joy put into the object, and I think that helps people slow down and enjoy those small moments. With my designs, I like to bring a simplicity in shape and pattern while having fun with color. All my glazes are made in-studio, which I think is one of the ways Pepper Stone Ceramics is able to stand out.”
Record Rack
sieg.co
After working the last decade building social clubs, Derek Sieg started to make products related to one of his favorite things—listening to music. A simple, straightforward record-rack design is his first creation. Sieg is working on more products for the discerning audiophile. Next up are wood and brass bookshelf speakers, and accessories including a leather record mat and a solid brass record weight.
“I love the experience of music, and I want to make products that jive with that feeling I get listening to a great record,” says Sieg. “This record rack is perfect for displaying the record you’re listening to, and makes flipping through your collection super easy. And it’s made of raw brass and full-grain leather, so it will just look better and better the longer you own it.”
Ana Cavalheiro Fine Jewelry
anacavalheiro.com
Ana Cavalheiro Fine Jewelry stands out for its blend of romance and modern edge, a style rooted in Cavalheiro’s European training and refined under the guidance of master jewelers at the prestigious L’Ecole Union Française de la Bijouterie in Paris. After a two-year course there, Cavalheiro mastered the art of traditional European goldsmithing—a skill that helps define her signature look.
“I think jewelry should make us feel something,” Cavalheiro says. “It should remind us of who we are, how we’ve grown, and what we hold in our hearts. Each of my designs is the result of a meticulous creative process that brings something unique to life. Every one unrepeatable, bespoke, truly one-of-a-kind.”
From her earrings, ear cuffs, and necklaces, to hand-crafted engagement rings and wedding bands with hidden, meaningful details, Cavalheiro has built a devoted clientele both from Charlottesville and around the world. Some of Cavalheiro’s most recent creations—14K yellow gold handcrafted necklaces with Keshi Tahitian pearls and blue/green sapphires—are available this holiday season.