the kentucky gift guide
Kentucky is fortunate to have an astounding number of gifted and talented artists and artisans. Locally crafted art, jewelry and pottery make for outstanding gifts for friends and family—or for treating yourself!
kentuckymonthly.com ad@kentuckymonthly.com
Q 502.227.0053
KENTUCKY MONTHLY (ISSN 15420507) is published 10 times per year by Vested Interest Publications, Inc., 100 Consumer Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601. Periodicals Postage Paid at Frankfort, KY and at additional mailing offices.
Kentucky Monthly is printed and distributed by Freeport Press, New Philadelphia, Ohio.
Share a photo @kymonthly
Designer Andrea Conatser of Owingsville creates beautiful made-to-order quilts that are sure to become family heirlooms.
Kentucky Monthly’s mission is to celebrate this wonderful state we call home. What better way to demonstrate your Bluegrass State pride and unity than by supporting local retailers, artisans and producers? In the pages ahead, you’ll find Kentucky-made items perfect for gift-giving throughout the year!
Publisher + Editor-in-Chief STEPHEN M. VEST Associate Editor PATRICIA RANFT
Assistant Editor DEBORAH KOHL KREMER Contributing Editor TED SLOAN
Creative Director REBECCA REDDING Business Manager BARBARA KAY VEST
Senior Account Executive LINDSEY COLLINS
Account Executives KELLEY BURCHELL , LAURA RAY and TERESA REVLETT
888.329.0053 n P.O. Box 559 n 102 Consumer Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601 www.kentuckymonthly.com
Clay Earrings Crafted by Hand
REYNABEE CLAY CO.
Specializing in wearable polymer clay art, designer Reyna Davis of London creates handcrafted earrings, each one a work of art. The colorful earrings come in both stud and hanging styles and all are hypoallergenic and lead and nickel free.
FISHING CREEK JEWELRY
Artist Jarod Cox says his jewelry is inspired by the rugged beauty and rich heritage of Appalachia. Many of the stones in his pieces, such as agate and quartz, are found near his Pulaski County home.
BLANKET CREEK POTTERY
From their studio in Falmouth, Paul and Yael Borian work together creating pottery pieces that will be treasured for decades. Paul is in charge of the actual production and mixing, and Yael focuses on design and photography, resulting in a perfect match. Whether it is a bowl, a platter or an oil dispenser, each piece makes a statement and is food, dishwasher, oven and microwave safe.
toMakersFollow
SOUTHERN MANHATTAN
• 1 oz. Rivulet Artisan Pecan Liqueur
• 2 oz. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 3 dashes Orange Bitters
• Combine ingredients over ice
• Garnish with orange peel and cherry
KENTUCKY PIE MARTINI
• 1 oz. Rivulet Artisan Pecan Liqueur
• 1 oz. Vodka
• 1 oz. Chocolate or Coffee Liqueur
• Shake and strain into martini glass
• Garnish with chocolate shavings
Simply Stunning
ANNA SHAE JEWELRY
Specializing in minimalistic jewelry that can be worn every day, Lexington designer Anna Shae has a wonderful variety of simple designs. In addition to her gold-filled or sterling silver pieces—including rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings—she has a necklace featuring the state of Kentucky that anyone with ties to the Bluegrass would treasure.
annashaejewelry.com
Wood
LARSON WOOD DESIGNS
Designer David Larson of Lexington handcrafts gorgeous wood boards for cutting, charcuterie, serving or wall décor. The combinations of wood enable natural colors to come through, creating unforgettable designs. Practical as well as beautiful, these boards are both functional and decorative and made to last.
Baker-Bird Winery & Distillery
4465 Augusta Chatham Road, Augusta 606.756.3739 bakerbirdwinerydistillery.com
Chenault Vineyards 2284 Barnes Mill Road Richmond 859.328.7773 chenaultvineyards.com
Equus Run Vineyards
Saddlestone Distillery 1280 Moores Mill Road, Midway 859.846.9463
equusrunvineyards.com
Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery 1180 Lanes Mill Road Lawrenceburg 502.839.1299 loversleapwine.com
Poca Terra Winery
633 Gatlin Road, Benton 270.493.2682 pocaterrawinery.com
StoneBrook Winery 6570 Vineyard Lane Melbourne 859.635.0111
stonebrookwinery.com
Talon Winery
7086 Tates Creek Road Lexington 859.971.3214
400
502.633.6969 talonwine.com
Captivating Colors
TAC PAINTINGS
Tonya Creasman explains her art as “rich, bright colors commingling in a lot of layers.”
The finished product is outstanding. The Lexington artist typically paints with a palette knife and her fingers to create stunning art featuring animals, landscapes and flowers.
Subtle Statements
KENTUCKY LILY
Creating statement pieces of sterling silver and gemstone jewelry from her silversmithing and lapidary studio in Berea, designer Rebecca Wheat has something for everyone. Her natureinspired pendants feature birds, animals and even morel mushrooms.
kentuckylily.squarespace.com
VELVET WHISKEY CANDLES
With scents like Bluegrass Bourbon, Spiced Orange and Brandied Cranberry (just to name a few), these hand-poured soy candles will fill your home with delicious fragrances. They are made in London and are a Kentucky Proud Product.
teahorsestudio.com
Horsing Around
TEA HORSE STUDIO
Pottery with hand-carved motifs, similar to primitive drawings found inside caves, makes Cynthia Cusick’s art stand out. Each piece—whether it be a tray, tumbler or flask (we are in Kentucky, you know)—features an animal, usually a horse, in memorable colors and styles. Working from her farm in Estill County, Cusick fashions her pieces from stoneware clay that is then fired in an electric kiln at more than 2,000 degrees.
A Kentucky Gift for Everyone on Your List
Kentucky Curated was built on the idea of a small business helping other small businesses. Co-owners Taylor Kincaid and Nini Edwards assemble locally sourced gift items, and then pack and ship the gifts for the recipient, making gift giving a breeze.
Each gift is perfect for corporate giving but still personal enough to include a company logo and personal note. You can turn over your shopping list and be assured that it is all taken care of. Kentucky Curated works directly with the customer to source items from a local Kentucky maker—whether it be food, leather goods, woodcrafted items or even hand-forged steel goods.
“Together, we believe in growing, thriving and celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of Kentucky,” Taylor said.
“We started out curating gift boxes filled with products from Kentucky artisans, and while that’s still our foundation, we’ve recently expanded into designing and printing our own Kentucky-inspired merchandise,” said coowner Taylor Kincaid. “These pieces put a fresh spin on the classic Kentucky tee or sweatshirt, and every design is created and produced by hand right here in Winchester.”
kentuckycuratedco.com
Kentucky boasts gift shops and galleries across the state that cater to customers looking to buy locally made items. Visit one listed on this page or page 18 to make gift shopping a breeze.
Like the experience of shopping local? bcloghousecrafts.com • 859.985.3226
The Log House Craft Gallery
The Log House Craft Gallery in Berea was created around 100 years ago with the goal of helping Appalachian families bring their wares to market. The gallery, which also sells merchandise made by Berea College students, is housed inside a plantation-style cabin built in 1917. Visit three levels of the historic building to take in everything or shop online. Whether you are looking for handmade baskets, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, kitchen gadgets or sauces, dips and jellies, you are sure to find something for everyone on your holiday list at The Log House.
Enjoy e magic of holiday sho ing with sma -town charm and festive cheer in Kentucky’s Main Street communities.
Williamsburg
Owensboro Art Guild owensboroartguild.org
Hopkinsville Art Guild
270.886.3776 hopkinsvilleartguild.org
Murray Art Guild
270.753.4059 murrayartguild.org
Courthouse Square
Art Guild Gallery Z Carlisle 859.289.2185
Let’s go shopping.
ART GUILD OF PADUCAH
With a goal of promoting visual arts and artists in all media in Paducah and the surrounding region, the Art Guild of Paducah is doing a great job. Visit its gallery in person or shop the online store for a large array of Kentucky art.
artguildofpaducah.org • 270.443.9420
Greens Street Gifts and Antiques Versailles • 859.214.4640
Clementine Fort Mitchell • 859.331.4222 clementineftmitchell.com
Paradise Point Scottsville • 270.622.7422 paradisepointky.com
Two Chicks and Company Louisville • 502.254.0400 twochicksandcompany.com
foodie
CRANK & BOOM ICE CREAM
GLIER’S ORIGINAL GOETTA
Based in Lexington, Crank & Boom Ice Cream produces handcrafted ice cream loaded with locally sourced ingredients to create flavors such as Blueberry Lime Cheesecake and Blackberry & Buttermilk. For a boozie treat, don’t miss the Bourbon & Honey ice cream, made with Buffalo Trace bourbon. For gift giving, order the Party Pack, which is 6 pints of the flavors you choose. Crank & Boom ships nationwide. crankandboom.com
This German-inspired blend of pork, beef, steel-cut oats and spices is beloved for its hearty flavor and crispy texture. It is a breakfast staple in Northern Kentucky households but hard to find in other areas of the country. Surprise a homesick Kentuckian with a few rolls and make their day. Glier’s ships nationwide. cincyfavorites.com/ shop/gliers
HENRY BAIN’S SAUCE Henry Bain’s Sauce is a tangy, savory blend which complements steaks, chicken and burgers. It was created in the early 1900s at the swanky Pendennis Club in Louisville and has become a staple on Kentucky tables. completelykentucky.com/products/the-original-henry-bain-sauce
faves
BROADBENT HAMS
Broadbent Hams in Kuttawa has been a Kentucky tradition since 1909. Broadbent’s award-winning country hams, bacon and sausage make perfect gifts for the meat lover in your life. Broadbent also offers gift boxes, jellies and snack collections from which to choose. broadbenthams.com
MOONLITE BAR-B-Q SAUCE
Bring the bold, smoky flavor of Owensboro’s Moonlite Bar-B-Q right to your door with a bottle of its legendary sauce that is made at the Western Kentucky restaurant. Of course, it goes perfectly on mutton and slow-cooked meats, but real foodies know it tastes great on just about everything. moonlite.com
BOURBON BARREL FOODS
Bourbon Barrel Foods, based in Louisville, creates products with a hint of flavor from Kentucky’s native spirit. The company ages its sauces, spices and syrups in reclaimed bourbon barrels and produces bourbonsmoked sea salt, microbrewed barrel-aged soy sauce and bourbonsmoked pecans. bourbonbarrelfoods.com
Stained-Glass Quilt Squares
FISHING CREEK GLASS
The only thing better than sunshine streaming through a window is when it is flowing through stained glass. These stunning suncatchers are produced by Hannah Grant in her home studio in Nancy. Inspired by quilt squares, they are a colorful addition to any room.
etsy.com/shop/fishingcreekglassco
Stitches of Joy
BLUEGRASS QUILTS
Who doesn’t love the look and feel of a handmade quilt?
Designer Andrea Conatser began quilting as a hobby, but it quickly grew into her full-time job. From her Owingsville home, she creates beautiful made-to-order quilts in vibrant colors—each a work of art that is sure to become a family heirloom.
Grand Victorian Inn
The Grand Victorian Inn offers lodging in Park City and plays host to 11 beautiful and unique Victorian guest rooms. The Historic Train Station Inn is now the Bike and Hike Trailhead to Mammoth Cave National Park. Visit Mammoth Cave National Park, the National Corvette Museum, Barren River Lake and other attractions in the area.
Old
“The Grand Victorian is a true place out of time. A former 1880s train station, where history lingers in the creak of the floors, the tall windows, and the quiet hum of the town outside. We stayed two nights on our way home from Ohio, and it felt like pressing pause on the modern world. Our room was cozy and layered with antique furniture, retro quilts and walls crowded with old photos and art.”
Alicia Taylor, Google Review
MORE TO EXPLORE
Belle Louise Historic Bed & Breakfast 304 N. Sixth Street Paducah 270.210.2553 bellelouisepaducah.com
Burlington's Willis Graves Bed and Breakfast Inn 5825 N Jefferson Street Burlington 859.689.5096 willisgraves.com
Chateau Bourbon Bed and Breakfast 10630 Meeting Street Prospect 502.290.6553 chateaubourbon.com
Ivy Manor Bed & Breakfast 17720 Hopkinsville Road Princeton 270.832.7685 ivymanorbnb.com
Maple Hill Manor 2941 Perryville Road Springfield 859.336.3075 maplehillmanor.com
River Trails Inn 301 Hill Street Livermore rentbyowner.com/ property/ river-trails-inn/ AB-38361408
Rose Hill Inn 233 Rose Hill Avenue Versailles 859.214.2144 stayrosehillinn.com
Thurman Landing Guest Home 107 Broadway Street Sonora 270.949.1897 thurmanlanding.com
MAY WE RECOMMEND...
Books for Kentucky residents and out-of-state Kentuckians penned by Kentuckians
Under Anna’s Umbrella
By Amanda Driscoll
Illustrated
by
Luisa Uribe
Anna’s umbrella has been a constant in her life since the passing of her father. Although the weather may be fair, she uses the umbrella as a shield to protect herself from more grief and stress. One rainy day, she sees a boy with no umbrella or raincoat becoming soaked and asks him to join her under the umbrella. This poignant book—written by Amanda Driscoll, who lives near Louisville, and charmingly illustrated by Luisa Uribe of Bogota, Colombia—relates a heartfelt tale of grief and compassion.
$ 18.99 (HARDCOVER)
Village Life: Discover Tuscan-Inspired Hospitality and Intentional Living
By Angela Correll
Several visits to Italy inspired writer Angela Correll and her husband, Jess, to purchase a property in a small medieval Tuscan village. The Lincoln County couple’s new “home” had been a horse stable hundreds of years before, and following extensive renovation and restoration, it became their part-time home. In her latest book, Correll gives a glimpse into everyday life in a Tuscan town, complete with tips, recommended reading and local recipes. This beautifully illustrated and well-written book will have readers eager to experience the legendary region of Italy.
$ 34.95 (HARDCOVER)
Dead Man Blues: A Novel
By S.D. House
In the most recent offering from Eastern Kentucky native and Lexington resident Silas House, the novelist/poet tries his skilled writer’s hand at penning a murder mystery under the name S.D. House. Set in a small town on the KentuckyTennessee border, Dead Man Blues recounts the story of Dave Hendricks, a man down on his luck, who finds himself teamed up with the local sheriff, the person who betrayed him, to find the murderer of two people in their town.
$ 29.99 (HARDCOVER)
Just Desserts: A Collection of Recipes from Kentucky Monthly Magazine
Over the past 26 years, Kentucky Monthly has published hundreds of recipes in our Cooking column. Among those were plenty of desserts, the favorite course of many diners. In Just Desserts—a selection of decadent, delectable, delicious dessert recipes—we bring you dishes certain to end your meals on a scrumptious note. From cakes to cookies to pies, you’ll find a wide variety of treats to satisfy those with a sweet tooth.
$ 25 (PAPERBACK)
Gifts for the Reader
Shopping local bookstores means more than just Kentucky authors and homegrown stories. Find fun gifts, local art and sometimes a cup of coffee inside these unique and local shops.
Broadway Books
1537 Winchester Avenue, Ashland
606.694.7100 broadwaybooksaky.com
Carmichael’s Bookstore
1295 Bardstown Road, Louisville 2720 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville 502.456.6950 carmichaelsbookstore.com
CoffeeTree Books
159 East Main Street, Morehead 606.784.9877 coffeetreebooks.com
From The Ground Up
205 East Main Street, La Grange 502.293.0496
160 Frank E. Simon Avenue, Shepherdsville 502.531.0032 fromthegroundupbooks.com
Kentucky Soaps and Such
203 West Main Street, Stanford 606.365.0808 kentuckysoapsandsuch.com
Main Street Books
21 North Main Street, Monticello 606.753.6125 msbmonticello.com
Plaid Elephant Books
116 North Third Street, Danville 859.449.2010 plaidelephantbooks.com
Poor Richard’s Books 233 West Broadway, Frankfort 502.223.8018 poorrichardsbooksky.indielite.org
Read Spotted Newt 221 Memorial Drive, Hazard 606.373.4811 readspottednewt.com
Roebling Pointe Books & Coffee 306 Greenup Street, Covington 601 Overton Street, Newport 859.240.9476 roeblingbooks.com
Tastefully Delicious
126 South Main Street, Lawrenceburg 502.598.3131 tastefullydeliciousky.com/books
The Shire Bookstore 115 Newman Drive, Eddyville 254.245.0439
shirebookstore.square.site
n YOU CAN ALSO FIND KENTUCKY MONTHLY MAGAZINE AT ANY OF THESE LOCAL BOOKSTORES!
The Modern Mountain Cookbook: A PlantBased Celebration of Appalachia
By Jan A. Brandenburg
Eastern Kentucky native Jan A. Brandenburg makes things easy for vegan home chefs as she skillfully and creatively recreates comfort food from her childhood, forgoing animal products in this collection of recipes. Chicken pot pie gets a revamp using a plant-based chicken alternative; chocolate chip cookies are just as sweet with vegan egg replacer and vegan chocolate chips; and spicy beer cheese is reinvented with vegan cheddar and vegan cream cheese.
$ 21.95 (HARDCOVER)
Classic Cocktail Revival
By Jennifer Brian Martinis,
Manhattans, oldfashioneds, sours, negronis, highballs and more are on the menu in Classic Cocktail Revival. With an old-school church revival theme, the book by Louisville resident Jennifer Brian presents the history of each cocktail, along with easy-to-follow recipes of the classics and creative variations to try. Brian—an Executive Bourbon Steward, event planner and owner of Make & Muddle mixers—makes mixology easy with this cleverly written and informative guide.
$ 29.99 (HARDCOVER)
George Graham Vest: The Life and Times of Dog’s Best Friend
By Stephen M. Vest
Kentucky Monthly Publisher and Editorin-Chief Stephen M. Vest released his latest book, George Graham Vest: The Life and Times of Dog’s Best Friend, in October 2024. The author of three previous books, Stephen Vest focuses on the life of his distant relative, who is credited with coining the phrase “Dog is man’s best friend.” Born in Frankfort, George Graham Vest later moved to Missouri, where he practiced law and became a distinguished politician, serving in the Missouri House of Representatives, Confederate Congress, Confederate Senate and, later, the U.S. Senate.
$ 27 (HARDCOVER)
