8 Savannah artisans offering locally made Valentine's Day gifts

Don’t get stuck in a romantic rut of buying the same flowers and mass-produced candy for your sweetheart every Valentine’s Day − Savannah has many talented creative artisans who offer alternatives to shopping at the big-box stores, providing uniquely charming gifts that will make your loved one happy and help the community’s economy at the same time. Here are eight local businesses proffering irresistible presents that your loved one will be delighted by.

KRISTEN BAIRD JEWELRY

Since graduating with honors from the Savannah College of Art and Design’s jewelry design department, Baird has forged a wide variety of distinctive earrings, bracelets, and other precious personal ornaments. As for a perfect local Valentine’s day gift, nothing says Lowcountry like an elegant pearl necklace − but Baird set out to create something that is anything but your mama’s demure necklace. Inspired by oysters, her freshwater, half-drilled pearls are set with accents of sterling silver with patina to give the classic pearl beauty with a modern twist. There are three versions, allowing collectors to layer the necklaces for a dramatic and romantic effect. Baird’s designs are available at the Grand Bohemian Gallery at the Mansion on Forsyth Park (700 Drayton St., Savannah), or check out kristenbaird.com to view her online store.

SALACIA SALTS

For any significant others in need of a little self-care or simply an at-home spa day, Salacia Salts has your valentine covered. The salt soak is available in their signature gift set. The blend of Atlantic and Epsom sea salts is infused with essences of rose, jasmine, basil, and lemon, sure to calm the mind, sooth aches and pains, and soften the skin. Also included in the pack is a chamomile-and-beeswax body butter, a moisturizing sea-salt and shea-butter scrub, and two bath bombs. It’s completely ready for gifting, packaged in an attractive box tied with their signature blue bow. All Salacia Salts products can be picked up curbside at the company’s two Savannah locations (208 W Hall St. and 148 Abercorn St., Savannah), or visit salaciasalts.com to have products shipped to your home.

SATCHEL

Savannah College of Art and Design graduate Elizabeth Seeger produces custom-made bags and accessories at her store. While we may be too close to Valentine’s Day to consider commissioning a completely made-to-order project, you can still get Satchel’s hand-stitched quality to gift your significant other. The Walker classic men’s wallet makes a quality addition to a gentleman’s wardrobe, offered in black, navy and a fatigue green, as well as unique colors and patterns like marshmallow croco print. The Sherry wristlet, a combination of wallet and purse, has just enough packing room for a night out, offering compartments for cash, cards and a little storage. Stop by the Satchel studio (4 E. Liberty St., Savannah) to see items in production and prepare to be impressed. Visit shopsatchel.com to view the store’s online selection.

ELONWICK CANDLE CO.

In 2015, Elondia Harden experienced health issues from harmful chemicals in her beauty and wellness items, inspiring her to develop a line of products free from toxic chemicals. Her all-natural, hand-poured candles are created with soy wax, lead-free cotton wicks, and clean fragrances free of parabens and carcinogens. Not only do her products offer a healthier alternative to other candles, they reflect Southern grace and culture in every jar, and each nine-ounce candle features a safe burn time of up to 50 hours. Try the Southern Gent candle for the guys, with notes of wood and musk, or the praline-inspired Savannah Shuga that fills the room with delicious aromas of warm vanilla, butter, and sugar. All of ElonWick’s candle collections – including the Breathe Easy and Southern Charm lines – are available through the elonwick.com online showcase.

CHOCOLAT BY ADAM TURONI

Chef Adam Turoni’s chocolates are as exquisite to look at as they are to eat. With his business partner, Alexandra Trujillo de Taylor, they’ve created two stores that are each a decadent chocolate experience. This year, the specific line for Valentine’s Day has a unique spin. The Corazon Chocolate Treasure Box starts with a dark-chocolate edible heart box. Included in the package is a mallet to break the outer candy, exposing a Heart & Passion Fruit Truffle inside, coated with a candy pearly sugar-sprinkle mix. If you feel like being even more sweet, the Grand Corazon has 20 assorted truffles inside. Chocolat By Adam Turoni is found in two locations, The Dining Room (323 W. Broughton St., Savannah) and The Library (236 Bull St., Savannah), or visit chocolatat.com to see the online selection.

GHOST COAST DISTILLERY

Gifts of fine spirits are almost always appreciated by those who imbibe, and if your valentine falls into that category, a bottle from Savannah’s own Ghost Coast Distillery will certainly earn you some heartfelt gratitude. In late January, Ghost Coast was honored by Travel + Leisure as one of the top 25 distilleries in the U.S.A., and anyone who lives in the Savannah area can visit their intoxicatingly charming facility (641 Indian St., Savannah) with an onsite shop and cocktail room to peruse the entire collection. Try their Master Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a smooth bourbon with flavors of warm caramel, dried apricot and walnut, sure to raise the spirits of your beloved. Visit ghostcoastdistillery.com to see the full selection, along with a variety of detailed cocktail recipes sure to enliven any romantic evening in.

MARCHE DE MACARONS

If your sweetheart has a sweet tooth, look no further for that ideal Valentine’s Day gift than Marché de Macarons, a well-known Savannah specialty shop for cake-light French delights. February brings limited-time-only flavors inspired by the celebration of love, like the Violet Cassis featuring two floral-infused confections enveloping black currant jam filling. Other romantic options include the Champagne Macaron, a bubbly-infused version with buttercream and gold sanding sugar, or the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry variety. The macarons at this Savannah spot are all delicate and perfectly prepared, with a crisp exterior giving way to a chewy interior, and they can be encased in charming gift boxes. These delicate treats are made fresh onsite at the company’s downtown store (42 Abercorn St., Savannah), or visit marchedemacarons.com for more information and place an online order.

SMOKE & SPIRITS

Savannah residents Matt and Chrissy Rippetoe have created a wide variety of lovely gift items all made with a nod to their Kentucky roots. After making their own presents out of old bourbon barrels to surprise the groomsmen at their wedding, the couple decided to turn this inspired idea into a cottage industry. The Rippetoes now offer handmade serving trays, charcuterie boards, wall-mounted bottle openers, and other home-décor items all crafted with rustic flair from former whiskey barrels. Their one-of-a-kind jewelry and cuff links have distinctive charm, while their Bourbon Barrel Smoking Chips − cut from reclaimed Maker’s Mark bourbon barrels – add a heady fragrance when used in the grill or smoker, and their customizable “Bottoms Up Coasters” can be emblazoned with words of love. Visit shopsmokeandspirits.com to learn more.