In the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping the Amazon pleas, Wirecutter shopping lists, and Black Friday deals will certainly flash the loudest, but for those looking for something unique to throw under the Christmas tree, they need look any further than the host of talented Catholic makers, bakers, and yes, even candle-stick makers that metro-Detroit has to offer. If you want to give your loved ones something one-of-a-kind, look no further than this Detroit shopping guide.

The Lion and the Lamb LLC

From his garage workshop, Royal Oak carpenter Joe Staniszewski, creates heirloom quality, faith-inspired woodworking. What originally was a hobby to appreciate with his grandfather has since blossomed — with the marketing help of his wife Alexandria — into an Etsy shop where they sell exquisitely hand-crafted crucifixes, garden shrines, rosary and key hangers, toy cars, stove top covers and trays, bread boxes, shelves and more. They also take customized orders through their Etsy page. Joe’s Amish-style woodworking uses traditional hardwood with darker finishes and rich colors. “There is something cool about being in similar shoes as St. Joseph, walking in the shoes of the saints and doing something my namesake did,” Joe said. “There is a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that comes from working with your hands, getting your hands dirty with sawdust. Shop here.

Rakstar Designs

Guardian Angels parishioner, Rakhi McCormick has been working in ministry for over twenty years, but for the last few years she’s also been what she calls a “seasoned amateur” in photography, digital design, watercolor painting and calligraphy. There is nothing “amateur,” however, about her art. From her beautiful illustrations of Catholics giants—Blessed Solanus Casey, Dorothy Day, Mother Theresa, St. Josephine Bakhita, etc, to Catholic jewelry and t-shirts, stickers, blankets, coffee mugs, flags and journals, Rakhi brings a touch of light, edginess and spirituality to the otherwise mundane tools that punctuate your day. Check out the St. Francis of Assisi-inspired print for your nursery, the fruits of the spirit bracelet for your upcoming confirmandi, or the Dorothy Day mug for your coffee-fanatic friend.

Sugar Shack Cookie Co

Visions of sugarplums dancing in your head? You’re definitely going to want to peruse the delicious goodies of Our Lady of Sorrows parishioner Bridgid Holloway’s home bakery. Sugar Shack‘s her adorable Advent candle cookies and paint your own cookie sets are perfect for a children’s Christmas party, her peppermint hot chocolate bombs make delicious stocking stuffers, and some Elf on the shelf goodies that Our Lady of Sorrows parishioner, Bridgid Holloway bakes from her home bakery. 

Elevator to Heaven

Local writer, mother and former Montessori teacher Colleen Pressprich writes books she hopes will become family staples for gathering together and sharing and understanding their faith. For her first book, she paired with illustrator Rebecca Gorzynska to bring families a stunning introduction to the Marian consecration, Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children. Through heartfelt prayers, engaging reflections, conversation starters and lovely artwork, this book makes a beautiful gift for families hoping to create a habit of faith-sharing. Pressprich’s second book, Women Doctors of the Church, introduce children to four incredible Saints — St. Hildegard of BIngen, Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Catherine of Siena and St. Therese of Lisieux. “As a former Montessori teacher I believe that even the very youngest members of our families are capable of faith and deep contemplation.”

Saint Sprouts

If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer that stick around (pun intended) longer than New Year’s Day, look no further than the adorable water and weatherproof stickers designed by St. Lawrence parishioner Marie Mattos. The idea that faith starts small, like a little sprout that needs to be nourished to grow is the idea that inspired Marie to create an Etsy sticker business to help educate children using the lives of the saints. These stickers come in over 40 different saints from the spiritual giants — Mother Teresa of Calcutta, St. Juan Diego and St. Joan of Arc to lesser-known saints such as St. Anna Wang and St. Barbara Choe Yong and are perfect for adorning water bottles, laptops, school supplies, etc.

Mourning Dove

Whether it’s a habit-tracker planner sticker to help you reach your goals or the stunning gold Marian consecration necklace, a beautifully-designed t-shirt that makes even Latin phrases trendy, or the Marian-flower adorned rosary pouch that fits perfectly in your pocket, St. Joseph Shrine parishioner Christine Pelletier’s products are meant to inspire and encourage you in your day to day life. Equip your loved ones head to toe with reminders of the divine — you’ll want to have Christine’s watercolor designs on everything you own.

Seashell Nell

Danielle Center’s intricately designed Lino prints and stationary bring exquisite reminders of the season’s true meaning to mind. Her Christmas card sets include folk-inspired designs of deer, owls, carolers, the infant Jesus and more and include salutations such as. Her linocuts are hand-carved and hand-stamped. She even warns buyers that her fingerprints may come on the backs of prints, and are made for making the sacred present in every room of your home, office or school. One of her bestsellers, her Our Lady of Perpetual Help original linocut was inspired by Archbishop Vigneron’s devotion.  “I see the world as a place full of sacred potential, she explains, “I find inspiration in my faith, in the magic of imagination, and in the world around me.”

Mikayla Ruth Catherine

Former FOCUS missionary Mikayla Koble’s shop offers unique handmade and customizable rosaries to, as she says, “pray through beauty.” Mikayla explains, ”Beauty was what led me to encounter and believe,” speaking about a trip to Italy where the sacred art she saw inspired a spiritual reversion. With dozens of beads, chains and styles to choose from, Mikayla helps you design something unique and meaningful. Or choose from her stunning ready-made rosaries; for the child preparing for first communion — the single decade rosary; joint marriage rosaries for the newlyweds in your family, or a St. Monica chaplet rosary for the new mom. 

House of Joppa

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