At JOHI, we believe in celebrating our connections with others, and the end of the year is the perfect time to show appreciation to the people in your life! Especially during the hectic holiday season, intentional gifts can help you come together and find the special moments that you’ll remember for years to come.
And the best way to find memorable, meaningful gifts? Shopping local! Our Santa Cruz community is a treasure trove of talented artisans, makers, and artists. From art to home decor, jewelry, and accessories, explore some of our favorite products below–directly from the artisans themselves. More than just gifts, each piece represents their unique backgrounds, stories, and reflections on the places we call home.
Explore:
- Studio Abachar – Art prints
- Rachel Hunter Design – Home lighting, jewelry, accessories, and decor
- Rigel Hunter – Architectural metalworks, jewelry, accessories, and decor
- Studio Sea Design – Art prints
- Ethan Estess – Artworks
- Habibi Ceramics – Kitchen and home goods
- JOHI – Furniture and home decor
1. Studio Abachar
Santa Cruz artist and scientific illustrator Amadeo Bachar blends art, science, and ocean culture into finely detailed works of marine life at Studio Abachar.
A UCSC-trained marine biologist, he’s illustrated for National Geographic, NOAA, and the Smithsonian, and created more than 120 fish for the California Department of Fish and Game.
His art merges 19th-century chart aesthetics with modern ecological insight — celebrating the connection between people, fish, and the sea.
He recently opened up a working studio at 509 G Swift Street, where he creates, collaborates, and has a retail showroom featuring originals and prints as well as his lines of apparel with global surf/fish brand Salty Crew and local brand Kalletka.
His series of Fish Over Vintage Nautical Charts can be the perfect gift for the sea and ocean-lover in your life. The beautiful illustrations blend science with art, giving you a stunning representation of marine life and the places they live.
Fish Over Vintage Nautical Chart print by Studio Abachar
2. Rachel Hunter Design
Rachel Hunter brings her background in art and industrial design to crafting statement light fixtures for residential and commercial spaces.
Using custom fittings and unique fabrication techniques, her work often incorporates natural and industrial found elements and stands out for its artistic approach to functional design.
The Rachel Hunter Design Branch Chandelier is a gorgeous example of Rachel’s statement work. This holiday season, her pieces can make a memorable gift to add to your own home or for the collectors and art lovers in your life.
Design Branch Chandelier by Rachel Hunter
3. Rigel Hunter
Rigel Hunter, founder of Hunter Metal Designs Inc., specializes in custom architectural metalwork.
With over 30 years of experience in metal fabrication, blacksmithing, and machining, his creations range from large-scale installations to elegant fine art pieces, home decor, and jewelry.
Together with his wife Rachel, the two also draw on their combined years of experience in art, engineering, and industrial design to create unique products for RREVV. From leather handbags and accessories to jewelry, lighting, furniture, and home décor, each piece is designed and made in their Westside Santa Cruz studio.
The Ginko Leaf Earrings and Pebble Earrings are two stunning examples of the unique, handcrafted jewelry and accessories you can find at RREVV. Made from argentium silver, they make amazing gifts for anyone in your life who exudes elegance and appreciates one-of-a-kind design.
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Ginko Leaf Earrings and Pebble Earrings by Rigel Hunter for RREVV
4. Studio Sea Design
Meet Sabrina, a California native with a deep connection to the ocean. Growing up in Santa Cruz, she has always been drawn to the surf culture, music, art, and creative energy that the sea brings.
Now, she's a traveling artist, graphic designer, and photographer with a degree in visual communication design, which has led her to create her business Studio Sea Design.
The business name came from her initials S.E.A., and her favorite little studio by the beach that she was living in at the time. Each piece she creates is a visual story of those slow beach days filled with salty air and sun-soaked memories.
Shop her bright and tranquil art prints, which make the perfect gift for anyone looking to commemorate our beautiful Santa Cruz beaches and landscapes at home.
Art print by Studio Sea Design
5. Ethan Estess
Ethan Estess is a scientist-turned-artist from Santa Cruz who communicates about the challenges facing the ocean through sculpture and printmaking.
He worked as a research technician at the Monterey Bay Aquarium studying bluefin tunas from Japan to Nova Scotia, and his published research covers topics ranging from great white shark ecology to tuna bioenergetics and physiology.
Estess has participated in several art residencies, including the Recology program at the San Francisco landfill, where he constructed a life-size whale tail sculpture from reclaimed rope that was later displayed for millions of viewers at the San Francisco International Airport.
His artworks are currently exhibited in North America, Europe, and Japan, and he has created installations for the Bernice Pauahi Bishop and J. Paul Getty Museums. In recent years, Estess has collaborated with various nonprofit groups to build monumental wave sculptures from ocean trash that have reached millions of viewers with a message of ocean stewardship.
His Japanese wave rope artworks make a great gift for anyone seeking to adorn their home with calming, environmentally conscious art. The pieces are made from reclaimed fishing rope panels and symbolize the oceans that we know and love, especially in Santa Cruz.
Japanese wave rope art by Ethan Estess
6. Habibi Ceramics
Habibi Ceramics is the craft of Campbell-based Nadia Elgan, whom we first met while vending together at West Coast Craft San Francisco. As a Palestinian Filipina woman, her work incorporates her heritage–creating a bridge between traditions, a celebration of craft, and a reminder of the warmth and beauty of community.
Her award-winning, one-of-a-kind pieces bring joy to everyday life, and each piece tells a unique story. You may have already seen her work at renowned Bay Area restaurants and eateries like Reem's and the Caffè by Mr. Espresso.
For the coffee lover in your life, gift them Nadia’s Keffiyeh espresso cups from her Falastin collection, which celebrates the joy, warmth, and resilience of the Palestinian culture. Each piece is hand thrown and hand painted, making it a truly unique gift for your loved ones.
Keffiyeh Espresso Cups by Habibi Ceramics
7. JOHI
At JOHI, we’re dedicated to crafting furniture and home decor that blends artistry and functionality. Our locally crafted furniture is designed and manufactured from our Santa Cruz studio, and you can view many of our works in person at our showroom at 719 Swift St.
As a small team, we’re able to maintain our dedication to quality and creativity throughout the entire process. As a result, we offer solid wood pieces that complement your lifestyle beautifully.
For the holidays, our home decor makes for particularly great gifts–especially our Topo Wood Jewelry Trays. Creatively display rings, necklaces, earrings, and more. The natural wood grain offers a rich, natural piece of beauty for your or your loved one's home!
Topo Round Wood Jewelry Tray by JOHI