NASHUA – Although shopping on Amazon may be tempting this unprecedented holiday season, local businesses need our support now more than ever before.

The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fine Craft Gallery, Nashua, provides an affordable gift selection from over 200 juried artists with unique styles, mediums, concepts, and most importantly, interwoven care from the energy behind the nature of handmade products mass-manufacturers simply can’t replicate.

Upon entry, patrons are struck with bouncing reflections from hanging metals and glass orbs in every hue, transporting them to a world of childlike wonder comparable only to Mr.Magorium’s Wonder Emporium.

“During the holidays we have a lot of people coming in for ornaments – we’ve got hundreds of different ornaments.” Said Lisa Lewis, operations manager, “Every year there seems to be a different theme to what most people are buying… One year it was the year of the big bowls, [the next was] the year of vases…”

As we are only at the dawn of the season, Lewis admitted that she was unsure of this year’s motif, but knowingly laughed as it will soon be revealed the closer we are to Dec. 25.

“The fun thing is, you might pick something up and it looks really expensive, but we have something in every price range.” Lewis explained; as ornaments start at $5 and earrings at $12, “There’s really something for everyone…it’s just not all expensive stuff, so really even kids can find something budget friendly.”

While the gallery does not offer product personalization, every item is quite literally one-of-kind. “We don’t personalize because once [a juried artist] sends us their work, we sell it as is.” Said Lewis, “There are a few artists [who] do that business from their own studios. [So our collection] is not so much personalized, but is definitely different…Where else have you seen pottery made to look like a birch tree?”

From traditional jewelry, to basketry painted with watercolor, to dresses made using the decades old method of smocking, the selection is constantly shifting and guaranteed to surprise even the regulars.

“Everything here is different. There’s a basket made of leather,” said Lewis, gesturing toward the dark crimson receptacle displayed so proudly it could have been mistaken for a trophy, resting atop a pedestal, towering above her head, “Like that isn’t an everyday kind of occurrence.”

Despite the current corona climate, there has not been a significant shift in storefront patron activity comparatively to prior years.

“Because there was a huge jump in shopping after Thanksgiving, I thought that everyone was going to come early, and we were encouraging people to come early so they could avoid a crowded shop, but it’s not really happening that way…” Lewis explained, “Last year, everybody did their shopping the week before Christmas – it used to be a whole, busy December, but last year it was all in one week. …So we might be heading toward [that same pattern] this year.”

Prior to the pandemic, the Nashua Gallery held regular crafting classes that concentrated on styles like zentangle, felting, and alcohol ink. “We’re not running [classes] right now.” Said Lewis, “[Normally] we have basket weaving classes twice a week, and then a weekly rotation on all different kinds of classes depending on which teachers are available.”

“A lot of them are just something fun to go do for a couple of hours, even if you’ve never done it before because they’re that easy to get into.” Lewis said, “So it’s really fun stuff – hopefully we’ll get back to that.”