By Melissa Wagoner
There’s something special about purchasing a gift from someone you know or someone who lives in the same town. There are many artists within our communities who make things that delight. And shopping locally saves gas, time and supports the local economy.
“You get better customer service at local small businesses. It’s a sense of community,” Tracy Butera of Wicked Good Chocolates said.
With the Silverton Chamber of Commerce’s Shop Hop in full swing through Dec. 16 there’s a chance to explore, find unique and interesting gifts and – by collectng stamps on your shopping passport at 20 of the 23 participating merchants – be entered into a drawing to win the $575 grand prize.
Here’s a sample of the people and products waiting to be discovered.
Shayla Lynn Jewelry and Gifts
Shayla Davis’ dream was to one day open a store with all handmade and local products. That dream became a reality in 2012 when she opened Shayla Lynn in downtown Silverton. Packed with everything from loose leaf tea to guitars that are instruments turned art, Davis’ store is a hub for artists around Oregon.
“At some point I’ll have to limit the number of artists. Last I counted there were 25,” Davis said.
Davis, an artist herself, understands how difficult it can be to market handmade products, but last year she made 95 percent of her sales in the store rather than on online.
“A lot of people really like to see what they’re buying,” Davis said.
Davis creates jewelry in the store – earrings and necklaces as well as wire wrapped rings and bracelets with semi-precious stones. She also takess custom orders – but if you’re looking for something for Christmas she’ll need at least two weeks for complicated designs.
Shine Essentials
Four years ago yoga instructor Tracy Roberts began making energy sprays for her students. Soon they were asking products to take home.
“It’s aromatherapy and that resonates for most people, in class we call it yoga in a bottle,” Roberts said.
What started with a few sprays has grown into a full line of personal care products including body sprays, body butters, lotion, soap, sunblock, bug spray, Himalayan salt scrub, massage oil, headache and digestion roll on, lip balm, muscle salves and deodorant for both men and women.
“I’m really excited about the new men’s line that is rolling out this week, all for the guys, scrubs, shave soap and beard oil are just a few. Though most of my products are gender neutral I like all of my customers to find the product that they have to have,” Roberts said.
Shine Essential’s products can be found at Shayla Lynn Jewelry as well as White Oak Welliness in downtown Silverton.
“Gifting my product to someone is special because you are helping them to take care of themselves. I have made it my mission to produce organic and affordable products available to all.”
Wicked Good Chocolates and More
Tracy Butera has been making chocolates since her high school Home Economics class.
“My Home Economics teacher taught us to make peanut butter and coconut bonbons; every Christmas after that I made them and gave them as gifts. It grew from there,” Butera said.
What began with two flavors soon blossomed into a host of treats ranging from exotic truffles to caramels and holiday cookies.
“I want to make good chocolate that people will love and can afford to buy,” Butera said.
Butera works with her daughter Felicia, 20, handmaking each treat from recipes she has developed.
This holiday season Wicked Good Chocolates is showcasing an assortment of seasonal treats including hot cocoa with freshly made marshmallow spoons, cream de’ menthe, peppermint and dark chocolate orange truffles and a special holiday ginger cookie sandwich. Her products can be found at The Chocolate Box in Silverton.
“Downtowns are cool places,” Butera said. “Keep the local businesses alive.”
Visit businesses thru Dec. 16 with a Silverton Shop Hop Passport. Collect 20 out of 23 stamps.
One entry per person. Must be present to collect stamp from business. Must be 16 or older to participate.
Turn in completed passport to the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, 426 S. Water St., by 5 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 16. Prize drawings will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17 at the Silverton Chamber Business Group Meeting. 503-873-5615
Participating businesses:
Silverton Coffee Station, The Chocolate Box, Fall Line Bike-Skate-Snowboard, Willamette Valley Bank, Oregon Garden Visitor Center, Silverton Subway, Postal Connections, Apples to Oranges, Shayla Lynn Jewelry, The Home Place, Seven Brides Brewing, Napa Auto Parts, Silverton Wilco, Silvr Creek Animal Clinic, Books’N’Time, Mill Town Pub, Whimsy Etc. Boutique, Howard Hinsdales Cellars & Bistro, Redeemed & Restored, Oil Can Henry’s, 310 Water, Mac’s Place, Somewhere in Time Resale & Collectables