Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Holiday shopping: Locally-made gifts

This post was written by Gabrielle Renteria, 2015 Bookstore Assistant, 2016 Mono Lake Intern, 2016–2018 Project Specialist.

Happy holidays from the Mono Lake Committee! If you are looking  to support small local businesses and Mono Lake this holiday season, we have you covered; our 2016 Fall Catalog features a great selection of gifts from local artists and authors.

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Organic whipped body butter: Living at high altitude we’ve become connoisseurs of good lotions and hand creams to get us through the cold dry winters, and nothing beats this organic whipped body butter from our friends at Joyous Organics in Mammoth Lakes. Choose between citrus vanilla and jasmine fragrances—each crafted from therapeutic-grade essential oils, and packaged in a glass jar.

Mountain man beard balm: Finally, the perfect gift for the mountain man in your life! This organic balm is made locally by our friends at Joyous Organics, and is formulated to condition and soften both the beard and underlying skin, while providing a light hold for styling.

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Mountainscape earrings: Show your love for the mountains of the Mono Basin with these beautiful locally made earrings. Each pair features a mountain scene created by Bishop artist Mary Lou Aukee.

Water and the California Dream: Local author and retired Mono Lake State Park ranger David Carle has revised and expanded his popular book on water in California. This second edition includes updated information on the California drought and climate change as well as additional maps and photographs. Carle tells the story of how water diversions have shaped California with extensive use of oral histories and historic autobiographies as well as contemporary sources. An important read for anyone interested in California water issues.

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Mono Lake keychain: Be reminded of Mono Lake each time you reach for your keys with this lightweight but sturdy keychain by Truckee artist Krista Tranquilla. Each stainless steel keychain features the outline of Mono Lake with a quote from Mono Lake Committee co-founder David Gaines: “Mono Lake can teach us to listen, to watch, to live quietly, to see the world anew.”

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Tufa trucker hat: This trucker hat displays a lovely image of Mono Lake’s tufa by Bishop-based artist Ann Piersall. With a breathable mesh back, it looks great on men and women alike, is adjustable, and will keep your head cool and shaded during your adventures to Mono Lake and beyond.

Check out our online store and click the Fall Catalog 2016 section to find these and other great gift options.