MINNEAPOLIS GIFT & ART EXPO

NOV 7-9, 2025 - MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER

Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a single working mom who needed a creative outlet. To fill that need, I began working with leather and other textiles. My materials of choice are blanket-weight wool and waxed canvas. I use these to create one-of-a-kind totes, purses, jewelry, accessories, and pet items.

How did I get started in art and my business?
I’ve always been creative. If you were looking for me in high school, you’d find me in the art department. I graduated from college with a degree in Interior Design and worked in that field for many years. But as life happens, things get busy and priorities shift. I found myself missing art and the creative process. That’s how Stitch & Hammer Studio was born.

What made me take the leap into being my own boss?
The leap into selling my own goods really came out of necessity. A few years ago, I unexpectedly became a single mom and needed additional income. That motivated me to start my own business and begin selling my creations. It may not be the most glamorous start-up story—but it’s honest and real.

What has been your favorite moment since creating your art/business?
My favorite moment was recently being recognized by a regional magazine as an up-and-coming entrepreneur and artist. That recognition meant a lot to me because, the year before, I had overcome some major life challenges. It felt incredibly rewarding.

Have I had any major failures? If so, what important insights did I gain?
I’ve had plenty of failures while running my business—product design missteps, paperwork and filing mistakes, and accounting errors. One of the biggest challenges was having my e-commerce site shut down right before the holiday season due to an error that was out of my control. I had to quickly pivot, find another platform, and hire affordable help. I’ve learned that failure is part of the process—and without it, it’s hard to fully appreciate success.

What is the last thing you worked on?
I rarely make things for myself, but a beautiful wool remnant came in and I decided to make a tote bag just for me. When I receive wool remnants from a local mill, I never know exactly what I’ll get—but I fell in love with one of the pieces. That’s one of the perks of being the maker!

What will you be bringing to the Gift & Art Expo for attendees to purchase?
I’ll be bringing my handcrafted tote bags, purses, and makeup bags. Each piece is handmade by me using leather, wool, and waxed canvas. I love working with vibrant wool patterns sourced from mills in the U.S. I’ll also have handmade belts, jewelry, and hair accessories. And you just might find a few toys for your four-legged friends as well!

Who are you and what do you do?

I am Lorena Gaitan, Founder of Elbeto Showroom, recently relocated in Minneapolis, we do hand-made jewelry from unique and sustainable materials along with semi-precious stones, pearls, sterling silver and gold vermeil creating beautiful pieces that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious.

Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?  

The name Elbeto comes from my childhood nickname. In the Spanish version of Sesame Street in Colombia, Bert was translated to 'Beto'—and that became my nickname in the family. My sister and I used to give ourselves masculine nicknames, complete with 'El' in front, to be taken as seriously as the men in our family. So I became Elbeto—and the name stuck.

What has been your favorite moment since creating your art/business?  

One of our bracelets made from sustainably sourced bull’s horn and sterling silver was picked at one of our boutiques by Nina Garcia from Elle magazine New York to be posted as one of their fashion trends, then other publications and boutique’s orders came along with Limited-Time Online Events of curated jewelry.

Have you always been passionate about art and design?  

I’ve always loved art and design. Even while working in marketing and business, that creative passion was always there—until one day, I decided to make it my life

What sets your designs apart from others?  

What sets my designs apart is the heart behind them—a fusion of unique skills, sustainable materials, and cultural craftsmanship that’s hard to find in one place. I work closely with women artisans who bring their own stories and talents, and together we create pieces that reflect our shared values: beauty, responsibility, and innovation rooted in tradition.

What do your customers love most about your product(s) ? 

What our customers love most is how often they receive compliments when wearing our jewelry—it makes them feel confident and unique. Our repeat customers know to expect that. For our independent retailers, they appreciate our reliability: timely deliveries, fair pricing, and products that truly sell.

What is the latest thing you have been working on?  

I've been exploring unique materials and innovative techniques to design statement jewelry that blends elegance and style—while keeping it accessible and within reach.

What will you be bringing to the Gift & Art Expo for attendees to purchase?

A sustainable collection of handmade jewelry crafted with ethically sourced bull’s horn, recycled sterling silver, semi-precious stones, baroque pearls, Miyuki beads, Czech crystals, and natural materials like textiles, leather, and polymer clay

www.instagram.com/elbetoshowroom

lorenajewelry.myshopify.com

Who are you and what do you do?   

At 1331 Custom Décor & Goods, everything we create is guided by one core belief: meaningful connections – with the people we love, the adventures we take, and the memories we hold dear. 

We strive to create products that aren’t just beautiful, but deeply personal.

Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?  

I frequently get asked the significance of 1331.  This was the house number of my childhood home.  The home where my passion for creativity was born, and nurtured.  It was important for me to honor where I started, and a place that continues to mean so much to me.

Is this a full-time business for you?  

My business started in November 2015, as a part-time endeavor (nights & weekends while still working my full-time job) to fuel my creativity.  Exactly 3 years, to the day, after I started my business, I left the corporate world to pursue my passion full-time, and have never looked back.

What has been your favorite moment since creating your art/business?  

One of my favorite moments since starting my business almost 10 years ago, was being able to leave my full-time corporate job 6+ years ago to pursue my passion full-time.  It was a scary decision, but also one of the best decisions I’ve made.  It hasn’t always been easy, but it has absolutely been worth it.

What is the latest thing you have been working on?  

Our latest creation is our World Collection Interactive Travel Maps.  This collection allows world travelers to track the countries they have visited.  Designed by continent, adventure seekers can get the world (all 7 continents) or can focus on one continent.  We’ve loved hearing peoples travel exploits, and upcoming travel plans.

What will you be bringing to the Gift & Art Expo for attendees to purchase?

We will, of course, have our Interactive Travel Maps.  From State Parks and National Parks to US States and sports stadiums, and so many more, we have a map for anyone.  And if we don’t have it, we can make it – we love custom orders! In addition, we will have some of our fun holiday décor along with ornaments, and other gifts.

Will you be featuring any special holiday items?  

Each holiday season I do try to have some fun holiday décor – signs, gifts, ornaments, etc. – and this year will be no different.  I have a couple signs I am working on to brighten your home and will have some new “adventure” related ornaments coming with me too.

www.1331Decor.com

www.instagram.com/1331decor/

www.facebook.com/1331Decor

Who are you and what do you do?
We are Pots and Whatnots, two sister-in-laws who share a love of pottery and decided to work together to start a business. We create whimsical, nature-inspired pieces in our home studios. All of our work is food-safe and works well in the microwave and dishwasher.

How did you get started in your art / business?
We took community education classes together for a few years. When the pandemic hit, and we could no longer take classes, we bought our own pottery wheels and a shared kiln and created Pots and Whatnots.

Is this a full-time business for you?
We both have three children, so while we would love to make pottery full-time, this is a part-time endeavor for us.

What are some inspirations for your work?
We are both inspired by nature, by our love of gardening and from memories of our childhood gardens. The sunflower is prominent in a lot of our work. It has become a symbol of happiness for us and brings our customers happiness as well.

What has been your favorite moment since creating your art/business?
It is always special when someone takes one of our pieces home. When we can see the joy that our art brings to others. Most of our sales are in-person, so it’s a treat to meet the person who will be using a piece of pottery that we made.

What is the latest thing you have been working on?
We love making mugs and adding a twist of nature into each one. Either wrapping the piece with floral decoration, carving favorite items from the garden, or attaching a mushroom, each piece is one-of-a-kind and made with love.

What will you be bringing to the Gift & Art Expo for attendees to purchase?
We always have a large supply of mugs, bowls and vases. Our garden gnomes are a favorite item, especially during the holidays. No two pieces are the same, so please stop by to see what is new!

www.instagram.com

www.facebook.com

www.potsandwhatnots.com

Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Lori Larson. I design and make wooden home decor.

Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Jennifer Manning and I love to make wire wrapped gemstone pendants that my customers love to wear!

Who are you and what do you do?   

We are Tyler and Lindsey Steinkamp from Marion, Iowa. We started making homemade flavored pasta in our small kitchen to sell at farmer’s markets and other local events. To make our flavored pasta, we infuse the dough with ingredients like parmesan cheese, spinach, and garlic. We’ve since grown our business to also include meal kits, soup mixes, and pasta salad mixes – all with our made-from-scratch pasta!

www.pastaoftheprairie.com

www.instagram.com/pastaoftheprairie

Who are you and what do you do?   

Have you always been passionate about art and design?  

Yes! Since I could hold a pencil, I have been creating artwork. It wasn't until I was nine years old watching my Grandfather draw on the living room floor with me that I knew I wanted to be like him - a professional artist.

What has been your favorite moment since creating your art/business?  

My favorite moments happen when connecting with individuals and communities that my art has impacted. When I started to create artwork surrounding my own chronic pain, I had no idea that it would speak to people on the level that it does.

What motivates you to create? 

Art is in my heart and soul. It's a gift. I think about it constantly - dreaming up new ideas, problem solving, and pushing myself to grow my skills. I have a desire to use my platform for good and to impact people in a powerful, meaningful manner. There is a drive inside of me that must use my hands to get down what's in my head and my heart. There is this quote that resonates with me from Marc Chagall, "“If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” So I also only create the things that impact myself and matter to me.

What valuable experience/knowledge did you have before starting your art/business?  

I had a really significant experience spending a semester in New York City, where I was told by a professor that I didn't have what it takes to be a painter. Feeling lost in my work and direction, I picked up pencils instead of a paintbrush. But without that harsh criticism, that yes, could have been handled better, I would not have discovered my potential for technical drawings. 

What are some tips or suggestions you would like to offer?  

I want to show other, younger artists, to just keep going. Keep honing your skills. No matter what anyone says, no matter the critics, you have a gift and only you can use it, and it's worth the pursuit.

What do your customers love most about your product(s)?  

My customers really enjoy the combination of anatomy and botany, and bringing joy and beauty to maybe something they are going through with their own body. Many of us have connected through my work and shared chronic pain. I think that my work can remind people in their own spaces and homes that they are not alone, that their pain matters. And of course, I'm quite popular with the medical field - specifically chiropractors and OBGYN's. 

What is the latest thing you have been working on?  

I'm currently working on a mixed media portrait titled "Valerie" focusing on the female reproductive anatomy. She represents inclusivity, equality, and reproductive rights and justice for all. 

What will you be bringing to the Gift & Art Expo for attendees to purchase?

I will have originals and prints of a variety of sizes and prices of my anatomical and botanical drawings, along with my new piece "Valerie."

www.laineswanson.com

www.instagram.com/laineswansonart

www.facebook.com/laineswansonart