Online influencers beg you to open their Amazon storefront so you, too, might fill your friends’ arms with plastic junk destined for a second life wasting away on Thrift Town’s shelves. F*ck those big-box baubles! Instead, browse my carefully curated trinkets array: all locally made with love, sweat, and human creativity. These unique items carry a more important trait than being “trendy” – they’ve got soul.
1) Alison Skinher ceramic boob & penis magnets ($10, www.instagram.com/alisonskinher)
2) Cloud Crafts Co. fried strawberry mug rug ($12, www.instagram.com/cloudscraftsco)
3) Moonface Maker legs and ass figure ($30, www.instagram.com/moonfacemaker)
4) Tak Tak Goods glass bubble face vase ($120, www.taktakgoods.com)
5) Evil Twins Cakery faux cake magnet & hiding spot ($12, www.instagram.com/eviltwincakery)
6) Lian lighters shaped like an egg, crab claw, strawberry ($35, www.lian.soy)
How to Make Your Own Trinket
A little oven-bake clay and a lot of creativity make the best DIY gift
Trinkets can be a fun and simple handmade gift to make for anyone in your life who seems to have, well, everything. Using oven-bake clay and a little paint produces the perfect tchotchkes. Here’s how I went about it:
1) Wake up at noon and drive to Michael’s craft store because they’ve got a 30% off coupon. Before you ask, the oversleeping is imperative! Browsing Sculpey clay colors doesn’t hit the same if you’re not sort of irritable. (Note: If you plan ahead better than I do, consider hitting up Austin Creative Reuse to find cheaper, lightly used oven-bake clay.) I grabbed white Sculpey oven-bake clay in an 8-ounce pack but didn’t end up using that much, so feel free to buy a smaller hunk.
2) Snag a pack of paint markers. A more professional maker might’ve broken the bank for name-brand, but I only have one coupon so we’re working with a cheapo Craft Smart six-pack. They’ll work fine as long as you’re creative.
3) Get home, throw on a YouTube deep-dive on Angelic Layer fashion dolls, and peel off the clay. I already knew what I wanted to make – a coffee mug with interchangeable accessories – but if you don’t, just noodle around ’til an idea forms. Once you’re satisfied with the shape you’ve molded, lay down parchment on a cookie sheet, preheat your oven to 275 degrees, and bake for 15 minutes per quarter inch of clay.
4) Let the fully baked pieces cool for about 5 minutes and then paint as desired. Let the paint dry overnight, and apply a sealant. I use matte Mod Podge because my mom raised me right, but utilize whatever suits your needs.
5) Put the pieces in a cute bag or box so when they’re gifted, everything including the wrapping impresses.
This article appears in December 6 • 2024.