Style: Handmade Treasures

Looking for something handmade and completely unique? Lakewood Ranch is home to dozens of artisans who create handcrafted work in ceramics, decorative fiber, glass, jewelry, wearable art, furniture and food. Here’s a quick peek at some very special gifts.

Parker Converse’s Custom Rocking Chairs

941-232-5434; ParkerConverse.com

Called the “Bentley of rocking chairs” and “stunning sculptures,” Parker Converse’s custom-made, finely detailed rockers are handcrafted from several different types of wood, including American hardwoods, such as walnut, cherry or curly maple, and higher-end tropical and rare woods. These bespoke creations are beautiful, rare and extremely comfortable.

Carol Krah’s Stained Glass Art

[email protected]; CAALR.com

Carol Krah, the president of the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch, specializes in the time-honored craft of stained glass. Her dazzling, light-filled creations include flower pots, planters, holiday ornaments and sun-catchers.

Danielle Ferrantino of Driftheory

The Market at Lakewood Ranch; 941-894-9049

Danielle Ferrantino’s jewelry brand, Driftheory, features handcrafted pieces that are inspired by nature and created using natural elements — including shards of sand dollars, shells and pressed flowers — embedded in mesmerizing resin.

Deborah Jernigan’s Natural Fiber Wear

[email protected]; 650-245-7741

Fiber artist Deborah Jernigan learned to weave with natural fibers, such as alpaca, angora and wools, while living in the San Francisco Bay area. Five years ago, Jernigan and her husband moved to Lakewood Ranch, and she adapted to the heat by creating her elegant tunics, wraps, scarves and capelets from lighter fabrics, including linen, silk, rayon, chiffon and cotton.

LWR3D’s Printed Air Plant Vessels

The Market at Lakewood Ranch; Instagram.com/LWR3D

Lakewood Ranch resident Eric Thompson creates his ingenious plant holders using a 3D printer. Look for artful designs that include yogis in sitting poses, resting elephants, colorful abstract urns and geometric succulent planters.

Crookedblu’s Mixed-Media Art

The Market at Lakewood Ranch; [email protected]

Look for Drew Allan and Christine Ward’s vibrant mixed-media creations, including wall hangings with whimsical images of birds, butterflies, lizards and other creatures that are painted, cured and applied with epoxy resin to give them that special sheen.

Myakka’s Gold Apiary Honey

The Market at Lakewood Ranch; 941-746-1597

Raw, unheated and unfiltered honey is touted for its nutritional and medicinal benefits — and there’s no better place to taste the real local gold than at beekeeper James Cutway’s stall at the Lakewood Ranch farmers market. His most popular is the Brazilian peppertree honey poured into a large jar with a honeycomb placed inside.

Muddy Hands Pottery’s Handmade Ceramics

[email protected]; 941-524-6656

Artist and Lakewood Ranch resident Peter Easton has been making art and pottery since he was in high school. These days he makes functional — and exquisite — ceramics out of porcelain clay in his on-site studio and invites people to stop by on appointment. Look for stunning coffee mugs, wine goblets, cheese platters, olive dishes, bowls, tea pots and even salt and pepper shakers.