We all want to find that perfect gift – something special, original and meaningful to show our loved ones how much we really care. Fortunately, we can find it right here at the College of Charleston!
This holiday season, look no further for gifts than our very own staff and faculty! These talented and creative individuals have some truly beautiful and amazing items that will show all the special people in your life that you really, truly care.
Check out their products and websites below, and feel good knowing that you’ve found the perfect thing for everyone on your list – all while keeping it local and supporting your CofC community!
Tiffany Gammell owns Candle Damsel, featuring small batch, hand-poured candles using antique vesselware
Tiffany Gammell
Director of Special Events and Donor Relations, School of the Arts
Business: Candle Damsel offers a unique array of small batch, hand-poured candles using antique vesselware sourced from various collectors in and around the Lowcountry.
Creative Statement: I love giving new life to pieces that we likely all have collecting dust around our homes that were passed down from loved ones. I love that, with Candle Damsel, each sustainable piece tells a story that you get to continue after the burn. Fun fact: Dolly Parton owns a Candle Damsel piece! Now in our second year, Candle Damsel can be found all around Charleston!
To Shop: Shop curated vessels at Mildred Newberry, Edmund’s Oast Exchange and Laurel & Lawton. Shop the full collection online at http://candledamsel.com and find current in-person shopping events on Instagram @candledamsel.
Special Instructions: All orders are shipped via USPS or UPS from Charleston, South Carolina; for holiday guaranteed delivery, the cutoff for USPS ground delivery is Dec. 19, 2022, and cutoff for UPS 3 Day Select is Dec. 21, 2022.
Tiera Grant owns Daisy’s Darlings and Accessories, specializing in jewelry and hair accessories
Tiera Grant
Office Manager/Administrative Specialist, Upward Bound and Pre-College Programs
Business: Daisy’s Darlings and Accessories specializes in fabulous $5 jewelry and hair accessories. Each necklace comes with a free matching pair of earrings. For special occasions and a little more elegance, Zi pieces – $25 necklace-and-earring sets – are also available. All pieces are nickel and lead free.
Creative Statement: My business was started in honor of my Grandma Daisy, who loved jewelry.
To Shop: Shop online at Daisy’s Darlings and Accessories, which is updated daily. You can also join the Daisy’s Darlings and Accessories Facebook group to view new pieces – and/or schedule a party with Tiera.
Special Instructions: For even easier shopping, local on-campus CofC employees may contact Tiera directly for a “Lunch and Shop” day, and she will bring samples/orders to your office. In addition, CofC employees will get a VIP card to keep up with their purchases and get their 13th piece free (items from the Zi Collection count as five pieces).
Leslie Sautter owns Oceanica Designs, specializing in home décor with fish and other marine critter designs
Leslie Sautter
Associate Professor, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
Business: Oceanica Designs specializes in home décor with fish and other marine critter designs. Items include fleece blankets, tea towels, pillows, coasters, mugs, aprons and more. Items for the little ones (little T-shirts, blankets and bibs) are also available.
Creative Statement: My work uses actual marine organisms, which I print onto muslin. I then scan the image and create digital designs that can be used on a wide variety of products! Being a geologist, I also use photographs of some of my fossils for many designs.
To Shop: Browse designs and products on Instagram at @oceanica_designs or visit the Oceanica Designs website. You may shop in person at the Oceanica Designs booth at the Sea Island Farmers Market on Johns Island (2024 Academy Drive, 29455) on Nov. 26, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., or the Holiday Night Market on Dec. 3, 2022, (same location) from 4:30 to 8 p.m.
Special Instructions: Local CofC employees may contact Leslie directly at 843.709.2665 or leslie.sautter@gmail.com and avoid shipping costs. Any special orders must be made before Dec. 5, 2022.
Alex Tolle owns CarryMyHeartDesigns, specializing in gifts that show what you love.
Alex Tolle
Stewardship Officer, Division of Institutional Advancement
Business: CarryMyHeartDesigns specializes in gifts designed to show what you love so you can carry that love with you wherever you go. Items include everything from movie-based stickers to glassware to bring a pop of life to your drinks.
Creative Statement: I love creating pieces that have meaning to someone! Gift giving is such a love language to me, and it’s so special to be able to be a part of that process with people all over the country. The thought of someone seeing my work and saying, “Oh, I need that!” fills me with joy.
To Shop: Visit the CarryMyHeartDesigns Etsy shop to shop and order online, or send Alex a private message via Instagram @carrymyheartdesigns.
Special Instructions: Local CofC employees may order directly through Alex on Instagram @carrymyheartdesigns and pick up orders on campus and avoid shipping costs.
Michele Villante owns Michele’s Garden, specializing in handmade garden stones made of stained glass and cement
Michele Villante
Administrative Coordinator to the VP of Facilities Management, Facilities Management
Business: Michele’s Garden features handmade glass-and-cement garden stones.
Creative Statement: Inspired by a love of flower gardening, nature and color, my garden stones make nice gifts. I call them garden stones, because as “stepping stones” they are too pretty to walk on. I also love my pets, and so the paw prints are cute little bricks to place in your landscape and near a walkway, entryway, fireplace or office. I’ve also done a lot of paw print bricks, with the pet’s name and paw print pressed in, to honor or memorialize pets. I moved here from Central New York last year, and I’ve just gotten my workshop set up, so I’m excited to be here and join the local art market.
To Shop: Visit the Michele’s Garden website to view samples and/or email Michele at michelemv13@icloud.com for pictures of currently available items and/or to order. You may shop in person at the Holy City Holiday Market in Park Circle, North Charleston, from 12 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2022; booth location will be posted on the Michele’s Garden Facebook page as soon as it is available.
Special Instructions: Special orders are accepted for paw print/name bricks only; any special orders must be made by Dec. 16, 2022.
Got a side hustle making and selling gifts? Email facstaffnews@cofc.edu with information to be considered for addition to the Faculty/Staff Holiday Gift Guide!
