Editor’s note: JoAnn Locktov is the publisher of the “Dream of Venice” trilogy of photography books about Venice as a contemporary living city.

 

 

1. Give the gift of legendary lamp-work beads, handcrafted by Alessia Fuga on the island of Murano. Or book a class and learn to make your own. 

 

2. Give the gift of Venice through the eyes photographer Fabio Bressanello. Or sign up for a photo walk with Fabio when you come to Venice.

 

3. Give the gift of Venetian vision, OTTICA URBANI has designed handcrafted glasses since 1953. Yes, that's Carlo Scarpa wearing the Tondo glasses.

4. Give the gift of Venetian exuberance with the hand-painted textiles of Helene Ferruzzi.

 

5. Give the gift of knowledge with an e-course from La Venessiana. History, legends, market walks, videos, recipes – this collection of e-books will teach you about the heritage and culture of Venice from the profound perspective of Venetians Iris Loredana and Lina, her 97 year old beloved nonna who has been studying the art of Venetian cooking since 1945.

6. Give the gift of modern Murano glass jewelry made by Perlamadre Design using closely-guarded glass-making secrets.

7. Give the gift of Burano, Italy, seen through the eyes of photographer Maurizio Rossi.

8. Give the gift of legendary luxury with a handcrafted velvet tote bag from the weaving workshop of Tessiture Bevilacqua Venezia, founded in 1875.

 

9. Give the gift of precious ceramics, lined in gold from Danghyra.

10. Give the gift of Venetian hospitality; greet your guests with a quintessential hand-forged doorknocker from the Valese foundry.

11. Give the gift of Venetian sculpture with a hand-carved fórcola (gondola oarlock) from Il Forcolaio Matto di Piero Dri, the youngest remer (oar craftsman), a trade that began in 1307.

 

12.  Give the gift of contemporary graphic design with a silk-screened poster from Small Caps.

 

13. Give the gift of Venetian decadence with chocolate from VizioVirtù Cioccolateria. 

 

14. Give the gift of handmade wearable art (and more!) from Raffaella Brunzin.

15. Give the gift of a whirling Dervish vase, from the architectural minds of KANZ Architetti Design Studio.

16. Give the gift of illumination with a Fortuny​ lamp, handcrafted in Venice and inspired by Mariano Fortuny (1871-1949).

 

17. Give the gift of restoration with a membership to Fondazione Querini Stampalia Venezia.

(Editor's note: See: "Scarpa and Botta Interventions Severely Damaged in Venice Floods: Fondazione Querini Stampalia initiates fundraising for restoration of its architectural and cultural treasures," by JoAnn Locktov, on ArchNewsNow.com.)

 

18. Give the gift of anonymity with a mask from Ca' Macana.

19. Give the gift of adventure, book a private "Arts & Crafts" tour with Luisella Romeo’s See Venice guided tours – meet the finest Venetian artisans and learn about their process.

 

20. Give the gift of 15th century romance with a tabarro (cape) and il cappello di “Ezra Pound” from Tabarro San Marco.

 

JoAnn Locktov is the publisher of the Dream of Venice trilogy, including Dream of Venice Architecture. A portion of the proceeds from every book sold is donated to Fondazione Querini Stampalia. See Saxon Henry’s “Raw Elegance in Black and White: Q&A with JoAnn Locktov” on ArchNewsNow.com, an interview about the final book in the trilogy, Dream of Venice in Black and White.

 

Also by Locktov on ArchNewsNow: Scarpa and Botta Interventions Severely Damaged in Venice Floods: Fondazione Querini Stampalia initiates fundraising for restoration of its architectural and cultural treasures.