Nicole Ryf’s mother had a particular kind of souvenir in mind. The search for a small reminder of their time together helped shape the handmade gifts at Nifty Gifty Shop.
“My artistic style is actually inspired by my mom,” Ryf said in emailed answers to Debjo’s Boutique. “She has always loved getting souvenir Christmas ornaments from places we visit together and activities we do together.”
“She’s always looking for one that is a cute, mini replica of the fun thing we did and she often has trouble finding one that fits that description,” Ryf said. “So, I started making the type of product she looks for in a souvenir.”
The missing souvenir gave Ryf something specific to make. A miniature could preserve the activity itself, whether its owner hung it on a Christmas tree or gave it to someone who shared the memory.
A small shop for work made by hand
“I was inspired to start Nifty Gifty Shop while in school studying studio art,” Ryf said. “I knew I wanted to continue working with my hands and creating art after graduation.”
“I also have always dreamed of owning my own small business,” she said. “When I learned about an online marketplace called Etsy I knew it was a perfect fit and got right to work setting up my shop.”
By the October 10 interview, she had added another storefront: “And just recently I launched my own ecommerce website as well!”
“I would choose one of my polymer clay mini food creations for someone discovering my shop for the first time,” Ryf said. “For example, my taco ornament is a cute, cartoonish version of a real taco.”
The supplied photograph shows its yellow shell, bright fillings and dark hanging cord. Ryf’s intended recipient is specific: “The perfect Christmas gift for a taco lover!”
Browse Nifty Gifty Shop for an object tied to a person or a memory you can name. Ryf’s starting point was knowing what her mother wanted to remember, and then making the small thing she couldn’t find.