Are you looking for a unique gift for someone . . . even yourself?  It seems I am always shopping for something; I even know my UPS driver’s first name!  But it is especially nice when I can buy locally, and Floral City is a go-to place, just a few miles down the Trail from Inverness.

Here are my two favs:  the Florida Artists Gallery and Red Brick Place.  The Gallery sells art by local artists, including paintings, photographs, jewelry, metal sculpture and pottery.  That’s not all – artists also teach their crafts in small group classes.  I’ve taken two of the wire jewelry classes and come home proudly with my handcrafted items.  They’ve also re-opened their small café area, offering coffee, tea and assorted pastries.  Join their email list or watch their web site for special events and class offerings at http://www.flartistsgallery.com .

The Red Brick Place is across the street from the popular Trailside Bike shop.  This charming store is full of treasures, including purses, scarves and jewelry as well as home décor and metal folk sculpture.  I felt compelled to check this store out just before I began this post . . .  and came home with a beautiful flower-filled acrylic bowl and a stylish little clutch.

It’s always fun to end a gift-shopping expedition with a strawberry shake at Ferris Groves.  They even have a nice paved path for bicyclists to enter directly from the Trail.  Mmmmm!