ORIGIN: The Hen's Nest was established in 2017 by Ellen Prindle…read more CONCEPT: A curated collection of works by artists and artisans are displayed and sold at The Hen's Nest. LOCATION: The gallery/shop is located in the heart of Washington Depot, in close proximity to other attractive shopping destinations. EXPERIENCE: Fun to find unique gifts during the holidays, while supporting local artisans. TIP: Look out for periodic artist receptions by checking website and Instagram.

An iconic place to stop into if you're in the tiny hamlet of West Cornwall. It's just over the…read morelocally-famous red covered bridge from Sharon. Nothing hand crafted is cheap these days, and the prices here do reflect that notion for the most part. But do credit CBPots with offering some low cost items, for the folks who would feel bad if they didn't at least buy one thing from the quiet little store in the middle of nowhere. That would include me. So I got a cute little mortar and pestle for $12. Useful in the kitchen, and a living testament to local artistry. Also very clever is their French butter keeper. I won't describe it in detail, but it's a little device that allows you to keep butter or margarine at room temperature without going bad. At $30, it's kinda pricey, but very unique. They also do lamps, servingware, vases, planters... pretty much anything that you'd expect to find at a pottery. They even have a small but impressive Shaker furniture selection upstairs. So if you love pottery, or are just curious where the wealthiest 1% spend the money that they don't know what to do with, this is definitely the place to see it.

This place is special. Incredible work being done by locals artists. The pieces I brought home with…read moreme are true treasures.

This is not a general store in the sense of, "there's a common product I need! Let me pop in!" This…read moreis a finely curated store with unique, I suspect regionally made, items perfect for presents and treating yourself. That one of a kind piece none of your friends have and will give a room extra pop? It's here. Woodford's doesn't have a physically large foot print, and is located next to the 109 Cheese Shop. There are parking spots on two sides of the building. As mentioned, there are housewares with ceramic glasses and plates, candle stick holders, designed paper, etc. There are also shelf stable snacks (matzo chips!), and a fridge with cheese, milk, and vegetables. (The Four Fat Fowl cheese is AMAZING) They also keep a cooler with a limited stock of frozen food, including lasagna, and have fresh vegetables on hand during the week. The mushroom display seems pretty constant though.

Conceived by Terry Crowe Deegan, Woodford's General Store specializes in locally grown and prepared…read moregrocery items, as well as regionally produced housewares and unique gifts. Originally from Kentucky, Terry is now a full time resident of Connecticut after spending three decades in New York. The tastefully curated collection of items and Terry's welcoming and friendly nature make a visit to the tiny general store a pleasant experience. Woodford's General Store is the perfect destination for those looking to pick up some newfound culinary treats and a house gift when visiting friends and family in the vicinity of Kent. I exited the store with a goldenrod wool throw from Evangeline, a Maine-based textile company, and a pear-cardamom pie from Kent's High 5 Pies in hand. This small business is the kind I am happy to find as it enhances and supports the community.

I've been a customer of Happy Rainbows since my best friend took me to the original location, near…read morethe Sherman Library, when we were in high school in the early 2000s. Ever since, I've visited as much as I can, even after going into the Navy and moving away from Connecticut. I'm so glad that, even when I don't make it home for a few years, Happy Rainbows is still a vital part of the Sherman community. A stop-in was a no-brainer, this past summer, after not being able to make it up to CT in about five years. I was also on a mission. My friend, who introduced me to this lovely business, has been dealing with some very emotional and troubling times, and my goal was to make both he and I talismans with some calming and centering herbs and stones. With the expertise of Barrie, my own experience, and consulting a book or two available, I was able to find just what I needed. I'm not sure about my friend, but my talisman is constantly in my purse for whenever I require it. Happy Rainbows is a place that you should walk into with an open mind. It's always been one of the only judgment-free zones for me when I lived in Connecticut, and still was on my recent visit. I only wish that teleportation was a thing already because I would shop no where else.

Charming alternative healing shop replete with herbs, tinctures, natural remedies, essential oils,…read morecrystals and handmade jewelry. Great place for the tea connoisseur- lovely teapots, tea cups, tea and tea accessories. If you seek an energy working, the proprietress is an herbalist and practitioner of crystal massage/ vibrational healing .Custom herbal gift baskets are also available.

Amazing gift store with many different local artists and with a huge collection of gilmore girls…read moresection!!

We were walking in Litchfield and came across this charming shop with authentic Asian antiques. As…read moresomeone who collects Asian antiques, this was a surprising find in the middle of CT. The quality of the items is excellent from very refined porcelains to rustic farmhouse items. The owner, Peter, was friendly, very knowledgeable and helped me find the perfect item. I highly recommend a walk through this store if you are in town. You will find something unique, special, and handmade. It's down a flight of stairs from the street, but a trip to another world!

ORIGIN: Bantam Tileworks was founded in 2005 by Darin…read moreRonning and Travis Messinger. LOCATION: The studio/shop is located on a corner of Bantam's main thoroughfare -- Route 202. CONCEPT: The studio/shop produces handmade, custom-glazed tiles and tableware. EXPERIENCE: Walking into the shop I was warmly greeted by one of the employees, who also encouraged me to visit the studio in the back where two co-workers were painting glaze on tiles while chatting. Photo-taking was approved. Custom tiles can be intimidating as the cost is much higher than Home Depot, however the support and guidance from employees deflates much of this worry. The process of glazing, and color variations that result, were patiently explained to me. I was encouraged to take tile color sample at home, with no need to return, in order to see how the colors would appear in the intended setting. Depending on budget, a single decorative tile to a room wrapped in tile is given the same levels of care and guidance. As I browsed another customer was selecting glaze for some tableware. Glazed mugs are an inexpensive way to bring the beautiful colors into a home, with a cost of $15 to $20 each. TIPS: Contact information for expert tile installers who have experience with Bantam Tileworks are provided.

The work from Bantam is excellent at very reasonable prices. Will definitely visit again!read more

I was really happy when Ocean State moved here, they always have awesome deals on snacks and other…read moreproducts. The qorkers are always really patient and kind, if you need something, they're eager to help. They also keep the place clean and orderly too. Ps They carry my fav Nantucket Crisps so thats a bonus!

Time for another quick Look at one of our favorite stores, Ocean State Job Lot in Litchfield. Yes,…read moreit can be a quirky visit -- some of the stock can vary pretty wildly from week to week -- so you can't be certain that what you bought a few weeks ago is still around. But there are a lot of items you can reasonably depend on finding whenever you arrive, and we have to say that overall the quality of the items is high. (And when it isn't, we've found management is cheerfully quick to supply an apology and a swap or refund.) But speaking of management: This store has had some darned good ones. And one of the very best has just returned: Paul. He is smart, store savvy, wonderfully outgoing with customers and from what we hear a favorite with employees because he is genuinely caring. And helping him now is Tyrone, who is another top-flight manager. Together they make a great team and ensure that customers always feel they matter. We've visited other JL stores but not one, no matter size, can match this one.