Taking holiday gifts into their own hands -- by making them

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) - While Santa's elves keep the workshop humming to meet their Dec. 25 deadline, several local residents are hard at work, too, creating handmade items to bring smiles to those who will receive them.

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One person's idea of work is another's labor of love. Handmade items _ whether a bracelet, cozy blanket, teddy bear or hand-stamped Christmas cards _ provide smiles to those lucky to receive them. Here's to those folks who take a hands-on approach to holiday giving.

LAURA OLSON, TEDDY BEAR MAKER

What's not to love about a teddy bear? The classic child's toy is more than 100 years old and is always a welcome gift under the tree. The Clovis, Calif., resident has been making them since 1996.

Olson, who grew up making doll clothes, enjoys making one-of-a-kind bears she calls Barrister Bears. The fully jointed bears, made of synthetic fur or mohair, range in size from 10 inches to 24 inches.

"They have a lot of character and look a little like people," Olson says. "I use a needle to sculpt the faces."

For a Christmas gift two years ago, she made a bear for friends Paul Best and Julie Andrews (no, not the singer). The couple love Shakespeare and have worked on local productions of "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and "Romeo and Juliet." They have received Olson teddy bears since and appreciate new additions to their bear family.

"There were definitely squeals of delight," Olson recalls.

Christmases for Olson have always included handmade gifts. "My mom still makes handmade things for everybody. She has made us all afghans."

Her grandfather would often make 6-by-4-foot hook rugs he gave as gifts, too.

"It was always interesting to see the pattern come together when he worked on them," Olson says. "They were works of art."

And Olson approaches her bears the same way.

"I'm a perfectionist," she says. "I think people appreciate the hours that go into making a teddy bear. I will re-do a stitch if it isn't right."

Her hobby has turned into a part-time business. This year, Olson is working on three bears on order for Christmas. If she's making a bear for a friend this year, she's keeping the secret to herself.

Meanwhile, Olson is looking forward to receiving a handmade gift from her mother.

"I know I'm getting a handmade gift," she says. "I just don't know what it is."

HOLLY LOUEN, JEWELRY MAKER

Is it a coincidence that Holly Louen loves Christmas? Well, she does. And nothing pleases her more than making beaded jewelry for friends and family.

Louen, who has been making her jewelry for a year and a half, strings metal, acrylic, wood, glass beads and semi-precious stones to create bracelets, necklaces and earrings. She puts miniature toy block charms on bracelets for new moms.

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"I think there is something very special about a handmade gift," she says. "There is a lot of thought that goes into it."

This year, Louen's son asked her to make a special bracelet for his girlfriend.

"I like the ability to make a gift that is personalized," Louen says. "You can use certain colors or stones the person likes."

JANN PATTON, CHRISTMAS-CARD MAKER

If there is a secret to making handmade gifts, it's to plan ahead and have all the materials needed to begin a project.

Jann Patton starts making her Christmas cards during the summer. The Clovis, Calif., resident makes a whopping 80 hand-stamped cards for those on her Christmas card list.

Patton creates simple, elegant cards using markers, rubber stamps and cardstock. This year's design is of a poinsettia with a message inside which reads: "Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year."

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© 2008, The Fresno Bee (Fresno, Calif.).