If you still haven’t bought a Christmas present and you hate the idea or rushing around Bilbao looking for one, then just “Think local, buy local” and if I have to suggest a present that is practical, zero-kilometre, respectful of the environment and is of excellent quality then the slippers and shoes made by Rakel Santamaria in Gamiz-Fika are high up on my Christmas shopping list. The soles are made of recycled rubber from tyres and the rest of the slippers and shoes are made of local wool which makes them one of the most comfortable types of footwear you will ever put on. As it costs more for sheep farmers to get rid of the wool that has been sheared of re-using it to make shoes offers a great outlet for this wool. As well as slippers and shoes, Rakel makes a wide range of woolen puppets such as birds, bees and bird-nests and is open to any suggestions. Some of her products can be bought in the premises of BBT but you can get in contact with her by sending an email to artilea@artileamundura.eus but check out all her products on the web-page, www.artileamundura.eus.
Apart from Rakel products, Sofia bags and purses are also on sale in BBT as are Josean`s beautiful bird-boxes and festive fair-trade “turrón”. Finally, don`t forget that Txomin, our baker, has special Christmas “polvorón” and he can also be contacted if you want to buy a festive Sarane Christmas box of local products. There are four types of boxes in prices ranging from 30 euros to 50 euros but hurry up as last orders is Monday, 20th December.
And tyou can still buy Karen Amaia`s butterfly calendar in BBT.
