By Brandi Simmons

Trying to find the perfect gift for your mom? The LSU Museum Store has a variety of unique, locally made items that are sure to please even the pickiest of matriarchs.

Are you hoping to upgrade from a standard bouquet?

Instead of getting an assortment of flowers with a limited shelf life, gift her with these stunning blooms made of porcelain, stoneware and wood from LSU MFA graduate Haejung Lee ($95). Lee’s work deals with building and maintaining personal relationships, making this an ideal gift for your first best friend.

Is analog more her speed?

Stop trying to convert mom to the notes app on her phone, and let her enjoy her note taking, list making and journaling on her own terms. These handmade notebooks ($8–15) are made right here in Baton Rouge by Kathryn Hunter of Blackbird Letterpress. Each one is unique, and come in a variety of designs, all small enough to carry in her purse. Add a one-of-a-kind acrylic pen ($50) from Perfect Woodworks’ Leo Frilot, which also doubles as a stylus to help ease her into being more tech-savvy.

Does she make sure you always eat your veggies?

Erin Nugent and Lauren Beth Landry’s Five Seasons focuses on eating healthy, with recipes highlighting each season’s garden fresh bounty as well as a fifth season covering dishes that can be made year round ($40). Pair this Louisiana-centric cookbook with a handcrafted magnolia wood bowl ($230) and sycamore spatulas ($40) from local woodworker Josh Wascome of Wascome Woodworks­. Each piece is unique, and is a perfect addition to her farm-to-table spreads.

Is her coffee table bare?  

Who doesn’t love a beautiful book that also has substance? Pick up this full color, 240-page book by John R. Kemp ($40), featuring a selection of work from artists Rhea Gary, Libby Johnson and Charles Smith, just to name a few. Make it extra special with one of the limited copies available in the store signed by Kemp, Gary, Johnson and Smith.

Does she want to spend quality time with you?

Museum memberships at any level make a great gift that lasts throughout the year. Admission is always with an annual membership, in addition to discounts on programming and several downtown restaurants like Capital City Grill, Stroubes and Tsunami. Promise mom a few lunch dates at her pick of restaurants with a visit to the museum after and secure your status as her favorite child. 

Still not sure what to get? Join us in the fifth floor museum lobby this Sunday, May 7, from 1–5 p.m. for a Mother’s Day Trunk Show with local artisans Sally McConnell of Glazed and Confused Pottery, Terry Moock of Sweet T’s Soaps, Hand Creams and Sugar Scrubs, Susan Miles of Octopus Garden Treasures, and Andrea Thigpen of Ancora Imparo Jewelry. 

And if you make a purchase in the store this Sunday, you get 25% off a single item. Wouldn't Mom want you to get a good deal?

Brandi Simmons is LSU MOA's communications coordinator.