Skipjack is the Place for Nautical Gifts for the Holidays

We've selected some of our favorite nautical gift picks for the holiday season featuring easy gift options for anyone on your list!

We're also offering FREE STANDARD SHIPPING for all purchases totaling $100.00 or more through December 20, 2010, so shipping is a breeze! Standard shipping is generally USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground and all in-stock orders should arrive in 3-7 days.

Nautical Code Flag Acrylic Drinkware. 

Guaranteed to help you navigate in style! Barware has just become more entertaining. Inspired by the Code Flags themselves, Skipjack brings you a unique line of Nautical Drinkware from Up2Code. Say Cheers, in a new & entertaining way. Our drinkware is sure to launch lively conversation at parties or anytime, and will amuse the saltiest of sea dogs and landlubbers alike. Each adorned with their nautical signal flag and double entente meaning. The limes in the gin & tonics won’t be the only twists! Perfect at home, on the patio, at the beach or on the boat. A great addition to any home decorated with a coastal or beach decor style. Dishwasher safe. Made in the USA & Canada. Special price: $19.95 set of four 

Blue Crab Beach Bag, tote or Coastal Weekend Purse

Possibly the biggest, roomiest, most useful everything bag a gal can own -- made of tough acrylic fabric that wears and wears and holds oodles of stuff.

The artist has decorated this huge weekender from a very lively blue crab caught in the Chesapeake Bay. The vibrant shades of blue on tan with red pinchers makes a dramatic statement. Enlarged to unearthly scale, the image is guaranteed to either 1) elicit compliments, or 2) warn strangers of your cranky temperament and thereby preserve your personal space.

Just how big is it? Fifteen inches high, 16.5" wide, 5" deep, with 26" straps. Magazine-size double thick outside pocket, handy checkbook pocket on the inside, and fastened with a magnetic snap. If you love this particular lining fabric, order up quick as there's not much available. Also available as a 19" X 19" pillow for $49.00.  Blue Crab Beach Bag, tote or Coastal Weekend Purse  $65.00  Another great gift idea is our Chesapeake blue crab tote filled with Blue Crab Bay products and spice up their Christmas and holiday season!

Skipjacks- 12oz. Spicy Honey Toasted Peanuts

Skipjacks- Extra large Virginia peanuts (from the peanut capital of the world here in good old Virginia) blanketed in a crisp honey-toffee coating spiked with Blue Crab Bays Chesapeake Bay Seasoning. A deliciously addictive snack and a perfect holiday gift. 12 oz tin. All natural.  Also, try our sea salt nuts and other varieties of Blue Crab Bay Co. products  $7.50

Skipjack's wine stopper is a perfect gift for the nautical wine enthusiast made with a hand-tied Turk's head or monkey's fist knot. Perfect for use in the nautical/coastal home and on your private yacht. Clear urethane finished knot for easy maintenance. Made by one of our artists right here in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA. Great stocking stuffer too! $14.95

Silver sand dollar earrings by Patty Anderson

Delicate but beautiful replicas of a treasure from the beach by Patty Anderson. These sand dollar earrings  compliment any beach-inspired apparel and also matches Patty Anderson's exquisite sand dollar belt (See below). $36.00.

Pewter sand dollar belt buckle with over 14 belt colors to choose from. By Patty Anderson.

 
Sand Dollar Buckle. Pewter sand dollar buckle with your choice of belt color. Shown above with White Silver Tip Gator belt. Match it with the sand dollar earrings. Each belt features an exclusively designed buckle inspired by the beach and sea. Using CAD (Computer Aided Design), Patty Anderson buckle designs are converted into molds, and molten pewter is poured into the mold to yield the finished product. The result is an exact, high-quality duplicate of her original three-dimensional design.
Pair the buckle of your choice with a leather belt in any of 14 colors. The choices range from the classic subtlety of Chestnut Brown to the bold statement of Sunshine Gator. $120.00

Nautical mirror re-purposed and created from an authentic aluminum porthole.

 

An authentic large opening ship's aluminum porthole with 3 dogs that we have recycled from the shipping industry, expertly re-purposed into an impressive nautical mirror. These portholes are made from aluminum and to the highest marine specifications, salvaged from British and European ships built in the 1970's/ 80's. Aluminum portholes are much lighter than their brass and bronze predecessors which makes them usable as a wall hanging in any nautical/coastal interior. These portholes are paint-able and we have a number available in a bright red and blue paint finish. The diameter of the glass is 16 inches. The overall diameter is 22 inch The weight is approximately 32 pounds. Special Price now for a limited time only and while supplies last at $195.00

Skipjack's bay rum and lime soap.

Skipjack's bay rum and lime soap is spicy and manly!....but women love it as well. Great for salt of the earth types or for an old salt, it conjures memories of vintage sailing ships, the smell of teak and salt air and long naps in a hammock stretched between the main and the mizzen - with a twist of boat drinks, of course! You’re guaranteed to fall in love with this refreshing reminder of the sea. Our favorite! $5.95

Turk's head coasters hand-tied on Nantucket Island, Mass.

Go nautical with this set of four coasters hand-tied using the turk's head knot; made from a cotton/polyester twine; quadrupled three-lead; five-bight turk's heads that go right in the washing machine ... drip dry!  $35.00

Our new palm tree Christmas ornament from the Barbara Vincent collection.

New from the Barbara Vincent Nautical Christmas Ornament Collection. The palm tree ornament is composed of three different metals—nickel, copper and brass with small green glass bead decorations on both sides of the ornament. There is no lead or any other harmful substances in the metals; all metal pieces are designed to be safe, with a minimum of sharp corners and edges. Only lead free solder is used. A great Christmas ornament for the nautical enthusiast. The ornament measures 4 3/4 inches tall and comes with an attached hook measures 7 inches overall. Also available from Barbara Vincent is the sailboat and crab ornament. Looks great on any Christmas tree! $19.95

The Yachtsman Brass Gimbal Lamp with Smoke Bell

The Yachtsman is a traditionally styled, high quality gimballed oil lamp- a subtle yet practical way to illuminate your vessel or nautical/coastal home. Constructed of solid brass, the Yachtsman includes a 4-way gimbal and smoke bell. Comes with a two year limited warranty. Burns any standard lamp fuel. $134.99

The Barbara Vincent sterling silver nautical sailboat jewelry collection.

A great nautical gift for the female sailor in your life is Barbara Vincent's sterling silver sailboat collection. Necklaces are available individually with five different sailboats to choose from or the total collection on a 20 inch sterling silver snake chain with bead dividers. Pendants can be purchased separately at $44.00 each and sterling silver chains are available in 5 different lengths starting at $24.00.

Signal Flags from Skipjack's nautical belt collection.

Our men's signal flags nautical belt is perfect to wear with your favorite khakis, jeans, or corduroys. This cotton web ribbon belt for all seasons has full grain drum-dyed leather billet and buckle ends accentuated by the solid brass buckle. Sizes range from 32 to 46 in stock. This belt is available with your choice of red or white webbing as a background to the signal flag ribbon. Other sizes available upon request. Preview our other selections of nautical designed belts in our nautical wears category. $24.95

Skipjack's nautical dog collars are a perfect gift for you four legged family members.

Dress up your salty dog or cat with Skipjack's nautical pet products featuring a great selection of colorful nautical themed ribbon designs on durable nylon webbing for comfort and easy care.

Collars feature Delrin Acetal side release buckles for ease of fastening and separating and solid nickel plated “D” rings for strength, are available in three widths and are all easily adjusted for length. Our matching leashes feature strong nickel-plated swivel snaps. All of Skipjack's nylon webbing products are easy to clean. Just wash with mild detergent (not bleach), rinse well and hang to dry. Perfect for your nautical dog or cat! Produced in Massachusetts, USA.

Skipjack gift certificate- perfect for everyone.

Looking for the perfect gift. Give them exactly what they want with a Skipjack gift certificate . A white embossed note card personalized with your message will be sent to the gift recipient. Starting at $25.00.

Nautical Lamp Shades: Chart Your Course with a Navigational Chart Lamp Shade

Navigational chart lamp shades- the perfect product to dress up your nautical decor.

Nautical chart lamp shade on buoy lamp

Looking for an easy way to dress up and personalize your coastal/nautical interiors? Well here’s a style secret used by designers to create local interest to the finely-fitted nautical room. Replace your old lampshades with a custom-made nautical chart lampshade using a navigational chart from your local or favorite coastline. You can select from 1,000-plus U.S. coastal and Great Lakes nautical charts created and updated by NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration). Nautical chart lampshade not only create a great look to your room, but also becomes a point of conversation as you study the lighted charts, similar to viewing a terrestrial globe! Visit the NOAA site by clicking on this link to find the right nautical chart for your local waters.http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/OnLineViewer.html

nautical chart nightlight

Skipjack offers custom nautical lampshades constructed in our own design center located in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA. We use only the highest quality materials including authentic NOAA navigational charts. Each shade is trimmed with a muslin-colored grosgrain ribbon and features a washer top for attachment to any standard lamp. We can duplicate the size of your existing lamp with the only limitation being the size of the navigational chart. Visit our website by clicking on this link for additional information and costs of producing your custom nautical chart lampshade. We also produce a nautical chart nightlight and offer a great selection of brass and hand-made nautical lamp finials to adorn your favorite lamps.  Click here to nautical lighting and lamp shades.

Repurposed Maine Lobster Trap Float Rope Floor Mats

These colorful floor mats are made from recycled Maine Lobster Trap Float-Rope!

Colorful nylon floor mats made from recycled Maine Lobster Trap Float-Rope

These innovative floor mats are handwoven using authentic float-rope used by lobster men to tether their lobster traps. Unfortunately, float-rope can entangle whales, so Maine lobstermen are now required to replace their float-rope with "sink-rope". These old float-rope have been removed from the Atlantic Ocean, and rather than being dumped into landfills, the rope is being recycled into these unique, almost indestructible floor mats with an expected life time wear of 5 plus years.

These old float-rope have been removed from the Atlantic Ocean, and rather than being dumped into landfills, the rope is being repurposed into these unique, almost indestructible floor mats.

Each mat is resistant to mold, mildew, salt water, and sun. They do not absorb water, nor harbor insects. Clean up is a snap, too. Just shake the mat out or hose it down - it's even quick-drying!

Help save whales and other marine life, provide financial assistance to Maine lobstermen and protect the environment.

Our colorful mats are a perfect choice for your home, cottage, and yacht and a great look for any coastal/nautical decor. Use these outdoor on porches, decks, doorsteps- even your boat, dock, or poolside- these mats float on the water and will never sink. You can also use them in your kitchen, bathroom and entryways but are only recommended on non-skid surfaces.

Available in 3 sizes: Small (approximately 18" x 30"), Medium (approximately 21" x 33") and Large (approximately 24" x 36"). Choose from the widest variety of colors options available at Skipjack - based on our constantly changing in-stock inventory. http://www.skipjackmarinegallery.com

Because each mat is handcrafted from authentic float ropes, no two will ever be quite the same. Float Rope floor mats is handcrafted in and a product of Maine.

Nautical folk Art- A Coastal Homeowners Passion

Nautical folk art from Skipjack nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

 A carved and painted contemporary "Sailor's Valentine" (pictured above) was created by Jac & Patricia Johnson, two of my favorite folk artists working today. Their work is simply wonderful. The double heart-shaped valentine with carved lace edge features a hollowed out center with angels and painted verse with country and marine designs. As the poem reads "I hold you in my heart for god hath placed you there; I hold you there my darling for I know you truly care. You have been so very faithful through each passing year. I love you more than ever, In my heart I hold you dear." You can only imagine such verse written and given to a loved one from a saddened sailor before heading out to sea for an undetermined length of time...maybe forever!

Placed below the sailors valentine is a vintage ships in a bottle featuring a pair of  racing schooners. This fine work of art even had  sailors up in the masts! To the right is one of my all time favorite items, a lamp made with an antique birdhouse modeled after a famous New England lighthouse and mounted onto a thick piece of old driftwood pine. These pieces are displayed upon the owners 19th century paint-decorated blanket chest.

This whaling diorama that is displayed above a blue plaid sofa in the family room was also created by Jac and Patricia Johnson. It features a carved "harpooned" white whale and whalers skiff applied to a painted board with sailing ship in background and a sailors account to the event written across the total art piece.

The simple rounded and stylized contours of this primitive whale perched upon the top of an oak Armoire convey an impertinent energy. This handcrafted weathervane was created by New Jersey folk artist Steve Hazlett from a single 100+year old heart pine board salvaged from a barn located in Bath, NY. Antique copper flashing was applied to the tail and outer edge of whale. Blue and gray buttermilk paint was applied in numerous layers to give the piece a dry and crusty as-found appearance.

An antique New England schooner weathervane stands sentinel by the living room fireplace. The weathervane was created with a painted wooden hull and tin sails. She is still attached to it's original metal roof mounting base.

Visit these other articles by the author featuring American folk art:

http://skipjacksnauticalliving.blogspot.com/2010/04/nautical-folk-art-dealers-passion.html

http://skipjacksnauticalliving.blogspot.com/2010/02/sailors-valentines-gift-of-love.html

http://skipjacksnauticalliving.blogspot.com/2010/02/from-sidewalks-to-rooftops-outdoor-folk.html

Nautical knobs. Dress Up Your Cabinets and Furnishings With Skipjack's Monkey's Fist Knob

Skipjack's hand-tied rope monkey's fist nautical drawer pull or knob is a perfect way to dress up your yacht or nautical home. Perfect as a choice to dress up your kitchen cabinets and drawers, bathroom fixtures, and as chest of drawer pulls and box knobs. A monkey's fist or monkey paw is a type of knot, so named because it looks somewhat like a small bunched fist/paw. It is tied at the end of a rope to serve as a weight, making it easier to throw, but also as an ornamental knot.

Use them as a towel hanger or anywhere that you can use a nautical designed decorative knob. These pulls measures 1 3/8 inch in diameter and are available with your choice of a one inch screw for cabinets or two inch screw for furniture and other thick surfaces. The monkey's fist rope knobs can also be painted so you can custom color them for your nautical interior.

Our monkey's fist knobs are hand-made by fancy knotwork artist Joe McNelis  right here in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia ...not in China! Joe McNelis also creates turk's head design nautical rope wine bottle stoppers and lamp finials as well as exceptional bell lanyards and other great coastal living products. Links to his products are listed below.

Great nautical accessory to dress up your favorite cabinets and furniture

Monkeys fist knobs used on a painted chest of drawers. Martha Stewart Magazine.

Monkeys fist Knob used on paint-decorated boxes. Martha Stewart Magazine.

Links to these products are listed below.

Monkey's Fist Drawer or Cabinet Pull

Turk's Head Bottle Stopper

Turk's Head Lamp Finial 

Decorate Your Porch With A Nautical Flair

Coastal Style Living recently published a photograph titled "Nautical Themed Porch" from an article in Country Sampler Magazine featuring a white painted porch with arched side entry and lattice walls. The porch is adorned with vintage netted glass float balls (hanging) and repainted vintage oars.  (See picture below)

Want to create a similar look like this for your home? Here's a few links to available sources to buy these products.

A large selection of vintage lifeboat oars at Skipjack Nautical Wares

Vintage lifeboat oars are available in both natural and painted in an old orange or red; some with the stenciled name of the ship that it once belonged. A number of these retain great old leather-wrapped grips. These oars look great cleaned and waxed or repaint them to your choice of colors.  For information, click here to the link.

Colorful netted glass floatballs are available in a range of colors and sizes.

Netted float balls made today in the orient can be found in a range of colors, predominately shades of red, blue and green but can also be found in purple, yellow and orange. these are thick blown-glass balls with pontils and hand-tied netting.  Vintage float balls can also be found in a range of sizes (and shapes) with the smallest around the size of a golf ball and are typically found in light bottle green and blue, amber and darker glass colors. Here is a link to the float balls pictured above. Float balls.

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