Even though there's less than a week until Christmas, there still is time to find handcrafted gifts made in Southern Illinois.

The items come in all prices, too. From Christmas ornaments to wall hangings, sculptures and one-of-a-kind wearable art, there's something for just about any taste.

And most of the shops will be open through Christmas Eve.

In fact, Dave Dardis, whose Rainmaker shop is a fixture on the Makanda Boardwalk, says he plans to be open Christmas Day, too. He lives above the shop, and said his friends always show up to celebrate on Christmas Day. When things get crowded, he just goes downstairs to the studio and goes to work.

"Work" for Dardis is bronze and copper creations ranging from $12 to $50 for a piece of costume jewelry and from $50 to "wherever you want to go" for a sculpture. He does fountains and wall art as well.

Bill Abney's coffee shop also will be open, Dardis said. In addition to coffee, sandwiches and ice cream, Abney has local art for sale, as well as locally produced items like hot pepper sauces, Dardis said.

Other wares available on the Boardwalk include tie-dyed items, candles and similar goods.

Main Street or Chamber of Commerce offices often have unique items for sale, celebrating hometown pride on mugs, T-shirts, even afghans.

Murphysboro's chamber office has a number of limited-edition signed prints with apple themes, all done by local artists. Each year, the Murphysboro Kiwanis Club has 50 prints made and offers them for sale for $25 during the Apple Festival. The unsold prints are then displayed for sale at the chamber office, 203 S. 13th St.

Kiwanis member David Clarke said the first year's prints are sold out, but limited numbers of others are available. The chamber also has other Murphysboro-themed items for sale. It is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; the phone number is 684-6421.

A few blocks from the chamber office, the Gen. John A. Logan Museum offers books and other memorabilia celebrating the local hero.

And an earlier open house was so successful that the Hughes Gallery, near the Logan museum on Edith Street, will be open until Christmas. It will be selling items from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Featured is work by blacksmith Roberta Elliott, fiber artist Karen Linduska, ceramics by Darby Ortolano, blown glass by Jan Thomas and Cameron Smith, and wooden bowls by Tim Francis.

Thomas and Smith are still at work in their studio at the Douglass School Art Place on Douglass Street on the city's south side.

"There's lots of glass here," Thomas said. "We'll be open from 1 to 6 p.m. this week, probably the weekend, and Monday and Tuesday." Call 687-3791, or stop by and see the variety of art ranging from $13 ornaments to large assemblages "in the $15,000 range," with all types of items and prices in between, Thomas said. The "hot shop" is at the back of the former school building. It will be cooling down Tuesday as Thomas and Smith shut down the furnace for a Christmas hiatus.

Art Lovers Trading Co. in the Bening Building, 201 E. Main St. in Carbondale, has a broad selection of handmade items, from wearable art to original paintings. All are locally produced and reasonably priced, owner Sue Mills said. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. And she plans to be open Christmas Eve, though she may close a bit early that day.

"We have handcrafted jewelry by local artists," she said, "hand-blown glass items, hand painted scarves and one-of-a-kind cards." The list also includes original needlework, handbags, pottery, Christmas ornaments, ceramic vases, decorated gourds, hand-carved wooden pieces and even mosaic light switch covers.

Mills also has CDs by local musicians.

"People have no idea what items are out there - all made by people in Southern Illinois," Mills said.

linda.rush@thesouthern.com / 351-5079