Retailers refer to the day after Thanksgiving as "Black Friday." It's not about anything dark and dreary; on the contrary, it's all about the bottom line going from red to black on the busiest shopping day of the year.

Why not support your local crafters, who still value the concept of creating and making things by hand?

Now in its 12th year, our annual Made in Hawaii Gift Wrap-up is here to help you stick to your guns and support local businesses. We scouted gifts, all for under $35, in the hope our guide will help you keep it local.

MAKE 'EM NOSTALGIC

Anyone who has been to House Without a Key at the Halekulani to see the exquisite Kanoe Miller dance will ever yearn to return. With Miller's new DVD, "Romantic Waikiki Hula," it's now possible to make a virtual visit. It's not a video hula lesson or just pretty pictures; she captures the magic of hula and shares her thoughts and inspirations, as well as some history, 'olelo and cultural aspects of Hawai'i's dance. Sold at Island Treasures Galleries, Na Mea Hawai'i, Nohea Galleries, Borders and the Hula Supply Center for $25 to $30. Perfect for a hula sister or those who are longing for the Islands.

Here's one for the guys, a good bet for a football get-together: A six-pack of Maui's best brews, packaged in a handy gift pack. Sells for $12.40 at The Liquor Collection in Ward Warehouse.

Men and women alike will love this reminder of our oceans: a fossil shark-tooth pendant. Fran and Wes Cummins, of Two Teachers Digging Science, have made these fascinating fossils into pendants ($30 and up). They will be at the Pacific Handcrafters Guild Fair at Kaka'ako Gateway Park on Dec. 8 and 9.

Uncle Pua Baker's coconut bowl (Ne Mea Hawai'i, $15) can hold everything from mochi crunch to saltwater taffy, depending on where the recipient lives. Inspired by the shape of the coconut, this Kailua carver loves to leave the shapes organic and graceful.

For the keiki on your list, a little aloha print teddy bear is a charmer. We found an adorable one at Martin & MacArthur ($31.20).

HOSTESS OR HOMEBODY

No more burned fingers from microwave mishaps. Enter Marilyn Castro's microwave finger mitts (Na Mea Hawai'i, $6.50). Also spotted at Na Mea, a precious little lauhala and aloha- print pin cushion, ($15.95).

Under a Hula Moon in Ward Centre carries Maui Potpourri's line of kitchen and dining room accessories. The latest from the Kula-based company is a monstera design featured in a pot holder ($9) and kitchen or hand towel ($11).

Nancy Appleton, of The Glazed Apple, brings a local aesthetic to her pottery. We love her practical Pa'akai (Hawaiian salt) pots ($28.50) and garlic roaster ($13), which she sells at Pacific Handcrafters fairs.

How about an elegant place for toothpicks? We found a little square wood box just for the purpose at Na Mea Hawai'i ($12).

Thinking ahead to New Year's, the crafters at the Mo'ili'ili Senior Center crocheted New Year's mochi with a tangerine. They sell for $6 at Wabi-Sabi. All proceeds go to the seniors' programs.

A GIFT OF RELAXATION

Give a gift that shows you care — something to help the recipient relax. Aromatherapy items such as soaps, candles and sachets abound as Island entrepreneurs take to this trend.

Shop Pacifica at the Bishop Museum has just reopened its doors with a fresh look and new merchandise outlook. We found a lovely gift pack of six hand- made soaps by Kopa Haiku, from Maui of course, for $15.50. Scents include Papaya Seed, Kopa Banana and Mangos and Cream.

Liane Lum, of East Hawai'i, whips up "Sweet Couture" in her kitchen. The items look uncannily like cupcakes and pastries but are, in fact, soaps, in fragrances such as pink sugar, sakura and peppermint. Sold at Valerie Joseph Boutique in Ward Entertainment Centers ($7-$10).

Another clever confection-looking item: the Fortune Cookie soap by Dardie Ishida ($5), at Wabi-Sabi in Kaimuki.

Lanikai Bath & Body in Kailua has just introduced Lanikai Sunset's palm wax candles. Lanikai resident Kent Heilbron, a massage therapist, chose palm wax because it is a renewable resource, it is a dry wax (less oily than some waxes) and is able to absorb a higher concentration of fragrance. They come in votive gift packs of six for $6.50 or 40-hour pillars for $14.50.

The lovely scent of white ginger wafts from a coconut shell in Martin & MacArthur's candles ($11.40).

FOR YOUR FASHIONISTA

We've had our eye on Kealopiko for a while now and are happy to report that their high-quality, graphically dynamic T-shirts will be sold at Shop Pacifica in the Bishop Museum. Three young women, Ane Bakutis, Jamie Makasobe and Hina Kneubuhl, created the line to honor their kupuna. All of their shirts, men's and women's, short- and long-sleeved, are under $35.

Artist Kyle Ino, of Kane'ohe, has gone back to his roots, designing jewelry. He achieves a unique look with his dichroic glass by layering glass sheets of different colors in the kiln. We found pendants for $35 and earrings for $32. He will be at the Winter Craft Fair at the Hawaii Okinawa Center this weekend and Pacific Handcrafters Guild in Kaka'ako Gateway Park Dec. 8 and 9.

Maile Benoza, of 'Aiea, and Sherry Wee of 'Alewa Heights created their Powerstone Adornments as accessories for cell phones, a belt or bag or to hang in a car. The beads are hand-selected to bring the bearer good luck, love, protection, relaxation or a guardian angel. They're sold exclusively at Sedona in Ward Centre ($22-$40).

Leslee Giovale-Texeira, of Kailua, loves color, and lots of it. Her passion is translated into Tropical Crush Bags, a line of one-of-a-kind wool felt bags that will brighten any outfit. We love her little ones ($29) that can go from day to evening. She'll have a booth at the Pacific Handcrafters Guild Fair Dec. 8 and 9.

We're also loving the light touch of Kalehua, a new jewelry designer who works with mother of pearl and unusual beads to create feminine, light-hearted earrings (Riches Kahala, $35). Ditto the HonuHeart earrings by Big Island artist Peggy Waterfall from Martin & MacArthur ($27.80).

FOR OFFICE FRIENDS

It seems nearly everyone needs a security badge these days. That's why Irene Kawaguchi, of Wabi-Sabi, created her Christmas-print lanyards ($6.50) to help bring some holiday cheer to our workday environments.

Cori Rilliet, of Kane'ohe, and Tricia Calderon, of Kahalu'u, love to go beachcombing together on the North Shore. The shells they collect end up on picture frames (Riches Kahala, $20), a gentle reminder of Island beaches for those who would rather be in the surf than in the office.

Makena Ross, whose line is called Lani Mala'ela'e, makes charming little cube bags with leather straps and kukui-nut embellishments that are ideal for taking a snack to work or carrying as a little handbag (Nohea Gallery, $28.95).

Help a colleague take a break right at the desk with lavender items from Rainbow's End. A pillow for the lower back ($12) may help ease computer strain, while the Slip 'n Pillow ($5) can go under the hands while at the keyboard or on a chair back when nap time calls. They'll be at the 21st Islandwide Christmas Craft & Food Expo show at the Blaisdell Arena today through Sunday.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.