Need a unique Gift? How about the gift that keeps on giving? A membership to the MonDak Heritage Center is a sure fit every time.

Already have a membership? Then check out these wonderful gifts below, or stop into our shop to see even more. We can ship items if you desire, please call the Center at (406) 433-3500 for more details.

Fence Post Vases by Bill Forrester

We are proud to offer a number of hand-turned fence post vases generously donated to the Gift Shop by local Sidney craftsman and MDHC Board Member Bill Forrester. Bill starts with old fenceposts from the eastern Montana prarie, and after 10 hours of work, you have a beautiful and unique vase. These vases are extremely popular, and were recently featured on KFYR TV, so if you want one, hurry down to the Center to see our selection!

Other Gift Ideas

Eastern Montana Baskets are made by Doug Smith, a native Montanan who lives in an earth-sheltered, solar house on the rolling prairie of northeastern Montana (near Dagmar). Smith has been exploring the craft of basket-making since 1989 and uses native materials collected throughout the region. Plants used in the baskets include willow, alder, dogwood, wild plum, sand cherry and bluestem grass. The use of natural materials is in keeping with the artist's commitment to sustainability, utility, and living in harmony with nature. Smith learned his craft by taking an adult education class conducted by a master basket maker, Cindy Shaw, who currently lives in Lewiston, Montana.

There are also many other special gift ideas from local artists and artisans found at the MonDak, from fine art prints and original paintings to striking pottery, unusual barbed wire sculptures and sturdy and beautiful diamond willow walking sticks. And for the bookworm in your family, browse the many local history publications, recipe books, cowboy poetry, children's activity books by authors John Kizziar, Gladys Kauffman, Kenneth Goss, Phillip Burgess, Stanley Howard, Jim Ward, Merle Aus, Tom Harmon and Bob Harmon. Chuck and James Soft and Chewy Granola (chuckandjames.com) by Jody Kappel is also a perfect treat for anyone on your gift list.

Some of our featured artists and their work include:

• Bob Talbot's "Bob"wire sculptures
• Dave Meehan's Busted Sod Pottery
• Deb Bradley's quilted wall hangings and knitted purses
• Margaret Bradley's knitted purses
• Dee Elletson's paper collage prints and vases
• Music CDs by the XIT Gang and Deniece Schwab & Katie Pust
• Dennis Walla's Diamond Willow Canes and Walking Sticks
• Ed Bower's knitted caps made from buffalo, mohair, and wool
• Sharon & Larry Mindt's birdhouses
• JoAnne Levine's jewelry
• Kathy Jensen's glass gottle art, oak trivets, napkin holders and
• lazy susans
• Kerry O'Dell matted prints with Montana state quarters
• Linda Conradsen prints
• Margo Zadow's jewelry
• Nancy Simonsen original artwork
• Patti Cundiff painted leaves, spoons and enamel ware
• Patty Petrik photography prints
• Heather Cotter's jewelry
• Randi Logan's jewelry
• Sarah Herman's purses
• Trish Stevenson prints

Check us out! The MonDak Gift Shop can help you find the perfect gift for all those hard to shop for friends and family members on your list. The Gift Shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am until 4 pm and on Saturday from 1-4 pm.

The MonDak Heritage Center Gift Shop is also proud to offer official numbered prints of Barb Schaffner's oil painting of the Far West's Epic Run. The Far West and other ferries that plied the waters of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers were an important part of the history of the MonDak region. Don't miss out on a chance to display a piece of history in your home in the form of this high quality print!