Latvia

Amber. The eastern shores of the Baltic Sea have long been considered a natural source for amber, securing the precious stone's symbolic role in Latvian culture. Amber animal figurines date back to the 8th century B.C., while today, sophisticated brooches and tiny beads for little girls are most popular and can be found for sale in Riga squares, parks, and souvenir shops like A&E (Jauniela 17; tel. +371 7 22 32 00) and Rota (in the Konventa Seta hotel, Kaleju 9/11; tel.+371 7 08 75 41). In Old Town, Tine (Valnu 2; tel.+371 7 21 67 28) offers traditional, classy Latvian trinkets like handcrafted amber jewelry and delicate ceramics. Or, browse amber jewelry from the Baltic Region online.

Linen. Latvia's traditional fabric is linen, used for practical tablecloths, hats, and clothing. Patrol the stalls and stands tucked behind the Dome Cathedral to find deals on handmade linen. Attend a weaving demonstration and view a huge collection of authentic handwoven linens at Livs (Kaleju 7; tel.+371 67 22 90 10).

Woolens. Latvian folk costumes are traditionally red and white, symbolizing purity and vitality, and adorned with embroidered, woven, or knitted geometric designs. A woolen villaine (shawl) is an essential part of the Latvian national costume. Look for cozy hats and sweaters handcrafted in the traditional Latvian style at one of Riga's locations of the Souvenir Bazaar (Audeju 7; tel.+371 67 21 02 85; or Kalku 2; tel.+371 67 22 92 22).

Ceramics. Local artist Daiga Lapsa's workshop (Jeremejeva iela 18; tel. +371 656 21492) in Kraslava features one-of-a-kind, hand-painted ceramics alongside rich tapestries, textiles, and knitted dolls. In Old Town Ludza, see more than 100 craftsmen's work and learn from the masters at a ceramics workshop at Ludza's handicrafts center (Talavijas iela 27a; tel. +371 657 07203). Riga's Open Air Ethnograhic Museum evokes pastoral peasant life with its annual fair (held the first Sunday in June), featuring a smattering of handicrafts by local beekeepers, weavers, and potters in an idyllic lakeside setting among pine trees, windmills, and more than 90 historical structures.

Leatherware. Pastalas, the traditional footwear for both men and women, are a model in simplicity. Made from a single piece of leather and tied with laces, they can be found, along with belts and other leather goods, at Riga's souvenir shops, such as Tine (Valnu 2; tel. +371 7 21 67 28).