John Paul Leimone is an Oakland based industrial designer and craftsman who has recently started his own line of hip and low impact/high quality manufactured wood clocks. The "Monster" Clocks are fine examples of function with flair, especially for the young or old hipster on your list... Check out his Etsy store for more info and photos...
One of my favorite print makers and illustrators is Nathaniel Russell, who I first discovered through Mollusk Surf Shop in SF. Nat's simple, keenly designed characters and lettering has a great "look what I found" quality, and he has a nice variety of stuff, including an awesome 2012 calendar for sale in his online store... Check it out!
Big thanks to local coffee shop SubRosa and all the great people who came by the sidewalk craft sale today on 40th Street in Oakland. A great group of vendors too, I met lots of new friends. Happy Holidays to all and keep supporting handmade!
Jen Oaks is a Berkeley, Ca illustrator who specializes in comely, comforting, not-too naughty pin up girls, and she has a variety of printed work available in her Etsy store. All have great colors and irresistible, inviting expressions. 
If your tastes run a bit darker, and/or strange, check out her awesome Twin Peaks button packs. Each pack features a TP character and a relevant quote.
Jen also has a great way with animals and wildlife, and this section of her shop has stuff that would be great for the younger art lover on your list, or parents furnishing a tweenager's ( or younger child's ) room. Check her stuff out!
Nice crowd and successful sale at the 25th Street Collective event in Oakland last night. Thanks to all!
