I don't know about you guys, but my mother is picky. Halfway through my furious search for the perfect gift, I almost always give up and go make her some brownies. While that's all well and good, I'm always on the lookout for a gift that will be displayed in an honored spot in the house rather than one that will be consumed in a frenzied way and then forgotten. This year I'm scoping out some new spots and I have a feeling I'm going to find something perfect. I'm letting you in on my shopping secrets, dear reader, in the hopes that you'll find something too. Here you'll find the Asheville Grit Mother's Day Buying Guide. Go forth and use it. Your mother will thank you.  The Day Before Mother's Day Event @ Cotton Mill Studios Saturday, 5/7 11 am - 5 pm The Cotton Mill Studios in the River Arts District are the home of some fantastic artists. For this event, five women in the building have joined forces to bring you the ultimate Mother's Day gift selection and help you celebrate mom. In fact, go ahead and bring your mom, because they'll have pink champagne, chocolates, and cupcakes. Metal and Thread All of these women do very different things, which means you can choose from fine art (Victoria Pinney), art, vintage objects, and home furnishings (Found Design/Frances Domingues), jewelry and metalwork from Jeri Bella, jewelry from Lost Cove, and a variety of fabulous objects ranging from chain mail to leather neckpieces to lovely, translucent mobiles from Metal and Thread. Other studios in the building will also be open for the event--be sure to check out the Open Hearts Art Center show upstairs at Revolve. Oh, and they wrap.  The Urban Gypsy Outdoor Pop-Up Shop @ Mason Muffler (268 Haywood Rd) Saturday, 5/7 12-8 pm I've been a huge fan of the Urban Gypsy's vintage finds for years. For one magical day, she'll be taking over the parking lot @ Mason Muffler in West Asheville and transforming it into a fairy landscape of ruffles, patterns, prints, and sparkles. Check out the vast and unique selection of clothes, jewelry, accessories, and more, and find something that mom will obsess over. Plus, you can bring your mom to visit the tarot reader, the massage therapist, the henna artist, and...the tinsel hair station. "Just follow the bubbles!" reads the Facebook event page. Hell yes we will.  Hit and Run Studios will be doing henna Haywood Games and Comics Grand Opening/Free Comic Book Day Saturday, 5/7 starting at 10 am Your mom goes with you to see all the new superhero movies. She gave you your first comic book and she really loves going to Cons. Take her to the grand opening at Haywood Games and Comics. There's a store-wide celebration sale: comics, records, and books are up to 25% off. If you come in costume, you get an additional 10% off. It's also Free Comic Book Day! Get dressed up and take a picture with your mom in front of their Batman mural so she can show all her friends. Other comics stores in town, like Comic Envy on Tunnel Rd, are also throwing Free Comic Book day celebrations, so you can hit them all. Haywood Games + Comics Grab a Handmade Gift Inspired by Nature from The Wander Trees Open 11-6 pm (closed Monday and Tuesday) I just hit the grand opening of The Wander Trees' brick and mortar out in West Asheville last weekend, and y'all, I'm so impressed. It was difficult not to buy everything in the store. The space is bright and airy, with a gallery, nooks and crannies filled with handmade items, and an upstairs community space. Housed in the former Christian Bookstore (we definitely don't miss you guys!), it's a beautiful, relaxing, and inspiring place to buy a gift. Treat mom to a handmade candle, homemade tea, art, t-shirts, jewelry, or a planter in the shape of a head (a pothead?). I'm buying one for everyone I know.Wares @ The Wander Trees Buy Her a Book @ One of Asheville's Independent Bookstores You guys, we are so lucky to have not one, but many independent bookstores in town. Go get your mom a book, gift, or card from one of these marvelous, magical spots. You'll be treated to the sights and smells of a bookstore and you'll know that you're infusing the local economy with love. New books, gifts, coffee, and a vast card selection (did you know Mother's Day is the BIGGEST day for card sales?) await you at Malaprop's. Used  and rare books, art, and 'zines can be found at Downtown Books and News. Unique books from indie presses and gift items can be yours at the worker-owned, activism-oriented Firestorm Cafe and Books. Collectibles, used books, and rare and antique titles have their homes at The Battery Park Book Exchange (and champagne bar!) and The Captain's Bookshelf. And if you're buying something for a new mom, check out Spellbound, which specializes in children's books. And those are probably not even all of the options.   All of these people are patiently waiting to pick out the perfect Mother's Day book for you @ Downtown Books and News.  Go forth and shop for your mommy dearest! What's on your list of gift destinations?