Editor's Note: We're rolling out 10 Days of Indie Merchant Gifts, in our annual celebration of the artists, craftspeople, designers and other independent merchants who make one-of-a-kind products. See gifts in the categories of pets, jewelry and kids.
Now here's something entrepreneurs do quite well: They come up with the darndest things we'd certainly never think of.
This year, when we asked for submissions in the "quirky/unusual" category for this year's Indie Merchant Holiday Gift Guide, we got products made from bullets, airplane parts, crystal balls -- you name it. Where do people come up with this stuff?
Actually, you told us. We've included the stories behind these intriguing products in our slideshow of our top picks. All items cost less than $50, and are sure to lead to some interesting conversations if found in one's stocking.