The Museum Shop, located at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh, has one-of-a-kind gifts for holiday shoppers. Tar Heel traditions abound in the impressive selection of handmade ornaments, pottery, jewelry and other items. Other North Carolina-related products include specialty foods, toys for children, men's ties, books and more.

All profits from the sale of Museum Shop products support the programs and educational projects of the N.C. Museum of History. The Museum Shop is operated by the Museum of History Associates.

A sampling of gift items follows.

-- The Museum Shop offers its own gold-plated ornament series highlighting North Carolina sites and symbols. A new ornament has been produced annually since 1983. This year's ornament ($14) represents the state song, "The Old North State." Twenty-two designs are available in the series at varying prices. Other ornaments feature the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the State Capitol building, the dogwood (state flower) and the Tar Heel foot, to name a few.

-- Attractive gift baskets, shaped like the state, are filled with Moravian cookies and North Carolina peanuts, barbecue sauce and candy.

-- A selection of holiday ornaments includes handblown glass balls; designs by basketmaker and N.C. Arts Council Fellowship Award-winner Billie Ruth Sudduth; wheat weavings of angels; and pottery bells ($5 and up).

-- The newly published book, "Encyclopedia of North Carolina" ($65), presents the state's rich history in more than 2,000 entries and 1,360 pages. The authoritative volume, edited by William S. Powell, is published by University of North Carolina Press in association with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library. Signed copies are available on a limited basis.

-- The cardinal, the state bird, appears on a wide array of beautiful items, such as needlepoint stockings and pillows, glass plates, towels, earrings and rugs.

-- Handcrafted jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets and earrings by Kimberley Adams, are available. The jewelry selection includes silver and copper designs by Asheville's Stuart Nye. The Museum Shop is the exclusive retailer for Nye's dogwood designs made from copper gathered from the dome of the State Capitol when it was refurbished in 1971.

-- The pottery selection includes face jugs and other items by Sandy Cole and Kevin Brown of North Cole Pottery in Sanford, Chinese blue and red pottery by Ben Owen III of Seagrove, traditional designs by Vernon and Pam Owens of Seagrove, and items by Kim Ellington of Vale. Fruit and vegetable designs are handpainted on pottery by Tyrone and Julie Larson of Asheville.

-- Quilters will love to receive the book, "Quilt Patterns from the N.C. Museum of History," based on quilt designs in the museum collection.

-- Distinctive items adorned with the state seal include a Pewtarex license plate ($12) and beautiful engraved glass items.

-- There's plenty for the kids: toys, puzzles, flags, books, craft kits and more.

For more information about the Museum Shop, call 919- 807-7835.

The Museum Shop will be open through Saturday, Dec. 23, during the holidays. Shop hours are from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Parking is free on weekends. Shop online at www.ncmuseumofhistoryshop.com.