As we are rushing to get the best possible gifts for our loved ones, I wanted to bring a little attention to shopping small businesses. Small businesses are makers and hunters, finding and creating the best goods for us and our homes. I have set out to share the most diverse selection of shops I could find with an array of products that will hopefully peak your interest. There are an array of great gifts and I’ll do my best to do the shop’s selection justice but definitely still visit them all to see all of the offerings. They are also all on Instagram so I’ll link to their feeds so you can see all the inspo, too.
I believe a little bit of the spirit of a maker goes into their creations, making it a more meaningful gift with good energy. You can share the story of the person behind the piece, too. Oftentimes you’ll find that small shop owners source better materials and have broader options for customization than something you’ll find on a shelf without a face. These are my favorites, let’s dive into this good energy…
Knotty Gal Macrame
Instagram: @knottygalmacrame
She doesn’t currently have a shop set up but you can view what she has for sale on her Instagram and she takes custom orders. She creates unique wall hangings with rope and yarn material. And if you’re in California, she runs a macrame class, too.
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Peace Guru Candle Co
Instagram: @Peace_Guru_Candle_Co
You can find reed diffusers and soy candles on the Peace Guru Candle Co website. You’ll also find an about us page where they explain that their candles are hand poured in San Diego, CA with non-GMO soy wax into containers with all cotton, no chemicals, wicks and the scents are created with essential oils. The labels themselves are created from hand drawn, hand painted designs. They’re vegan, which I can totally support, cruelty free, biodegradeable, non-GMO, palm-wax/beeswax/petroleum/parrafin free. Candles are a huge gift idea and you can’t go wrong with supporting a small USA based shop doing things the best way possible.
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The Indigo Tribe
Instagram: @theindigotribe
My shibori loving heart was excited when I came across this shop. Beckee is the owner and she hand dyes her creations and even infuses a little magic with water infused with crystals or charged by a full moon. She also sells finds from her travels which means you can have a little of her spirit as well as the spirit of the world. You can attend a class if you’re interested in learning technique (I know I am, whyyyy must I be an east coast gal?) through her website, or you can shop her creations and finds through her Etsy.
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The Fiber Collective
Instagram: @thefibercollective
The unique art of blending merino wood with macrame is original to Jess and her shop. She’s always dreaming up different designs and color combinations so it pays to keep up with her Instagram. She also announces when she’s doing something a little different, like ornaments. The main attraction is her layered wall hangings. Oftentimes a colored wood background with a smaller macrame design laying over top.
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Werrel Woodworks
Instagram: @werrellwoodworks
A shop that is located in my own neck of the woods- how cool is that? Hand crafted wood designs make wall art, tables, coasters, headboards and trays by this husband and wife duo. Their selection is always evolving so sometimes you’ll find colors inspired by the ocean, other times you’ll find white and wood tones and other times you’ll find funky bright colors. But they welcome custom work so you can always get exactly what you need. Check out their Instagram for examples of their past work, visit their Etsy to buy online, or stop by the Selden Market in downtown Norfolk, VA to shop in person.
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Mod North and Co
Instagram: @ModNorthAndCo
Totally unique agate home decor including wall clocks, desk clocks, garland, ornaments, chimes, wall art, bookends, coasters and slabs. Limitless color and design options and something for every room of the house. You can find her pieces on display throughout a lot of homes on Instagram because they’re so flattering to a variety of styles. Shop the entire selection at the Etsy shop.
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Ket Mercantile
Instagram: @ket_mercantile
Some of the coolest and most unique macrame home goods you’re going to find out there. If you’re a maker, there’s supplies. If wall hangings are your jam, there’s a plethora of sizes and designs to choose from. Need a backdrop? There’s multiple to choose from. Tassels, ornaments, keychains, table runner? Done. More into vintage? There’s some of that, too. My favorite? That teepee! It’s an Etsy shop you definitely want to check out for some really cool handmade goods.
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In2Green
Instagram: @in2green
Recycled and organic cotton yarns are knitted to create throws in an eco-friendly way. Using recycled T-shirt clippings to weave into a yarn prevents those shirt clippings from ending up in a landfill. The indoor/outdoor lines recycles polyester, that’s about 78 plastic bottles going into each throw. With cool practices like these, it’s a mission worth supporting to encourage green and local businesses.
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Solaras Garden
Instagram: @solarasgarden
Resin encapsulated flowers, crystals and curiosities. Perfect for the boho hippie in your life and the family member that already has every thing. They come in sets of different sized making an interesting gift for one or multiple people.
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Pursuing Vintage
Instagram: @pursuingvintage
Kristin has a physical store you can visit in Falls Church, VA. But, if you’re not in the area, you can shop her vintage finds in her Etsy shop. She has an extensive selection of hollywood regency, midcentury, chinoiserie, brass, blue and white porcelain, art, bar and dining and everything is in beautiful condition.
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Six1One_
Instagram: @six1one_
Brightly colored, muted or monotone. The choice is yours with the custom wall hanging weavings created by Jody. She has a plethora of different colors and styles to choose from and is always experimenting (she’s doing a thing with pockets and I love it). There’s obviously artistic vision, but don’t be afraid to bring her your own because she can bring your vision to life.
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Declaration Home
Instagram: @declarationhome
A modern take on flags with fun designs that are also available in wall art. If you’re into putting a flag up for different seasons and holidays, she has a fresh take on designs for that. Or you can choose something that suits your personality for a different spin on wall art. If you’re a art print kind of person, there are both holiday and personality focused designs that suits the boho, eclectic and many styles in between.
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Wander And Wood Co
Instagram: @wanderandwoodco
Reclaimed wood used to create interesting shaped shelves, bookcases, wall art and more. Have you ever seen those adorable hexagon shelves but weren’t sure you posessed the wood working skills to create them? You don’t need to! You can buy them in sets or just one as well as in a modern rustic triangle form. You have many options for stain, too, so you can get something that fits your decor perfectly.
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Yaba Decor
Instagram: @yabadecor
Remember how I said I tried to share the most unique shops I could find? Stained glass is in the house! And no, not windows. These are unique plant pockets, sun catchers, wall decor, table top decor. They’re in on trend designs like feathers and cacti and I don’t think any one would expect to receive one as a gift, but I know they’d quickly fall in love.
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Will you be shopping small businesses this year? I’d love to know where you’re looking to shop. If you have a shop, please leave a link in the comments below so we can check it out. I think it’s totally possible to support our neighbors and friends in their business adventures while also gifting meaningful gifts to our family and friends.
Don’t forget to share this shop small gift guide (image below is perfect for sharing to Pinterest) with your friends on facebook and pinterest so they’ll have some fantastic ideas on things to gift for you and others. Be merry and well my friends!
