A SHOP SMALL GIFT GUIDE: Independent Artists, Makers, + Local Shops We Love!
Okay, I’m not perfect. I’m definitely a sucker for Anthropologie’s holiday ornaments and I usually fall prey to their extra sale on clearance events. I also worked for REI for almost ten years and my family is pretty accustomed to their goodie bags of wool socks, hiking snacks, and warm jackets.
But 2020 has been a rough one for so many small shops, independent artists, creators, and makers.
So if you’re looking to keep it small this holiday season, or to just strike a balance with your Target shopping lists, check out some of my favorite independent artists, makers, and small shops you can support this year. (Lots of them have great ways to shop online, too, so you can stay safe + socially-distanced while you hunt for the perfect gift!)
Pouring money into our local communities is one of the best things we can do right now to make this season a little brighter for all of us! As someone who has been an independent artist off and on for the better part of my life, I’ve seen the saying “When you buy from a small business an actual person does a little happy dance” doodled and drawn out often over the years … AND IT COULD NOT BE MORE TRUE!
So give real live actual people, independent makers, and small business owners all over a reason to boogie down!
Here are some of my favorites:
The Wild Wander Co. - @the.wild.wander
I love Clara’s work and overall style. She’s from Richmond Virginia and I shopped her pieces for many years at local art/craft pop-ups. She’s made these field guides (Florida & Utah are shown below) for all fifty states that I absolutely love. $35 for an 11x17 print, which is a great price and such a great gift for anyone with pride or love for their home state. (I may or may not have scooped some up as gifts for family. She’s also offering free shipping through her Etsy shop!)
Blind The Sun Illustration - @blindthesun
If you’re a person like me, there’s no such thing as too much artwork in the house. From prints, to original watercolors, to textiles and calendars… any of Allison’s pieces would be such great little gifts that I know I’d be super stoked on! She’s offering some shipping promotions + other little deals if you spend a certain amount on her website.
Lost Season Supply Co. - @lostseasonsupply
Lost Season Supply is a small boutique right around the corner from our house here in Bend, Oregon. Melissa’s shop is one of those where I can tell Kevin “you can literally get me ANYTHING from there and I will like it.” She’s done an amazing job at filling her boutique with brands that are sustainably sourced or ethically made, lots of smaller makers + artists, and really affordable prices! I spent probably an hour in her store chatting with her and buying a little bit of everything - sustainable smudge sticks, amazing birthday cards + planners, a few really cool art prints, a t-shirt, holiday ornaments, and more! I’ll be back for a Friends of Friends hat.
Her shop is all online, too, and is free shipping in the US over $40. Go peek!
Alison Wonderland Art - @alison.wonderland.art
I am so mesmerized by Ali’s style, linework, and nature-infused artwork. From original pen+ink/watercolors, to greeting cards, to her new line of nature-inspired earrings under Lavendula Designs, I’m here for it all. I commissioned her to do a piece for us of the Olympic Peninsula coast a few years back and I love it! I’ve also ordered several packs of her various greeting cards over the years and then failed to send them all out because they were too beautiful. I framed several of them as gifts, instead! This moonscape pack on the bottom right is in my shopping cart as I type this. The perfect gift for any art lover/nature lover. Wink wink!
Yellow Larch Jewelry - @yellow.larch.jewelry
Lauren is a rockstar silversmith and turquoise master out here in Bend Oregon who I’ve known for many years since we worked together in Richmond Virginia! Her pieces are insanely gorgeous and incredibly special. If you’re local to Bend she sells her jewelry at NW Trading Post and at Spoken Moto. She’s getting pretty busy with customs but has some amazing stuff available through her Instagram, too. I will have a piece by her one day. They’re like artwork for your fingers!
Wild Gina - @wildginaa
If you love dreamy nature photography or someone you’re gifting for does - especially with a strong southwest + desert influence, you need to check out Gina’s work! She’s inspiring as hell and a badass nature photographer, and on more than one occasion her dusty desert floral photos have full on stopped me in my tracks.
The Last Blockbuster Video - @blockbusterbend
That’s right. It’s on the list. It’s the last Blockbuster Video ON THE PLANET, PEOPLE! (And it’s also right here in Bend, Oregon!) And guess what? They’ve got awesome merch. You know you’re going to get some laughs if someone opens up this be kind rewind t-shirt! I got myself one of the trucker hats and at some point I’m probably gonna need to scoop a hoodie sweatshirt too. Y’know, for good measure.
I could go on and on with cool makers and smaller local shops where I’d be happy to do some serious damage.
What are some of your favorites? Drop me links or ideas in the comments below!
Other ways to keep it small + local this year:
Don’t forget about Etsy! It’s the original hub for independent artists all over the world.
A gift certificate to someone’s favorite restaurant. They can save it for a rainy day and it supports the restaurant business immediately!
Go handmade! A gift from the heart is always SO very special! Check out my post with lots of great DIY Sculpey clay gift ideas here.
See you on Insta!
