2020 Shop Small Guide

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*This post will be shared on Thea Starr’s blog and 6 by 6 Arts blog.

In our 2020 Holiday Ornaments video, John and I mentioned that each purchase that is made in our shops supports a small business. (It’s us, we’re the small business.) A mom and pop shop. I noticed in the first few purchased that were made for our new ornaments were made by fellow makers/small business owners. Not only did this warm my Grinch heart but it inspired me to share a list of fellow small businesses who would appreciate your orders more than Mr. Bezos would.

Please support small businesses this holiday season. Spend your dollars at places you want to see exist and share the crap out of this list too. This is list will be US shop based with sellers who ship.

GIFTS FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING

We all have at least one. One dang person who has every thing or doesn’t know what they need. Here are a few of my usual suggestions.

  • Ugly Baby Shower Art. Our friends Doug & Rosalie Gale are hella funny and Tik Tok famous. Shower Art is weird and wonderful and exactly what you think it is.

  • Estrella Soap - A long time favorite of mine. So much so that my adult children even shop with them now. In the year of the pandemic cooties - soap is a solid choice.

  • The Handmade Showroom - Marlo and her team have curated the best handmade goods in the PNW. While the store is open and operating at a reduced capacity, they do offer online shopping and gift cards. Gift cards = the perfect gift for that person you don’t know what to get.

  • Seattle Candle Co. - Are you even giving gifts if you’re not gifting a candle? I love the long burn time on these candles. no. 1 is favorite in our house.

  • Attic Journals - This mom and pop shop (one of the truly nicest couples I have ever met) save hundreds of discarded books and give them a new life as journals and more. You all know I love that personally, but it’s truly a great thoughtful gift to give. Everyone needs some where to doodle!

GIFTS THAT ARE CUTE

These are not necessarily kid oriented, but they sure are dang cute and in 2020 who doesn’t need that?

  • Catshy Crafts - Handmade hoop art made by one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Her hoop art pieces are adorable. Perfect for someone who loves cute.

  • Kitschy Delish - A little saucy, a little pun-y and a whole lot of kitty cute. Kelly’s work is gorgeous and makes me smile when I look at it. Food with faces on them?!?!? Yes please. I highly recommend her enamel pins. Her swimming in the noods is * chef’s kiss *.

  • migration goods - Ugh. Everything Eling makes is so cute it hurts. She even has an “Ugh” Bunny illustration. Her paper and stationary goods are the good good. Perfect stocking stuffers of moody cuteness.

  • Devout Dolls - This shop makes all of my lists all of the time. The unusual cuteness makes me smile! Handmade two headed deer plushes, bat scarves and Blythe dolls clothes.

  • World of Whimm - Kayce is amazingly talented and creates the most whimsical pieces. While her Etsy shop is currently closed. There is a small offering of her work at Monster Gift Shop.

GIFTS FOR THE CLOTHES, HATS AND BAG LOVERS

  • Slow Loris Studio - Hailing from Guemes Island. Team Slow is one of my all time favorite t-shirt slingers. I treasure Jessica’s designs like collectible art. Intricate music themed designs along side nautical and alpine PNW themed designs. So good. Our whole family are fans of their work and the quality of their t-shirts and hoodies.

  • Crystalyn Kae - I own two of her bags and I love them so much. Mine were constructed from reclaimed fabric. She has a few styles and accessories to choose from.

  • Flipside Hats - Hats and more made from abandoned fabrics from production and dye houses.

  • Period Corsets - This pic is highly influenced by recent obsession of historical clothing. I have about 15 YouTube channels I can recommend on the topic. While this might seem like an impractical and expensive gift, the way I see it is we’re locked up in our houses and we should be wearing whatever makes us happy. For me it’s all of my wild wardrobe pieces I’ve collected in my life and for some a corset is needed. Perhaps you have a very extra dresser in your life too? This is a small business that does a lot of work for theaters (which are closed of course) so they’ve been making masks along side their beautiful corsets.

  • Poshmark - I know this one is not handmade. However, I know we’re not living in the idyllic everyone wants handmade clothing. This is an affordable way to do that. Think online thrift store but sorted and clean. Whether it be a preloved item or a new item with tags that someone got and decided it wasn’t for them. Every seller on Poshmark is a small business too.

GIFTS FOR THE PET LOVER

If I didn’t have human children, I would be that person who talks non-stop about their dogs. It’s such a joy to spend time with these sweet little beings. They need gifts too!

  • handmade la Conner (Henrietta’s) - For the gift guide’s sake instead of raving about Robyn’s amazing lotions and soaps, (please check those out too). I am going to direct your attention to Henrietta’s line. I’m a repeat buyer of the calming spray and dog wash for my girls.

  • The Cat Ball (cat bed) - If I had a cat, my cat would have at least three of these suckers. I recommend

GIFTS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO PUT THINGS TOGETHER

Assembling, sewing and more. Perfect for lockdown activities.

  • JCR - When a fellow laser artist recommends another laser artist, I feel that says something. Julio is insanely talented. He creates kits to assemble in shapes of animals and insects. They are mind-blowingly beautiful.

  • Delish Beads - Jenny offers affordable kawaii brightly colored beads and cabochons for your DIY crafting.

  • Wren Birds Arts - Another idea I love. Mend what you have but make it pretty. Grab a mending/embroidery kit to extend the life of a damaged garment you love.

  • Marshmueller - Buy your DIY dumpster fire pillow right here!

  • Smile Mercantile - I love all of the little crafting supplies available in this shop! German glass glitter, trims, bottle brush trees and more!

GIFTS FOR YOUR FRIEND WHO WOULD’VE BEEN BURNED AT THE STAKE 400 YEARS AGO

My people. Don’t @ me with any negativity or the “reason for the season”. My birthday is on December 25, believe I KNOW.

  • Unusual Cards - * chef’s kiss * Some might get their panties in a bunch over the content featured in Francesca’s fine work. And that’s why we LOVE IT. Jesus riding dinosaurs. Need I say more?

  • Candy Relics - With the growth in acceptance of the benefits of cannabis finally happening here in the US, I smile every time I see something of Candy Relics shared online. David is genius with his designs. This is the home of the original ceramic can pipe.

  • Ravnvolk - Pagan and occult craftwork. This was a serendipitous find among shops I follow on Etsy. This is a former craft store co-worker of mine from years ago. I’m glad to see him doing creative work that I know a few of my pagan friends will like.

  • Vinyl Devotion - Excellent vinyl pics with categories of Doom, Stoner and Sludge or Death Metal, Gridcore and Metalcore alongside indie and pop categories too. This husband and wife duo are serious vinyl pickers (we’ve had the pleasure of seeing their picking skills in action).

GIFTS FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO BE ADORNED

In the maker space, there are many jewelers. Here a a few that I love to recommend.

  • Foamy Wader - Hailing from South Whidbey (my island!), Alexa creates minimalist nautical jewelry. Her pieces are my favorite for their dainty nature. Which is in high contrast to my actual maximalist ridiculous self. I receive many compliments on earrings I’ve purchased from her. My favorite piece from her is my wedding ring that she custom made for us. (I also believe I owe her a shop sign and everyone should publicly shame me for this and make purchases from her to help me make up for it.) I cannot recommend her work enough and I’m eyeballing a few things for myself.

  • OTTI Goods - (Formerly Salty & Sweet Designs) Again when a fellow laser artist recommends another it says something. Her laser cut feather weight earrings are beautiful architectural inspired statement pieces. She also does awesome modern hanging mobiles.

  • Christine Stoll Studio - She makes mask chains you guys! She’s known for her beautiful reclaimed watch piece jewelry and her collage work. And for also being one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

  • Magpie Mouse Studios - Enamel jewelry inspired by the PNW. Vibrant colors on wearable pieces. With a couple tarot card pieces tossed in there too.

  • Fern Works - Nature’s specimens captured in resin, as well as hand painted jewelry pieces. So beautiful and incredibly unique.

GIFTS FOR THE TABLE TOP GAMER

  • Game After Game - Yes, I am tooting our own horn. This is the link to our Etsy shop that focusses on DnD and retro gaming themed goods. Ornaments, coasters with the DnD dice and our Critical Hit signs.

  • Doize Demos - DnD themed enamel pins, patches and more.

  • Mox Boarding House - (Order online and pick up at the stores.) Seattle & Bellevue, WA and also in Portland, OR.

Honestly, this a bit harder than I thought it would be. Many shops have closed or have temporarily closed.

Here’s a direct link to our stockists.

As well as links to our own shops:

  • Thea Starr - Fabric Flower accessories made from vintage kimono fabric.

  • My etsy shop has vintage clothing and vintage fabric available too.

  • 6 by 6 Arts - Wood home decor goods + some sass with a nature vibe. Coasters, ornaments, indoor plant stands, magnets, signs- you know the schpeel.

Please try your best to shop local too. The small businesses in your town adds to the uniqueness of your spot many have online or curbside pick up shopping options. The small family owned restaurants too. The national restaurants will be okay. If you have any added suggestions to this list, please add a link below!

Again to all of our friends who shared our video and have placed an order this week we are filled with gratitude for your support. We’re damn lucky in the friend department.

Thank you so much - Thea & John.