With the world’s current climate and people making their living right out of their own homes I think now, more than ever, is the time to shop small. I didn’t realize I knew so many INCREDIBLE small businesses til I started writing this list full of talented people. I have been blessed by their gifts and know that you will be too!
So here’s my list of my favorite small shops that I stand behind and think you should look into this holiday season!
1. Rae & Kay Co.
Rae & Kay are made up of my dear friends Anna and Elle who started their business last year creating from their homes using die-cutting machines. They make everything from tea towels to sweatshirts to mugs and wine glasses to stickers to dog bandanas! Basically anything you want words or a simple design on, they can do.
They love creating custom orders and coming up with trendy sayings! Find them on instagram here @raeandkay.co and check out their amazing stock or message them a custom order for someone on your list this Christmas!
Favorite things: rainbow drinking glasses, wine glasses, keychains, and Michigan sweatshirts
2. Recreate by Kate
Guys, I have talented friends. My friend Katie owns Recreate by Kate and she makes stunning signs. She sells painted, stained, and sealed signs with the most incredible finish (because she is a perfectionist!)
She does everything by hand from start to finish including cutting and staining her wooden frames. She knows how to hustle between two other jobs at nap time or when her twin 2 year olds go to bed. She does it all! Give her a follow on Instagram @recreatebyk and send her a message too if you like something you see!
Favorite things: circle signs, porch welcome signs, and anything Christmas!
3. Woodlander Toys
This is a shop where creativity, ingenuity, and pure talent come in to play! Woodlander Toys is run by Sarah and her husband David who also started their baby toy and accessory business last year when the pandemic hit. They ended up growing so quickly and could barely keep up with sales! They recently started selling some products on westelm.com!
Their products are so high end and range from pacifier clips (my favorite) to rattles, blocks, puzzles, games, shelves, and teethers.
They are constantly coming out with new items that are so beautiful and unique. Anything in their shop would be an amazing gift to give to a new mom or at a baby shower or most people with children! Find their etsy shop here and their Instagram page here @woodlandertoys
Favorite things: pacifier clips, rattles, and milestone sets
4. Feather and Birch
If you’re looking for a custom laser cut piece for a fair price then this is your ideal shop. Heidi of Feather and Birch has grown this incredible local business that makes one of a kind items that are just stunning. We ordered our daughter’s name announcement sign from them and they had fantastic communication and were open to all our customizations.
Take a look at their listings on Etsy to get a feel of the great work they do.
Favorite things: window arches, card holders, and ornaments!
5. Thistle and Be
If you are in need a beautiful weavings then Holly is your girl! Her work is excellent and will fit in any space.
Find her here on Etsy.
Favorite things: ALL OF IT. I have one of her mini weavings and its perfect to hang on a closet door handle.
6. chrpaperie
Celeste at chrpaperie makes everything from stickers to prints to cards to keychains. Her hand writing is the stuff of dreams! I’m a sucker for a good font.
A lot of her quotes are faith based and inspirational and absolutely lovely. Shop her Etsy store here!
Favorite things: keychains, stickers, and notepads.
7. Fabric Scout Studio
Fabric Scout is a one of a kind company! Sue is a sewing genius who finds vintage and new pendants and designs pillow around them. She creates perfect pillows with cities or holidays or sports team logos that have that vintage feel.
Her love for plaid helps me spot her booth in The Found Cottage every time. Everything the she makes is completely flawless. You need to check out her website to see all she can make, I’m really not doing it justice.
Favorite things: custom pillow. I special ordered an Arizona pillow for my in-laws before and she talked with me on matching colors and making it perfect for them!
8. Rachel Allene
Rachel is another one of those people where I’m completely envious of her handwriting. It makes me so happy every time I see it! Rachel specializes in mugs (at least that’s how I know her!) but has so many terrific products.
She has shirts and notepads and cups and prints all with her fabulous hand written font. See all of her items on her website here!
Favorite things: coffee mugs and sweatshirts
9. Beary Bearnita Design
Ok this is a very specific niche but do you crochet? I love to crochet and recently started making lots of stuffed animals for my daughter and niece and nephew because I have found out it’s not as hard as it seems!
So if you’re into making a little crochet creature for someone this year then this is the place to snag a pattern. She sells simple and easy to read patterns that I can work up in about 2 days! They’re cute and fluffy and look one of a kind. Find so many cute patterns here on her Etsy page.
Favorite things: teddy bear pattern and cat pattern.
10. Pancake and Petunia
I’m amazed at what people can do with stickers these days. I always thought, up until like 6 months ago, that stickers were for children or gen z water bottles. But HOLY MOLEY look at these beauties!
I love the font (again) and the colors and the cut out shapes and the quotes and everything to do with Kathryn’s stickers. Visit her Etsy shop to see her beautiful designs and more products.
Favorite things: basically every sticker.
11. The Esther Co.
The Esther Co. is a small shop run by Allie Boss out of Michigan. She sells faith based shirts and sweatshirts for mamas and their littles! I actually went to high school with Allie and it’s awesome to see someone in my community making something like this.
You won’t find shirts like her’s anywhere else. Click on her website to see all of her lovely apparel.
Favorite things: “be the light” and “not today satan” shirts
12. Westside Thrift
I just LOVE this concept. My friend Katie and her friend Dane have a resell shop right on Instagram flipping awesome thrift store finds. They curate collections and auction them off in the comments!
They have such a good eye for finding the perfect things to resell and they start of biddings LOW so you could score some steals! Give them a follow on Instagram @westside.thriftshop and bid on these one of a kind items!
Favorite things: vintage kitchen items, quirky graphic tees, and the windbreakers. Classic.
13. Happy Kamper Designs
I used to work with Erin and OH MY WORD what a talented entrepreneur. She paid her way through college make bracelets. I’m not kidding. These bracelets are impeccably handcrafted and unique. She makes so many different designs and can do custom orders.
Check out her Etsy shop to see some of her designs and message her if you want a custom order for someone on your Christmas list!
Favorite things: the pictured rocks series and the sunflower design.
14. This Little Colby Art
I was gifted a piece of Colby’s art of me and my best friend once and since then I’ve been in love with her work. She does sketched ProCreate one of a kind pieces that always make me smile. She’s known for her faceless portraits and custom prints.
Check out her Instagram @thislittlecolby.art to see all of her creations and reach out to her to ask about a custom sticker or print!
Favorite things: custom portrait stickers and prints.
There has got to be something on this list that sparked your interest! What was your favorite thing? I can’t name mine becuase I genuinely LOVE them all! How insanely talented are all of these people?! I’m in awe of what some people can do. And that’s why I buy from them!
Thanks for shopping small this season and looking out for your fellow makers and small business owners. If you have a small business you would love to show support to comment below their shop and why they are awesome!
