Holiday Gift Guide Volume I

I typically don’t like to encourage the sort of consumerism that is rampant this time of year. But, I do like to support small businesses, especially ones that produce original and awesome products. I decided to feature several of my favorite makers for a gift guide of sorts. Maybe you use it for others, or maybe you use it to get a little something for yourself. Or, maybe you send it to someone else as a *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* sort of list. I’ll be releasing a second volume to the gift guide in the coming days that will focus on recipes from the blog and items suited for homemade gift giving 🙂

1. THRO CERAMICS — I found Erica’s work earlier this year and have become smitten. She makes every piece herself in her studio up in East Texas. I love the simple yet beautiful design of each piece and will definitely be adding more to my collection.  Pictured above are her mugs.
2. MARBLE & MILKWEED — I’ve expressed my love of Briar’s products on the blog before (check out this post) but I’ll go ahead and re-iterate how much I love everything she makes! If I had to pick a favorite I would have to say it’s the modern chai no. 1 (pictured above). It’s the first thing I ever ordered from her shop many years ago and I’ve been a fan ever since. If you’re a cardamom fan, you’ll love the mini rose and cardamom gift set (also pictured above).
3. NATIVE BEAR — I’ve been a fan of Leela’s prints since my early Etsy days, but I’m especially loving her tea towels and planner lately! I actually picked up her wise palm tea towel at Hauswitch up in Salem, MA but you can order it directly from her shop. Pictured above is her blooming poppies tea towel.
4. SIMKA SOL — This is yet another awesome lady I’ve been a fan of since the Etsy days. Not only does the owner Sara illustrate and print each piece by hand, she sews them all as well. And, she only prints using eco-friendly water-based inks. I love the unique and original look of all the pieces I own, but I think my favorite are my cactus leggings. Pictured above is the banquet regale big tee in ecru.
5. URBAN MOONSHINE — I found this woman-run company recently and am really smitten with the original digestive bitters (pictured above). This year I’ve been really interested in herbal medicine and though I don’t make my own tinctures yet, I’ll happily order them from this company for the time being. If you tend to have any sort of chronic digestive issues or have a million food sensitivities like me, I highly recommend the digestive bitters.
6. WAKENED APPAREL — This is a unique company in that each item sold has a portion of its profits donated toward a certain cause. For example, the sedona blanket throw (pictured above) is not only beautiful, but 10 percent of the proceeds will go towards the International Elephant Foundation which works to protect the preservation of elephants worldwide. I’ve been keeping their yellowstone blanket on my bed at all times 🙂
7. LEAH DUNCAN — Since Leah is based in Austin, the state of Texas and it’s native flora and fauna feature prominently in her work. I especially love the wildflowers of Texas poster (pictured above) as well as her agave leaves print. If you order her Texas shaped floral poster, 25% of all sales go towards the Greater Houston Community Foundation Harvey Relief Fund.
8. A WILD SOAP BAR — I remember picking up some of this soap on a trip to Austin last year because I loved that it prominently featured a lot of Texas plants. It’s quickly become one of my favorite items and is currently the only soap I buy and use in the shower. All of the products are cruelty free and biodegradable and any of the ones I buy are vegan as well. My favorites are the desert sage (pictured above), sassafrass, and seaweed.
9. BC BURNINGS — Though there are custom options and other designs available, I’m partial to this don’t mess with Texas flag (pictured above). All of the flags are made by hand and dyed with coffee up in Montana. And if you feel so inclined to purchase the don’t mess with Texas flag, 100 percent of the sales will be donated to the J.J. Watt Foundation for those affected by Harvey.