Custom Gifts for The Cuties: Top 5 Small Businesses To Shop From This Holiday Season
Holiday shopping can be stressful for anyone. You want to find the perfect gift for all of the loved ones in your life, but you don’t want to just get them any old gift set.
You can take a spin through your local Target and find a cute blanket or a candle. But have you ever thought about getting something custom for your best friend or significant other? Nothing says “I appreciate you as a special person in my life” like a custom-made hat, or a handmade necklace.
This holiday season we’re shopping small with these five brands.
Stitched By Vanah
Source: @stitchedby.vanah on Instagram
Sav Hernandez (she/her) is a Jersey-based crochet designer and artist that has some serious skills with yarn and thread.
Just imagine you and your partner going ice skating in matching beanies. Sav can make anything from a fluffy tote bag to a trendy balaclava. Her custom-crocheted items are the perfect gift for a loved one this holiday.
DM her quickly for custom orders so you can have your gifts by Christmas!
BB Bead Co
Source: @bb.beadco on Instagram
Braden Olsen (she/her) is an NYC-based jewelry designer. She started selling custom beaded necklaces and bracelets last year. BB beads are ethically sourced raw pearls, vintage glass beads, and other unique materials.
Imagine you and your bestie stepping into a New Year’s Eve party wearing matching velvet necklaces with vintage metal pendants—so hot.
As one of her proud customers, I can attest the necklaces are not only cute but good quality. So (virtually) run, don’t walk, to BB Bead Co’s IG and snatch up the latest from her last drop on December 11th, or wait until December 31st for her next drop. If you’re looking for something custom, make sure to DM her!
Honey Hearted
Source: @shophoneyhearted on Instagram
Nia Bellona (they/them) is a clay creator and jewelry designer. Known as the queen bee of Honey Hearted, Bellona takes inspiration from their favorite films like Alice in Wonderland and childhood favorites like Spongebob popsicles to create fun pieces.
From stud earrings to charm necklaces, Honey Hearted has at it all. You can even mix and match the earrings or purchase them in sets — another matching moment for you and your bestie.
Make sure to grab these clay cuties while you still can!
Tender Flesh
Source: @art.tenderflesh on Instagram
Bea (she/her) is a UK-based clay artist. Yet, another clay creator to collect unique pieces from for you and your loved ones. Tender Flesh is the perfect place to shop for that friend that loves plants or your cousin that collects crazy decor.
Each polymer-clay-piece is hand designed and hand-made by Bea herself. Each work of art is like its own character, from the endearing eyes to the lips, there are so many insane details incorporated. Grab a wall hanging or a planter for your bestie this holiday—her next drop is December 16th.
Exoctic Cancer
Source: @exotic.cancer on Instagram
Exotic Cancer (she/her) is an anonymous artist located in Melbourne, Australia. Her work is eccentric and perfect for that friend that loves looking at the world through a dystopian lens.
Similar to Poly Nor’s work, Exotic Cancer explores “more ominous aspects of human nature, particularly the desires and lusts that often drive us."
She has the cutest gifts for your bestie from phone cases and tarot cards to money clips and nail stickers. And if her art inspires you to be the badass feminist you are, grab a print for yourself and that special person.
All of these businesses are run by creatives that want to share their art with the world. What better way to make their dream come true than to support them this holiday? Not only will you be contributing to small businesses, but you’ll get some sick gifts out of it.