Small Businesses to Support this Holiday Shopping Season

Thanksgiving is a week away but the holiday shopping season is already in full swing. The pandemic has dented (or even obliterated) many small businesses’ budgets. I’m looking to do my part to spotlight small businesses and crafty side gigs for holiday shopping consideration.

This list is broken into two parts: the first part features shops I’ve personally used and loved. The second list lists businesses recommended by friends. These lists will grow so check back often! If you’d like to recommend a small business, post it in the comments.

Part 1: My Recommendations

Kyre’s Scentsy Site: I know about a gazillion people who sell Scentsy but I’m using my space to engage in a little nepotism. Kyre is my niece and goddaughter, a single mother, and an active-duty military security officer. I love her very much.

Gayle’s Unique Boutique: I’ve bought a number of items from this lovely website, including clothes, jewelry, purses, and scarves. Gayle’s got a keen eye and great taste.

Seattle Metropolitans: Paul is the creative mind behind this website dedicated to the first American hockey team to win the coveted Stanley Cup (way back in 1917). The arrival of Seattle’s NHL team, the Kraken, has heightened interest in the Emerald City’s original pro team, whose players’ names are proudly etched on Lord Stanley’s Cup. I own several t-shirts and a hoodie from this awesome site.

Miss-Kate’s Maskies: My friend Miss-Kate began making cloth masks during the Pandemic. Her masks are comfortable and gorgeous. I love that I can breathe in them, especially while teaching school! Each mask costs $15 and includes shipping. I exclusively wear masks from Miss-Kate’s Maskies and Sew Fine Prints (see below).

Life Force Creatives: I’ve known the creative mind behind this lovely business for many years. I say “many” because I know I’ve known Shauna a long time but can’t remember exactly how long. This beautiful website is focused on Shauna’s handmade jewelry, using crystals and stones with metaphysical properties. Plus, they’re so pretty to look at.

Sew Fine Prints: I love this shop so much! You can find cute hair scrunchies, masks, wristlets, lanyards, even custom dog collars, handcrafted using a variety of Korean silk-blend materials, including patterns normally used to make traditional Korean dresses called hanboks. I have scrunchies, masks, and wristlets. Next up, I plan to splurge both of my dogs with custom dog collars.

Jordan Samuel Skin: Jordan is a former dancer with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, based in Seattle. He utilized PNB’s “Second Stage” program to transition from dancing to aesthetics. I met Jordan many years ago, when I worked with him on an interview segment to discuss his career change and celebrate the launch of his skincare line. Since its launch, Jordan has added products and tweaked formulas. I confidently say this: I have rosacea and contact dermatitis. Jordan’s products do not irritate my skin. This is a huge deal. My skin loves all of his products, especially his After Show Treatment Cleanser. I use it at night to take off my makeup and give my skin a hug before bed. His Soothing Facial Oil is lovely, as are his Antioxidant Serum, Performance Eye Gel, Performance Cream, Olio Per Il Corpo Body Oil (luscious and lemony). Actually, ALL of Jordan’s products are 100%.

Moore Than Rocks: This is a physical store in Kent, Washington, that also has an Etsy page but sells a lot via Facebook and Instagram. I buy all of my crystals and stones from this wonderful store. The crew has great, positive energy and their selection is vast and unique at the same time.

Carrie Avery Moriarty: Carrie is a friend and fabulous romance author. The tagline on her website is “Words that give you wings.” Her novels embody that tagline and are definitely worth checking out.

Part 2: My friends’ recommendations:

Keeping My Zenity: Here’s the overview from her Facebook page: Keeping My Zenity (KMZ) takes back time and power you generously give to others but not enough to yourself. From bath & body treats to various greeneries for indoor/outdoor zen gardens, KMZ products are meant for you to regain sanity and keep your ZENITY.

Hanging By the Moments: Here’s the overview from their website: My focus is to help other people make items that either create or remind them of special moments in their lives.  I don’t want to make cookie cutter products. I want to not only make items that are personal, using quality materials, but also be considerate of each customer’s budget. I want to be very clear that Hanging By The Moments is about helping people, not just finding customers. It is a business, but I am more concerned with helping everyone find that creative talent they have in themselves.

G.Miller Olympia: Here’s the overview from their website: g.miller is a locally-owned and -operated men’s clothing store located in the heart of downtown Olympia. Our focus is on exceptional-quality male fashion and astonishing customer service. We’re friendly. We’re helpful. We’re relaxed and easy to get along with. From casual to formal, from head to foot, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to make you look and feel great, so come on in and discover just what you’ve been looking for.

Hippie Girl Collection: Here’s the overview from their Facebook page: We use repurposed material and eco-friendly materials. Our Mission: We follow our 4-C Philosophy to Create Conservation with Custom Coasters. For every order placed, we plant a tree!

Cheese On The Run: Gorgeous charcuterie boards for all occasions and events.

Buggy’s Crafty Creations: Here’s the overview from their Facebook group: The possibilities are endless and everything that can be made can be completely customized to how you want it! From key chains to doormats, cards, signs for decoration, tumblers, Christmas ornaments/ decorations, shirts, onesies, hats, or shoes! Pretty much anything really! I can also ship.

Celeste Innov8tive: Here’s the overview from her Facebook page: Wearable Nutrition patches! Take your vitamins the NEW WAY-the better way-the optimal way! Better ingredients, better absorption, all-natural, non-gmo Supplementation!

Tactically Suited: Here’s the overview from their website: Tactically Suited started as a specialty clothing retailer dedicated to supply durable, long-lasting, and specially designed apparel, leather goods, and gear for law enforcement, private security, and personal protection professionals. Today we not only offer the quality apparel and gear you expect from Tactically Suited, but we have expanded into offering patches, challenge coins, and procurement of all types of equipment for law enforcement and private firms.