It's gift giving season and I personally can't think of a neater thing to give than a special piece of art from an independent artist or small business (except for something you made yourself, of course).
Buying something handmade or locally produced is a terrific gift to give - for everyone involved! It allows you to give a friend a hard to find, unique gift with a very personal touch, it is good for the -local- economy, and it supports and encourages artists to share their art!
Here's a list (ordered by location) of artists and small businesses that I've purchased from or had items purchased for me in 2014, along with a link to where you can order from them, a short description of their shop, and what I got from them. I hope you find something cool!
WORLDWIDE:
Sugar and Vice (UK):
A terrific shop that features laser-cut acrylic charms in necklaces, rings, earrings and more! Aaron surprised me with this sweet magpie necklace.
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| Taken from artist's website. |
CreepHeart (AUSTRALIA):
Talented artist Ella Mobbs makes creepy-cute, Halloween inspired illustrations and offers them as prints, jewelry, shirts, and bows! I got this sweet bat button to add to my button board.
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Yu Kitten Me (AUSTRALIA):
Old school cool tattoo styled prints! Often featuring Kewpie dolls doing decidedly non-Kewpie doll things. The print below was a collaboration between Yu Kitten Me and Ella Mobbs!
UNITED STATES:
For Strange Women:
Lovely and unique scents for the strange woman inside of you. Sells hand-mixed perfume oils, solid perfume lockets, and other necessities. I got a sample set of several of their scents and reviewed them here.
Black Quartz Alchemy:
Hand crafted, sustainable, loose leaf tea blends. Yummy!I got a sample set of their tea blends and reviewed them here.
Michelle Coffee:
Creepy and cute tattoo styled art. Most of her pieces are only sold as original art and get snatched up quickly, so keep and eye on her Instagram!
Magical handmade paper art. Great for unique cards and wall decor! I got this Senor Devil mask for the 2014 Comicpalooza ball, only to find out that there was no ball this year. :(
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| Taken from artist's website. |
Pity Party Corporation:
Irreverent zines, patches, buttons, shirts, and stickers that will make you nostalgic for the 90's.
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| A grab bag of the goodies I got from them! |
Evil Supply Company:
"Better living via questionable morality." Paper goods, shirts, and stationery for every villain. I got one of their "Mister Ghost’s Highly Enviable Monthly Parcel of Simple Yet Amazing Wonderments" earlier this year, and the review for that is here.
Sugar Bunny Shop:
Cute merchandise inspired by Japanese art. Check out their bags!
Pretty and Cute:
Not so much an indie artist, but a small business based in Portland dedicated to providing affordable and accessible Korean and Japanese cosmetics and skincare.
Black Widow Balm:
My favorite lip balm / lip tint maker. Try a tube of Voodoo color balm and I guarantee you that you won't be going back to Chapstick. She offers nut free formulas as well!
Tiny Art Shop:
Lovely watercolor paintings and prints inspired by nature and human anatomy.
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| Taken from artist's website. |
Cult Grrrl Creations:
Cute and creepy crocheted creations! I got the black version of the cat below; I had to take a photo from the artist's website because my phone refuses to focus on my cat.
Solo Cosmo:
The artwork of Jessica von Braun, a Texas based artist. I picked up a print and a button from her at a few different Houston conventions we were both vending at.
Johnnie Rosales Jr:
Texas based artist. Picked up a very cool ink Xenomorph postcard from him at this year's Comicpalooza!
Houston readers! If you would rather shop in person, The Tinderbox carries some of the above Texas artists' and several more local artists' items at their location in Mid-Main!
Stay Fanatic this season,
Megh
