Five Favorite Etsy Stores- Tree Toppers

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

from Tinworks

We bought our tree topper on Etsy 7 years ago when we moved in together. It basically looks like an oven mit, but I love it and I bet we will never change it. Tree toppers are the kind of thing most of us will only buy once or twice in our lifetime, so it is worth it to spend a little more on something special that will last all that time. Etsy has so many options, but here are some of my favorites:

Kentucky Reclaimed (Kentucky) makes beautiful reclaimed wood stars that would look perfect on a rustic Christmas tree.

Kissa Design (Detroit)has the coolest collection of these paper tree toppers. I have never seen anything like them,

Tinworks (South Carolina) makes stars and angels that seem old and precious, somewhere between a tintype photo and a suit of armor, but I can see them working on most trees, and they feel like an heirloom.

The Stencil Laser (Indiana) makes these super sharp and minimalist stars. I think this also has that cool trendy side, but the wood makes it look like it could fit on a more traditional tree as well.

Me and She Studios (Philadelphia) these stars are so light and airy, and I think they make look great in a small apartment where you don't want to cramp the space much more. Another sort of different style.


Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer...

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

from Meadow Tea

This week we watched one of my favorite Christmas movies- Elf! Best thing Will Ferrell ever did, and now a namesake movie for the world's cheeriest baby (so appropriate). We usually watch it while we put up Christmas decorations, because it is bright, spirited, and has a great soundtrack (Brian Setzer Orchestra doing the Nutcracker Suite is the best). If you are also a fan, you aren't alone and a bunch of people on Etsy are selling cool Elf-inspired stuff (like this adorable mug)! Look it!

Cleopatra Candy (Alabama)- These earrings really capture the manic joy of this movie. They have oodles of kooky earrings in their store. Love the idea but don't want Will Ferrell's crazy eyes hanging off your ears? Check out the sweet earrings from Erin etc,

from Dainty Dirtbags

Dainty Dirtbags (Columbus, OH) sells all sorts of hilarious t-shirts (including ones honoring the Beloved Barb), but their commitment to Buddy the Elf might be my favorite. Check it out if you need a special decorating shirt every year.

from Strong Girl Clothing

Strong Girl Clothing (Arizona) also makes some of my new favorites. Perfect for the woman who loves a holiday theme shirt (because you are awesome).

Sweet Littles Inc (Florida) makes onesies. Kind of like the Elf-themed t-shirts,but smaller.

Widdershine and Bones (Georgia) is a store entirely devoted to Peter Pan and Elf hats. Because we live in a truly strange and wonderful world. I think these are adorable, and maybe the elf party can overtake ugly sweater parties. Bad news everybody, ugly sweaters are over.

If I can find Elf presents on here, you can definitely find the gifts on Etsy that you want to buy loved ones. Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- Advent Calendar

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

Nomad Fine Art

Advent gets downplayed in the hustle and bustle of the season, but I know it has a pretty big role in our house. An advent calendar seems to be spiritual enough that it doesn't have a huge market (thank goodness) but you can get an amazing and meaningful advent calendar on Etsy. Of all the things I have researched this season, these might be my favorite. 

Baby What Knots (Indiana)- I LOVE this one so much. You can buy a little tree and 25 little ornaments to go with it. Really pretty and would look great in a kid space or even a minimal space without room for the tree.

Nomad Fine Art (California) sells a bunch of advent calendars that are modern, thoughtful, beautiful, and shockingly cheap. I especially love the clip and copper pipe ones, because I think you could incorporate it into a reverse Advent calendar, where each day leading up to Christmas you donate belongings as a family. These look so cool, and you could use them in so many ways to best fit your family's traditions.

Knoll Wood Lane (Missouri)- These simple unfinished wood boxes could look a million different types of beautiful depending on how you decorate it. I think this could be really cool, or even make a great gift for a couple's first Christmas. Even though this is simple, it is my favorite. If you are more of a felt DIYer, check out the Sugar House Shop.

N and B Specialties (South Carolina) makes art for your home out of reclaimed wood (one of my favorite things). They have a simple and rustic Advent tree that would look good with lots of decor but I think it looks even cooler like this outside! I love how sweet and simple this one is.

French Melody sells cool printables, but this flock of advent sheep is my favorite by far! If you are going to do it, put it on recycled paper, so you are supporting a nearby small business AND saving a tree from coming down! Double win! Also, this looks like a fun project to do with a teen or older child (or awesome adult).

Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- Nativity Sets

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

from Clever Nest Shop

Nativity sets might make a perfect gift for newlyweds or someone in a new house. You may think of them as looking a certain way, but these beautiful symbolic decorations come in so many forms. I love these reminders of what Christmas is all about, and this way no one was mistreated on the way to your celebration. 

Under Angel Wings (Poland) makes sets so lively and beautiful that I just had to share (even though they break my US-made rule). These are gorgeous and I love them.

Poppies and Paisleys (Utah) make ones that just look fun. When we were kids, my Grammy would let us play with her nativity sets, and that is what this reminds me of. The perfect one to have out if you have kiddos in the house. Plus, look at that sheep and donkey. Come on!

Silver Holly (Bend, Oregon) makes creches for Willow Tree nativity sets out of reclaimed wood. If you have collected the sets but want to support something more local (Willow Tree is made in Elsewhere) and more eco-friendly, start here. I will be lusting after these creches this Christmas.

Classic Nativities (Maine) make these simple, beautiful nativities. A good reminder things don't have to be fussy to be really special. Also, the stable is especially well done, I think,

Northwind Metal Art (Minnesota) make this beautiful metal silhouette nativity. This one seems really special to me, plus I am very impressed with newborn baby Jesus's neck control. Would look so pretty with some lights behind it.

Need more options? Check out Amano Handcraft, Macaroni n Glitter, Kid in Me Creations, Arks and Animals, Bunny and Bear Kids, Fun Hobbies, Punch and Judy Pegs, Endeavor Toys, Sparkled Light BTQ, Do Small Things with Love, and Pegged by Grace

Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- The Stockings were Hung

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

This week, the blog is going to be all about stockings and stocking stuffers. The stocking, when done right, is really the best part of Christmas morning, and if we are cutting our regular gifts down to one or two, then the majority of our items will actually be in the stocking. Can you make a totally eco-friendly stocking? Oh yeah! But let's start with some fun ideas for the sock first. 

Allenbrite Studio (Iowa). When we first got married, The Boy and I bought two of these adorable stockings for our house. Now we use the amazing ones his mother made us and our kids, but I still have a serious soft spot for this store and their stockings. These stockings aren't gigantic either, which makes them perfect for more thoughtful and minimalist gifting.  Also, they do all sorts of dogs, so check them out if you want a pet stocking. 

Eugenie2 (Florida) makes these lovely knit stockings that would be great if you have chic and kitschy taste at once. Like a classy Christmas sweater made into a stocking. If you have the knitting skills, you can find patterns too.

Handmade Pretties (Iowa) make quilted stockings that remind me of the ones my Grammy made us as kids. So I am in love with them. Even more eco-friendly are these upcycled quilted stockings from Groovy Goods 4 U. If you can quilt and want to do it yourself, you can find all sorts of patterns on Etsy as well.

Pink Slip Inspiration (San Diego) makes the most sophisticated stockings I have seen anywhere. Pretty girly, but I think in a good way. Angie and Lois and Westin House Design sell gorgeous and sophisticated stockings as well.

Three Schatze (Illinois) makes modern stockings with fun and quirky prints. The prints are very on trend, so just make sure you pick things that really fit so you can get lots of years of use.

Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- Christmas Ornaments

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

from Fancy Face Studios

I love Christmas ornaments. We don't buy anything big when we go on trips, but we always bring home an ornament for our tree. I love receiving and giving them as gifts, because it can be thoughtful, special, and packed away for a good chunk of the year (rather than adding to the clutter). Etsy has a seemingly endless supply of cool ornaments that would make great gifts. These are some of my favorites.

Naya Studio (Colorado) uses reclaimed wood to make these sweet little Christmas trees.

Cardboard Safari (Virginia) mostly sells cardboard animal busts but their christmas pinecones out of recycled cardboard are beautiful. One of my favorite Christmas ornaments anywhere.

Drops of Color Shop (Texas) makes the cutest mobiles, but they put their felty genius to use for Christmas ornaments. So sweet and bright, we have made our own felt ornaments, but these are way better.

Schemata (New York) has gorgeous glass ornaments that look so special and colorful. These glass balls were actually one of my first Etsy purchases (the beginning of an addiction for sure).They remind me of maps of a planet I have never been to. I thought they made great gifts, so maybe you will too.

Ornaments 4 Charity (Nebraska) makes lego ornaments, which you can find plenty of on Etsy. What makes these so special is that they are the product of one family, and 100% of the proceeds go to helping women and children in domestic violence centers. The whole family does the work together just to help others around Christmas. How awesome is that!?


Want more links to awesome ornaments? Can do! 2 Chicks and a Basket, Tuscany Creative, Pegasus Parchments, Smiling Tree Toys, Just 4 Christmas, Reclaim the Shed, Nestled Pine Woodworks, Taco Explosions, A Heirloom, MC Wonderland, Little Celandine, artcrafthome,

Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- Stranger Things Goodies

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

We may be slightly obsessed with this show in our house (especially a national treasure named Barb). It turns out, we are not the only ones, because there are so many cool and hilarious Stranger Things goodies on Etsy. How can you not feel good about a world where people are making Barb stickers? These might make fun Christmas gifts, or just cute things to look at.

from Strangeways Studios

Strangeways Studios (Utah) has all sorts of pop culture t-shirts, totes, and onesies. I love their simple contour-line designs, and they have a couple of Barba and Eleven designs I am totally in love with. It makes me laugh that they use the same waffle design for Leslie Knope and Eleven (they have so much in common). Love this store!

from Concepcion Studios

Concepcion Studios (California) makes beautiful and minimalist "retro-modern" posters, ncluding this one for Stranger Things. Plus, they aren't all that expensive, so they might make a perfect gift for the movie lover you love.

from dreamlikefilm

Dreamlikefilm (Chicago) makes vinyl stickers with great style and pop culture (mostly film) references. I love their choices for Stranger Things references too- who doesn't need an eggo sticker! This store might be a great stop for stocking stuffers.

from Wooteewoot

Wooteewoot- Has any one shirt ever contained so much truth? They have lots of cool ones.

from Big Yellow Dog Designs

Big Yellow Dog Designs (Atlanta)- The Lights with the alphabet has to be the most iconic image in the show. Making Alphabet magnets with that image? Totally genius.

from Smart Lamb Shop

Bonus- I try to feature all American shops, because I really believe that buying locally is better for the environment, but this was too cool to not include. Smart Lamb Shop recycles old VHS tapes into table lamps, and the bizarre anachronistic combination of a modern nostalgia tv show on a medium it will never actually BE on is just too good. You, my friends, are some Brazilian Winners.

Ok, there are so many cool things, so if you are interested, check these stores too- Dainty Dirtbags, Jenny's Sweet Tees, Cately Designs, The Exploding Awesome, jeddlangevin, Abbie Illustrations, Weirdo Weapons, Tokyo Electrick, and Deep Fried Art.

Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- Halloween Accessories

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

from Danielle V Green

Danielle V Green (New Jersey) makes brooches of cats in Halloween costumes like David Bowie, Bettie Page, Frida Kahlo, or the Little Mermaid. It sounds convoluted, and yet, when you look at them, the genius is clear from the get go. If you aren't necessarily a costume type of person but want to honor the sense of play that comes with Halloween, this is a great option. Also, if anyone is ever struggling to buy me a Christmas gift... If you love the pin idea but the cats aren't doing it for you, try Sayonara Baby, which has wonderfully disturbing Beetlejuice pins.

from Marty Magic

Marty Magic (Santa Cruz, CA) sells earrings and ear cuffs, many of which might be fun for Halloween. I love these bat cuffs the most, because they are both fun and a little bit creepy. I haven't seen them before, and getting things this memorable and unique is a big perk of Etsy.

from Callie Jewelry

Callie Jewelry (California) doesn't exclusively sell Halloween stuff, but I do love the subtlety of this skull ring. Great if you like your accessories to whisper about mortality. But not scream death, because that is just too much. It actually reminds me of the Goonies, so you know it's good.

from Delicate Industry

Delicate Industry (Sacramento, CA) sells these hilarious, unique, and completely creepy skeleton profile jewelry. These earrings look like something from a haunted mansion or out of a movie in the best way possible.

from Horribell

Horribell (Bethlehem, PA) wins my heart on sheer commitment. I feel like these work for awesome Halloween jewelry OR if you go to a heavy metal concert. I just think they look tough and and cool.You could be a soccer mom and show up to the game with a black t-shirt,jeans, and these earrings, and no one else is going to fight with you.

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- Not too Spooky Decorations

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

I don't love the focus on death that comes with Halloween decorations, it seems weird to me, especially with little ones in the house. At the same time, you can't deny that Halloween decorations are often the most fun, because people can really go crazy. These stores have figured out how to keep a nice balance. 

from Nevada Knits

Nevada Knits makes chunky knit pumpkins I want to hug. They remind me of a lot of stuff they sell at Michael's, with a sort of rustic feel, but these look like you should hug them (and not that much more expensive). They would be awesome with kids in the house

K and J Creations

K and J Creations (Texas) makes all sorts of sweet yard art out of reclaimed wood (so you know I love them), but they seem to turn it out most for Halloween, with jack o lanterns, candy corn, and ghosts! My favorite are the ghosts- you can't deny how cute these are.

from Anthology on Main

Anthology on Main (Kansas City) makes these pumpkins out of recycled books. A little sad, but they also come out very cute and at least the book isn't wasted completely. And this good idea comes with lots of variations so you can find something perfectly your style; Tr HBixby Artworks (Yakima), or Hi Butterfly (Colorado) as well.

from A Black Star

A Black Star handpaints Silhouettes onto pillow covers (always a great way to decorate- not much room to store and lots of impact). They have some awesome Halloween-themed ones, from Beetlejuice to Bride of Frankenstein. They also have Jack Skellington and Sally, but everyone Nightmare before Christmas is a Christmas movie. You could also try Pillows of Plenty for a great Frankenstein pillow.I like Halloween Kelley's Collection pillows as well.

from Playin with Scraps

Playin with Scraps (Pennsylvania) sells ornaments made with recycled scrap metal, but my favorite is this bat. Very cute and recycled too! Double win.

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