Sabine's Small Business Rec List
Jan. 30th, 2022 03:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sabinetzinSo for the last… while, I've been keeping a running list of the online shops that I've used, in my quest to support small businesses. The problem has been that it's on Twitter, so it's been locked. I decided to transfer it over here instead.
And then it grew. And grew. But finally this fucking albatross is complete. For now.
Anyway, please see inside for about ninety small businesses you can buy things from. Jesus.
Some Background
I am the kind of person who expresses their affection by paying attention to people and by providing them with things. I remember when you said you like that thing that one time six months ago, and I will go buy you that thing when you need a present. A good chunk of what you see here is from me being a magpie and wanting the shinies, but a lot of it was amassed as gifts to other people.
Combined with this is the fact that, about two or three years ago, I decided I was done buying the stuff that mattered from places where it made no difference. I'll buy batteries from Walmart, and I still buy clothes and accessories from retailers like Torrid or Charming Charlie. But a very real way that I can make a difference is to shop small and shop local. Do that for a couple years and then you have… all this.
The Terms:
I can guarantee you I have personally bought something from all but one of these places in the last ~3 years; I received everything I ordered and in cases where something broke or was late because of the seller, they made it right. I will not guarantee you that every one of the businesses is blameless, I will not guarantee you they're run by good people, I will not endorse everything they all sell. But they are indeed real places where you could buy a thing and receive it.
Also, I don't get kickbacks from this, except a few referral offers that are marked.
I have not listed any store that I know to be permanently closed or suspect will not return from hiatus. I have also not listed anybody whose crowdfunding campaign I backed if I didn't continue to use their store, anyone whom I only bought a tarot deck from, and individual authors. There's only so many fuckin hours in the day, and I have backed a LOT of Kickstarters.
The stores are arranged loosely into what I think most people will go there for. For example, Indigo Craft Company primarily sells stickers, but it is in with the witchy shit category because it's exclusively arcane themes. I have also marked when a business is minority- or queer-owned, or if it is a Mississippi business.
The List
Updated 1/30/2022
Nerdy Shit
JupitersJourney: Miscellaneous nerdy shit, including a Taskmaster pin that really amused me.
SewLongMarianne: Cloth bags, masks, and the like made in nerdy patterns. Really pleased with the quality for cost.
Ye Olde Proppe Shoppe: Like MCC, this company tries to bring the Disney parks into your home. It's primarily 3D printed and it's just so fuckin cool.
Ardani Studios: Best elf ears I've ever bought tbh. Usually that's kind of a one-shot product, but I've still got my Taako ears.
Crow Scratches: Purveyors of DIY and… not DIY dice towers. Great quality for price. (Mississippi company)
Mysterious Package Company: Sells "experiences" that involve doing puzzles to solve a mystery. Rise of the Cult and the Post Mortem Trilogy are my faves (would skip Cadet Turner and can't rec the monthly subscription).
Arielle Milstein-Brennan fka criticalkits: Just a ton of cool tabletop-themed shit.
Mixtape Your Life: I don't quite know how to describe this store. John Waters would shop here. Please know that the Sinema merch references Cecil B. Demented and not, y'know. Something else.
Pins and Stickers
SlideWhistleStickers: Pop culture stickers including Taskmaster. I just really like their flavor.
Thom Foolery: If you're of a certain age you know Thom Foolery is an animator who used to work for adult swim. He makes creepy-cute pins and other objects based on 30's cartoons.
ParacosmFactory: Primarily board-filler sized pins, I just love the neatness of the design and detail.
curseiv: They sold me a Death Becomes Her pin. I will not be taking any further questions.
janemount: Excellent book-themed pins, particularly in the style of book covers.
RoaminBisonWorkshop: Neat wildlife pins but more importantly they make the Be Goose, Do Crimes sticker/patch (now in possum and crow!)
JournalingSquid: Actually an accidental order, but their grab bag was a satisfying amount for the money and the stickers are fun and witchy.
zebrafiinches: Stickers in queer/sexual themes with such bright design that you can't help but like them. (Queer-owned)
Sootmegs: Button-style pins with messages about mental health, gender, grief anything you might want a pin to say so you don't have to. I have "I haven't slept" and "Bisexual badass", personally.
Self Love Tool Chest: Items of affirmation. They front page says "We Are Anti-Diet, Anti-Self Shame, and 100% Pro-YOU" and I think that sums it up. (Black queer owned)
Jewelry
Monica L Knighton: Monica is the creator of the Tarot of the Dead, my standard reading deck for the last 15 years, but I've put her here because I love her wooden jewelry so much.
Teal Pansy Jewelry: Such interesting stuff and SO quick. How can you not like a place that'll sell you a crystal vial for male tears? (Queer-owned; 13% of profits go to Indigenous communities)
Hypnovamp: The artist is a silversmith, but she also produces a whole line of 3D printed jewelry, with the stated purpose of making nice jewelry affordable. Also, most rings go up to size 10 and some made-to-order go to 13, which is wild (IYKYK).
thelittlegrasshut: Primarily earrings, but also necklaces, in a wide range of very interesting designs. I get compliments on my lariat necklace every time I wear it.
BlackBerriesBox: Excellent wire-wrapped statement pieces. (Black-owned)
GetCharmedWithLove: I'll be real with you: this is where you would get a present for your kid's teacher or your nurse friend. But I was perfectly pleased with the quality of the book earings I got for my mom.
EarthGemstoneJewels: Lot of wire wrapping and gemstones, mostly statement pieces but also athames, etc.
linerworks: This is where I got my tarot necklace (of the Tower, naturally) and it's super sharp and high quality. Get over there, I think they might be closing.
RainyDayStyles: Nerd themed jewelry, primarily Bioware but some other games and Good Omens, on acrylic and wood.
Kawaii
Mimosa Studios: Kawaii AF stationery & pins, good deals on seconds. Based out of Nashville and can be seen around cons in the South.
Erstwilder: SO CUTE. Their main thing is brooches but they also do pins and other stuff, all with a really sweet kawaii sensibility. They're in Australia but I got my shit in the US like 3 days later??
Andisa Charms: Got addicted to their ig videos, had to buy their shit, which is realistic food charms from clay and resin. Idk man it's just so cute. (Mexican-owned)
LauraIllustratesShop: Lots of cute bits and bobs, many with a tabletop vibe. I reach for my microfiber cloth like all the time.
Berry Blitz: Super cute stuff, much of it with a food or cat theme.
Clothing
Grrrl: Size-inclusive (would say it'll probably get you up to a 28 in leggings, more in tops) workout gear that's solid quality. Believe me: you can squat in these leggings no prob. They send a lot of coupons too. Use my code for 25% off your first order: REFP7M2CF4G7E (I get a kickback, everybody wins)
Spooky Cat: Buying zodiac stuff sucks when you're a Virgo, so shout out to these people strictly for my very good Virgo t-shirt.
radtastical: They've got various things, but the skirts are where it's at. So satisfying to twirl in, and the prints are really fun.
Elhoffer Design: Rejecting fast fashion, but super pro Marvel Movies. I'm kidding. Sort of. Either way their quality is superb and their range is versatile. At this point probably a third of my work attire is Elhoffer.
Adult
riskybeads, also DBA TheTwistedScrew. Makers of stamped jewelry of all kinds, but in particular, a very wide variety and number of customization options for the kink community.
Bad Dragon: Be advised that they have changed their business model to drops rather than customs, so you have to watch their twitter or get on their mailing list. But you absolutely cannot beat them for the level of quality for price that they provide. I recommend it even to wholly vanilla people. It's not furry unless you want it to be.
Early To Bed and SheVibe: These are more or less the stores I trade off on for buying vibrators and other non-kink goods. I go back and forth based on prices, but if you want to bargain shop, keep an eye on![[twitter.com profile]](https://p.dreamwidth.org/e0caa790ec10/-/twitter.com/favicon.ico)
epiphora.
Adore Me: Wasn't best pleased with the subscription service, but the value for money is good for most products, the size range is solid, and the company has made public commitments to racial diversity and improving their environmental impact.
Daoire: Classy, minimalist D/s and M/s jewelry. A tentative rec, because they don't seem to have their wooden and acrylic pendants anymore, which was what drew me to them.
Gender/queer
(There's not much here because the gayness is scattered all over the place)
AndyCoreByEmmett: Low-cost gender affirmation gear for trans mascs, including washable cloth packers. (Queer-owned)
WeatheredHeather: Very nice, chill pride jewelry and stickers.
Witchy
ilovelotus: Fuckin just a lot of crystals, including carvings & rune sets, at a solid price.
Lysa Penrose: A maker of tarot zines that are always useful, based on unusual themes.
The Dark Exact: Really enjoy the spread zines. Haven't bought any of their decks yet, but it's coming.
Kay's Magic: San Antonio-based seller of witchy things. The one-off mystery box was extremely good value for money, and they also have a subscription service and sell a la carte.
Spiritus Arcanum (queer-owned) and The Cauldron Black: I am recommending these not because of their items, but their classes, which are very interesting and well-run. I'm taking Foundations of Witchcraft right now, and I miiiiiight take the Necromancy class in the spring.
EmpressAndHierophant: These are Thelemic practitioners, and they sell a ton of shit in that vein. I'm fond of their ritual oils.
StoppedClockWoodshop I actually bought something from them that had nothing to do with witchcraft, but they seem to mostly be doing tarot boxes now. Highly recommended for the craftsmanship and price.
The Pickety Witch: Pins and jewelry in very fun arcane designs.
pastelspell: Mostly witchy-themed planner stickers in holographic foil, which is a fun change.
IndigoCraftCompany: Just really gorgeous stickers in slick, witchy designs.
SevenOaksGrove: Whole bunch of rune shit! The reading cloth I bought has great printing and is sturdy.
ZhannasJewels: If you need a lovely magic piece but you don't want to spend a ton, some great options here. Very helpful owner.
Nicholas Bruno/The Somnia Tarot: Okay, this will be the one representative of decks I've bought, but only because it's so fuckin cool and there are additional items that are also so fuckin cool. I need a wand.
Food and Beverage
Old Growth Alchemy: Their stuff is always high quality. I particularly like their teas (Nutbrown Draught, so good) and bitters/simples but they've got dried flowers, loose incense, the occasional jewelry, etc. Tons of coupons in their newsletter.
Sakari Farms: A variety of items, including delicious hot sauce. Also a fan of their lip butter. (Native-owned)
IcedAbove: Get ready to get addicted to chamoy dip. Don't ask, there's no time. (Latinx-owned)
Tea & Absinthe: Geek-themed flavored teas. Really great variety, with several blends that make you go "wait what?" and then are delicious. (Minority-owned)
Bath and Body and Also Cosmetics
Uniquely: Really enjoy the bath salts, which are very reasonably priced and come in a wide variety of scents. (Black-owned)
sammysoap: Quality soap, good selection, creates jobs for adults with intellectual disabilities. Plus they've got tomato soap, which puts them streets ahead.
Haipažaža Pȟežuta: My go-to for body butter and bar soap. Everything I've gotten was gr9, and they really seem to care about their customers (Native-owned)
Espionage Cosmetics: This is where I get 100% of my nail wraps. Great designs, go on quick, no processing required. Their store is closing soon, and I believe it will be reopening after Kickstarter fulfillment.
Candles
WicksByWerby: Anime and game themed candles. They burn nicely, and the scents are excellent.
Lofton and Co: Wonderful candles that are very richly scented. It's not your usual scents, and if you can get them, the blends they make for local coffee shops are excellent. (Black-owned Mississippi business)
Magic Candle Company: Body products and room fragrances based on the Disney parks (not Disney owned). My fave is Terror, but there's something for everyone. Strong rec for their fragrance warmers, diffusers, and especially the candle warmer. Hit me up and I'll tell you the latest 15% off code.
Cantrip Candles: I don't need to tell you about this purveyor of RPG-themed candles, but I will mention them anyway, because their scents and quality are awesome. (Black-owned)
Scents
Sucreabeille: Really pleased with the quality for money, and the ability to choose sizes and carrier methods is very useful. Pro tip: add a dram of Goth As Fuck and use BLOODANDBONE (only works on $30+ purchases but that's easy)
BPAL: First and favorite. Always something new to enjoy, and they also do a lot of charity scents. I have just… just so much… (Asian- and Latino-owned)
Books, Papers, and Pictures
A Room of One's Own: I don't care for my local bookstore; I always feel like they're not particularly interested in catering to anyone who's not there to buy pricey books, and their website is an embarrassment. What I do care for is Room, which is where I get basically all my books. The subscriptions are also A++. (Queer- and trans-owned)
Alyssa Thorne Fine Art fka Forest Noir: Really lovely art, and the quality of the pieces I've bought was outstanding, even though I usually buy on the lower end. She adds new pieces very often, so there's always something to see.
WTF Notebooks: If you want a simple notebook with some silly shit on it, do recommend.
ThatsWhatSheSaidArt: Cheeky/parodic/dirty art, in the form of cards, prints, etc. The quality of their cards is top notch.
Burdock and Bramble: Adorable art of grackles. What more could you want?
LittleGoldFoxDesigns: Just gorgeous cards and wood prints. They came through for me with holiday cards with no religious references, which is ridiculously hard to find.
Regular Things
TheYellowBirdhouse: If you need antique dishes, this is a good spot. I bought a lovely teapot from them at a very fair price.
MeckleyBrooms: I bought a turkey wing whisk to serve as a besom and I'm fucking in love with it. Also you could like sweep your house, these are very well made from actual broomcorn.
NBFClassicWoodcraft: Just lovely wooden toys (not in a sex way). Great gift for a kid if you want to get them something that won't tear up day one.
ShelzCreationz: Useful sewing stuff. That project bag has saved my life ten times over.
michellemach: Kind of a melange of stuff, a lot of it nerdy in like a science/writing nerd way. Don't miss the stitch markers.
Bespoke Post: A subscription service with a decidedly masculine bent, though there's not a lot of that This Is A Man Thing, For Men flavor, especially because they have women's clothing now. I absolutely love it and it's probably the best gender-affirmation thing I do all month. Also, super easy to manage and transparent about what you get and its retail price. Use my link for $20 off your first box (I get $20 too).
Brick and Mortar
(An assortment of stores I like and places to look that don't have reliable websites and aren't restaurants, coffee shops, or liquor stores)
The Four of Wands, Fayetteville, AR: Just a cool witchy store I've spend a lot of time at. I'm just learning that they have ordering on their website now, but I haven't tried it yet.
Craftsmen's Guilds: These are associations of artisans in a specific area (the Mississippi Craftsmen's Guild, the Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh). Long story short, many of them maintain storefronts where the members consign pieces to the guild for sale, then receive the profits. If you have one locally, it's a great place to check out. Perfect for when you need presents and you have no idea what to do.
Museum stores: Now, I know you're thinking, "Sabine, museum stores just sell exhibition books and twelve dollar pencils." But! Increasingly, museums are doing more and more to support local merchants and provide more interesting items. If you're ever in Jackson, swing by the 2MM store. You won't regret it.
Darksome Craft Market: Okay so this isn't properly a brick and mortar store, but I didn't have anywhere to put it. What it is is a physical craft market that went virtual. This is where I found tons of this shit, especially witchy things. Generally, they ask for donations if you buy anything, and retailers often give a discount code and/or donate to charity. Happens several times a year!
And then it grew. And grew. But finally this fucking albatross is complete. For now.
Anyway, please see inside for about ninety small businesses you can buy things from. Jesus.
Some Background
I am the kind of person who expresses their affection by paying attention to people and by providing them with things. I remember when you said you like that thing that one time six months ago, and I will go buy you that thing when you need a present. A good chunk of what you see here is from me being a magpie and wanting the shinies, but a lot of it was amassed as gifts to other people.
Combined with this is the fact that, about two or three years ago, I decided I was done buying the stuff that mattered from places where it made no difference. I'll buy batteries from Walmart, and I still buy clothes and accessories from retailers like Torrid or Charming Charlie. But a very real way that I can make a difference is to shop small and shop local. Do that for a couple years and then you have… all this.
The Terms:
I can guarantee you I have personally bought something from all but one of these places in the last ~3 years; I received everything I ordered and in cases where something broke or was late because of the seller, they made it right. I will not guarantee you that every one of the businesses is blameless, I will not guarantee you they're run by good people, I will not endorse everything they all sell. But they are indeed real places where you could buy a thing and receive it.
Also, I don't get kickbacks from this, except a few referral offers that are marked.
I have not listed any store that I know to be permanently closed or suspect will not return from hiatus. I have also not listed anybody whose crowdfunding campaign I backed if I didn't continue to use their store, anyone whom I only bought a tarot deck from, and individual authors. There's only so many fuckin hours in the day, and I have backed a LOT of Kickstarters.
The stores are arranged loosely into what I think most people will go there for. For example, Indigo Craft Company primarily sells stickers, but it is in with the witchy shit category because it's exclusively arcane themes. I have also marked when a business is minority- or queer-owned, or if it is a Mississippi business.
The List
Updated 1/30/2022
Nerdy Shit
JupitersJourney: Miscellaneous nerdy shit, including a Taskmaster pin that really amused me.
SewLongMarianne: Cloth bags, masks, and the like made in nerdy patterns. Really pleased with the quality for cost.
Ye Olde Proppe Shoppe: Like MCC, this company tries to bring the Disney parks into your home. It's primarily 3D printed and it's just so fuckin cool.
Ardani Studios: Best elf ears I've ever bought tbh. Usually that's kind of a one-shot product, but I've still got my Taako ears.
Crow Scratches: Purveyors of DIY and… not DIY dice towers. Great quality for price. (Mississippi company)
Mysterious Package Company: Sells "experiences" that involve doing puzzles to solve a mystery. Rise of the Cult and the Post Mortem Trilogy are my faves (would skip Cadet Turner and can't rec the monthly subscription).
Arielle Milstein-Brennan fka criticalkits: Just a ton of cool tabletop-themed shit.
Mixtape Your Life: I don't quite know how to describe this store. John Waters would shop here. Please know that the Sinema merch references Cecil B. Demented and not, y'know. Something else.
Pins and Stickers
SlideWhistleStickers: Pop culture stickers including Taskmaster. I just really like their flavor.
Thom Foolery: If you're of a certain age you know Thom Foolery is an animator who used to work for adult swim. He makes creepy-cute pins and other objects based on 30's cartoons.
ParacosmFactory: Primarily board-filler sized pins, I just love the neatness of the design and detail.
curseiv: They sold me a Death Becomes Her pin. I will not be taking any further questions.
janemount: Excellent book-themed pins, particularly in the style of book covers.
RoaminBisonWorkshop: Neat wildlife pins but more importantly they make the Be Goose, Do Crimes sticker/patch (now in possum and crow!)
JournalingSquid: Actually an accidental order, but their grab bag was a satisfying amount for the money and the stickers are fun and witchy.
zebrafiinches: Stickers in queer/sexual themes with such bright design that you can't help but like them. (Queer-owned)
Sootmegs: Button-style pins with messages about mental health, gender, grief anything you might want a pin to say so you don't have to. I have "I haven't slept" and "Bisexual badass", personally.
Self Love Tool Chest: Items of affirmation. They front page says "We Are Anti-Diet, Anti-Self Shame, and 100% Pro-YOU" and I think that sums it up. (Black queer owned)
Jewelry
Monica L Knighton: Monica is the creator of the Tarot of the Dead, my standard reading deck for the last 15 years, but I've put her here because I love her wooden jewelry so much.
Teal Pansy Jewelry: Such interesting stuff and SO quick. How can you not like a place that'll sell you a crystal vial for male tears? (Queer-owned; 13% of profits go to Indigenous communities)
Hypnovamp: The artist is a silversmith, but she also produces a whole line of 3D printed jewelry, with the stated purpose of making nice jewelry affordable. Also, most rings go up to size 10 and some made-to-order go to 13, which is wild (IYKYK).
thelittlegrasshut: Primarily earrings, but also necklaces, in a wide range of very interesting designs. I get compliments on my lariat necklace every time I wear it.
BlackBerriesBox: Excellent wire-wrapped statement pieces. (Black-owned)
GetCharmedWithLove: I'll be real with you: this is where you would get a present for your kid's teacher or your nurse friend. But I was perfectly pleased with the quality of the book earings I got for my mom.
EarthGemstoneJewels: Lot of wire wrapping and gemstones, mostly statement pieces but also athames, etc.
linerworks: This is where I got my tarot necklace (of the Tower, naturally) and it's super sharp and high quality. Get over there, I think they might be closing.
RainyDayStyles: Nerd themed jewelry, primarily Bioware but some other games and Good Omens, on acrylic and wood.
Kawaii
Mimosa Studios: Kawaii AF stationery & pins, good deals on seconds. Based out of Nashville and can be seen around cons in the South.
Erstwilder: SO CUTE. Their main thing is brooches but they also do pins and other stuff, all with a really sweet kawaii sensibility. They're in Australia but I got my shit in the US like 3 days later??
Andisa Charms: Got addicted to their ig videos, had to buy their shit, which is realistic food charms from clay and resin. Idk man it's just so cute. (Mexican-owned)
LauraIllustratesShop: Lots of cute bits and bobs, many with a tabletop vibe. I reach for my microfiber cloth like all the time.
Berry Blitz: Super cute stuff, much of it with a food or cat theme.
Clothing
Grrrl: Size-inclusive (would say it'll probably get you up to a 28 in leggings, more in tops) workout gear that's solid quality. Believe me: you can squat in these leggings no prob. They send a lot of coupons too. Use my code for 25% off your first order: REFP7M2CF4G7E (I get a kickback, everybody wins)
Spooky Cat: Buying zodiac stuff sucks when you're a Virgo, so shout out to these people strictly for my very good Virgo t-shirt.
radtastical: They've got various things, but the skirts are where it's at. So satisfying to twirl in, and the prints are really fun.
Elhoffer Design: Rejecting fast fashion, but super pro Marvel Movies. I'm kidding. Sort of. Either way their quality is superb and their range is versatile. At this point probably a third of my work attire is Elhoffer.
Adult
riskybeads, also DBA TheTwistedScrew. Makers of stamped jewelry of all kinds, but in particular, a very wide variety and number of customization options for the kink community.
Bad Dragon: Be advised that they have changed their business model to drops rather than customs, so you have to watch their twitter or get on their mailing list. But you absolutely cannot beat them for the level of quality for price that they provide. I recommend it even to wholly vanilla people. It's not furry unless you want it to be.
Early To Bed and SheVibe: These are more or less the stores I trade off on for buying vibrators and other non-kink goods. I go back and forth based on prices, but if you want to bargain shop, keep an eye on
Adore Me: Wasn't best pleased with the subscription service, but the value for money is good for most products, the size range is solid, and the company has made public commitments to racial diversity and improving their environmental impact.
Daoire: Classy, minimalist D/s and M/s jewelry. A tentative rec, because they don't seem to have their wooden and acrylic pendants anymore, which was what drew me to them.
Gender/queer
(There's not much here because the gayness is scattered all over the place)
AndyCoreByEmmett: Low-cost gender affirmation gear for trans mascs, including washable cloth packers. (Queer-owned)
WeatheredHeather: Very nice, chill pride jewelry and stickers.
Witchy
ilovelotus: Fuckin just a lot of crystals, including carvings & rune sets, at a solid price.
Lysa Penrose: A maker of tarot zines that are always useful, based on unusual themes.
The Dark Exact: Really enjoy the spread zines. Haven't bought any of their decks yet, but it's coming.
Kay's Magic: San Antonio-based seller of witchy things. The one-off mystery box was extremely good value for money, and they also have a subscription service and sell a la carte.
Spiritus Arcanum (queer-owned) and The Cauldron Black: I am recommending these not because of their items, but their classes, which are very interesting and well-run. I'm taking Foundations of Witchcraft right now, and I miiiiiight take the Necromancy class in the spring.
EmpressAndHierophant: These are Thelemic practitioners, and they sell a ton of shit in that vein. I'm fond of their ritual oils.
StoppedClockWoodshop I actually bought something from them that had nothing to do with witchcraft, but they seem to mostly be doing tarot boxes now. Highly recommended for the craftsmanship and price.
The Pickety Witch: Pins and jewelry in very fun arcane designs.
pastelspell: Mostly witchy-themed planner stickers in holographic foil, which is a fun change.
IndigoCraftCompany: Just really gorgeous stickers in slick, witchy designs.
SevenOaksGrove: Whole bunch of rune shit! The reading cloth I bought has great printing and is sturdy.
ZhannasJewels: If you need a lovely magic piece but you don't want to spend a ton, some great options here. Very helpful owner.
Nicholas Bruno/The Somnia Tarot: Okay, this will be the one representative of decks I've bought, but only because it's so fuckin cool and there are additional items that are also so fuckin cool. I need a wand.
Food and Beverage
Old Growth Alchemy: Their stuff is always high quality. I particularly like their teas (Nutbrown Draught, so good) and bitters/simples but they've got dried flowers, loose incense, the occasional jewelry, etc. Tons of coupons in their newsletter.
Sakari Farms: A variety of items, including delicious hot sauce. Also a fan of their lip butter. (Native-owned)
IcedAbove: Get ready to get addicted to chamoy dip. Don't ask, there's no time. (Latinx-owned)
Tea & Absinthe: Geek-themed flavored teas. Really great variety, with several blends that make you go "wait what?" and then are delicious. (Minority-owned)
Bath and Body and Also Cosmetics
Uniquely: Really enjoy the bath salts, which are very reasonably priced and come in a wide variety of scents. (Black-owned)
sammysoap: Quality soap, good selection, creates jobs for adults with intellectual disabilities. Plus they've got tomato soap, which puts them streets ahead.
Haipažaža Pȟežuta: My go-to for body butter and bar soap. Everything I've gotten was gr9, and they really seem to care about their customers (Native-owned)
Espionage Cosmetics: This is where I get 100% of my nail wraps. Great designs, go on quick, no processing required. Their store is closing soon, and I believe it will be reopening after Kickstarter fulfillment.
Candles
WicksByWerby: Anime and game themed candles. They burn nicely, and the scents are excellent.
Lofton and Co: Wonderful candles that are very richly scented. It's not your usual scents, and if you can get them, the blends they make for local coffee shops are excellent. (Black-owned Mississippi business)
Magic Candle Company: Body products and room fragrances based on the Disney parks (not Disney owned). My fave is Terror, but there's something for everyone. Strong rec for their fragrance warmers, diffusers, and especially the candle warmer. Hit me up and I'll tell you the latest 15% off code.
Cantrip Candles: I don't need to tell you about this purveyor of RPG-themed candles, but I will mention them anyway, because their scents and quality are awesome. (Black-owned)
Scents
Sucreabeille: Really pleased with the quality for money, and the ability to choose sizes and carrier methods is very useful. Pro tip: add a dram of Goth As Fuck and use BLOODANDBONE (only works on $30+ purchases but that's easy)
BPAL: First and favorite. Always something new to enjoy, and they also do a lot of charity scents. I have just… just so much… (Asian- and Latino-owned)
Books, Papers, and Pictures
A Room of One's Own: I don't care for my local bookstore; I always feel like they're not particularly interested in catering to anyone who's not there to buy pricey books, and their website is an embarrassment. What I do care for is Room, which is where I get basically all my books. The subscriptions are also A++. (Queer- and trans-owned)
Alyssa Thorne Fine Art fka Forest Noir: Really lovely art, and the quality of the pieces I've bought was outstanding, even though I usually buy on the lower end. She adds new pieces very often, so there's always something to see.
WTF Notebooks: If you want a simple notebook with some silly shit on it, do recommend.
ThatsWhatSheSaidArt: Cheeky/parodic/dirty art, in the form of cards, prints, etc. The quality of their cards is top notch.
Burdock and Bramble: Adorable art of grackles. What more could you want?
LittleGoldFoxDesigns: Just gorgeous cards and wood prints. They came through for me with holiday cards with no religious references, which is ridiculously hard to find.
Regular Things
TheYellowBirdhouse: If you need antique dishes, this is a good spot. I bought a lovely teapot from them at a very fair price.
MeckleyBrooms: I bought a turkey wing whisk to serve as a besom and I'm fucking in love with it. Also you could like sweep your house, these are very well made from actual broomcorn.
NBFClassicWoodcraft: Just lovely wooden toys (not in a sex way). Great gift for a kid if you want to get them something that won't tear up day one.
ShelzCreationz: Useful sewing stuff. That project bag has saved my life ten times over.
michellemach: Kind of a melange of stuff, a lot of it nerdy in like a science/writing nerd way. Don't miss the stitch markers.
Bespoke Post: A subscription service with a decidedly masculine bent, though there's not a lot of that This Is A Man Thing, For Men flavor, especially because they have women's clothing now. I absolutely love it and it's probably the best gender-affirmation thing I do all month. Also, super easy to manage and transparent about what you get and its retail price. Use my link for $20 off your first box (I get $20 too).
Brick and Mortar
(An assortment of stores I like and places to look that don't have reliable websites and aren't restaurants, coffee shops, or liquor stores)
The Four of Wands, Fayetteville, AR: Just a cool witchy store I've spend a lot of time at. I'm just learning that they have ordering on their website now, but I haven't tried it yet.
Craftsmen's Guilds: These are associations of artisans in a specific area (the Mississippi Craftsmen's Guild, the Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh). Long story short, many of them maintain storefronts where the members consign pieces to the guild for sale, then receive the profits. If you have one locally, it's a great place to check out. Perfect for when you need presents and you have no idea what to do.
Museum stores: Now, I know you're thinking, "Sabine, museum stores just sell exhibition books and twelve dollar pencils." But! Increasingly, museums are doing more and more to support local merchants and provide more interesting items. If you're ever in Jackson, swing by the 2MM store. You won't regret it.
Darksome Craft Market: Okay so this isn't properly a brick and mortar store, but I didn't have anywhere to put it. What it is is a physical craft market that went virtual. This is where I found tons of this shit, especially witchy things. Generally, they ask for donations if you buy anything, and retailers often give a discount code and/or donate to charity. Happens several times a year!
What a delicious resource!
Date: 2022-01-31 01:06 am (UTC)Thanks so much for making this happen!
(no subject)
Date: 2022-02-01 08:06 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2022-02-01 09:36 pm (UTC)