In the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season, I love that we dedicate a day to find treasures from small business owners. It's a day of discovery—you may just uncover your new favorite product! (We're proud to partner with a couple of small businesses including Poppy & Pout and Lightwell Co.—both offering great discounts this weekend with the codes here!) I surveyed the CLJ team and gathered up even more of our favorite small businesses, from metalworkers to artisans to culinary geniuses. Let us know the small shops that have inspired you lately in the comments so we can share the spotlight on even more wonderful brands!
House of Turnberry
These ribbon sets out of the West Coast have a hold on my sister Andi. They have a theme for every occasion and are perfectly placed in any traditional Christmas styling this year. The Jingle Bell Bundle with the vintage bells?! It's a need.
Shop Plain Jane
Ahh, their nutcracker sets are just incredibly festive. And how nostalgic and sweet would this Wendy dress be for Christmas morning? It's like Peter Pan-level magical.
Katie Waltman Jewelry
When basic hoops get a major upgrade...you get these! First inspired by her grandmother's jewelry, Katie started her business in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has been on the radar of popular magazines and celebrities ever since.
Dare Gift Boxes
This small business in Leesburg, Virginia, makes the most beautiful curated gift boxes. Team member Suz has ordered a few as gifts, and they always feel special. They will hand-write your custom birthday, thank you, or holiday gift note for you!
Bloodroot Blades
This is Chris's favorite knife, hands down. For the true aficionado, these knives from Athens, Georgia, are the pinnacle of craftsmanship. You have to get a spot on their waitlist to even have the chance to buy one, making them all the more covetable.
Diana Brambila
I've always aspired to own a piece of original art, and Diana Brambila from Monterrey, Mexico, was at the top of my list! Her canvas in our living room is so special to me. She also offers prints—I have Peonies .09 in our playroom bathroom.
Hazel Village
This small business is one of Becca's favorite booths to visit at the Bryant Park Winter Market in NY. The cutest stuffed animals that you can customize with different outfits—they will make the sweetest gift for a little girl or boy!
Craftlovers813
This leather wood carrier is incredibly handsome and larger than you'd expect! The maker is out of London, UK, and every item has a lifetime guarantee. Trust me, the guy in your life will feel even more outdoorsy when he has this by his side...
Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn
We bought some of these at our team retreat in Asheville, North Carolina, earlier this year and fell in love with the company and their minimal ingredients. Their newest flavor, Artist Mix (white cheddar & salted caramel), helps support Asheville entrepreneurs after Hurricane Helene.
Coloready
My sister Victoria discovered this maker out of New Jersey with paint-by-numbers art kits—when the recipient is finished with it they have original artwork for their walls! So many sophisticated canvases with moody colors. A fun gift that keeps giving.
Mi Cocina
These denim kitchenwares out of San Francisco, California, are the brainchild of a former jeans designer. The sleek, all-black Premium Apron may be a future gift for Chris—I've never seen an apron look so high-end before!
Natural Style Estonia
Where there's a holiday season, there's a fair isle sweater. This handmade one out of Estonia features a traditional Scandinavian deer motif. The cozy country wool will be perfect for those cold winter nights!
Rachel Riley
This small business out of the UK has children's clothing that could be destined for royalty. They do hand embroidery, hand smocking, and use the most beautiful vintage-inspired prints.
Coco Frank Studio
These canvases designed by Coco are reinventing the way I think about needlepoint—she has a Bernese Mountain Dog kit that looks just like Cricket. Ahh! Plus, there are tutorials and stitch guides to help you get started. New hobby loading?
Arti Bars
This small business started up after the owner emigrated from Ukraine to Raleigh, North Carolina, two years ago and wanted to make all-natural bars that were nutritious and convenient. We tried all of them, and they're incredible, but pistachio may have edged out the rest...
Tabitha Paige
This author out of Fort Worth, Texas, has nature-inspired illustrated watercolor books that are a favorite of several team members. Her books encourage learning concepts for very young kids based on her speech-language pathology experience and artistic background.
Oxford Pennants
Handmade in downtown Buffalo, New York, these pennants are so retro and fun. I know someone who is collecting a pennant for every state their family has visited and is displaying them in their playroom.
Ritual Spirit Goods
Now that I've realized that my Christmas token (aka the thing that I can't stop collecting) is trees, I feel completely empowered to add these 100% soy candles to my kitchen shelves. Wouldn't these trees from Liverpool, England, make the sweetest teacher gift?
The Craft Houses
I love the mixed materials in this chess set, from walnut wood, to brass to leather. The shop is made up of skilled Vietnamese artisans who take pride in their craftsmanship—you can see the care in every piece. Gift wrapping is available if you want to save yourself a step!
Ancient 3D Crafts
Isn't this bust of David just waiting for his place of prominence on your styled shelves? This shop out of Richmond Hill, Canada makes marble composite pieces that are so true-to-life yet so affordable.
CW Dressings
The maker just down the road in Fayetteville, North Carolina, specializes in unique and flavorful date fruit-based dressings, sauces, and marinades. Chris first tried the Sweet Date Hot Sauce at a farmer's market and has been buying it ever since.
House Of Parlington
The moody, modern, traditional gift wrap of my dreams! This high-end set of wrapping paper comes from a small business out of Fort Worth, Texas. That burgundy color is just divine.
Carleigh Courey
We've had this calendar in our kitchen in past years, and after the year was over, I cut out the beautiful art and used it for the gallery wall in Gigi's nursery.
Actually Curious
These thought-provoking questions in conversation-starter decks are from a small business out of St. Petersburg, Florida. I can see us bringing the Our Future deck on a future trip as a family!
Ateliereole
As soon as we hung the Alya bird mobile in my little niece Gigi's nursery, the room came together. This simple, modern mobile from a maker in Rennes, France, was just the sweetest finishing touch.
Noom Fashion
I just picked up these blackout velvet curtains for our living room, and they've completely upgraded the feel for Christmas. The "tobacco" color is the perfect ochre...it's moody and traditional, and I couldn't love them more. Make sure you check out more of this European shop's offerings!
My Old Whiskey Workshop
This large board can be used as a charcuterie board or a pizza serving board. I just love the walnut tone and handmade quality from this shop out of Minnesota.
Walker Goods
I've talked about my love for Walker Goods before (here and here)—we've had ours for 3+ years and they're still going strong! The owners are a wonderful family out of Utah and it's a joy to support them. These bags truly are so sturdy, stylish, and collectible!
More Small Businesses to Love
Heirloom Print Shop (Home Decor)
There are so many stunning prints at this shop that fit any home decor style—you can even find incredible backgrounds for your Frame TV!
Bannor Toys (Kids)
These handmade wooden toys out of Madrid, Iowa, are heirloom quality. No batteries required! Can you believe that classic baby rattle? All the heart eyes.
ELE SWIMS (Swimwear)
This is team member Becca's very favorite swimsuit company. They have high-quality bohemian swimsuits out of California that are cute and comfortable. Led by the sweetest owner!
Well Seasoned Table (Food)
Just this week I was talking about how perfect a selection of spices is as a gift with a bottle of olive oil. The Wild Appalachia Sampler sources herbs and spices from a lot of small family farms in the mountains of North Carolina.
Sofishop Wicker Prams (Toys)
This whimsical wicker company offers beautiful picnic baskets, bike baskets, prams, and even cat houses across the pond in the U.K. These are gifts that will be treasured for generations.
Emily Lex Studio (Arts & Crafts)
Located in Gig Harbor, Washington, this maker has a beautiful watercolor shop filled with everything from stickers to notecards to watercolor workbooks for a thoroughly meditative holiday pastime.
Starry Knight Designs (Baby & Toddler Footwear)
These little baby booties from a maker in Montana are buttery soft and lovingly crafted from premium leather and suede. Bonus: They're soft-bottomed, which helps with foot development for new walkers. The t-straps are just darling!
Evora Company (Tech)
This team out of the West Coast puts so much thought into the design of each watch and you also have the option to customize each part. Would be a great gift idea for teen/tween!
Carolina Kettle (Food)
These chips are made in North Carolina and have just the right amount of crunch. I always go for anything dill pickle flavor and our team is a fan of the Bee Sting variety featuring honey & sriracha.
LooHoo Dryer Balls (Laundry)
These 100% wool dryer balls out of Camden, Maine, are a real game-changer for reducing static in your laundry routine. They would also be a welcome, all-natural addition to a baby shower or new mom gift basket.
Marthaler Jewelers (Jewelry)
This team just out of Asheville, North Carolina, makes your custom ring and jewelry ideas come to life. They start with a CAD drawing and create one-of-a-kind pieces for someone incredibly special to you. You can schedule a consult online!
Soap & Paper Factory (Home Decor)
This small business in the Hudson Valley of New York makes candles and diffusers that are free of parabens and phthalates. The Vanilla Fleur scent will get you compliments every time, and the Roland Pine is great for winter.
Do you have a small business you love to support this time of year (or want to plug your own products?) Drop us a comment so we can all find something new to discover and love!
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