Artisan Goods: A Holiday Gift Guide

Who has their holiday shopping done?! Not this girl. It’s my goal every year to have it done by now. And like every year before, I’m just getting started. Have you been noticing how many people are making and selling handmade goods these days? It seems like more than ever before. Of course, handmade goods have been around for forever, but they seem especially trendy these days. There’s something about shopping handmade and small business that I absolutely love. The talent of these artists always amazes me. Plus it feels good to support independent creators.

I’ve rounded up a collection of shops, artists and brands for you to check out as you wrap up or dive into your holiday shopping.

Artisan Goods: A Holiday Gift Guide

Connected Goods

Connected Goods offers a collection of handmade goods made by global artisans. Artisans handcraft goods with techniques that have been passed down to them throughout the generations. Connected Goods combines the beauty of handmade with the powerful stories of the hands that made them. Visit Connected Goods for culturally rich gifts for the home from baskets, pillows, dishes, pottery, decor and more. Read their full story here.

We provide innovative, well-designed products and a unique human experience. While shopping at Connected Goods you will not only support the artisan that made the product but will also connect into a small piece of their life story. 

— Connected Goods

Waen Glass

Stunning stained glass jewelry dishes, geometric terrariums and candle holders by a husband and wife duo, Murat and Asli. They use Tiffany’s traditional stained glass technique to create beautiful works of art. That’s what each piece is. A well thought out masterpiece. Read more about Waen and Murat and Asli’s story here. Shop Waen on etsy here.

Even in the years before we met, Asli and I have always believed in the power of creating something new and unique from scraps, instead of buying what the market offers us. After being introduced by a mutual friend, we fell in love, moved in together, and started dreaming of an efficient and creative life. And that’s exactly what we got when we launched Waen.

— Murat of Waen

Nom Living

Based in London, Nom Living, partners with artisans in South East Asia to create their handmade goods for the home. Each piece of pottery is a unique piece made with quality, sustainability, and tradition in mind. And the colors, how can you not fall in love with such beautiful colors in these pieces.

We believe handcrafted products have an inherent individuality, with unique differences revealing how they have been made, setting them apart from mass-produced items.

— Nom Living

Lauren Virginia Design

Specializing in leather and metal, Lauren’s beautiful pieces are artfully designed. Lauren shares on her Etsy site that “creating beautiful things is restful to me.” Most of her leather is upcycled from local fabric stores and her metal is sourced locally to Minneapolis, MN. Visit her Etsy shop Lauren Virginia Design for handcrafted leather and metal earrings, necklaces, cuffs, hair accessories, and plant hangers and pots.

Creating beautiful things is restful to me. I’m the girl doodling as she listens to a talk. The one collecting “treasures” on walks with my family or planting flowers in the gardens. There are so many forms of beauty.

— Lauren Virginia

Mind the Minimal

Gorgeous modern mini planters, jewelry holders and trays all made out of concrete. The simple aesthetics in the design of these beautiful products speak for themselves. Visit Mind the Minimal on Etsy. I love my concrete ring cone, it’s the perfect ring holder!

Mind The Minimal started as a simple vision to combine the two element of concrete and simple aesthetics. With the two elements together it creates a unique and distinctive design that portrays the effortless side of beauty for your modern day home.

— Stephanie Keung

Mymee Loves Designs

Mymee Loves Designs jewelry is modern, funky and fun. Made from polymer clay these earrings are stylish and vibrant. Kat’s love for handmade earrings is evident in her creative and bold designs. Visit her Etsy shop here.

Beautiful one of a kind handmade polymer clay earrings. I’ve always had a love for handmade earrings. I’ve wanted to play with polymer clay. Hope you love them as much as I loved creating them.

— Katrina

Die Trying TX

These chainstitch embroidery goods are made individually with antique hand-operated machines in Austin, TX. You’ll definitely feel the western vibes with their gorgeous designs. Visit the Die Trying TX shop online here.

Each DieTrying TX piece is created using the same hand operated vintage chainstitch machines that were used to create traditional western wear. While most embroidery today is computerized and mass produced, the work done on these vintage machines is hand done and made one piece at time. 

— Die Trying

Rachel Allene

I’ve been following Rachel and her shop Rachel Allene for years. Not only does she create beautiful calligraphy goods, she daily inspires me through her Instagram stories. Most of her goods are mugs, but she also sells select clothing items and artwork. I’m of the opinion you can never have too many mugs, though I’m sure my husband would disagree.

I intentionally design products to help you feel empowered on a daily basis, find joy in all things, and seek gratitude. I personally need visual reminders to keep my mind and mood in the right space; all day long.

— Rachel Allene

I hope you’ve enjoyed this round-up of beautiful shops, creative artists and thoughtful brands. Happy holiday shopping.

xoxo Naomi