With the holiday season in full swing, you may be struggling to find gifts that are just as wonderful as your friends and family members. Shopping small is the ideal way to give back to your local community, blossoming crafters, and young artists. Plus, handmade goodies are one-of-a-kind, and will make great additions to your loved ones’ homes. Enter Etsy: the marketplace for burgeoning artists from near and far. These Gen Z makers are some of our personal faves and offer everything from crocheted tote bags and felted garlands, to honey-tinged hair products. Whether these artists are still in school, or a few years out of university, they are absolutely shaking up the world with their art.
Beyond Etsy, some loveable Gen Z-centric small businesses include BUGGIRL200, who specializes in Swiftie tees, Harry Styles merch, and even accessories for the Nathan Fielder-obsessed. Additionally, Gen Z Alternative shares myriad earrings, rings, necklaces, tees, and beyond rooted in pop culture sensations such as WandaVision and Spider-Man.
If you are looking to do a major small business haul, make sure to head to your local flea markets this holiday season, scout out your nearby vintage stores, and check out these sensational Gen Z Etsy store owners below. Happy holidays and happy shopping!
- Atomic Tangerine
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Atomic Tangerine is all about slow fashion. Crochet artist and candle maker Alison Green offers adorable stocking stuffers and crochet patterns on her Etsy store and shares her upcycled fashion on her website. Taking old crochet blankets and turning them into brand-new cardigans, totes, scarves, and beyond will have your most eclectic BFFs grateful and feeling cozy from the one-of-a-kind gift. Plus, sustainable gifts are in season this year and every year.
- Dotties Official
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Naturally dyed hair accessories? Count us in! Dotties Official naturally dyes her crunchies with floral pigments and sews adorable headbands, bandanas, and heart-shaped totes. We are personally obsessed with the pink pearl-embellished scrunchie!
- Nastja Crochets
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Want to DIY your BFFs gift this year? Look no further than the PDF patterns from Nastja Crochet’s Etsy shop. From vest patterns all the way to tote patterns and bandana guides, you are absolutely going to knock a handmade cozy gift out of the park. Plus, you can make these patterns over and over again with new colors each time.
- Cultured Creations
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Polymer clay artist Abby Rickabaugh has you covered with the cutest earring selection on her Etsy store. Additionally, you can pick up a super cute keychain that will never go out of style.
- The Monarch Tree
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The Monarch tree is your one-stop shop for every girlie on your list. From felted plants and garlands all the way to hand-painted earrings and stickers, you will be a hit at any Secret Santa party you head to with these little trinkets. Plus, your forgetful friends won’t be able to kill this succulent this time around.
- Fire Baby Studio
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Your witchy friends will be simply over the moon for these celestial studs. Cleveland-based Fire Baby Studio handcrafts these delicate earrings that are so cute, you’ll have to grab a set for yourself, too.
- Honey Bee Natural
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Your friends will love Honey Bee Natural’s hair and skin products. Products include lip gloss, Honey Glow Oil for dark marks and breakouts, and the Buzzfeed-heralded Curl Defining Flaxseed Gel with Manuka Honey. Self-care is always a go-to way to think about gifting.
- Lush Ceramics
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Grab a pottery item that is just as quirky and cool as the person you are shopping for this holiday season from Lush Ceramics. Small-batch ceramic artist Nikki Reiss is based in Columbus and has recently branched out into Kewpie Doll designs. Check out her Etsy, as well as her personal website to find vases, mugs, and even pet bowls.
- Trash Pandacoot
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If you and your friends are obsessed with memes and possums, Trash Pandacoot on Etsy is quintessential Gen Z humor condensed into one digital shop. While their anonymous brand identity is not confirmed to be Gen Z-made, it’s fair to say they’re at least extremely embedded in the broken humor culture. Grab as many buttons and stickers that speak to you. We will definitely be picking up this bumper sticker.
Have a happy holiday season and remember to shop small when you can. If you or your friend run an Etsy shop or small business, make sure to comment. We would love to add you to this list, too!