About Custom Portraits
With online shopping being so prevalent, and especially during this pandemic when people need to refrain from going out, it is crucial and vital to support local + small businesses now more than ever. And to do so EARLY as many shops either have limited stock or need time to create your pieces!
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My wonderful friend Amber, of Jeweled Skies Yoga, and I have curated this list of local + small businesses for you to shop this holiday season (+ always!).
For each shop, we have highlighted
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if the shop is Womxn, Black, LGBTQ, or POC-owned
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a description, bio, photo samples, + links
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any features that sets them apart
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if they are offering anything for Black Friday / Small Business Saturday
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Please share this with your friends + family and remember to shop local, shop small this holiday season.
Apparel
Bookend bbs
Womxn + Partially Black-owned business • Chicago, IL
We love finding beautiful pieces and helping them for new homes, but also recognize that the business of reselling has its flaws.
We are committed to being as ethical as possible in our thrifting practices, and promise to be transparent about the steps we take to do so.
We are size inclusive! for the clothing items we have for sale, we will list the size the item has on its tag as well as describe the size of the item in additional terms (measurements, fabric elasticity, etc.) because we want to make it easier for people to tell if an item will fit them or not due to the absolutely frankly WACK concept of clothing sizing in this world !
Donates 5% of sales to a different organization every month
New pieces coming Nov. 25th for "Back to Black"
BH Upcycled Designs
Womxn-owned business
Clothing rescued from thrift stores is upcycled into new things that are beautiful, comfortable, and fun to wear.
Sustainably-produced items
The shop has donated animal beds to shelters, clothing to organizations, and made financial donations to environmental organizations
Black Friday: BOGO f r e e for apparel; 20% off goods
No Name Outfitters
LGBTQ+ owned business • Connecticut
No Name Outfitters LLC was created around equality, self acceptance and exploration.
Every quarter a portion of our sales gets donated to a different organization.
Black Friday weekend there will be new items and sales all weekend long!
Our logo is a simplistic drawing of everyone, and from there you can add, take away or reinvent to create your true self.
Be Courageous, Be Confident, Be You. No Name Outfitters
Portion of every quarter's sales is donated to a different organization
Custom Artwork + Design
Art Smudges
Womxn-owned business • Watertown, CT
Karina Sorensen illustrates portraits of those closest to your heart.
Naming her business after her dog Smudge that she grew up with, she knows how important pets are and puts an immense amount of effort into every single portrait.
She captures every detail so that you truly feel the soul of your favorite being in your portrait.
If you or someone you know has recently lost a pet,
you will get 10% off your portrait + receive a free tiny photo item
Dehlia Hooper
Womxn-owned business
I am a freelance graphic designer who enjoys working with typography, illustration, branding, color palettes, and social media graphics!
I am a stay-at-home-mama with my sweet 8-month-old son but love the flexibility of working from home and raising my baby.
Commissions are open, and I am willing to discuss any kind of project you may have!
Titty Pix
LGTBQ + Womxn-owned business • New York
TittyPix helps people reclaim the meaning, value, and beauty in their bodies.
TittyPix turns your body into art by making custom paintings of your tatas!
You can either send a picture in or do a virtual live portrait session—very “paint me like one of your French girls.” TittyPix provides a safe and non-judgmental space for people to embrace their bodies. TittyPix is committed to thoughtful giving and
Donates a portion of their proceeds every month to a different charity.
November: The Trevor Project
Art Pieces
ArTeaBee Art Shop
Womxn of Color-owned business • Maple Grove, Minnesota
ArTeaBee’s motto is “make art, drink tea, save the bees!” translating to business commitments of self care, community care, and sustainability.
Korean American artist/owner Taylor J. Bye aims to create art that encourages self care and enjoyment of the little things in life.
ArTeaBee Art Shop sells stationery products and prints, and is open for commissions/custom orders!
At least one item in every product launch donates a portion of it's proceeds to charity
All products + packaging include recycled/recyclable and/or compostable materials
Asami Green
Womxn-owned business • Fairfield, CT
Asami LLC and Muse of Wellness LLC are 100% woman-owned small businesses by Asami Green. Visual art services, fine art, and healing art packages for self-healing.
Also providing Reiki energy and essential oil energy healing to promote and enhance balanced personal wellness.
Foods
Little Blue House Bakery
Womxn-owned business • Watertown, CT
Little Blue House Bakery, LLC is a one-woman bakery out of an old home here in Watertown.
My business operates under CT cottage laws with everything made custom to order and from scratch.
I specialize in cupcakes and cakes but love a challenge!
The Local Gourmet
Womxn-owned business • Southbury, CT
The Local Gourmet offers a full selection of homemade entrees, side dishes, salads, sandwiches, soups, and more.
Their food always has something for everyone! Whether you're a meat-lover, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free, they've got you covered.
Currently offering catering + holiday orders
Being a local market, they support small businesses by featuring them in their store
They also donated food to local hospitals, the fire department, and food bank during the pandemic
Home Goods
Florapothecarie
Womxn-owned business • Meriden, CT
florapothecarie is a line of 100% natural & vegan skincare, haircare, bath, and body products handmade by herbalist Sami Jo Jensen in Connecticut.
We're certified as cruelty-free and vegan by Leaping Bunny and PETA.
You’re a natural beauty; keep your beauty natural.™
All products are handmade with organic, fair trade, sustainably harvested ingredients
All orders are packaged in eco-friendly + recyclable glass + paperboard containers
OddPodge Shop
Womxn-owned business • North Carolina
Oddpodge is a woman owned business and donates a portion of proceeds from every Boobie Mug to charities that help breast cancer patients in NC with costs for life-saving treatments.
Donates a portion of every Boobie Mug to charities that help breast cancer patients in NC
Roz Petalz Studio
Womxn-owned business • Milford, CT
Kathy Swenning is a polymer clay artist and jewelry designer located in Milford, CT.
She specializes in handmade polymer clay jewelry, ornaments, and gifts with a sprinkling of wire and beaded jewelry mixed in as well. You can find her work on Etsy and in local shops and boutiques.
Kathy is happy to fulfill custom orders, though please note that all custom orders must be placed by November 30th in order to ensure arrival by Christmas.
Scented Ambiance
Black + Womxn-owned business • Bridgeport, CT
Soy wax is a natural renewable vegetable wax made from soybean oil.
Our wax is biodegradable which can be cleaned up with soap and water.
​Soy candles create a clean soot free burn. this makes our candles better to have in your home for you and your family.Unlike Paraffin candles which burn at a higher temperature, soy candles will last longer because they burn at a slower rate.
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Taylor Soul Designs
Womxn-owned business • Southbury, CT
Handmade soy candles infused with essential oils, and paired with a matching crystal for optimal energy vibrations.
To release the good vibrations of your candle and stones, you can choose to add your crystals on top of the candle before lighting and they will gently sink into the wax pool.
Or you can add your crystals to the top of the candle only when cool and not lit, as a decoration.
Jewelry
Anza Designs
Womxn-owned business • Seattle & Portland
Every earring is hand-crafted, blended, and packaged in house.
When you wear something unique, it invites conversation and creates a space for experiences beyond the norm.
We believe in a world where women are empowered to be forward-thinking, imaginative, adventurous, and go beyond the usual limits of conventional thought or action.
Free shipping + no sales tax until January
Chic Customs 843
Black, Teacher, + Womxn-owned business • Charleston, SC
Chic Customs isn't just woman-owned, it's black-owned and it's teacher-owned!
I sell jewelry, personalized coasters, and picture blocks per custom request. Customers just complete the form on my website under "Decor."
Black Friday Sale: Earrings up to 60% off
Taylor Soul Designs
Womxn-owned business • Southbury, CT
Taylor Soul Designs was created to spread positive healing jewelry around the world.
Every piece at Taylor Soul Designs is made by hand with intention, love, and healing energy so that it can always be felt by its wearer.
Our jewelry is made carefully, thoughtfully, and slowly, with crystals that are infused with Reiki energy. It is important to be gentle with your beauties and to treat them with care.
Music, Movies, + Books
Weirdo Wonderland
Milford, CT
Weirdo Wonderland is a purveyor of amazing art, pins, patches, stickers, magnets, etc. sure to appeal to fans of horror, sci-fi, lowbrow, pop art, and all things creepy & weird.
Many items carried are small batch or numbered limited editions, supporting independent artists from all over the country.
Any customer spending over $100 will receive a free
12x18" Weirdo Wonderland spookshow style poster
Things to Do
Glazey Dayz
Womxn-owned business • Watertown, CT
We are a paint your own pottery, warm glass and clay studio. We strive to provide the best possible studio and creative experience.
Glazey Dayz has everything you need to create your one of a kind pottery. Brushes, stencils, stamps and creative assistance readily available.
We also offer many classes, events, and experiences with both paint and clay.
Tarot with Sage
Womxn-owned business
A beautiful way to ensure you are incorporating self care into your routine.
Stay connected with your guides, maintain clarity and direction, and feel aligned with your personal growth goals.
Every 12-16 days you will auto receive your 2 card reading with a self care ritual by email ($70 for 2 readings each month). It will include a printable pdf for note taking, a photo of your cards, & your personal reading as an audio file.