What are your favorite online retailers that sell artisanal or handcrafted products?

December 12, 2009 4:48 PM

What are your favorite online retailers that sell artisanal or handcrafted products?

I'm in the midst of Christmas shopping right now, and I'm buying a lot of stuff on Etsy and from a few other independent retailers.

This has got me interested in finding some other suggestions for some great products. Here are some that I have come across through various sources over the past few weeks:

Homegrown Herb & Tea: Different herbal tea mixes.

Valerie Confections: Gourmet chocolates.

Lola Granola: Small batch granola.

Other suggestions? Individual Etsy shops are also welcomed.

posted by hazyspring to Shopping (13 answers total)

Queenbee Creations bags and wallets are all made by hand in the USA. They're a full-fledged company with employees and a studio, but everything is done by hand by real people. I have two bags (a trucker and truckette) and a wallet (what is now called the maximo) and I can vouch for the quality. They're awesome!
posted by radioamy at 5:04 PM on December 12, 2009 [1 favorite]

This is on a bigger scale (international artisanal products) than your links, but buying gifts from Ten Thousand Villages makes me feel all fuzzy inside because it is fair trade. I usually shop in the actual stores, but they do sell items online.
posted by hellogoodbye at 5:07 PM on December 12, 2009

Have you seen the MeFi Mall?

A friend of mine makes herbal teas.

My husband & I make drums.
posted by belladonna at 5:51 PM on December 12, 2009

For unique gifts, you might check out this nice Native American beadwork from two Blackfeet women. The bracelets in particular could be good gifts.
posted by PatoPata at 5:54 PM on December 12, 2009

Here are a few folks I know who are worthy of promotion:

Gail Ambrosius Chocolates (truffles, caramels, sauces, bars, the works)
David Bacco Chocolats (same as above, but shinier and foofier, with fancier combinations -- both are awesome)
LuSa Organics (foofy yet simple bath, body and baby stuff)
Wear With Style! (The Jayne Cobb hat, in kits or preknit, as close to authentic as you can get!)

Larger, but still custom:
The Soap Opera (custom scented body products of all kinds, as well as classic and European stuff)
Penzeys Spices (probably the best US spice retailer, with many original spice mixtures -- among other things -- that make awesome gifts.)
posted by Madamina at 5:58 PM on December 12, 2009

Best answer: This site is like Etsy, only a bit more upscale, and they have some very interesting items.
posted by DrGail at 6:08 PM on December 12, 2009 [1 favorite]

Papaver Vert sells some amazingly well crafted felted wool bowls and vases and such. Absolutely beautiful.
posted by jenmakes at 6:26 PM on December 12, 2009

Deborah Wilson's carved jade pendants.
posted by hortense at 7:43 PM on December 12, 2009

I'm quite a fan of Moop and their handmade bags. Their studio is in Pittsburgh.
posted by vespertine at 11:51 PM on December 12, 2009 [1 favorite]

My friend Jenny has just started an Etsy store called Jenny Fields Fiber. She makes scarves. I’m getting one as a present.
posted by ads at 5:51 AM on December 13, 2009

I think I messed up the URL:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Jennyct13
posted by ads at 5:54 AM on December 13, 2009

I love Lilypad Bathworks bath and body stuff. Great products and amazing customer service.

If you want to try several independent retailers, I'll recommend The Little Black Box. Each month you can order a package with 13-15 (sometimes more) samples from different companies. They cost $17 and the contents vary each month. (The last box I received had all sorts of things - note pads, candles, body butter, jewelry, soap, even dog treats - all handmade!)
posted by SisterHavana at 10:24 AM on December 13, 2009

Best answer: See also Foodzie, which is like Etsy for food.
posted by judith at 8:05 PM on December 14, 2009