Carol Blaha of small shop Carrabelle is in the business of breathing new life into beloved memories. “The memory pillows started as a custom request and then grew,” she explained. “These are personal experiences for people. I have heard stories of children who have lost their parents and take my doll from dad’s shirt to daycare. I have heard how a mother cried when I made a pillow from a shirt of her son, who took his life. Goosebump stuff. I’m 65 years old, and when you are that age, you wonder, what is your purpose at this later age? Do you even have one? Then I get an email thanking me for providing a service like this – over and over, customers have called this a service. This isn’t a product. It is providing a service to create a memory, to smooth a rough time.”

Named after the maker’s tiny beach town in Florida, Carrabelle sells, among other things, keepsake pillows and stuffed bears sourced from shirts and other textiles from your loved ones. “I am pretty clear in focus that I am creating gifts for special occasions. I love the feedback of the memory items, but I am always cognizant that I am cutting up someone’s heirloom,” said Blaha. “If I make a mistake, it can’t be replaced. I really feel that, how a mistake can ruin someone’s day.” She also sews sentimental pillows featuring handwritten messages. “These are another specialty of mine. I am working on a group of four of them now. The dad died early and would draw a stick figure on all his notes. Sadly, most of my handwriting pillows honor people who passed.” This pulled at my heartstrings. One of her favorite projects was a memory shirt pillow created for a bride. “She had a photo of a tattoo with dad’s signature,” Blaha shared. “I created a heart patch that will wear on the hem of her wedding dress.”

Blaha recognizes that many of the shop’s customers approach her during times of personal grief and she runs Carrabelle with this same sensitivity. “Buying from me is often a personal experience. I invite buyers to be a part of the design process. Some of my best sellers were ideas that buyers came to me to attempt to create. I don’t do anything I don’t feel I can execute, but some customers have definitely stepped me out of my comfort zone,” she said.  “I am not a hobbyist. This is a business. I know a differentiator for my shop is that I do what I say I will do. I can’t postpone someone’s wedding, birthday or memorial service. I plan my week out two weeks in advance, with room for a rush order. It is definitely not me, sitting ‘whistling while I work.’ I carry the same work ethic here that I had in my day job.” Blaha left that day job and went full-time with Carrabelle in 2015. “When I started on Etsy, the site was new. Etsy didn’t know what it knows now. There were no (or few) seller tools available,” she recalled. “Today, a seller has many more advantages than we did then. Etsy became easy when you make things people are searching and buying, and get found. I think it took a few years in beginning to get to 100 sales. I took a hiatus. I made every mistake a seller could at least twice. Now, I look at designs with a very discerning eye.”

These days, Blaha is preparing for the holiday rush and spends most of her time fulfilling orders. “I got my first holiday order in mid-May,” she exclaimed. “From late August on, they come in consistently.” Order your own comfort gift from Carrabelle and check out the complete line up of designs on the shop’s Etsy page here.

“Creation out of nothing. I often say that origami is as close as you can get to that. It’s a piece of paper. Beyond that, you don’t need anything else.” – Joseph Wu

It was Geralyn Socha-Broccoli’s wedding in late 2016 that motivated her to launch her origami-themed small shop Branching Off Studio. “My husband and I chose to have our wedding based off the ancient Japanese tradition of 1,000 origami cranes. It is said if you fold 1,000 cranes for your wedding, you will be blessed with the ultimate wish,” she recalled. “Origami flowers and cranes decorated our entire reception. We put them in glass ornaments as favors, made them into boutonnières and tucked some into my updo as a hairpiece. Guests loved all the flowers and cranes and immediately after the wedding, they started asking me to make more as gifts. This is when I decided to open shop.”

Named for its tree symbolism, Branching Off Studio focuses exclusively on gifts and decor created through origami. “As tree branches stem off in many directions, so do my items. They all incorporate origami in many different ways,” explained Socha-Broccoli. Such origami offerings include jewelry, mobiles, wall art and dream catchers, chandeliers, paper bouquets and rearview mirror charms, all constructed from sheets of paper. “I have always been creative and been able to envision things before they are made,” she said. “Sometimes, I am at the store and see a piece of printed paper and can just picture it made into flowers. I’ll start pairing it with other papers and colors and a bouquet is born. Sometimes, it starts with a beautiful vase or container I have come across.”

Socha-Broccoli designs many of the Branching Off Studio’s creations through custom orders. “I love when customers ask for special pieces made from book pages, maps, sheet music or any type of paper that gives it more meaning to them,” Socha-Broccoli professed. “About half of my orders are one of a kind and I love having conversations with my customers and really getting to know them to create pieces that are meaningful to them.” The paper professional pointed to “a wedding card featuring an origami bride and groom folded from dollar bills” as her most shop popular item, but personally prefers the “floral design in a small square glass vase topped with multiple flowers and filled with two origami cranes inside” as her favorite.  “Although there are other artists who offer origami, no one else offers such a wide variety,” Socha-Broccoli said of Branching Off Studio.

Over the last few years, Socha-Broccoli has enhanced her techniques and folded her way to success. “I now offer about 25 items in many different variations in two online shops and three local boutiques. I am always creating something different so it is never boring,” she shared. “There are days of just folding flowers and creating bouquets. I also have days of folding cranes and lining them up on a platform for a UV and moisture resistant finishing spray and later creating jewelry and car charms with them.”

Up next for Branching Off Studio: origami ornaments! “I have created several different types of ornaments,” Socha-Broccoli teased. “I’ll have the glass ball with tiny origami cranes inside and I’ll be offering, for the first time, an origami crane ornament with a diffuser cage and lava stone to add your favorite holiday scent.” Deck your halls this holiday season with an ornament from Branching Off Studio and check out all the different paper designs on the shop’s website here.

“I’m just like country. I’m young, scrappy and hungry.” – Hamilton

In 2017, Lauren Piland began hand sewing cloth dolls and related accessories from her kitchen table in Garner, North Carolina.  “I started Scrappy Little Studio after my oldest daughter Amelia asked for a doll for her birthday. I couldn’t find one that was perfect for her, so I decided to make one,” she recalled. “It took several tries after reading every book on doll making I could find to get it just right. I loved the process so much, I decided to keep going and thus Scrappy Little Studio was born. My little shop has grown so much and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.” The meaning behind the shop name is actually a double entendre. “I used scraps of fabric passed to me by friends left over from quilts and other projects to make the first dolls, so in that sense, they were scrappy dolls. But, also, I like to think that they are scrappy little dolls that can hold their own,” she laughed. I always appreciate a good pun.

Scrappy Little Studio produces heirloom-quality dolls that are genuinely intended for play. “They are all fully lined and double stitched to make them durable,” Piland explained. “I hope these are the dolls children love so much they keep them to pass down to future generations. My 20″ dolls are also one-of-a-kind, making each doll truly special.” Each cloth companion features an embroidered face, a wool felt nose and high quality fabrics to inspire creativity and imaginative play. “I feel like every time I make a new doll, I say, ‘Now this one is my favorite!’” she joked. “My most popular design has got to be the unicorn doll. I can hardly keep them in stock!”

Piland’s design choices are often influenced by her materials. “Sometimes I see a color combinations I like, sometimes it is the fabric itself. I find I am especially drawn to whimsical designs and floral prints.” Her own children, however, are Piland’s greatest source of inspiration. “They both love creating and making art. Amelia is the most creative person I know,” she exclaimed. “She will pick a fabric combination that I would have never thought of! They both often have strong opinions on what I should make next.”

Speaking of what she is making next, Piland launched a brand new collection in collaboration with daughter Amelia. “I have some new exciting things in the works coming out soon! These dolls are smaller then my one-of-a-kind 20″ dolls, but just as durable,” she shared. “They are animal dolls only, the designs are a little simpler and they will be a little better for smaller kids. The first collection is a bunny ballerina named ‘The Amelia Collection.’” Adopt your own scrappy pal from the Scrappy Little Studio site and “like” the shop’s Facebook page for updates on the new collection. 

“Essential oils plants…exist not for themselves alone. They produce the chemistries all life needs to live, and they heal other organisms that are ill.” – Stephen Harrod Buhner

Oily mamas are well versed in essential oils, or biological compounds extracted from plants, herbs and spices that retain the natural smell and flavor of their source. Many swear by their calming effect on anxiety, stimulating effect on depression and general health benefits. In fact, a study published in the journal Phytomedicine suggested that lavender oil was as effective for anti-anxiety as prescribed medication in reducing and controlling panic attacks without the side effects or risk of addiction.

Marcey Warner of small shop Scentillating sniffed out a better way to wear your favorite oil scent all day. “Scentillating offers different and unique type of aromatherapy tools. We do not just create jewelry, but also clay stones and car accessories,” she explained. The shop features handmade beaded necklaces, contemporary wood and stone bracelets, suede tassel aromatherapy diffusing earrings, and terra cotta clay diffusers. “The most popular jewelry design is my memory wire bracelets,” Warner said. “Simply add your favorite essential oil blends to the stones and enjoy the benefits of the fragrance all day.” Warner recommends the lavender-scented essential oil, known for reducing stress and promoting relaxation and sleep.

Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Warner launched Scentillating last November. “The shop name means a way to relax using essential oils in various ways,” she shared. “I used to make linen sprays as well as bath products. I found that with the knowledge I was gaining researching essential oils, I wanted to find other ways to use them other than just warmers.” Scentillating allows Warner to draw on both her passion for essential oils and talent for jewelry design. “My favorite part about the design process is putting colors and shapes together to create beautiful new pieces. I get inspired by the looks of different beads and I will play around with them until I come up with something that makes me happy to see.” Smells like success to me. 

Scentillating’s goodies make great gifts and Warner is working on new releases (“I will use charms and stronger metals and find alternative ways to keep your favorite essential oil fragrances with you all day long!”). Pick your favorite scented design on the Scentillating shop website and Facebook page here.

Every parent knows that nothing goes better with a little “whine” like a glass (or two) of pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon. Erin Denton of Desert Coastal Studios has found an attractive way to upcycle all of these remaining wine corks. “I really love brainstorming new product ideas and seeing those ideas come to life. It is exciting to me to come up with an idea that is completely unique and to turn that intangible idea into something that people end up displaying in their homes or giving as a gift,” she exclaimed. “Oh, and, I love drinking the wine, too!”

Launched in 2016, Desert Coastal Studios produces home goods constructed exclusively from cork, such as table centerpieces, trivets, coasters, cake toppers and wall décor. “My business has evolved so much in the last three years,” Denton said. “I started off just selling jewelry made from wine corks via a Facebook page and word of mouth. Eventually I started up an Etsy page and expanded my product line. And, the rest is history.” The artist selected the name Desert Coastal Studios to reflect her early upbringing and pay homage to the two places Denton calls home. “I wanted something that represented who I am. I grew up in San Diego, but have lived in Phoenix most of my adult life,” she explained. “Both of these places have a part in shaping who I am as a person and as an artist and maker.”

Brides and grooms comprise a large portion of Desert Coastal Studios customers. “My most requested design and my best seller is, hands down, my heart shaped cork guestbook for weddings,” said Denton. “It is made from blank, unprinted wine corks cut into the shape of a heart. Guests sign the wine corks in lieu of, or in addition to, a traditional guestbook.” The concept for the cork guestbook was actually inspired by Denton’s mother. “My mom was an avid and gifted quilter. At my wedding, she set out strips of fabric for our guests to sign and after the wedding, she sewed these strips into a beautiful keepsake quilt that we still have hanging in our home,” she recalled. “Fast forward 20 years and I had been hearing about the growing popularity of ‘alternative guestbooks’ when I suddenly realized that was what my keepsake quilt was. I had never thought of it that way, but my mom was a trailblazer.” For the newlyweds and new homebuyers, the small shop also creates lightweight wall hangings carved in the shape of different states or even the entire country. “My favorite cork design would be my world map made from wine corks. This is the largest and probably most detailed piece I have ever made,” she shared. “I also love the fact that this piece includes color because I painted all of the corks that make up the oceans a translucent blue.”

Denton takes pride in the details and craftsmanship in each piece. “I am also committed to environmentally-friendly practices. I use 100% recyclable or repurposed packaging. One reason I chose corks as a medium – other than my love of wine – is due to the fact that cork is a very sustainable material.” Not a pour decision at all.

Desert Coastal Studios will be debuting several new cork designs for wine enthusiasts. “These will include a new ornament design, as well as some new wall art. I don’t want to give too much away, but, think farmhouse style.” Check out the full selection on the Desert Coastal Studios website and on Facebook here. Cheers!

“Peapod & Nate speaks to the stages of my personal life,” said Lindsey Berlin of the small shop. “An active little lady who loves colors and dresses, and a squishy little toddler who still loves snuggling up on one of his Peapod & Nate sheets.” Based in Boulder, Colorado, Peapod & Nate uses 100% cotton materials to handcraft bedding and apparel for littles. “I believe kids should be kids. When you grow up, it’s not as easy to wear the brightest color in the crayon box or a bold pattern, right?” Berlin mused. “Kids love color and fun patterns, so I do my best to find prints and patterns that fall into those categories.”

Other than the vibrant color options, small shoppers have also been attracted to the shop’s monochrome cactus print.  “Every time I think the interest is slowing down, it surprises me and picks right back up! It’s natural, boho and perfectly gender neutral, a trend that continues to be strong.” Berlin’s favorite bedding design, however, is one that is particularly close to her heart. “We kept my son’s gender a surprise, so I wanted to get creative and do something out of the box for a nursery theme. We went with a farmer’s market theme and I found the most gorgeous modern, lemon print fabric,” she shared. “It was bright and super soft organic. I never actually sold that print in my shop, funny enough.”

Berlin opened up shop in 2016. “I was a new mama and new to staying at home. I needed a creative outlet, so I took a beginners quilt making class. Prior to that, I had never touched a needle and thread,” recalled Berlin. “I was immediately hooked and decided to make the bedding for my second child’s nursery. Slowly, people started asking me to make bedding for them, and I quickly realized this could turn into a business.” She began sewing crib sheets in colorful designs. “I offered variations of that, be it mini sheets, travel sheets and changing pad covers,” Berlin explained. “Since the beginning, I told myself I was going to let this brand grow in the way that it naturally evolves. And while the shop started in the nursery, Peapod & Nate shortly expanded into the wardrobe. “As my kids grew and my daughter’s love of twirl dresses grew, I extended the brand to include dresses and apparel. Sometimes I question whether it needs to be two brands…one for bedding and one for dresses. But, honestly, I like that my customers have ways to stay with me longer.” Berlin selected a shop name that incorporated both of her kiddos. “Nate is my son’s name and Peapod has been my daughter’s nickname from the time she was just an itty bitty…well, peapod,” she laughed.

Early on, Berlin tailored the shop to appeal to consumers looking for one of a kind design. “I feel like we are living in this season of quantity over quality, which has created a culture of disposable apparel. I love that I get to create pieces that moms, dads and even the kiddos who use them think of as that one special piece. The dress that is going to be the ‘saved’ dress and worn for a special occasion,” she exclaimed. “Or the dress that is so comfy, that they want to wear it over and over and over again, no matter how stinky and dirty it gets. I love seeing the newborn photos where they babe is resting so peacefully on my bedding or that little lady who twirls hear heart out in one of my dresses. It is so rewarding!” Berlin also emphasized to me the importance of high-level customer service. “As I sat down and started to think through what my brand was going to be, I thought about the brands that have personally meant the most to me,” she said. “A common thread with all of them was the brands and shops that always went above and beyond and really truly took an interest in me as their customer. I truly appreciate each and every customer who takes the time to stop by my shop.”

Take some time and shop over at Peapod & Nate. The bedding and twirl dresses make excellent coordinating baby and big sister gifts. “Coming soon are gorgeous saturated colors and a few new prints for baby bedding!” Check out all the designs on the Peapod & Nate website and on Facebook here.

Jessica Fish is trying to fill a void in the small shop marketplace. “I love bringing out fun colors and graphics to my designs,” she explained. “So many shops I have seen these days – and this is by no means a bad thing, I order many items from different shops – are only one color. With Sassy Magnolia, there are plenty of different designs and lots of color!”

Launched recently in September 2019, the California-based Sassy Magnolia features contemporary graphic t-shirts in adult and kiddo sizes. “I had all these different ideas that I have not necessarily seen in other shops. They are things that I would like to see on shirts, as well as other things I would hope others would like. Throw in a little sass, and it makes it extra fun,” Fish exclaimed. Determined to show off her creativity through graphic design, Fish quickly landed on the shop name Sassy Magnolia. “Sassy Magnolia is a mix of a few things. I have always been told I have a bit of a sassy side, so I knew the name of this business needed to have a mix of that in it,” she laughed. “The magnolia has many different meanings, but the one that stood out to me was ‘joy.’ I want to bring some sassy joy to my customers with the designs I make.” Fish’s favorite design to date is the mom-centric “Chaotic Masterpiece,” which comes in a few different styles, but she prefers the flowy t-shirt. “I just enjoy playing with different colors and fonts. The font all depends on what the design is going to say. Sometimes I like to add a graphic in to add a little pop. I am always open to creating new designs that the customers might ask for.”

Fish is also a military wife and committed to supporting other similarly situated spouses. “I love to make new and fun designs that are catered to military wives and kids,” she said. “As military families, we tend to look for other military spouses that are selling certain goods before we look to larger companies. We are this small community. We understand the struggles there might be to move around every few years and want to support each other in our endeavors.” For now, Fish is ready to see where Sassy Magnolia takes her. “I hope to see us evolve into a brand that is well known and loved by many customers. I constantly have new ideas popping into my head for new designs, and I can’t help not adding them to the shop,” she exclaimed. “We already have a number of different items in the shop and I can’t wait to start working on new designs too! You can definitely count on them to be sassy and fun, and definitely have lots of color.”

Support the new Sassy Magnolia shop by liking its Facebook page here and check out current designs on Fish’s shop site. 

“When the moon is in the seventh house, and Jupiter aligns with Mars, then peace will guide the planets, and love will steer the stars.” –Aquarius, Hair

Ancient civilizations used crystals as protective talismans, peace offerings and wore them as jewelry. Many believe that the semi-precious stones have healing properties. They are often recommended to clear mental and emotional blockages, emit positive vibes, alleviate stress and improve sleep patterns. Tiffany Willardo is harnessing the energy of these shimmering stones in her small shop, Designs by Tiffany W. The shop sells, among other things, hanging crescent moons constructed from colored wire, glass prism chandelier beads and iridescent beads of various shapes and sizes. “My designs are not only decorative, but they also serve a function if the buyer chooses to hang the crystals and radiate their energy in different parts of the home,” she explained. “For my entire life, I have always been into astrology and the moon. I had some crystals and thought to myself how lovely they would look hanging in parts of my home on a moon because I regularly cleanse and charge them during the new moon and full moon every month.”

Willardo opened up shop about four years ago. “I was making wreaths and many people were interested. I recently started making the moons and I am obsessed,” she exclaimed. “I love the colors of each one and the glass iridescent beads I attach. The beads make the prisms of light glimmer and sparkle when any light hits it. They look fabulous near a window catching natural light or outside under the moonlight.” I asked Willardo to pick a favorite design, but none of the moons “eclipsed” the others for her. “I love them all,” she laughed. “The copper colored ones seem to be most popular and I am personally drawn to blues.” Each lunar display is custom made to order and they generally range in size from six to twelve inches.

Although her crystals may help Willardo set intentions and improve concentration, the artist usually finds her design inspiration in the great outdoors. “I am influenced by everything around me, but especially now because I live close to the water, which is where I feel I need to be,” said Willardo. “There is magic and beauty all around me everyday.”

Elevate your sacred space and bring home a little metaphysical energy from Designs by Tiffany W. Willardo is currently working on hand painted crescent moon wall hangings, which she plans to release before year end. View images of her eclectic works in the Designs by Tiffany W. Etsy shop and follow the shop on Instagram for some celestial inspiration. 

It seems appropriate that an eco-friendly small shop – that initially specialized in cloth diapers – launched on Earth Day this year. “We originally started as Dapper Flats Diaper Co. and aimed to sell mainly cloth diapers and accessories. However, we quickly switched to custom clothing and very recently changed our business name to Dapper Flats Clothing,” explained Cassie Jahn. “We have come a long, long way and we have learned so much on the journey!”

Dapper Flats now offers small shoppers customized apparel for kiddos. “We are a fully custom shop. We make all of our clothing to order and offer a ton of different high quality fabrics that are not available everywhere. This means you can truly get a one of a kind piece,” she shared. “Also, my wife and I run the shop, so we try to be extra inclusive and offer regular discounts to the LGBTQAI+ population.” The Dapper Flats joggers and tie overalls have trended well with small shoppers. “They are so stinking cute,” said Jahn of the joggers pattern. “I love the fall colors and black and white stripes. We also have had some different rainbow fabrics that have been super popular.” For Jahn, her favorite part of the design process is “seeing people’s ideas come to life. They tell me their thoughts on what they hope to see and it is so exciting when they get their piece and it is exactly what they were dreaming of – or better!”

And, although Jahn has since shifted her focus from diapers to dapper apparel, her inspiration remains the same. “I find design inspiration all over, from the grocery store to different groups on Facebook dedicated to patterns,” she said. “But my biggest inspiration is my son. I use a lot of what I love to see him dressed to inspire me. We love to keep it stylish and comfy! Plus, he’s my world.” Jahn also credits the support of the Dapper Flats fans. “We have an amazing group in our Dapper Flats Chat & BST group on Facebook and they are so supportive and always trying to help us find new ways and new items to offer,” she exclaimed. “We also have a great group of brand reps supporting our business, spreading the word about Dapper Flats, and helping us to select and create new items. Ultimately, the last four months have been a crazy learning experience, but so much fun and we can’t wait to see what will come next!”

You won’t have to wait long for the shop’s next offerings. “We are in the process of adding in some new items, like cozy rib knit and french terry items, joggers, lounge sweaters, and so much more. We are also releasing a new not so basic mystery box. I’m sure winter will bring tons of even cozier items to share!” Find something warm this season on the Dapper Flats Facebook page and follow the shop on Instagram for pre-orders and new releases.

“Sleepyhead, close your eyes. Mother’s right here beside you.” – Lullaby and Goodnight (Brahms’ Lullaby)

The dozing eyes of each Wee Little Wild Ones lovey suggest long days of imaginative playing. “The closed eyes started because I was looking for a dreamy look for our lovies,” explained maker Sherry O’Neill. “I liked the look, so I have done them all that way.” I like anything that encourages my kiddos to nap.

Based in Minnesota, Wee Little Wild Ones focuses exclusively on plush loveys and stuffed animals. “The bunnies are one of my favorites. They have such a sweet look and are fun with their long ears,” O’Neill said. “I think the mouse mini stuffy was really popular. In fact, all the woodland creatures of our recent Forest Friends drop sold out pretty fast!” Each plush friend is constructed from high quality, silky soft materials and most of them measure approximately 16” in length. And, the Wee Little Wild Ones eyes are not their only distinctive feature. “All of our creations have a heart sewn on their butts. This is something we started in honor of my little niece who was born with a severe heart defect and spent almost seven months in the NICU. We almost lost her but thankfully she is home now,” O’Neill shared. “Our hope is to find an organization that helps heart babies and make donations or do auctions to help them as their expenses are so great.”

O’Neill opened up shop this past summer. “I have been making stuffies and lovies for years for my own kids, grandkids and friends. Everyone kept telling me I should open a shop, so finally I did,” she recalled. “I love to create things that kids can play with and take on adventures. My kids and my grandkids draw different designs and then I create them in stuffie or lovie form.” The Wee Little shop name was also inspired by O’Neill’s wild littles. “The shop name is something we thought was cute. It can mean animals, monsters or any creature we can imagine!”

As a fledgling shop, O’Neill is learning the ropes of the small shop community. “I have learned so much even though I have only had a few drops so far. People should not underestimate how much work goes into the whole process. Every maker works very hard, much harder than I realized,” she said. O’Neill herself is hard at work on new holiday releases. “I am super excited because my grandkids have some fun drawings I plan to make, including several monsters. I can just let my imagination go with those. One will be making its debut in stuffy form soon!”

Pick out your own snuggly lovey from the Wee Little Wild Ones website and join the shop’s VIP Facebook group for details on other upcoming drops.