
Print by Divine Digital shop on Etsy
There’s a bit of a “rebel with a cause” in me that theoretically shuns fast fashion and chain stores. Practically speaking, I do shop there but not without some compunction.
I have an affinity for fine craftsmanship, homemade wares, and artisanal lines. It would be a shame for smaller niche brands to be lost to sweatshops, heavy machinery, and assembly lines.
That’s why I love the Etsy community. It’s an online marketplace where artisans set up shop to sell their unique, often handmade goods.
I’m partial to supporting indie brands. Some of the greatest collections showcase their talents on Etsy.
The About page inspires me. It’s right up there with what Novica does for international crafts—giving opportunities to people who would not be able to reach a wider audience.
Aside from incorporating several hand-painted pictures on my blog here and here, over the years I have also discovered several beauty and clothing shops that I LOVE! Here you will find products that are freshly made for you, garments sewn to your measurements, and packages sent with a personal card. These shop owners value their customers and take great pride in their work.
Even though many of the products are made to order, they still carry affordable price tags that you will never see in a brick and mortar store.
Allow me to introduce some of my favorite shops.
NATURAL SKINCARE

Center & right bottom corner: Sugared Beauty; Top to bottom: first two Bohemian Beetnik; Zria; The Hippy Homemaker; Bottom row L to R: Ethica; The Hippy Homemaker; Wonder Weeds; Zria
- Sugared Beauty’s Sarah Zahn mixes made to order scrubs and face and body washes for optimum freshness. The Happy Face granulated cleanser and scrub, containing sugar, oils, and love, takes me to my happy place! Oils, like grapeseed, are organic, cold-pressed, and so pure!
- Zria’s Skin Apotheke has a bit of a cult following. I stumbled on it after reading glowing reviews about the Organic Ubtan Face Scrub , the Organic Ayurvedic Amla Hair Oil, and the Rejuvenating Eye Creme. I’ve tried and enjoyed the Ubtan Face Scrub and the lovely Organic Deep Pore Hot Oil Cleanser with geranium, ecchinacea, and sea buckthorn berry. What a great, gentle formula for removing all traces of makeup! Also, the eye creme is light and soothing to the eye area. In the summer when I wanted something light, this is what I grabbed. Each costs at least half of what it would elsewhere.
- Bohemian Beetnik is a new find for me that I’m really excited about. I bought the vegan organic lip stain with hibiscus, vegetable glycerin, organic beet extract, and beet juice. Like the name, this roll-on color stains lips a natural beet red—perfect for the current red lip trend without being too strong and definitely not lip gloss sticky. I just noticed there’s a cheek stain too which means that I’ll be visiting this shop again soon!
- Cosmo Verde, The Hippy Homemaker (Pumpkin Pie Cleansing Grains, anyone?), and Ethica Skincare recently caught my eye, so they will be my next Etsy discoveries. (Aren’t all these shop names great?)
NATURAL DEODORANTS
- Bohemian Beetnik and Wonder Weeds both sell deodorants that have been working well for me. Since most of my effective natural formulas come in a jar and require fingers, I like that Wonder Weeds is one of the few that comes in a stick form. It gets a bit mushy, but I won’t hold that against them—especially since it works. The Hippy Homemaker sells a Peace Pits deodorant that begs for review on my blog! After all, it is called Peace on the Skin.
HANDMADE FASHION
HunkyDoriBoutique Charcoal Jane hat, $24-$26.99
- Hunky Dori Boutique created the Elena Crocheted Brimmed hat for the set of The Vampire Diaries. My claim to fame is that I own several in luscious fall/winter colors. I really think it’s one of those hats that looks great on anyone.
- Savannah Parker takes us to a whole other genre of style. Think Downton Abbey, Great Gatsby-era pieces. Add vintage jewelry to the mix and this specialty store has got my number!
KatarinaHats offers handmade hats of different genres made by Katarina using both modern and traditional millinery techniques. (Pictured here: Mad Men’s Felt Fedora Hat, $200)
I’m also enamored of the many gifted artists, potters, jewelers, vintage shops, and invitation makers on Etsy. I’ll have to cover those items in a later post! Then again, why would I deprive you of discovering some unique finds for yourself. The marketplace awaits you. Don’t miss the curated lists like this timely one: Shades of Autumn. No reusable bag required.
Related Articles
- 13 Top Etsy Parents Reveal their Favorite Online Shops (babble.com)
- Husbands and Tolerance (ediblefacial.com)
- How to Turn Your Camping Trip into a Spa Getaway (ediblefacial.com)
- Seven Ways to Go on a Family Vacation without Going Crazy (ediblefacial.com)
Hi Sarita, I just love Etsy too for all they symbolize & for their goods. I find it a little overwhelming, though–so many stores, so many goods. Your list is helpful–thank you!–& I’ll keep trying to find clothing stores I like there like http://www.etsy.com/shop/lookforfiddleheads, which has organic cotton tees with lovely colors & designs. For jewelry, you might also check The Treasure Tower (www.thetreasuretower.com)–much like Etsy. Thank you for this wonderful post that helps shoppers find other ways to shop than the “sweatshops, heavy machinery, and assembly lines”–so well put! Love to you this Monday morning and wishing you a wonderful week ahead! ♡
Thanks for sharing your favorites! It’s always fun to see what you love – especially since I find we have similar taste much of the time.
For jewelry, I’m partial to Eco Lustre, http://www.ecolustre.com/, the awesome ladies I met on twitter. Also Matana Ramati’s gorgeous work with crystals and all that glitters, http://www.matanami.com/www.matanami.com/Welcome.html. The website doesn’t do her work justice.
Since you recommend it, I will definitely check out The Treasure Tower but I sense that I’ll be in trouble when I do 😉 Thank you for your inspiring post yesterday about volunteering your time in such a meaningful way: http://www.openmindfashion.com/1/post/2013/09/give-the-shirt-off-your-back-this-t-shirt-sunday.html
And this quote from today is incredible: “I love that my friends have different views, taste in music, religion, spirituality, they support different charities, it all broadens my horizons and opens my eyes, mind, and heart to how unique we are but yet proves we are all connected.”
–Debbie McPherson Campbell
Your warm friendship and support enhances my life, Josie.
Enjoy this beautiful day! ♡
When I saw your comment this morning, Sarita, I was amazed! I hadn’t known that you’d seen my post today with that quote, & you were so kind to requote it here along with posting the link to my post from yesterday! You are so generous with me it startles me & makes so grateful & happy! I just roamed around Eco Lustre and Matana Ramati’s sites–SUCH beautiful things! Thank you for sharing wonderful places to shop with me & for your constant support and love! I’m sending it right back to you.
You have always been so kind to me, Josie. I’m only returning a small portion of your kindness! I’ve favorited the Etsy store for Tees that you recommended. I’m so happy you like the jewelry. Eco Lustre is on twitter @EcoLustre. They are lovely! xoxo
Thanks for the mention!! Hunky Dori Boutique
You are most welcome! I look forward to discovering more of your hat styles this season 🙂
I’ve been an Etsy enthusiast for quite some time, but had never made a purchase until about a week ago. I found a sweetie in Canada who makes beautiful oversized scarves and got her to make a custom one just for me. Now that is style! I love the idea that I am the only one who has this and it was made to order … I am thrilled to explore Etsy more … my credit card, though, well … it’s not so happy 🙂 Here is my girl: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BiKay
Thank you for listing your favorite natural beauty sellers! I have yet to really explore the handmade beauty items on the Etsy market, so this is a great place to start … I trust your taste! Great post as usual, Sarita 🙂 xoxo
Yay! I’m happy you enjoyed it. It was a fun one to put together. I’ve got to see your custom-designed one-of-a-kind scarf!
Just putting “organic skin care” in Etsy’s search brought up so many goodies!
I’ve favorited your shop recommendation and Josie’s too in comment above.
Too many lovely things…not enough room in closet (or in budget :-)! Thanks for commenting, Lady. See ya on Facebook 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing my products on your wonderful site 🙂
It’s an honor to have you here, Ria <3