For Black History Month, we are highlighting the people and projects you should know about all year long.
Shopping for a new mirror or looking for a unique gift? That's always a good opportunity to support Black creatives with small businesses. And there's one place we often go in search of unique finds: Etsy, the online marketplace where you can find goods that make friends go, "Wait, where did you get that?"
If you don't quite know where to start, Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy trend expert, tells Hunker that you can "keep an eye on Etsy's Black-owned shops Editors' Picks page to discover more one-of-a-kind finds created by Black sellers in our community."
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Even if you aren't quite ready to shop, there are other ways to show your appreciation.
"Shoppers can support specific sellers by sharing their favorite shops on social media or 'favoriting' them on their Etsy accounts, which makes it easy to locate the shops whenever they are ready to make a purchase and signs them up for on-sale notifications," Johnson says.
Here are just a few Black-owned Etsy shops to support all year long.
21 Black-Owned Etsy Shops to Shop and Support
In 2021, Etsy made a huge announcement: Quilts by the women of Gee's Bend were going to be available for purchase on Etsy. Makers in this Alabama community have passed down their techniques through the generations, and in the late 1990s, their quilts started receiving interest from the art world. The Gee's Bend Quilters have had their work displayed in museums across the country. You can visit each shop to see different approaches to the quilt. Caster Pettway told Etsy, "When people look at my work, they know me, the person that I am."
Self-described as an "eclectic homeware brand rooted in African expression," Bespoke Binny is all about bringing more joy into interior design and decor. The shop carries lampshades, aprons, oven mitts, napkins, and more, all in bright prints inspired by Ghanaian aesthetics.
3. Pepper Palm
Pepper Palm's tagline is "everything botanical," so you know we're automatically interested. Planters like this colorful one make great additions to any side table or desk.
Our pick: Pepper Palm mega Pot Bundle (set of 3), $126
If you're looking for some colorful accent pieces in your home, shop owner Rheal is here to help. Find everything from handmade coasters to woven throw blankets.
Ready to get organized? This shop features calendars, meal planners, notepads, and more.
Our pick: Godly Gorgeous Daily Planner Pad, $14
6. Studio Nom
Looking for a statement wall hanging? Studio Nom creates pieces like this one made of cotton and beechwood and even takes custom orders for wall spaces that might prove a little trickier.
Archer Home Designs is all about creating chic, rustic pieces that let the natural materials shine. This farmhouse console table with wheels can be custom stained based on what style you're looking for.
Using wood and fabric scraps, Candice Luter creates home decor items like this eye-catching half-circle mirror with fringe. Luter was a finalist in the first-ever Etsy Design Awards in the Inventive Decor category.
9. xNStudio
Created by Ugandan and American designer Nasozi, xNStudio features home decor items that incorporate African-inspired textile design. The pillow featured here was a result of the brand's residency at Kokrobitey Institute in Ghana; it was created using the batik technique and was fully handprinted and dyed in Ghana.
10. Mirlande
Mirlande Jean-Gilles creates multilayered artworks, like this collage with an eye-catching green background. It's perfect for that empty space that's just waiting to become a gallery wall.
Our pick: Mirlande Collage Art Print, $12
11. The Pink Locket
Technically, this shop focuses primarily on jewelry, but we couldn't help swooning over the jewelry dishes The Pink Locket carries. They're perfect for keeping all sorts of knickknacks in one place.
Our pick: The Pink Locket Jewelry Dish, $30
Sometimes, you just need to light a candle to either get to work or relax before bedtime. Thankfully, Charlie Rose Company has a range of scents for all your needs.
You can find plenty of Afrocentric wrapping paper and gift-giving accessories with Insta-friendly designs in the work of Copper and Brass Paper. Whether you need a new notebook or weekly planner pad, there's plenty to give your desk some extra style.
Our pick: Copper and Brass Paper Goal Getter Notebook, $10
If you need to unwind after an especially long day, Uniquely Bath Products definitely has a few options that might help. The brand carries sugar scrubs, bath salts, and soaps in lively colors and scents.
Our pick: Uniquely Bath Products Shea Butter Soap, $8.99
All the items in the CanDid Art Accessories shop are "influenced by the modern African Diaspora and cosmic geometry." You can find everything from quilts to masks to greeting cards.
Our pick: CanDid Art Accessories Grow Greeting Card, $5
London-based Dana Osadebe describes her shop's aesthetic as "soft, safe spaces where you can bring your chaos or your calm, and put it all into one place." Her shop features everything from student to social media planners. They all feature minimal designs and useful exercises.
Designer and maker Kwadwo Som-Pimpong creates these sleek pieces by hand, with every item made to order. "I put my heart into my work, and am excited to craft a piece for you," the maker says on the shop's page. Currently, you can find a number of tables and other pieces, like an asymmetrical bookshelf. You can also request a custom order.
18. Morning Joy Co.
Morning Joy Co. offers customized cutting boards that are perfect for foodies or as a housewarming gift. You can get everything from a name to a full recipe engraved onto natural and high-quality wood.
Looking for unique travel essentials? Little Dot Studio has plenty. Handmade in Seattle, you can shop dozens of personalized luggage tags in acrylic or leather designs.
Our pick: Little Dot Studio Luggage Tag, starting at $9
20. Owl Designed
Looking for handmade furniture with designs that can fit into any space? Try Owl Designed by Michael SuazoBorn. Handcrafted in New York City from reclaimed and new materials, you can find coffee tables, side tables, bookcases, and more, including a few on-trend curved designs.
Our pick: Owl Designed Curved Coffee Table, $580
21. Hortiki Plants
Based in Washington, D.C., Hortiki Plants offers eco-friendly gardening kits that new and seasoned plant parents will love. Take your pick between classic greens, including arugula and kale, or even some cat grass for your feline friends.
