Handmade Holiday Gift Guide

It's that time of year, and I've decided to help spread the word about buying handmade and from small businesses this season. I've been tweeting a few shops, but those are easily missed, so I'm going to collect them all in this blog post and update as I share more. These are all companies I've either purchased from and/or know the owner well, so I will personally vouch for any of these suggestions. If you'd like to add your own in the comments, feel free, but I won't back any I don't know. (The "owner" I list under each is to the best of my knowledge. I apologize if I leave out any co-owners/spouses I'm not aware of.)

Small businesses are good for the economy, and handmade items are often very eco-friendly. I believe in shopping with these businesses as much as possible, for the good of all.

With that said, here we go! (In no particular order.)

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Tuesday's Dreams
Owner: Marti Dickinson
Sells: Handmade fabric plushies, some tie-dyed clothing, and her mom's handmade quilts.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TuesdaysDreams
My fave: Amelia the Neon Rainbow Striped Whale

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Is Mightier
Owner: Heather McFarlane
Sells: Handmade jewelry with vintage fountain pen nibs.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/IsMightier
My fave: Purple and Green Chainmaille Fountain Pen Nib Necklace

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Street Spirit Photo
Owner: Fraser McFarlane
Sells: Unique photographs taken in Scotland and the USA.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/streetspiritphoto
My fave: Kaleidoscope Sunset

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Luxury Lane Soap
Owner: Kylee Lane
Sells: Geeky and vegan/eco-friendly soaps, lotions, lip balms, and hair care.
Website: http://www.luxurylanesoap.com/
My fave: Hemp Satin Body Cream in Pumpkin Cheesecake

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Moody and Sanguine
Owners: Denise LeBlanc and Melina Knox
Sells: Handmade chainmaille jewelry and hand-sewn accessories
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/moodyandsanguine
My fave: Swinging from the Chandelier Earrings (Side note, I'm featured in the photos for this item! Side side note, I own at least a dozen of her earrings.)

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Geeky and Cheeky
Owner: Jessica MacLean
Sells: Handmade felt dolls and toys featuring geeky characters and themes along with some Pagan items.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/geekyandcheeky
My fave: The Crew of Serenity 

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Little Free Radical
Owner: Crystal Evans-Pradhan
Sells: Handmade cloth toys, tutus, nursery and party decor.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleFreeRadical
My fave: Spring Rainbow Classic Tutu

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Surly-Ramics
Owner: Amy Davis Roth
Sells: Handmade ceramic necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and coasters featuring geek and atheist themes.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/surly
My fave: Camera Ceramic Necklace in Brown and Red (I own the blue and green version of this, and six other Surly necklaces.)

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UComics!
Owners: Len Peralta and Jessica Mills
Sells: Custom made comics starring YOU.
Website: https://peraltartsy.myshopify.com/collections/ucomics-the-comic-starring-you

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Geek Soap
Owner: Lesley Karpiuk
Sells: Handmade geeky soap.
Website: http://www.geeksoap.net/
My fave: D20 Soap on a Rope

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Waldo's Wood Works
Owner: Bob Benaim
Sells: Handmade wooden toys and accessories.
Website: http://www.waldoswoodworks.com/
My fave: Unicorn Puzzle

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Spiffing Jewelry
Owner: Annie Nygard
Sells: Hand stamped metal geeky jewelry.
Website: http://www.spiffingjewelry.com/
My fave: Girl on Fire Necklace

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Sparkle J
Owner: Joelle Burdette
Sells: Hand-knitted Jayne hats and hand-sewn lunch bags and other accessories.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sparklej
My fave: Jayne's Cunning Hat

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Creations by VR
Owner: Vanessa Reynolds
Sells: Original geeky paintings.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/gamrgrl
My fave: Think

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Dragon Chow Dice Bags
Owner: Lyndsay Peters
Sells: Unique cloth dice bags.
Website: http://www.dragonchow.com/zencart/
My fave: Red Kanji Dice Bag (I want this one next; I own 2 bags and have bought at least 3 for gifts!)

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88 Links
Owner: Lady Steel
Sells: Upper arm bracelets, earrings, rings, and other jewelry.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/88links
My fave: Wishing Star Gold Earrings

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Introverted Painting
Owner: Sabrina Zbasnik
Sells: Gorgeous paintings of trees, the sky, and geeky themes.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/blablover5
My fave: Four Seasons

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Sweet Threes Boutique
Owner: Lindsay Meuse
Sells: Holiday, wedding, and baby cards with unique textures.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetThreesBoutique
My fave: Christmas Cards

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Geek-A-Bye Baby
Owner: Elizabeth Nelson (Not related to me...as far as I know!)
Sells: Unique handmade geeky baby toys, clothing, and nursery decor.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/geekabyebaby
My fave: Jayne Hat Bib

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I'll just post my own businesses at the bottom here. ;)

Owner: Sarah Nelson

Celestial Designs
Sells: Geeky and Pagan jewelry.
Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CelestialAxis

CelestialAxis Photography
Sells: Landscape photography from around New England.
Website: http://celestialaxis.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fine-Art-Landscape-Photography/21981921_NbLBFz#!i=1753347621&k=JpLKxhR

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More to come!