2023 Small Business Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of year again! This is the fourth year where I’ve shared a small business gift guide for you to shop locally this holiday season. As a small business owner myself, I love being able to support others pursuing their dreams.

Dandelion Naturals

Dandelion Naturals brings the natural world to you through handcrafted products made with pure, simple ingredients from nature. Their shop includes lotion bars, lip balms, salves, soap bars, shave bars, and products for kids, kitchens, laundry, and more. The soaps smell so good! They would make the perfect stocking stuffer gifts too.

The Clean Nest

The Clean Nest began with two Minnesota sisters, and their passion for non-toxic, pure cleaning practices. After 10 years of owning and managing a successful all-natural cleaning business, they bottled up an All Purpose Cleaning Spray that was instantly loved. In their shop, you’ll find all purpose surface cleaner, concentrate, room spray, essential oil blends, and more. I’m excited to use this room spray throughout my home for the holiday season. As soon as I opened up the box of products they sent, my house immediately smelled better.

Right & Weft

Right & Weft features handwoven fiber art + rainbows that are made in MN. Anna Hill is the fiber artist behind the name right & weft. As a self taught weaver, Anna has been experimenting with sewing, knitting and fiber arts since she was a child. She finally found a creative home in weaving and bought her first loom in 2019.

Anna uses her loom to create woven wall hangings, accessories and more for the home. In addition to weaving, Anna creates wrapped fiber art and modern macrame including heirloom rainbow wall hangings, many of them finding a home in the nursery. Anna uses recycled and premium fibers in her work, including recycled cotton, wool, linen and more. She never uses acrylic yarns or yarns containing plastic. Anna finds joy in the making of her work and connecting with others through it.

A labor of love, the rainbow is sewn and never glued together. Each row is hand wrapped and hand sewn together to create an heirloom quality piece. Perfect for a gift for a loved one expecting a baby, a rainbow baby, or simply a fun home decor piece, this rainbow features neutral colors but rainbows can be made in custom colors you can choose on her Etsy page.

This piece is woven on a loom using recycled no waste cotton cord, wool and other cotton fibers. The piece is simply hung on a wall using a small nail and the attached hanging string.

P&W Designs

If you’re looking for a custom planner for 2024, you’ll definitely need to check out P&W Designs! They are all about creating systems to make your days more peacefully productive when you’re juggling all the things. Julie was looking for the perfect planner to kick off her year and when she couldn’t find one, she created one herself and her business was born! After going through a consultation of what works and doesn’t for you, she can create a custom-made planner within 4-8 weeks. Otherwise, you can shop her already made planner pages on Etsy as well.

Koselig Candles

Koselig Candle Co is a candle company founded in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The owners Matt and Blake hand pour, label, package, and ship all of the candles they make. The Lavendar + Spruce candle is my favorite and I’ve been burning it nonstop during maternity leave. It’s the perfect scent to transition into the holiday season. I’ve loved these candles for years and you can’t go wrong with any of their scents. You can buy online or at their cute little shop in downtown White Bear Lake.

Earth Clay

My friend, Grace, is such a talented artist! Her company Earth Clay features National Park artwork, beautiful clay necklaces, gear, and more. Grace and her husband, Jordan, spend their winters creating & designing and their summers traveling to art festivals in the Midwest & near U.S. national parks. Every year, she hosts a Holiday Gift Shop and this year, it’s on December 2nd. Check out the Lookbook on her website to see everything included in it before the online art festival! I love these floral clay necklaces and the National Parks t-shirt from her shop.

Quill + Cue

Quill + Cue is a subscription card service that inspires you to do something simple but impactful – send one handwritten card per month. Once per month, your surprise letter-writing kit will arrive. You’ll receive a beautiful card – selected by them and left blank – along with the envelope, stamp, and their signature Cue Card. Each month, your letter-writing kit will contain a new Cue Card with clever prompts to help you pick a recipient and craft your message. They also have a kid subscription too!

Woolly Bear Knits

Woolly Bear Knits features MN-made cozy, modern knit accessories. All items are hand knit with care, using only the highest quality mulesing-free Peruvian and merino wool. Their pom poms are handmade with faux fur. Emily has created knitting patterns and kits that people can purchase to make their own accessories as well.

And Emily was so sweet to provide a discount code for Willaby Way. You can use willabyway10 for 10% off through 12/31/23, valid at https://woollybearknits.shop/.

Wander Wild Art

wanderwild.art features pressed floral art. The artist, Kayci, also takes custom orders.

Content By Carm

This year, my amazing sister started her own small business! Content by Carm offers social media management and consulting. She has taken over my social media content planning and it has been SO helpful, especially in this season as a mom to two under two. On her website and Instagram, you’ll also find blog posts and tips for how to elevate your social media presence as a small business owner as well.

And Clean Co.

If you’re looking for help with cleaning your home, look no further than And Clean Co. My friend Elizabeth started her company this year as well! She offers residential, commercial, and one time cleaning services using products with no fragrances or harsh chemicals – simple ingredient lists are so important to her! Services are offered within a 15 mile radius of 55112 and you can book on her website.

Venlo Studio

Lydia is the owner of Venlo Studio, where she offers brand + team + product photography as well as branding and ongoing graphic design assistance. She so graciously shot the photos for a styled shoot to feature products in this guide! You can book a free consultation call with her to discuss your needs and how she can help.