Get to know what they do and shop their work.
15 Seriously Talented Black Creators We Discovered on Etsy
When the women quilters of Gee's Bend—most of whom are descendants of former slaves forced to work on the Gee family’s cotton plantation—first launched on Etsy, their handcrafted, color-blocked quilts sold out overnight. This shouldn't come as a surprise: The patchwork designs, often completed on a large-scale, are historical works of art hanging in museums across the country.
This Etsy milestone—a partnership between Souls Grown Deep and the nonprofit Nest—is a prime example of how Black creators can thrive in not just an online marketplace, but any marketplace when given the opportunity. In this specific instance, Etsy trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson tells Glamour that access to the platform enables the women quilters of Gee's Bend to sell their goods independently to a global audience, while also preserving the history and cultural value of the community.
As a hub for diverse artistry, Etsy has always appealed to entrepreneurs looking to turn their passions into real, thriving businesses. And the women quilters of Gee's Bend are one of many talented Black creators enriching the site right now. “Etsy’s community of Black sellers specialize in a wide range of art forms and creative mediums, from jewelry-making to painting to woodworking,” Isom Johson says. “It’s so exciting to see what these makers create, especially with items that are influenced by our history and highlight the beauty of Black culture.”
In honor of Black History Month, Etsy has updated its homepage to feature popular Black-owned Etsy shops. Some of Isom Johnson's favorite things on the site include spice blends inspired by southern cuisine, carved pottery that embodies crafting techniques passed down from previous generations, artwork that depicts the importance of familial bonds, and clothing that incorporates wax print fabrics.
If you want to shop small and support Black-owned businesses, there are countless Black-owned Etsy shops worth checking out. Here is a sampling of some of the site's most popular sellers. Get to know what they do—and shop their creations below.
Gee’s Bend Quilters
There are currently nine women quilters selling their works on Etsy—and more are coming. You'll notice the shops are marked with the official “Gee’s Bend Quilts” logo on Etsy. For Kristin Pettway, one of the younger quilters at 23, this is an exciting opportunity to sell her quilts beyond just the small groups of people who make the trip to Gee’s Bend. She picked up quilting by watching her mom, her aunt, and her grandma, she told Glamour. Her inspiration tends to come from a color or fabric she likes, and she often uses old sheets or old clothes to fashion her quilts.
To facilitate this partnership—and ensure the Gee’s Bend Quilters have the resources they need to maintain and grow their own Etsy shops—Souls Grown Deep helped established the Gee’s Bend Resource Center, offering the first free, public Internet access and laptop computers for the community. Nest's support has also been crucial in getting the Etsy shops up and running, for instance helping the women set up bank accounts to enable digital payment and offering personalized training on shipping logistics. Nest will remain active in the Bend, Isom Johnson adds, to help with long-term strategy (including branding, product photography, and sales and marketing).
Handsewn Quilt by Gee’s Bend
$565EtsyHandsewn Quilt by Gee’s Bend
$1,105EtsyCandice Luter
It's impossible not to fall in love with Candice Luter's macrame wall hangings. The artist uses natural cotton rope to create abstract designs that add texture to blank walls (or unexpected furnishings like mirrors). Each piece is handmade, and Luter works closely with customers at every step to create something that's truly unique.
Medium "Lyric" With Accent Knob-Macrame Wall Hanging
$340EtsyHalf-Circle Fringe Mirror
$291.50EtsyBluMint Studios
Industrial designer, Blake Alexander, plays with color and texture to create gallery-worthy home furnishings. His handcrafted squiggly coasters and candle-holders are like mini works of art.
Clay Pastel Squiggle Coasters, Set of 4
$145EtsyContemporary Candle Holder in Demented Resin
$70EtsyLovely Earthlings
If you like to shop for gifts on Etsy, Lovely Earthlings is a great place to find colorful prints, notecards, and tote bags. Whether she's a plant mom or dog lover, graphic designer Karina Daniel Parris uses female caricatures to celebrate diverse hair textures, shapes, and skin tones.
Watering Plants Art Print
$25EtsyThe Dog Walker Art Print
$20EtsyOmi Woods
For heirloom-worthy jewelry, look no further than Omi Woods. The founder, Ashley Alexis McFarlane, says her designs are inspired by her African heritage and its diaspora. Her gold coin chains are bestsellers on Etsy, with each piece handcrafted from sustainable materials using the traditional lost-wax casting technique.
The Single Coin Necklace Stack II
$187EtsyThe Egyptian Coin Necklace Stack II
$216EtsySecondhand Shawty
Vintage lovers, rejoice! From velvet jumpsuits to denim shackets, Carmen Jones' Etsy boutique is like a time capsule for 80's and 90's fashion that feels equally on-trend today.
Vintage 90's Chocolate Brown Velvet Mockneck Jumpsuit
$60EtsyVintage 80's-90's Glitter and Bejeweled Acid Wash Denim Button Up Shirt
$45EtsyMaw Supply
Founded in 2012 by Rachelle and Norman Clark, Maw Supply is another Black-owned Etsy shop worth keeping tabs on if you love vintage. The Texas-based couple isn't fixated with a particular decade. Instead, they curate pieces based on what fits the current mood, like the vintage lace blouse below which could totally work as a “Zoom top.”
Vintage Ivory Lace Sheer Long Sleeve Blouse
$42EtsyVintage Cream Turtleneck Pullover Sweater
$30EtsyMade By Rheal
Made by Rheal's handcrafted pieces are a total win among home decor enthusiasts. You can find everything from painted throws to marbled coasters and crystal filled hands to add a bit of intrigue to your space. (They'd also make for perfect gifts!)
Resin Lapis and Gold Leaf Crystal Filled Hands
$40EtsyLimited Batch Marbled Glass Coaster (Set of Four)
$65EtsyBespoke Binny
Look to Natalie Manima for vibrant African-inspired homewares—think pillows, throws, aprons, and oven mittens. Manima's graphic wax print lampshades also earned her a spot as a 2020 Etsy Design Awards finalist.
African Print Hot Water Bottle Cover
$32EtsyAfrican Wax Print Drum Lampshade
$100EtsyPatty Wack Vintage
Supporting the Black LGBTQ+ community—and really good fashion—by shopping with Sabine Maxine, a Black queer femme with a sprawling vintage Etsy boutique. Everything feels incredibly curated, even though Maxine sources pieces from different decades.
Pale Pink Blouse
$35EtsyVintage Brocade Blouse
$50EtsyThe Crafty Swirl
Ilana Mayes, the LA-based woodworker behind The Crafty Swirl, is known for her two-toned shelves that allow you to create aesthetically pleasing vignettes of your favorite treasures. She took on woodworking a few years ago when she moved into her own space, and only had a small budget for decorating. She started staining, sanding, and repainting cheap furniture—and hasn't looked back since. Check her boutique out for any home decor and smart storage needs.
Regular Two Tone Tray
$28EtsyTrio Potted Two Tone Shelf
$68EtsyTW Aromatics & Co
Virginia-based Trenace Williams started selling handmade scented goods last June, and has already gained a loyal following. Whether you're into moody notes of plum and black cherry or prefer the freshness of tropical fruit and sage, “each scent has a purpose to bring about balance, peace, and motivation,” she writes on her website.
Pineapple Sage 8.5oz Hand Poured Soy Candle
$20EtsyCashmere Plum 8.5 oz Handmade Soy Candle
$20EtsyDorcas Creates
Dorcas Magbadelo is a UK-based artist who says she's “passionate about representing and uplifting Black people— specifically Black women—through illustration.” Her designs (printed on totes, T-shirts, notebooks, and greeting cards) feature lots of bold colors and references to her Nigerian heritage.
Anta Natural Hair Art Print
$36EtsyBabes Lilac Notebook
$11EtsyNatalie Gaynor Designs
There are so many interesting embroidery designers on Etsy, and Natalie Blamire is one of them. Her hoops often feature pretty florals and inspirational messages (like “This too shall pass” or “You got this”). If you want to pick up a new hobby, Blamire also curates DIY kits that reviewers say are super easy to start with.
Botanical Embroidery Kit
$40EtsySpring Garden Hand Embroidery Kit
$43EtsyTal & Bert
Geode planters are to 2021 what crystals and plants were in 2020. These small vessels are perfect for housing air plants, succulents, candles, or just sitting prettily on your desk. Husband and wife duo Ray and Val Talbert, launched their business last February and impressively expanded during the pandemic into a two-studio company with a brick and mortar storefront.
Succulent Planter
$39EtsyAir Plant Holder
$42EtsyThis story originally appeared on: Glamour - Author:Talia Abbas