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Hear ye, hear ye! Calling all craft lovers! All those who love unique, one-of-a-kind handmade items that you can’t get anywhere else. Boy, do I have a treat for you. Welcome to the last week of our Black History celebration. In case you didn’t know, every Tuesday this month we’ve been celebrating Black History Month by highlighting all things black travel.
The first week we took a look at historical black women who have impacted the way we travel. During the second week, I took you on a 24-hour journey into America’s Black Mecca. Last week I shared 5 lesser-known sites in America to get some Black History nuggets. And finally, this week I’m doing something a little different. I’m going to be showing you some of my favorite black-owned Etsy shops to pick up some awesome stuff that will make your trip just a tad bit sweeter, everything from cool travel stickers to trendy water bottles.
What is Etsy?
If you’ve never heard of Etsy, be prepared to have your mind blown. It is one of my personal, secret weapons for getting rare gifts with that special hand-crafted touch. It is also a crazy amazing platform to support small businesses.
Etsy is an online marketplace that connects independent buyers and sellers. Think Amazon meets your neighborhood flea market/craft market with a twist. It has millions, and I mean millions, of vintage and handmade items. Things like sweet hand-painted stationery, budgeting printables, vintage houseware, and even nifty travel knick-knacks.
I love Etsy with a passion because it’s affordable and you’re buying directly from independent sellers. I’ve bought a whole boatload of stuff on Etsy and I love to take my handmade finds on the road with me when I travel. Whether it’s a custom-built phone case or a functional make-up bag, it all goes with me. Keep reading if you’re curious and ready to show love and support for some incredible Mom and Pop black-owned Etsy shops.
Looking for more info on Black History and travel? Check out these posts:
- 4 Trailblazing Black Women Who Rocked the Travel World
- How to Spend 24 Hours in Black-Owned Atlanta
- 5 Less Famous Spots in the US to Celebrate Black History
1.Black Girl Stickers
Who doesn’t love a good sticker? I love looking at the stickers on people’s laptops. They tell stories of where they have been and add a little style to the laptop. Representation is important and that is exactly why I love this first shop on my list of Black-owned Etsy shops. Black Girl Stickers Etsy shop is run by Roni Faida. She is a fellow female travel blogger who got sick of not seeing stickers of travelers who looked like her. Man oh man, have I been there.
Roni’s Etsy shop is dedicated to cute African American travel stickers. My favorite thing about them is the variety. There are girls with long hair and short hair and even women on planes, backpacking, or lounging out on the beach. You can purchase a bunch for all your traveling friends or keep them for yourself as inspiration for your next trip. To read more about Roni check out her website here.
2. Melaku Aromatherapy
Who else knows how important it is to take care of your skin while you’re galavanting around the globe? Traveling can take a serious toll on your skin and dermatologists from around the world have reported on how much damage it can do. Relying on products that are homemade and preservative-free is always a good idea and this is exactly why I like Melaku Aromatherapy Etsy shop.
Owner Elisa Blanco creates skincare that is vegan, safe, has limited ingredients, and is really easy to take on your travels. Her shop has got all kinds of toxic-free goodies like whipped body butter and her best-selling African black soap. All items are made to order and she’s even got over 700 stellar reviews!
3. Self Love Tool Chest
When it comes to Etsy, unique is the name of the game and Self Love Tool Chest (formerly The Dapper Dolphin) is one of the most unique shops I’ve come across.
If you’re a Type A, planning-crazed go-getter like me, you will love love love this shop. Nia Patterson has been crafting, planning, and organizing since she was a kid and mixes her over-the-top need for organization with her creativity.
Her shop sells organization and self-love tools like stickers and mood planners, plus funky pins and cards devoted to self-care, mental health, and body positivity—and I am here for every bit of it. You can use her natural hair planning stickers to keep track of how to maintain your gorgeous locks while you travel or stick a mental health bandaid sticker on your journal to remember that you are enough. Everything is designed by her and all I can say is: Self-care and travel for the win!
4. The Trini Gee
We’ve all been there. You see a cool hoodie or water bottle with a strong female on the design. It’s caught your eye and you wanna pick up one for yourself but as you scroll through the available items you see different hair colors and fashionable styles…but not a single design with someone who looks like you. It’s deflating. If you’re a black woman, Trini Gee’s Etsy shop will be nothing like that.
Everything is made with care and her shop is filled with products that reflect the culture. She’s a self-taught designer and creates loads of chic items that you can use for your travels including black ballerina fanny packs, Brown Girls tote bags, and stylish stainless steel water bottles.
There is so much variation. There are lots of colors and sizes for fall and winter, including kids sizes for all of you gals with little ones. Pack one of her adorable muscle tees for your beach trip or put your morning tea in one of her travel coffee tumblers. And guess what? You can even personalize items. She’s had over 2,000 sales and shows no sign of stopping any time soon.
Which of these black-owned Etsy shops are you most excited to visit? Leave a comment and let me know! Until next time!
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