By Daphne Auza
Online shopping has completely transformed the world of commerce. Not only has it made the process of shopping more convenient and a whole lot faster, but it has also made unique products by forward-thinking, small business owners readily available. E-commerce website Etsy in particular is known for combining these two qualities. It has created a digital marketplace where any creative person with Internet access can sell their handmade or vintage wares.
With the holiday season picking up, shoppers can rely on Etsy to find unique products with a personalized quality that will not be found in department stores. There are a myriad of Etsy accounts to choose from, but if you’re looking for a gift that will satisfy the thoughtful shopper while making a minimal impact on the environment, you might want to take a gander through these popular eco-friendly shops:
1. Mirasol Farm
When buying bath and beauty products, we sometimes forget to consider the origin of the ingredients that are soaking their way into our skin. Mirasol Farms provides vegan and organic cold-process soap, creams, lotions, and specialty skin care made with essential oils and botanicals. The shop is a strong advocate of fair labor practices and agricultural methods that do not use unsafe chemicals. As a result, most of the ingredients for their products are grown on their Wisconsin farm, where they also produce seasonal gourmet jams and jellies.
Many reviewers commented on Mirasol Farms’ upcycled, eco-sensible packaging, which make them perfect for gift-giving. Even if you’re not sure of the scents favored by the person you’re gifting, Mirasol Farms accommodates that as well. They currently sell both large and small organic soap sampler gift sets pre-packaged in a recycled gift box.
2. Zen Threads
Zen Threads has products that will interest people of all ages — including infants. This apparel line includes sweaters, cardigans, t-shirts, accessories and even towel sets printed with intricate illustrations. The eco-friendly shop is based in northern California and claims to derive most of its inspiration from their home state’s flora, fauna and a multitude of other oddities. They make their graphic print clothing using water-based inks, which allow the illustrations to look and feel like part of the garment.
3. Starlight Woods
Starlight Woods sells an array of eco-friendly, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. To create their popular studded earrings, shop owner Lisa DiSciascio and her family venture into the woods to collect fallen tree branches. Each piece is sanded down and sealed with a coat of resin to give a glass like finish. Shoppers can choose from a variety of simple but statement-making prints. In addition, the pieces arrive in a gift box tied with a piece of twine, making them gift-ready by the time they arrive at your doorstep.
Just in time for the holidays, Starlight Woods is currently holding a sale with the coupon code STARLIGHT10.
4. The Loose Leaf
On their Etsy page, The Loose Leaf claims to sell tea with a purpose. As certified Master Herbalists, shop owners Meghan Mercier and Courtney Smith handcraft their tea blends for homeopathic uses such as relieving insomnia, headaches, upset stomachs and more. However, multiple reviewers commented on enjoying the tea not only for its health benefits but for its taste as well. There are 15-20 steeps to each metal-rimmed, double sealed container. The choice of flavors expands beyond the ones available on their Etsy page. The Loose Leaf takes customized orders according to personal health and flavor specifications.
5. Bark Decor
Bark Decor offers a wide range of handmade home decor, apparel and fine art prints and jewelry. Shop owner Sara Barrett uses eco-friendly hand printing techniques on all of her products. During the manufacturing process she uses only water-based inks and solvents and exposes all her screens to the sun. She also uses recycled papers, envelopes and cartridges and only prints on sweatshop-free American Apparel t-shirts. On her page, Sara emphasizes how her eco-friendly creative process has inspired her to slow down and appreciate tools provided in nature. Although more time consuming, all the hard work seems to be worth it. Her home decor pieces such as hand printed towels and pillows exhibit especially endearing illustrations.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Based in Los Angeles, Daphne Auza is a current student at Occidental College pursuing a major in English and Comparative Literary Studies. Her interests lie in travel, poems, and the intersection between the arts and social justice, but her curiosity extends far beyond those realms as well. She likes to think that many of her passions are founded on her seemingly insatiable restlessness. You can check out her daily musings and other writings at candidkandu.tumblr.com.
Photo, Eco-friendly etsy shop via mirasol farm
