Gift buying season is in full swing, and I am here to share a few unique, local online businesses to check out while you’re checking names off your list. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good afternoon of browsing the plethora of great brick and mortar shops around Kansas City, but I’m telling you, don’t sleep on these amazing online KC businesses.
Elizabeth Post Candles
These beautiful candles are hand-made from soy wax, created in Leawood, Kan. There are multiple, one-of-a-kind scents in the line, all named after people in the creator’s life. Not only do they come in a gorgeous, giftable jar, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Giving the Basics, an organization that provides human dignity items (e.g. toothpaste and toilet paper) to those in need in our community. I’m currently burning the “Sarah” scent, and the citrus vibes are giving me life.
Michael Schultz Design
Michael is a local graphic designer, husband, and new dad. He has a quirky line of products that he designed, such as art prints, keychains, stickers, and pins. Many of the designs feature fun design plays on mythical creatures, such as the Loch Ness Monster and Big Foot. I’ve already added the “More Than Myth” sticker to my water bottle.
Lauren Heim
Lauren is a lettering artist that not only sells products that she designed/lettered, but she also sells workshops to learn hand lettering. I took her online workshop, and it was such an amazing creative outlet for me after I put my toddler to bed. Both her workshop and her ornaments would make such a great gift for yourself or for others!
Emylee Williams
One of the businesses Emylee runs (yes, she runs multiple businesses and is a wife, mom, and wearer of a lot of other hats) is making handmade jewelry, most notably polymer clay earrings. She mixes a wide variety of colors, textures, and designs to create unique, small-batch jewelry. My favorite shape are the “Isla,” but Emylee is always creating new patterns and designs.
Tirza Design
Tirza Design is a small, local, woman and Black owned jewelry business that empowers survivors of human trafficking and other forms of abuse. I highly recommend checking out the earrings made and packaged by survivors. A percent of the sales are donated towards organizations that right against sexual exploitation and abuse.
Crafty Girl Creates
OK, y’all. This business owner is an 11-year-old girl, who lives in Overland Park. 11! She started making things in the workshop with her dad when she was five, and she now offers an adorable line of vintage/farmhouse-style decor and gifts. She also generously donates a portion of her sales to creating fun days for kids. I want to add all of it to my cart immediately.
Coffey House Crafts
This shop is run by Kansas City MomCast podcast co-host, Megan. She not only makes adorable baby and kid bows, she has been a mask-making machine during the pandemic. All items are hand-sewn with love, between chasing around two kids and multiple pets.
Fair Comics
Comic books and their movies have made a come back in a big way over the last few years. Ray, owner of Fair Comics, sells a wide variety of comic books – both raw and graded, with a variety signed by writers and artists. If you have a comic lover in your life, he would love to help you find a great gift at any price point. For full transparency, this one is run by my husband. It has been amazing to watch his passion turn into a business – a dream of his since childhood.
I hope you take a moment to check out these sites and find some unique gifts for yourself or the people in your life, all while supporting some of our local business owners. To find even more local shopping options both online and storefronts, visit our annual ShopKC Guide.
