Whether you're looking for something special for your Valentine, looking for a unique gift to brighten someone's day—or want to find a little something extra for yourself, it's always great to be able to shop local!
To give local businesses some extra love this month, we reached out to some of our makers who create their products at home, making each item with love. Catch them online or at one of the local weekend markets and enjoy shoping local.
Hailea Vargas
Artist, Cool Girl Earrings
During the COVID19 lockdown, Hailea became obsessed with watching people create jewelry on YouTube. She received an earring-making kit for her birthday and the creativity flowed. Hailea posted her creations on social media and quickly gained a following. Fast forward two years and the 21-year-old now has a successful business selling her one-of-a-kind pieces on Instagram. Hailea uses polymer clay and resin to create earrings and no two pieces are alike. She'd like to expand her line to include sterling silver rings and necklaces.
SHOP HAILEA'S WORK ON INSTAGRAM: @COOLGIRLEARRINGS
Sharon Downing
Founder, Quinoa Esta Bakery
Since 2013, Quinoa Esta Bakery has been making baked goods using non-GMO quinoa flour. The products are vegan and free of nuts, gluten, dairy, grain, and eggs so they fit into pretty much every dietary lifestyle. “Best of all they taste great!” says owner Sharon Downing. In 2011, Sharon went on an elimination diet and had never even heard of quinoa, now she's running a lucrative bakery business that thrives on the ancient grain. Products include a variety of baked goods and dry mixes.
SHOP SHARON'S PRODUCTS AT: QUINOAESTABAKERY.COM
Jenny Ung
Founder, Glazed & Glow
Jenny Ung is an entrepreneurial mom. She makes and sells the best-quality soaps, scrubs and 100% soy candles, a result of researching how to create pure products after her son was born with eczema. The 2-in-1 whipped scrub is made with pure cane sugar and infused with organic, unrefined coconut and avocado oils. The whipped body glaze is a hybrid between a lotion and body butter made of mango butter, coconut oil and hemp seed oil. Try the balm bars, with coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba, and beeswax.
SHOP JENNY'S PRODUCTS AT: GLAZEDANDGLOW.COM
Cathy Gomez
Baker, Cathy's Cookie Creations
More than two decades ago, Cathy Gomez took a cake decorating class but it wasn't until 11 years ago that she turned her hobby into a business. “I left my job to care for my granddaughter full-time,” Cathy said. “I wanted something extra to do and made cookie bouquets one Valentine's Day. I haven't stopped since.” Cathy finds joy in baking because it gives her the opportunity to bring joy and memories to her customers. She takes custom orders for every occasion.
SHOP CATHY'S COOKIES ON INSTAGRAM: @CATHYSCOOKIECREATIONSAZ
Erika Ashley
Founder, Granddaughters Apothecary
Erika Ashley saw the 2020 lockdowns as an opportunity to build a business. She learned to make everything from t-shirts to candles and bath salts. The day she burned her first successful candle, she realized she could combine her products with crystals. Today, Granddaughter's Apothecary has four intention lines: Clarity, love, abundance and protection. She makes candles, fizzy bath salts and essential oil blends. Each line has a specific herb and crystal blend meant to help manifest your intention into reality.
SHOP ERIKA'S INTENTION PRODUCTS ON FACEBOOK: @GDAPOTHECARY