Small Business Saturday

In case you didn't know, today is Small Business Saturday. It's a day devoted to supporting small businesses, which of course includes artists. So I've made it my business to make some purchases from some small businesses that I love.

I had been wanting to order a custom dog tag from Island Top Designs for a looong time. My lampworker friend Paula has turned her artistic talents to metal stamping, and she's been off and running with her custom dog tag business ever since. I'm a fan of her Island Top Custom Tags page on Facebook, and her happy customers are all there showing off their new bling. Each time I'd see one of these cute pooches or kitty cats sporting one of Paula's custom made tags in gorgeous mixed metals, I'd want to buy one for our dog, Chunky. I especially love the one pictured above, with the dog in the boat. But it just wasn't right for Chunky. I also love the Cowboy Boot, but Chunk is a midwestern dog without any cowboy swagger. So after much thought I asked Paula if she thought she could make a tennis ball tag - the perfect tag for our tennis ball-obsessed dog. And guess what? She could!

Paula also sells her tags in her Island Top Custom Tags shop on Etsy. And as Paula says: Every pet deserves a little bling. And Chunky agrees.

Another small business where you can't go wrong is Sunbasilgarden. I'll soon be restocked with my favorite body butter lotions - sugar cookie is so yummy! I cleared out the stock on that one, but I'm sure Lauren, master soapstress at Sunbasilgarden, will have more listed sometime soon. In the meantime, she has other delicious sounding scents like Milk & Honey (pictured above) and Pomegranate. Her lotions are all natural and non-greasy (perfect for winter!), and I bought enough to keep one for myself and give the rest as gifts for the holidays.

Sunbasilgarden is known around Etsy for much more than lotions ~ it's really all about the soap. Each bar is a work of art in itself. One of my favorites is the Eggs and Bacon soap, but there's also Cookies and Milk and Cupcake soap. I highly recommend "liking" Sunbasilgarden on Facebook for updates on new listings and sales.

Enjoy your Small Business Saturday, and be sure to support your favorite small businesses!