Made in Austin
5 handcrafted Austin brands to shop on Etsy right now
Creative minds and Etsy go together like migas and micheladas, which is why it's no surprise that there's a sizeable Austin contingent on "the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace." From pottery to calligraphy, there are plenty of local goods up for grabs online.
And while it might not be as fun as perusing a craft fair or art show, we've curated a list of some of our favorite Austin-based Etsy vendors below. Browse their products, favorite their shops, and get inspired.
Chloé Draws
Chloé Yingst, the fine artist behind self-explanatory Chloé Draws, creates stunning images inspired by landscapes and creatures hailing from the southwest to Jurassic Park. What started as an occasional escape from the 9-to-5 grind officially became her sole source of income last May when she quit her cushy desk job to pursue illustration full-time. Since then, she’s been hard at work creating masterpieces for last July’s ICON illustration conference and gallery shows at local establishments like Blue Dahlia and Radio Coffee & Beer.
While the former ended on August 9, the latter won’t go live until October. In the meantime, follow her on Instagram or her personal website.
Exquisite Squid
With handwriting on the brink of extinction, calligraphers like Allison Hembd (aka Exquisite Squid) should be cherished and protected like giant pandas. From wedding invitations to framed poems, her elegant lettering makes a memorable statement in this increasingly digital age. Drawing inspiration from over a decade of ballet training, Hembd connects vowels and consonants with clean lines and twirls guaranteed to please any audience.
If you’d like to bring a human touch to your next event or living room gallery wall, browse her custom listings on the Exquisite Squid Etsy shop. Follow Exquisite Squid on Instagram, to see her latest pieces and her works in progress.
Little Skunk Co
Little Skunk Co was born from Lauren Cooke’s desire to have a DIY wedding that combined the joy of matrimony with the whimsy of a Wes Anderson movie. Once her special day landed her a Green Wedding Shoes feature, she decided to sell her handmade decor on Etsy. Four years later, Cooke continues to offer some of the finest and most fun accouterments on the web, the most popular of which being her felt flags and pennants that contain playful phrases like “Yippie” and “Adventure awaits us.”
In addition to her embroidered goods, Cooke now offers screen-printed pillows, wall banners, and many other decorations that are guaranteed to bring a little glee to your wedding or dwelling space. For more from her, follow Little Skunk Co on Instagram.
Rhyno Clayworks
If you’ve ever been to an Austin art or craft fair, chances are you’ve seen Ryan Lucier’s unmistakable pottery. From porcelain cups adorned with golden jackalopes to desk planters with a white crawl glaze around the rim, Rhyno Clayworks products are a true testament to Lucier's 18 years of experience; the last eight of which have been spent in Austin. Inspired by minimalist design, with a focus on strong lines and well-balanced objects, he combines clean “perfect” surfaces with weathered exteriors to produce unique pieces that work with any interior design scheme.
To see Rhyno Clayworks in person, head to Gruene on October 22 or 23 for the Texas Clay Festival, or swing by the soon-to-open showroom on South Lamar this September. For more from him, follow Rhyno Clayworks on Instagram and/or Facebook.
Urbanvirtue
There is no shortage of handmade jewelry on Etsy, which is why it takes a unique style to stand out from the others on this virtual marketplace. Caroline Schaffer, proprietor of Urbanvirtue, distinguishes herself by modeling her fashion accessories off of the abstract geometric shapes found in trees, lakes, and architecture. Her pieces aim to reflect the wearer’s surroundings, whether they’re hiking Mount Bonnell or grabbing a drink downtown. Her Solstice Collection, which creates an eclectic fusion of colors in metal, stone, and leather is largely inspired by the sun, paying homage to her Atlanta roots and her four-year love affair with sweltering Austin.
If you missed one of her pop-up shops at West Elm, you can catch her jewelry year-round on Etsy. For more from Schaffer, follow Urbanvirtue on Instagram.