There has been a huge movement as of late focused on shopping locally, supporting small businesses, and keeping your dollars within your community. Then, as the story goes, Amazon comes along and attempts to shift our focus from community to convenience.
We’re the first to admit that online shopping has its perks. With so many things going on in our lives and a large portion of our time each day spent on the Internet, it’s one of the best ways to get gifts, buy things for the home, or update your wardrobe. You can minimize your online shopping page to pause the process while you answer an email or tend to a screaming child, and it will be waiting there for your return. There is no waiting in lines, no crowds, and no questions asked. It’s done.
Because we can’t deny the convenience of online shopping, but still aim to promote shopping locally, we wanted to find a way to combine the two concepts. We are also in the business of helping you make your home the best version of itself, with the use of home decor (and other home improvement projects). Hmm. We’ve got it!
Here’s a list of Etsy home goods from Fort Collins makers! If you’re not familiar with Etsy, it’s pretty amazing. Essentially, it’s an online marketplace for makers scattered all across the world, who create all sorts of things. You might call it “The Amazon of Pinterest”. Or for our purposes, “The Amazon of a Local Fort Collins Flea Market”.
It’s time to shop locally from the comfort of your couch!
The Red Pistachio
Get a unique, handmade pillow cover or nursery blanket from The Red Pistachio! Cherie, the shop owner, has a wide variety of patterns available in her Etsy store. She makes her pillows with babies in mind, but who says you have to put them in a nursery? These would make a stylish addition to any room in the home.
Iron Grain
Paul Hueber with Iron Grain makes exceptional benches for both indoor and outdoor use. You can order a customized bench or trust his expertise with this design featuring clean lines and simple construction. The indoor bench makes for a perfect mudroom or entryway addition, and the outdoor bench would work well on a patio, deck, front doorstep or in the shade by a tree! While he has some products on Etsy throughout the U.S., Paul primarily sells furniture, metalwork and other carpentry products and services on his website to local Northern Colorado customers.
SodaCreek
Jordan House of SodaCreek says that ever since he could walk, he was in a woodshop helping his dad build furniture for his handcrafted furniture company. He now integrates his furniture knowledge into everything he makes. He has an incredible rocking chair made from Colorado aspen logs, some unique wooden bowls, and our personal favorite — gorgeous handmade cutting boards.
Woodpony
Tyler Morris Woodworking is a three-person team that creates beautiful wood pieces in a Fort Collins shop. Their Etsy shop features their smaller pieces, which are still very high-quality products. They sell an abundance of countertop or shelf corbels, recipe boxes, trays and various home-related pieces. Whatever direction you go while shopping their supply, you’re guaranteed to walk away with a one-of-a-kind work of art that this team has perfected since 1997.
EdisonHouse
Reclaimed wood is the name of the game for EdisonHouse. We personally love their pallet shelves, which are as attractive as they are functional. Distressed and reclaimed wood is very popular because of its effortless and natural look!
TheRusticPalette
Speaking of palettes and reclaimed wood, TheRusticPalette has mastered the art of transforming unwanted wood into something magnificent. Owner Amanda House has created a stunning collection of iPhone stands and docking stations, iPad/tablet stands and docking stations, barn wood clocks, candle holders, custom barn wood signs, coasters and wooden jewelry. We’re especially drawn to the tablet stands. You could turn your iPad into a virtual recipe book by displaying it in an attractive stand while you cook in the kitchen!
GenuineWoodworking
We’ve talked about GenuineWoodworking before and we will again because we are blown away by this concept! Shop owner Andy turns old skateboards into eclectic pieces of art for the home, from speakers to bottle openers to lamps to coasters. This would make an exceptional gift for a new homeowner or a fun addition to your own home!
LandiDesigns
Geodes are all the rage in home accessories. Linda Kelly of LandiDesigns has capitalized on this trend by turning these captivating rocks into functional pieces for the home. Check out her collections of drawer knobs, coasters, napkin rings, drawer handles and candle holders. These unique additions to your home are sure to make a statement!
KatesMountainCrafts
Display your Colorado or CSU pride at the front entrance to your home with KatesMountainCrafts’ wooden key holder! It can hold keys, scarves, jewelry or anything else you need to hang up as you walk in the door. Kate also accepts custom orders, so you can have her paint any design onto a key holder to personalize it even more. However, Kate’s pride and joy is her therapeutic weighted blanket for both children and adults. Read all about the mental and health benefits this blanket can provide for those suffering from Autism, depression, trauma, insomnia, etc.
WJMRDesigns
West Roberts of WJMRDesigns has been experimenting with different woodworking projects since he was younger and has since picked up welding as an alternate means of creating. He loves turning what one might consider “trash” into works of art. And that is exactly what he has done with his upcycled coin bank and his twin tower aspen candle holders.
BoxwoodLights
Jason Erman of BoxwoodLights is new to the Etsy scene, but his woodworking skills are far from beginner status. His original, nostalgic lighting designs blow us away with their simple yet interesting aesthetics. Jason focuses on table lamps, but has a gorgeous walnut wall sconce for sale as well! For this occasion, Jason created a 10% off coupon specifically for readers of this blog. All you have to do is enter GROUPBLOG at checkout to receive 10% off your order!
TwoBoysandaDog
Make a statement — quite literally — with a personalized quote on reclaimed wood from TwoBoysandaDog. We love the light and airy feel of these designs which would look amazing in a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. We’re also drawn to her rustic redwood trays for sale!
RikkisTropicals
Who knew you could purchase live plants online? RikkisTropicals sells air plants mounted artistically on natural materials such as shells and driftwood or in hand-blown glass orbs and hanging lanterns. These air plant displays make for a unique and lively home accessory that requires very little maintenance.
It’s your turn!
Do you have a friend or family member creating awesome things in Fort Collins? We would love to know about them and their work!
PHOTOS COURTESY OF: The Red Pistachio, IronGrain, SodaCreek, Woodpony, EdisonHouse, TheRusticPalette, GenuineWoodworking, LandiDesigns, KatesMountainCrafts, WJMRDesigns, BoxwoodLights, TwoBoysandaDog and RikkisTropicals
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