A Guide to Small Arizona Businesses to Support This Holiday Season

By Ashley Oakes Scott | Published December 14, 2020

Shop Local, Shop Art this Holiday Season

Each holiday season an exuberant amount of dollars are spent on gift giving. What if more of our holiday budgets were spent on small, local businesses? This year, AIGA Arizona wanted to feature a list of local artists and business owners that have unique, handmade items for sale. With a one of a kind gift, giving season becomes more special, and brightens the local art community.

In this article, we were looking for local craft makers, artisans, food purveyors, and small businesses for you to learn about and support. These businesses are not only perfect for the holiday gift giving season, but a reminder to shop local all year long.

Did we miss a favorite, local business of yours? Drop their information in the comments below!

Arizona Clothing Purveyors

Iconic Arizona

Photo from Iconic Arizona website

Owner Nick Carmichael of Iconic Arizona began his company as a hat and patch retailer but quickly grew into shirts, socks, towels, stickers, and cornhole games. Each design celebrates different areas and sites in Arizona, a true ode to the state.

One of our favorite pieces from this shop is the “The 48 Classic Snapback”. This hat design showcases a copper sun with a turquoise sky and the sentinel of the Sonoran Desert, the saguaro cactus in the foreground all in the shape of the great 48th state, Arizona.

To purchase an Iconic Arizona item, shop online on their website or visit one of the many retailers that their line of products are available in:

Strange Magic Co

Photo from Strange Magic Co website

This collaboration of limited run apparel designs was made specifically for those with creative in their veins. From designer, painter, chef, musician, or anything in between, Strange Magic is the common thread that brings all of our creative minds together. This brand from local designers features shirts, hoodies, pins, and notebooks. You can purchase their items on their website, but hurry because each design has limited supply.

High Jinks Apparel

Photo from High Jinks Apparel website

John Arvizu has best been known for his iconic Arizona illustrations of staple signs and buildings. He joined forces with his wife Jenn to create High Jinks Apparel featuring a variety of apparel and home goods all designed and produced locally and by hand. One of the most recent items added to their shop are illustrated face masks, for a quirky way to stay safe, and the perfect stocking stuffer or white elephant gift. All of their items can be purchased on their website. Shop for John’s iconic prints on his website.

Obviously AZ

Photo from Obviously AZ website

A family owned company, Obviously AZ, celebrates the seasons of Arizona, and of course the hot days we are known for. Their fun taglines are “obvious” sayings that Arizonans will say each season. Their claim to fame is their illustrated “Keep your dog cool” that comes in sticker, tank, and tee form. You can find the Obviously AZ goods in many of the shops around town, or purchase directly from their website.

Arizona Artists

Bree Deverill Art

Photo from Bree Deverill Art Etsy Shop

One of 2020’s hottest trends is resin art and products. Bree offers circular resin art sold in sets of three or a la carte. Each piece can be hung as art as well. Bree has waves, ocean, and crystal resin designs to choose from. Purchase online at her Etsy shop.

Serkworks Art Labs

Photo from Serkworks Art Labs website

Corporate illustrator and graphic designer turned mad scientist supply business owner, Scott Serkland creates unique art prints, comic books, apparel, and novelties for his shop, Serkworks Art Labs. Grab an illustrated comic, a print for the home, an illustrated bow tie, or scientist sludge!

Pink Puddle Studio

Photo by Lauren of BePeachie.com

Rachel Eskandari of Pink Puddle studio has been known for her whimsical desert watercolor paintings with bright green cacti, beautiful blooms, and colorful sunsets. Rachel has original works of art, prints, stickers, and painting guides. This holiday season she features packs of her favorite artwork, ornament craft kits, and painting kits to make your own beautiful creations. You can purchase all of her items online on her website.

Handcrafted Arizona Items

Prickly Pear Paper

Photo from Prickly Pear Studio website

Based in Barnon in Gilbert, Prickly Pear Paper is a husband and wife owned retail store that is home to their gift shop, design and print shop. Prickly Pear Studio specializes in graphic design, letterpress printing, and premium goods including journals, stickers, cards, prints, pennants, totes, and more. These clean and bright designs are for any occasion. Head to their shop located at 3000 E. Ray Rd. Building 6 Suite 104, Gilbert, AZ or shop online on their website.

Crafted by Kaydee

Photo from Crafted by Kaydee

Crafted by Kaydee brings a sentimental and customizable touch to wood working through Kaydee’s skilled laser cutting & engraving skills. Kaydee has several different gift ideas that can be used year round. From home decor, baby toys, wedding details, jewelry, and more, Kaydee has created gift ideas for everyone. One of our favorite items she features are cutting boards that can have a handwritten note or recipe engraved. You can find Kaydee at several of the farmer’s markets in town, or order directly from her website.

Sailor Cherry Designed Cider from Cider Corps

Sailor Cherry is a sour cherry and lime hard cider from Cider Corps, a veteran-owned and family run craft cidery in Downtown Mesa. Cider Corps asked Tony Klett, a tattoo artist from a neighboring Mesa business, Naysayer Tattoo Shop, to design the artwork for the can. Klett’s design is a nod to Navy vet and tattoo legend Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins. Sailor Cherry is available in four-packs at the Cider Corps taproom (31 S. Robson Dr. Mesa, AZ) for $18.

Ari Makes Mobiles

Photo from @ari_mobile.maker

For a gift for new parents, check out this new handmade baby mobile artist, Arielle Gebhardt. She creates playful felt characters that are crafted into a mobile for your baby’s room. From pastel elephant dreams to green cacti gardens, Arielle can create a mobile to match your dreams. To see mobiles for sale or to inquire about a custom design, head to Arielle’s instagram page.

Blacksheep Originals

Photo from Blacksheep Originals website

Navajo artist Beverly Blacksheep has created artwork inspired by her heritage in the form of mugs, tiles, jewelry, apparel, prints and more. She is also able to turn her artwork into affordable promotional items for you. To shop her different items, visit her website.

Desert Bath Co

Photo from Desert Bath Co Website

Desert Bath Co is locally owned and operated by Tiffany Jensen in Gilbert, Arizona. They create handmade bath & body products in eco-friendly packaging. Desert Bath & Co is known for its 100% original creations. They hand paint all of their specialty bath bomb creations with bath & body safe micas, lakes, and dyes, just as the pictured Cutie Pie Bath Bomb above! They use pure, high quality, cruelty-free ingredients, certified organic butters, and certified organic therapeutic grade essential oils. You can find them at local markets around town, or shop directly on their website.

Coco & Wils

Photo from Coco & Wils Etsy Shop

Shay Totolo of Coco & Wils has created simple, yet chic custom creations that are perfect gifts, or to keep for yourself. These customizable items are a modern take on ornaments, door wreaths, and more. With funny sayings, this is the perfect gift for the home. Head to her shop to purchase her items.

Cirrus Visual

Photo from Cirrus Visual Website

Have your own design and want to create your own unique gifts? Local print shop Cirrus Visual has several holiday gift options available for custom printing. Choose from holiday greeting cards, 2021 calendar, labels and wrappers, custom gift wrap, mugs, and socks!

Arizona Focused Boutiques

Not sure what to get for that person that has it all? Sometimes seeing a slew of local items in one place can help! We love the shops in town that focus on supporting local artisans year round. Below are some of our favorite places to shop for that gem of a local find. Be sure to visit their websites to receive up to date hours of operation and availability.

Practical Art

5070 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 264-1414

Botanica at The Farm at South Mountain

6106 S. 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85042
(602) 368-1385

Phoenix General

214 East Roosevelt Street Phoenix, Arizona 85004
(602) 237-6922

Changing Hands Bookstore

6428 S McClintock Dr, Tempe, AZ 85283
(480) 730-0205