There is one thing Austinites love more than breakfast tacos, and that’s local businesses.
But not all local businesses are created equally. Just as an up-and-coming chef might begin their journey with a food trailer, local artisans often open virtual storefronts before they are able to expand to brick and mortar. Etsy is one of the best websites to find quality craft items, but it can be a little overwhelming. Especially if you’re searching specifically for Austin artists.
So I decided to do the work for you and find 10 amazing local artisans to follow. Many have full-time day jobs and work on their craft on the side. Another thing they all have in common? Perfect 5-star ratings. So without further ado, here are the top Austin Etsy artisans.
Price Key:
$ = $0-50
$$ = $50-150
$$$ = $150-500
$$$$ = $500+
#1 Blue Morpho Apothecary
DETOX organic bath salts by Blue Morpho Apothecary (Credit: Brit + Co)
Artisan: Brandie Maraziti
Specialty: Brandie is passionate about holistic beauty and organic skincare. She works to bring Austinites handcrafted, natural, organic, locally-sourced, eco-friendly products. Her products are guaranteed to be free of any and all toxic chemicals. Even her packaging is repurposed or recycled.
Top Pick: DETOX organic bath salts
Price: $
#2 The Pink Samurai
“unapologetically enthusiastic” buttons (Credit: Becky Helms)
Artisan: Becky Helms
Specialty: Illustration, design and lots of cats. What Austin hipster doesn’t love ironic buttons? Or cats? With a whopping 1,444 5-star reviews, it’s hard not to notice Becky Helms’ work. And at only $1.50 a pop, these buttons make great gifts. Too bad TGI Friday’s doesn’t do flare anymore.
Top Pick: “unapologetically enthusiastic” buttons
Price: $
#3 Rebecca Borrelli
Town Lake by Rebecca Borrelli
Artisan: Rebecca Borrelli
Specialty: Hand-lettering and doodles. Rebecca calls herself a professional doodler, but her art is so much more than scribbles on a page. Her work has evolved from black and white mandalas with inspirational quotes, to full color pieces exploding off the page. Her Austin inspired series is quite magical. Even her hand-lettering is very Austin with clean, graceful and simple lines. Order original pieces or reprints, and be on the lookout for prints on wood and metal.
Top Pick: Downtown Austin from Town Lake Drawing
Price: $-$$$
#4 jpearDesign
Feather bowl set by jpearDesign (Credit: jpearDesign)
Artisans: John Vesel and Jessica Bollig
Specialty: Ceramics. This design duo takes ceramics to a whole new level with their printed and hand-stamped pieces. Their work is unique and makes great housewarming gifts for the hundreds of people moving to Austin everyday. Best of all, every item is food, dishwasher and microwave safe. They also dabble in furniture restoration and watercolor paintings.
Top Pick: Feather Bowl Set
Price: $-$$$
#5 Sew Knot Write
Felt Candy Hearts by Sew Knot Write (Credit: Emily Cawood)
Artisan: Emily Cawood
Specialty: Handmade felt play food and props. Playing dress-up is something every child does and make-believe play is a vital part of a child’s development. What began as a project for her nieces has become a whole series of make-believe felt props created by Emily, a professional costume maker and designer. Who says this only has to be for children?
Top Pick: Felt Candy Hearts
Price: $
#6 Haley Lebeuf Jewelry
Silver threader chain earrings (Credit: Haley Lebeuf Jewelry)
Artisan: Haley Lebeuf
Specialty: Modern jewelry design. There’s something so sexy and simple about Haley Lebeuf’s jewelry. Her high-quality pieces are all constructed with sterling silver or 14k plated gold, and sometimes even in solid 14k and 18k gold. These modern designs are perfect for those fancier nights out on the town.
Top Pick: Silver threader chain earrings from the F E M M E collection
Price: $-$$$$
#7 Scarola Photography
City of Austin set of 4 by Scarola Photography
Artisan: Brett Scarola
Specialty: Fine art photography. Nowadays everyone has a camera, but not everyone is a photographer. Brett Scarola’s knack for capturing iconic Austin gives you a sense of old and new Austin. You can order prints on professional grade photo paper or on canvas.
Top Pick: City of Austin Set
Price: $-$$$
#8 Dalena Vintage
1970’s Vintage Floral Dress (Credit: Dalena Vintage)
Artisan: Leslie Torbett
Specialty: Vintage clothing and accessories. One of my favorite streets in Austin is North Loop because I’m obsessed with all the vintage stores. Unfortunately, Austin traffic keeps me from going as often as I’d like. Leslie’s virtual vintage store is the best solution! She specializes in antique dresses and accessories from the 1900’s to the 1970’s. And with detailed descriptions, you can be certain the items are top quality.
Top Pick: Vintage 1970’s dress with purple floral pattern
Price: $-$$$$
#9 The Folk
The Folk’s Texas State Necklace (Credit: Julie Godsey)
Artisan: Julie Godsey
Specialty: Personalized jewelry and state necklaces. Let’s be honest: Austin has a lot of transplants. Julie’s wire necklaces are the perfect gift for anyone nostalgic for their home state. And if you’re not feeling patriotic for your state, get a custom piece with your name! Julie’s designs are made with sterling silver or 14k gold fill and have been even featured in Lucky magazine and on BuzzFeed.
Top Pick: Texas State Necklace
Price: $
#10 Petrified Design
The 701 Cafe Stacking Chair (Credit: Etsy)
Artisans: Tyson Pendergrass and Gable Bostic
Specialty: Handmade furniture. This isn’t just furniture; it’s art. These beautifully hand-crafted pieces are made from local and refurbished materials. And nothing speaks to Austin’s spirit more than that. So if you want to step up the wow factor of your home – inside or out – Tyson and Gable are your guys. And good news for all you Austinites: they just opened a brick and mortar store, but their Etsy shop will still play an integral role as their business continues to grow.
Top Pick: 701 Cafe stacking chair
Price: $$-$$$$
@jpino9 wants to know:
What’s your favorite Austin Esty store?
Someone should mention http://www.freshfixdesign.com/ – their Etsy store just came online, formally, but she’s been doing amazing things for some time and her eye is unparalleled.
Thank you for the tip, Daniel. What a wonderful find!
Thanks SO much for including my shop, theFolk! I feel super lucky to create full time and from such a great city! I make every state, country, island, anything that has a shape really- but it is no surprise that out of the thousands of pieces of custom jewelry I’ve made- the state of Texas is definitely the most requested! I should also mention my friend Sarah who also lives here in Austin makes gorgeous hoop art for her shop http://www.mountainsofthread.etsy.com. Super talented, go check her out!
OMG! Julie! When did you become so dang cool?! That is some awesome jewelry! I need to go check out theFolk for sure!
So grateful to have my shop, Blue Morpho Apothecary, included among so many talented people! This thriving artisan community is exactly what I love about Austin!
Thanks Jessica! I am so happy to be included with this great group of makers.
I start my day with a smile and something from Sweet Thyme Design. Whimsical and hardworking Chelsea is a transplant to Austin, but we’ll forgive her. She handstamps vintage silverware and what she chooses just cracks me up…as well as my friends who I give her items to as a thank you.