ASTERIA’S LIST.
Small businesses and other resources I frequent and recommend.
Suay Sew Shop
They take donations of textiles that wouldn’t otherwise be used and then remake those textiles into items they sell. You can also access clothing repairs, mending classes and their monthly dye bath (refresh your well-loved clothes!) all through drop off or shipping. And they pay their sewists an actual, livable wage in Los Angeles! (Woman-Run)
Haley Solar
Slow fashion curated with excellent taste, sold at fair prices. There are also beautiful pieces designed, hand-dyed, and sewn by Haley Solar herself. Everything I own from Haley Solar is comfortable and makes me look like the best version of myself. (Woman owned)
Nana’s Garden TX (etsy)
Remember in 2020 when we all were supporting black-owned businesses? Well, that’s when I started ordering my body butters, oils, and some spiritual supplies from Nana’s Garden. The service is always amazing. I love that it’s a family-run microbusiness. Usually they send a little sample of new scents with my order. (Black woman owned)
For Everyone Collective
They hired previously incarcerated individuals, give them on the job training, living wages, and a stake in the collective. Their hoodies and sweatshirts are some of the most comfortable, best quality ones that I own. Plus, I love clothing with a message like “The Death Penalty Kills Innocent People” that then has a list of those individuals who were sentenced to death and then proven innocent. No one can argue with that. They also do custom printing orders, so hit them up if your business needs clothing printed. (Worker-Owned)
Beauty bakerie
High quality cosmetics. I’ve used their “Better Half My Creamer” facial moisturizer for a while. I really like that it’s hydra-rich but lightweight. I also wore one of their Lip Whips for my wedding and would highly recommend the last all day lipsticks. (Black woman owned)
Octavia’s Bookshelf
Community-Supported bookshop in Pasadena named after trailblazing sci fi author Octavia Butler. Selection is mostly authored by people of color and extremely well-curated.
Crush and touch Art Supply
Crush and Touch carries high-quality brands in all the basic supplies you’d need for watercolor, oil, or acrylic painting, polymer clay sculpting, color pencil, fabric paint, markers, and many other artistic mediums. They also are an excellent place to stop in or order gifts for the creative weirdo in your life. I particularly love their collection of hair accessories.
Vampirefreaks
Yep, it’s the blog website you loved when you were a teen, but now it’s a small, family-owned goth clothing business. They have their own horror-designs, as well as staple goth brands like KillStar and Tripp NYC.
Noctex
Woman-owned, sustainable, primarily deadstock fabric, goth brand.
Passion Planner
I’ve been using this planner for a decade. They are beautiful and have helped me SO MUCH. I have trouble with double-booking myself or not being able to remember specifics, so this helps me keep track. AAPI woman-owned.