Whether you’re looking for energy-charged jewels for your Mama’s Christmas present or a new candle ‘para abrir caminos’ for an exciting new year, consider supporting working artists this holiday season.
In this list of artisans, there are rainbows of crystals for wellness, herbal remedies for self-care, luxurious fabrics made into celestial draperies and much more. Check out these talented artists hustling before the holidays.
1
Las Ofrendas
Las Ofrendas artist TK Karakashian Tunchez creates adornments that are meant to heal our spirits and support us in our life’s endeavors. She is a healer who understands and uses the powers of stones, including rose quartz, moonstone, citrine, amethyst, and labradorite, to create wearable pieces of magic.
Beautifully rendered drops of quartz crystals made into earrings can help balance energies and protect from negative vibes, she says, while a necklace of rose quartz can help you mobilize the self-love you need. She also does customized pieces, so if you want something that speaks to your personal experience and needs, TK can make a charm especially for you. She recently relaunched her Etsy shop and is offering a 15% discount to all orders made before December 18th. Hit her up with your story and she’ll help you find the perfect jewel. And if you’re in Texas, she will be vending at The Magic Maker Mixer at San Antonio’s La Botanica on Friday and Maker Market and Open House in Houston on Saturday.
2
BreadxButta
Brooklyn-based and Bronx-born artist Lynsey Ayala started her company BreadxButta in the summer of 2015, with a launch of ethereal silk garments handmade with Shibori, a Japanese tie-dye technique. Her pieces are unique works of art, with the artist adding hand paintings to clothing and taking personal commissions to illuminate shoes and other garments.
She also recently began a jewelry line using raw crystals as centerpieces for brilliant rings, earring studs, and necklaces. You can shop her fashion line at her website, but her fabulous jewelry won’t be on the Internet until after the new year. If you’re in New York City, check out her pop-up shop this Saturday, where you can get first dibs on the new jewelry line and take a look at her silky apparel. The event is called Gritty Nativity and will be at Five Myles Art Gallery in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Take advantage of their open bar from 6 to 8pm and performances by Alia Pierre and the A.M.P. (Art Music People) from 8 to 10pm.
3
Firme Arte
Firme Arte’s shop offers an enticing spread of “witchy cosas made with manos, not machines.” The store is run by a Xicana out of Richmond, Califas, and her recipes include herbal blends for tea and baths, infused mystical oils, botanical hemp soaps, cocktail candles dressed with herbs and glitter, and many other incredible concoctions.
If anybody has to visit toxic family members this holiday season, you might consider purchasing “The Ring of Fire” protection candle or any of her products intended for guarding against bad energies. She also has kits of mystical mixes called “Bruja Bags” with themes such as Love/Attraction, Moon Magic, Prosperity, and Self-Love. With so many provocative products, you’re sure to find something that’ll benefit you or a loved one.
4
Mapache Jewelry
Based out of Los Angeles, jewelry-maker and artist Rochelle Martin aka Mapache Jewelry imbues her pieces with cultural significance by using images of Selena, the Virgen, religious icons, and sacred charms. She incorporates cacti and roses into many of her pieces, and uses ancient geometries in some of her stone jewelry.
My favorite pieces are the necklaces with little hand and leg charms like the ex-voto offerings you see at religious shrines. Mapache Jewelry has an Etsy store, and a few pieces at a shop in Highland Park called Mi Vida, but she can also be reached by appointment at her studio in Silverlake. Check out her Instagram for a full range of her work and don’t be shy to e-mail mapachejewelry@yahoo.com with any questions or order requests.