Once again it's on!
The holidays are here, which means holiday shopping is on the horizon. Yaassss!
Since 2016, when we handed out a list of dope things you can find on Etsy from black businesses, the crafty chicas with the popping melanin have unholstered their glue guns, and went to work. Etsy is lit this year, folks! I just might have saved you a trip from walking across a mall that's as large as NRG Stadium, where the Houston Texans play. (By the way, it's a large ass stadium.)
From silk ankara patterned pillow cases, to t-shirts that speaks your language, check out some of the best in Black Etsy, and get to know the owners.
1. Silk and cotton ankara pillowcase from OBIKATextiles ($27.60)
8.Silk and cotton ankara pillowcase from OBIKATextiles ($27.60)
This Etsy shop just showed up to the Black Etsy party in 2017, and her shop is popping. Pamela's the owner, and she's operating in London, and her shop exhibits very fly ankara patterned purses and throw pillows. Shop OBIKATextiles here.
7.Ankara patterned throw pillow from eightlifestyle ($17.50)
Sharna is the owner of eightlifestyle, and her fashions are very reflective of the bold and vibrant colored fashion you would find in Ghana. Her throw pillows and headwraps are lively, and fly in style. You're going to love shopping on her page.
About why she calls her shop eightlifestyle, she said:
Since relocating to Ghana the number "8" is of great significance to Sharna as "8" is often associated with regeneration or the beginning of a new era.
I am forever inspired by shapes, prints, the eclectic styles of the peoples I bump into on the streets of BK. Tribes women, mother, aunts, granny, friend, daughters all inspire my line. The energy of my ancestors, pure love of a home continent that I have yet to smell, touch and see in this time fuel much of the works.
Shop eightlifstyle here.
6.Urban Girl doll by Felt And Fennel ($60)
This is absolutely the cutest doll I've seen in a very long time. This handmade item is 16 inches in length, and features a faux fur vest, wool yarn hair, and cotton clothing. If it isn't cute enough, you can also add a special message to the person receiving this gift. *swoon*
Olivia White, the shop's owner, said that making dolls for black girls to celebrate is truly a labor of love.
I want to to create beautiful, high quality dolls that celebrate the beauty and diversity of the African Diaspora and black/African American hair so that others can see themselves represented and celebrated in my dolls. I pay special attention to combining colors, patterns, and textures, making each piece unique, exclusive, and a work of art.
Shop Felt and Fennel here.
5.Rise From The Concrete - wall art inspired by Solange's A Seat At The Table album ($60)
This wall art is exceptional!
Nonie, the artist behind this masterpiece, operates out of New Jersey, and she said that this mixed media piece was inspired after she listened to Solange's latest album, A Seat At The Table. As far as the message behind the piece, Nonie said:
My original drawing is called "Rise from the Concrete." because it is about rising from adversity and rising to your full potential. You are the rose from concrete, even if you are a work in progress or have scars
Shop Rise From Concrete here.
4.Viviane Go - AURORE Fascinator by Ziindya ($227.59)
Well since there's a new princess among us black girls, we may as well make sure we have some fly looking fascinators for this spring's royal wedding. It looks like Ziindya has us covered in that area.
This beautiful piece of headwear is made of dashiki fabric, peacock feathers, pheasant feathers, and cotton.
The shop's owner must be a magician, because her pieces are pure magic.
Shop Ziindya here.
3.Angela Davis Tee from Black Heritage Tees ($22.99)
Black Heritage Tees have been on Etsy since 2011, but they persisted, and saw an increase of sales this year. Hey now!
I love this shirt shop. You'll see shirts that boasts images of Pam Grier, Colin Kaepernick, Billie Holiday, and of course, Angela Davis.
Lisa, the shops owner, said:
This beautiful collection of Cultural Designs was inspired by the challenges and victories of some of our greatest African-Americans.The sacrifices they made yesterday have shaped the world in which we live today. Their uncommon strength and courage forever lives within us.
Shop Black Heritage Tees here.
2.Queens Stand Up Luggage Bag (49.99)
If you're looking to start a conversation while traveling, this would be that bag to purchase.
According to their shop, this handmade item is durable, water-resistant, and is made of high-grade waterproof fabric, with microfiber leather.
Zana, who operates her shop out of Sugar Land, Texas, has really cute handmade items that you will simply adore, especially if you belong to a sorority. Check out the name badge holders, and greeting cards, in her Etsy shop.
Shop here.
1.Women In African Print Fashion Adult Coloring Book ($9.99)
I'm swooning already! The book features 30 pages of black women looking queenly in African print textiles that's sure to make your imagination run wild!
The shop boasts beautiful handmade artwork that's sure to make you feel happy. Take a look.
Shop here.
Did I miss any? If you're a black woman business owner operating on Etsy, drop the link the comments so we can browse your merchandise.
RELATED
And why is it so rough during the spring season? The main reason is because the spring and fall seasons are when pollen likes to run amuck. And although there are medications that you can take to help to ease your allergy symptoms, there are also natural remedies that are proven to provide you with some much-needed relief as well.
Below, I have 12. Ones that are easy on your system, don’t have side effects, and can help you to enjoy spending time outdoors without all of the…allergy-related drama.
1. Consume Local Honey
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I can’t say enough how I think it’s amazing that we live in a country that will push all kinds of medications down our throats (billions of side effects and all) and yet when it comes to natural remedies, “experts” will go out of their way to disprove those. Take consuming local honey, for instance. Although I am fortunate to not have to deal with allergies (food, seasonal, etc.) at all, many people in my world do and, in spite of folks who say that using local honey in order to treat them minimizes their symptoms (because there is local pollen in local honey), some health folks think that is just a myth.
However, there are some studies that say there is some truth to this approach, especially since honey contains enzymes that help to boost your immunity and as well as reduce inflammation. My two cents: take a teaspoon of local honey every morning and see how you feel. If it works, awesome. If it doesn’t — well, with all of the other benefits that come from honey (its antioxidants, how it improves gut health, how it aids in sleep, etc.), you’re still doing your body a world of good by consuming it.
2. Use an Essential Oil Blend
I’m telling you — no matter what is going on in your life (that is health or beauty-related), there is going to be an essential oil, somewhere, that can improve it. When it comes to allergies, specifically, you should look into using a blend of sandalwood, frankincense, and Ravensara oils. Sandalwood is good for you because it helps to reduce inflammation, it has antimicrobial benefits and antioxidants and it helps to relax your system.
Frankincense has anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antiseptic properties; it contains compounds that can bring relief to asthma-related symptoms, boost immunity, and reduce stress; frankincense makes it easier to sleep at night. And although you may not be familiar with Ravensara, it’s one that you want to get familiar with because it also strengthens your immune system and it helps to keep your lungs clear. You can put this blend into a diffuser or you can mix it with a carrier oil and rub it onto your chest before turning in for the evening.
3. Make Some Stinging Nettle Tea
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If you’ve never heard of stinging nettle before, it’s a plant that is used for a variety of health-related issues. Aside from the fact that it’s packed with vitamins A, C, magnesium, iron, calcium, amino acids, potassium, beta-carotene, and flavonoids (plant pigments that have antioxidants in them), stinging nettle also has anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious properties that help to lower your blood pressure, regulate your blood sugar and it can even help to treat prostate issues in men.
The reason why you should consider taking it as a supplement or drinking some stinging nettle tea during allergy season is it helps to reduce inflammation, and block histamine (the chemical in your immune system that causes your body to have allergy-related symptoms like sneezing, itching, and having a runny nose) receptors and reduce symptoms that are directly associated with hay fever.
4. Put a Cold Washcloth on Your Eyes
If one of the things that irks you to no end about allergy season is how itchy your eyes can get, it’s always a good idea to keep a cold washcloth close by. Not only will it help to soothe your irritated eyes as it reduces mild inflammation and puffiness, but this type of cool compress can also help to wipe away the pollen, dander, and whatever other allergens that are causing your eyes stress in the first place.
5. Eat Foods That Contain Quercetin
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There are certain foods that can help to get you through the allergy season. For instance, foods that are high in quercetin are good for you. And just what is quercetin? It’s a plant pigment that contains properties that help to lower your blood pressure, improve the quality of your workouts, and even slow down signs of aging. As far as allergies go, quercetin can help you out because it also has anti-inflammatory properties; plus, it helps to block the production of histamine. Foods that are high in quercetin include apples, kale, broccoli, red onions, and green tea.
6. Decrease Your Dairy Consumption
Something that allergies are prone to do is produce mucus. That’s because mucus is your body’s way of trying to keep allergens from going too deep into your system. And even though mucus is needed (whether we realize it or like it or not), dealing with thick mucus can oftentimes make you feel pretty miserable. That said, if you’ve heard somewhere before that consuming dairy will only produce more mucus and make it thicker too — here’s the deal. What science states is dairy doesn’t so much cause mucus to transpire so much as trigger additional production of mucus — meaning, most research says that there isn’t a direct correlation between dairy and mucus.
HOWEVER, since research also reveals that milk contains properties that are linked to diabetes and heart disease, a lot of it is full of hormones and pesticides and milk can increase inflammation in your system and inflammation is what happens when you have allergy symptoms (although yogurt is a dairy-based food that decreases inflammation) — sounds to me like it can actually work in your favor to decrease your dairy consumption during allergy season and go with some dairy alternatives (like coconut milk, almond milk, hemp milk, oat milk or cashew milk, etc.) instead.
7. Try Some Butterbur
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If you’re looking for some all-natural allergy relief, you definitely should give (the plant) butterbur a try. As I was doing some research on it, I noticed that it has a pretty solid reputation when it comes to treating migraines, hay fever, and asthma as well as bringing relief to symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. Although many people are fans of it, if you choose to take it in supplement form, make sure to run it by your doctor first.
For one thing, it could affect how other medications are processed in your system. Also, too much of it has the potential to stress your liver out. Oh, and if you are allergic to ragweed, it won’t help you much because it is actually a part of the ragweed plant family (sorry).
8. Enjoy Outdoors Before Noon
If you’re someone who enjoys the great outdoors yet wants to keep allergens from getting on your last nerve, it’s best to spend time outside between the hours of 4 a.m. and noon. Apparently, that is the time of the day when pollen is at its lowest. And when does it like to show out the most? That would be between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m., to be exact. So, if you like to meditate or exercise outdoors, doing it before lunchtime is going to be your best bet…as far as your allergies are concerned.
9. Change Your Clothes As Soon As You Get Home
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Some of us are old enough to remember having grandparents who hated the mere thought of us wearing “outside clothes” for too long after coming inside their house. Well, if you’re someone who deals with allergies, you should actually keep that tradition going because your clothes probably have pollen all over them. And, if you wearing those same articles while sitting on the couch or resting on your bed, you’ve just tracked all of that into your house…and your body will react similarly to how it did while you were outdoors.
10. Take Your Showers at Night
Just like it’s a good idea to change your clothes during allergy season, you should consider taking a shower before turning in at night as well. Not only does that significantly decrease your chances of ending up with allergens in your bedding, but showers before bedtime also help to reduce stress, lower your blood pressure, and clear up any nasal congestion that you might have. For tips on how to have a fabulous nighttime shower during the spring season, check out “How To Turn Your Showers Into A Tranquil DIY Spa.”
11. Close Your Windows. Turn on an Air Purifier.
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There is nothing like fresh air, I ain’t got no lies to tell you. Still, if you’ve got allergy issues, opening up your windows is going to bring some of what’s outdoors indoors. That’s why it’s best that you keep your windows closed as much as possible and that you turn on an air purifier. Air purifiers are bomb because they help to decrease allergens, contaminants, and dust particles and they can even reduce the spreading of certain viruses that may be in the air.
Just keep in mind that although air purifiers are effective, they can’t totally remove any of these things nor are they the best at getting rid of mold, nicotine, or animal dander. Just something to keep in mind.
12. Have Sex
I mean, you can check out articles like “10 Irrefutable Reasons To Have An Orgasm A Day” to see why it can never hurt to get some (safe) nookie in as much as possible; however, when it comes to your allergies, specifically, science says that engaging in sexual activity can help to strengthen your immune system.
Case in point: one study revealed that participants who had sex no less than three times a week ended up having more of the antibody immunoglobulin A in their saliva which helps to fight off viruses, bacteria, and health-related issues like bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, eye and ear infections too. Hmph. As if you needed convincing to have more orgasms, right? I’m sayin’.
BONUS: See a Reputable Allergist
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And finally, definitely one of the reasons why allergy season is irritating for so many is because they aren’t able to find the proper relief — and that is because they are playing “Google expert” instead of actually making an appointment with an allergist. Why should you do that? Because they are professionally trained to test you in a way that will help you to get to the root of what you actually are allergic to.
So, if you do indeed have allergy symptoms yet you’ve never been officially diagnosed with what is causing them, it’s worth the investment to see a specialist in the field. The sooner you know what the issue is, the sooner you can find some much-needed relief. Zocdoc is one site that can help you find an allergist who is in your area and network. Go here for more info.
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