In an economy dominated by Amazon and big-box stores, we know small business owners and creators are facing an increasingly difficult battle for customers. This season, we encourage you to shop small. In addition to shopping at stores local to your area, we’d like to encourage you to support the Avo-fam, too. 

Here are 12 Avodah alumni who are artists and small business owners you can support this giving season. 

 

 

Sarah Gordon – Jewelry and Ceramics from Slow Makers Club

Sarah settled in Philadelphia after participating in our Service Corps and has since co-created Slow Makers Club. Each quarter, 10% of all ceramics and earring sales from the shop go to support a different Black and/or queer-led organization in Pennsylvania. You can see more pieces and stay up-to-date on new offerings via Instagram.

Jett George – Prints and Stickers

Jett George is a former member of our New York Service Corps cohort. As their website says, “Jett is a non-binary trans artist, activist, jewexx, and sweet gemini baby. They’re here to make art aligned with their values of trans liberation, prison/police abolition, anti-racism, ending gender-based violence, and disability justice.” Stay up to date on Jett’s work via Instagram.

Kaetlin Ritchie – Graphic Tees from Golden Willows

Kaetlin was a DC Corps Member back in 2015. Today, she and her boyfriend, Jacob, run Golden Willows, selling shirts with hand-drawn, collage, and photography design elements. All of Golden Willows’ shirts are made from sustainably sourced cotton. “The images are meant to inspire and spark meaningful conversation.” 

Jordan Rubenstein – Affirming Merch from The Crafty Queer

Jordan was an Avodah Justice Fellow in New York and has been an advocate in many Jewish and non-Jewish spaces. They helped their spouse, Alister, launch The Crafty Queer, selling art and merch “for all your LGBTQ and recovery affirming needs.” Their products range from tote bags to earrings to baby onesies. In addition to checking out their shop, follow The Crafty Queer on Instagram.

Danielle Moyal – Watercolor Stickers

Danielle participated in Avodah’s Jewish Service Corps in New Orleans a few years ago. When Danielle’s not doing prison abolition or environmental justice work, she’s creating adorable watercolor stickers. You can check out her shop here and follow her on Instagram.

Amy Ravis Furey – Accessories by Little Furey

Avodah Service Corps alumna and current Director of our Kansas City Justice Fellowship, Amy, has her own shop, Little Furey. Through her colorful handmade ribbons, hair accessories, and more, Amy aims to raise consciousness “one stitch at a time.” Her Instagram includes shop updates and personal musings. 

Marlana Fireman – Art by Firelight Studio NOLA

New Orleans-based writer and artist Marlana Fireman was a Service Corps Member in 2017. Her Etsy shop, Firelight Studio, features spooky, fun, and sex positive art. With 3-packs of lovely postcards, packs of stickers, and framed prints, there’s a lot to choose from! If you don’t see something you’re looking for, Marlana also takes commissions. Check out her Instagram to see more of her work.

Lauren Lowenstein – Art for Always Ketubahs

Lauren is a former DC Corps Member with a background in social work and health care. She also runs ART for ALWAYS ketubahs, selling her own original contemporary and abstract ketubahs. Her Instagram is a gallery of past works.

Laurie Herschman Heller – LH Print Shop

Laurie came to the Chicago Service Corps with a background in art and communications. After Avodah, she traveled abroad and then made her home in Boston. She runs LH Print Shop, with designs created to “make your walls smile.”

Raina Fox – Cards on a Mission

Former DC Corps Member Raina Fox’s professional background intersects with many issue areas, including sexual health services, refugee support, and LGBTQ advocacy. Through an initiative called Cards on a Mission, Raina makes and sells block-printed greeting cards and donates the proceeds to racial justice and/or LGBTQIA+ organizations. If you don’t see something that sparks your interest, she also makes custom blocks for large orders. You can follow her on Instagram as well.

Jordan Aiken – Ketubot and Jewelry 

While participating in our New Orleans Service Corps, Jordan worked for a women’s shelter. She has since gone on to work in healthcare, legal, and LGBTQ advocacy spaces. Outside of work, she is also a painter, calligrapher, and jeweler. Follow her Instagram and view her creations here. You can also place a custom ketubah or jewelry order! 

Jamie Diamond – Jewelry and Art

New Orleans Service Corps alum Jamie Diamond returned to New York after her service year and now works for Hebrew Union College. In addition to her day job, Jamie makes sustainable, feminist-friendly jewelry and art. You can view her work on her website or via Instagram.

Are you an Avodah alum who creates and sells art, merchandise, or other products? Email msmithkenny@avodah.net and we will add you to our directory of artists.