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Etsy is where you go when the big-box stores start to feel a little predictable. The ten finds below have nothing in common except that each one comes from an independent seller, and each one made us smile.
You will find a glowing espresso magnet, a catnip toy shaped like a donut, a custom I Spy picky pad and a funny gift for theater kids. Handmade stock can be limited, so if something catches your eye, grab it while it is still available.
A Light-Up Magnet That Turns Your Espresso Machine Into a Café Counter
This little magnet sticks to the front of your espresso machine and lights up. Switch it on while the machine warms up in the morning, and your kitchen starts to feel like a coffee shop just before opening.
It comes from Barista Gadgets, a small Etsy shop that focuses entirely on accessories for home baristas.
One buyer praised the design and said the glow looks just right. They called it a lovely finishing touch for their coffee station.
A Strawberry-Frosted Donut Your Cat Will Actually Play With
Cats who go wild for catnip will love this pink catnip donut. It looks like a strawberry-frosted treat from the bakery case, which makes it just as fun for the humans watching.
The maker, Maison Wares, is a small business in Rhode Island.
A longtime customer said their household has bought these every holiday season for more than five years. Their cats keep coming back to the donuts, even after a year or two of kicking leaves them scruffy. The only ones they retired were a couple of very old toys that eventually began to leak catnip.
Oyster Napkins for a Seafood-Themed Summer Table
If you love a dinner party with a theme, these oyster-shaped cocktail napkins show your guests you went all in. The linen set is a natural fit for a summer seafood spread or an oyster night on the patio.
They are designed by artist Kristen Bowen and sold by House of Gleason, a North Carolina small business known for playful, artistic cocktail napkins.
A Sticker for Every Dungeon Crawler Carl Evangelist
Do you spend half your conversations telling friends to start this book series? Then you need this Dungeon Crawler Carl sticker on your laptop or water bottle.
It is made by The Emerald Wren, a small business in Arizona.
One fan bought two so they and a friend could match, and said they both adore them. The stickers have also become their favorite way to recruit new readers to the story of Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat.
A Tiny Planter That Clips Onto Your Cubicle Wall
Long days of spreadsheets go a little easier with something green nearby. This 3D-printed wall planter attaches to cubicle panels, so even a desk with zero spare surface can host a small plant.
It is printed by Quail Prints Co., a small business in Washington.
A reviewer called it a cute upgrade for their cubicle and said it feels sturdy and well made. They also appreciated that the order came with a spare hanger.
An Emo Topper for Your Stanley Tumbler
Your teenage music taste never really left, and this elder emo Stanley cup topper proves it. It sits on top of your tumbler and gives your daily water intake a little attitude.
The Classy Glassy, a small business in Colorado, makes this topper. Check your cup before you order: it only fits the Stanley 2.0 Quencher Flow State, and it needs to be washed by hand.
A Round Maple Standing Desk for Tight Spaces
A tiny apartment does not have to rule out a standing desk. This compact standing desk is built for small spaces, so a spare corner of a studio can become a real place to work on your feet.
It is sold by Orbit, a small business in Savannah, Georgia.
One happy buyer said the height suits them perfectly at 5 feet 3 inches, and they use it every day. They also found it simple to put together and just the right size for a small room.
Ecologies, a Card Game About Building Food Webs
Ecologies turns nature into a tabletop strategy game. Each player builds balanced food webs across different biomes while trying to knock their opponents’ ecosystems off balance.
It was created by Montrose Biology, a small business run by Matt, a science teacher with a love for the outdoors.
One reviewer bought all three card boxes and was blown away by the artwork on every card. They found the rules easy to follow, but the strategy took a little time to click, so their group started with a few simpler house rules.
The same reviewer praised the print quality and the quick shipping. They also liked that the game teaches players something real about nature along the way.
A Custom I Spy Picky Pad for Restless Hands
Fidgety fingers need something to do, and this I Spy picky pad delivers. Like the classic search-and-find books, it comes with a list of hidden objects for you to locate and pick out.
Comer Craft Co. is a mom-owned small business in North Carolina. When you order, you choose the pad shape and share your age and interests.
The seller then adjusts the bead size, the difficulty and the hidden items to match the person who will use it.
A parent ordered one for their autistic son, who loves picky pads, and listed his favorite things. Every one of them was worked into the design.
The parent said their son was so delighted that he did not want to pick it and spoil it. It also looked even better in person than in the photos, and the family plans to order again.
Breakable Legs, the Perfect Opening Night Gift
Know someone in a play, a musical or a dance recital? This pack of breakable legs is a funny little gift to hand over before the curtain rises, and it plays on the classic good luck saying.
It comes from Michigan Mootique, a small business in Detroit.
One parent gave a set to their daughter’s closest friend in the cast on opening night. The whole cast loved it and asked for their own, and the family plans to order more and recommend the shop to other theater families.
Chloe Jenkins
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