backwoodsophisticate has Virginia pride! By curating this Shop Local guide she has brought together some amazing artists and crafters from around her state. Meet the artists below and match them to their items at the bottom.
I am a farm raised, small town girl, mother of three beautiful kids, wife to a great guy and part-time church secretary. I live in Tappahannock, Virginia and I absolutely adore small town life. I love the fact that I can go to the pharmacy and the guy behind the counter is not only the pharmacist but the owner. The restaurant across the street is called Lowery’s and it’s actually owned and managed by the Lowery family. Our town is best known for seafood and antiques. We also have tons of “summer folk” who come out in droves when it starts warming up to take advantage of “Rivah Life.” In my picture, I’m standing by the Rappahannock River, which flows right beside our town and is a source of great pride.
Growing up on a farm gave me an incredible appreciation for not only things created by hand, but things created by hands I knew. Also, my father was very active in conservation, which was not generally the norm for a farmer. Being a part of Etsy, both buying and selling, has been an eye-opening experience that has allowed me to recognize that our society does have the opportunity to continue the handmade traditions that our elders have taught us. When I buy from Etsy, there is something very special about knowing that the item I am receiving in the mail was made by the person who received my order and packed my order and sometimes chatted with me through convos. In my picture above, I am wearing fingerless gloves made by lazytcrochet and a shirt made by maryink.
Living where I live, I have seen many things go directly from producer to consumer. We have watermen pulling in crabs and oysters from the Rappahannock River, farmers growing sweet corn and veggies, cafe owners taking your order and helping cook your food. I was afraid this connection between producer and consumer was disappearing, but with Etsy, I see it growing and making a come back. It is a thrilling sight to see.
Meet some more sellers from Virginia:
Kristyn Bango of bonghinatura: “Walking through Old Town Alexandria.”
Kelly of ModernJune.etsy.com: “Here I am, in front of my dream house where I live, work, and teach. Within four blocks of where I am standing I can visit a coffee shop, four restaurants, a pharmacy, a market, a premium beer and wine store, a yoga studio, an ice cream parlor, and a gorgeous flower and gift shop (that just happens to sell Modern June goodies). Living and working in my neighborhood is a treat — we can walk to everything and we know everyone. An added bonus is that living in a 80 year old home inspires me to make all my retro housewares!”
Ryan & Erica of BeesKneesStudio.etsy.com: “This is me and my husband Ryan at the fabulous Fan Diner Joe’s Inn (you can’t much more local than Joe’s here in Richmond!). Ryan, in addition to helping immensely with my BeesKneesStudio stuff, is the also other half of OtterandtheBee, which is a store for our felt crafts that we run together (though it’s pretty empty now ’cause everything is going to my craft shows).
PS: I just realized we are also both sporting Etsian tees (spaghettikiss & scarletbeautiful) in this picture! We are such dorks! 
”
Tasha McKelvey of tashamck.etsy.com: “This is a picture of me in front of one of the studio buildings at the pottery studio where I first starting making pottery when I was just 16 years old. The studio is located in Mathews County, Virginia, and owned by Robert and Karen Podd. Rob and Karen have been making pottery here for close to 35 years! I still spend a day or two there a week, even though it is way out in the country and far from where I live these days. I actually got married about 15 feet from where I am standing in this photo — it’s much prettier when the garden is in bloom and the trees have leaves.”
Morgan of MorganSilk.etsy.com and LaVogue.etsy.com: “Hanging around Richmond, VA.”
Nina Jackson of beadsinthebelfry.etsy.com: “This is a shot of me taken at Great Falls Park. This gorgeous spot is accessible from both Virginia and Maryland. One of the cool things about living in this area is how interconnected Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC (aka the DMV!) are.”
Vicky Lewis of appalachia.etsy.com / thebirdsandbees.etsy.com: “This picture is of me making a water garden in my back yard the year I moved back to my home town in the mountains of Virginia a few years ago.”
Jeannine Peregrine of jperegrine.etsy.com: “This is a photo of me at Bennetts Creek Park, which is located about a mile from my house in Suffolk, Virginia. When I need a breather, I love to get out to the park and walk on the pier, watch the tide ebb and flow, feel the wind in my hair, and watch the herons flit about. Sometimes there are men and women fishing for croaker on the pier (I don’t know what croaker is, but I love talking with them while they fish) and kids running around in the park, and some days, like the day this photo was taken, I get the whole place to myself. Even just fifteen minutes here refreshes my spirit and inspires me.”
Jennifer Morse of sosorosey.etsy.com: “Here I am (with my daughter) at a local Virginia pumpkin patch (Cox Farms).”
Michelle O. of moxy.etsy.com: “In the area where I live there is a lot of beautiful scenery. We see wildlife in our backyard every day. I am an animal lover and like to create with vegan friendly items. My tea stained journals were inspired by the gorgeous rural decay found in this area. I love to add bits of vintage lace and buttons that look like family heirlooms.”
Julie Diers of TheBumbleBeeStudio: “Me and a can of my wheat grass!”
Shoppers, get your holiday gifts this season with Shop Local and meet your talented neighbors (shrink that carbon footprint too)! Find sellers belonging to local Virginia Etsy Teams.
Shop Local Posts | Gift Ideas | Shop Local in Your Area
Please let Etsy’s blog know about your favorite local Etsy artists. Pitch your town, state, country or region.
58 comments
Sign in to add your ownlalunedesigns says:
Yeah Virginia! I currently live in Norfolk, with so many other Navy families. Thanks for introducing us to these other Virginia Etsy sellers!
3 years ago
RunAliceRun says:
This was so cool! I loved looking at all the artist's identities!!
3 years ago
sewphisticate says:
some of my favorite etsians are here! sosorosey beadsinthebelfry morgansilks and, of course, backwoodssophisticate! lovely article and a beautiful collection you pulled together.
3 years ago
LaveMeSoapCo says:
i love virgina, close to my roots of wva and ohio ;)
3 years ago
SudsNSuch says:
It's great to see some other Virginians! I live in Manassas!
3 years ago
IcingOnTheCupcake says:
Yay Virginia, my home as well... I've been to Lowery's before!
3 years ago
HomemadeZen says:
very beautiful place!
3 years ago
Sinta says:
Beautiful scenery ^_^ I want a studio like Tasha's!
3 years ago
christinececelia says:
SOMEBODY GET THAT WOMAN A LADER!!! ha ha- very beautiful- love the pics :)
3 years ago
shellieartist says:
I love backwoodsophisticate...she is the best! wonderful article and I condsider you all my neighbors b/c I grew up in NC..we just hop on hwy 77 and it's not a bad drive!
3 years ago
ASecondChance says:
Yeah Virginia! Love the article. It's great to meet the artisans behind these beautiful pieces. I'm a VA gal myself!
3 years ago
Enderby says:
Sending love to my home state, Virginia! xox
3 years ago
kmwatkins says:
These articles are interesting. It is nice to put a face on familiar shops!
3 years ago
wildhare says:
Wonderful to spotlight Virginia sellers... I've been wondering - are any other VA sellers interested in forming an etsy team? I'm in the Northern Shenandoah Valley near I-66/I-81, and a lot of my products are made from local wool and/or llama from small farms.
3 years ago
LaVogue says:
Howdy Fellow Virginians! If you have never visited VA, you should. It has it all: ocean, beaches, mountains, forests, big cities, little towns, and you can get everywhere in a couple of hours. (That is a funny photo of me-- I was only a couple of inches above the ground!)
3 years ago
peaseblossomstudio says:
Adorable! I love Virginia, I am so glad I have relatives there, so I get to visit at least once a year. Morgansilk--that pic is too funny! :-)
3 years ago
morgansilk says:
Whoop Whoop!! I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille.
3 years ago
TashaHussey says:
oh! how lovely to see all the Designers from Virginia. My Dad lives there.
3 years ago
lindabutterfly says:
I *love* seeing the people behind the names. A quick plug for sosrosey - I have some of her items and they are fabulous.
3 years ago
jessijewels says:
Yeah for Virginia!!! SO great to see all these faces! Sosorosey, you're the best!
3 years ago
jmichelle says:
Hi Birds and Bees! I am in Lynchburg...lived in Lexington for a while. Love your shop...
3 years ago
BlackStar says:
Great post! I love the pictures of Morgan and appalachia.
3 years ago
LaVogue says:
Kudos to backwoodssophisticate for putting this article together. Brava!
3 years ago
prettypeardesigns says:
What a great post. It is always so great to see the faces behind the shop names, it just makes your shops and work so much more special. Virgina is a beautiful state!
3 years ago
MagpieCollections says:
Hello to all Virginians from another virginian :)...glad to see some well known places mentioned here..
3 years ago
timesandchimes says:
Wonderful people! I am so HAPPY I got to see SoSoRosey's picture! She is one of my very favorite sellers! Huzzah!
3 years ago
PoshDots says:
WTG!!!!! This is awesome! It is so nice to put a face with a name. Virginia Rocks!
3 years ago
dinosaurtoes says:
Hi fellow Virginians! I'm in Lynchburg, and it's nice to see some places I know!
3 years ago
BluCille says:
Stafford and Fairfax! Pretty close to Tappahannock.
3 years ago
TheCottageCheese says:
I love ModernJune's store!
3 years ago
LazyTcrochet says:
Great article! Wonderful selections and great pictures of you and fellow Etsians! I'll have to make more gloves now. Thanks Mel!
3 years ago
nfall2rt says:
Yay for Virginia! I lived there for the majority of my life. Recently made the grand leap across the border to MD.
3 years ago
sygnetcreations says:
What a great article. I love seeing all your beautiful faces. Virginia is where my brother lives! (Soso and daughter) ~ Nice to see you both =)
3 years ago
pinkshowercurtain says:
Virginia looks beautiful! It was cool to put faces with the sellers. Great stuff!
3 years ago
DolphinMoonCreations says:
Great article with so many talented Virginians! I am a transplant and have live here for 18 years and absolutely love it!
3 years ago
sweetshorn says:
Yay! I miss NoVA!!!
3 years ago
anda says:
Yay!! That's my mom! Appalachia. I didn't even know she'd be in this article. :) :) :) Virginia rules. This post makes me so, so happy.
3 years ago
lovarevolutionary says:
Horray! VA!
3 years ago
AutumnLeavesJewelry says:
Yayyy Virginia!!! I recognize a couple of folks! Go Great Falls! Go Joes Inn in Richmond! Yeah Alexandria! (love the Torpedo Factory and The Art League!) Yeah Virginia artists!!! :-)
3 years ago
appalachia says:
BlackStar, as you can see, I do work hard in my garden!!:) jmichelle, hi back at ya!! Amanda....love you... Virginia sure knows how to grow 'em!
3 years ago
J2Jewelry says:
Rock on Richmond...
3 years ago
4gibsongirl says:
I am a Virginia girl . . . recently transplanted to Indiana. This really takes me home!! Thanks
3 years ago
thecraftykitten says:
Hurray for Virginia!
3 years ago
raisinlike says:
Back! And Birds! You all look so beautiful!!! *waving*
3 years ago
moxy says:
So nice to match faces with names! Looking forward to meeting Jeannine... we live in the same town!
3 years ago
barefootbeadz says:
Yeah VA Etsiers!!! I am in Harrisonburg, just opened my shop a couple of months ago and still working on it. Va is full of talented artists and crafters and it is so easy to seek inspiration from our beautiful scenery. Keep up the good work.
3 years ago
twiddlestix says:
Wonderful sellers in VA! Congrats on the great article backwoods!
3 years ago
jodieflowers says:
Lots of great talent in Virginia! Love all the shops in here! way to go!
3 years ago
LucysLocket says:
Virginian born and bred! Lucy from Newport News (before that, Blacksburg, Giles County, Roanoke, Salem, Natural Bridge, and Emporia....)
3 years ago
mloartwear says:
Nice of you to present the Virginia Etsyans! Etsycrest team member here. I am not really from here (VA), French native but enjoy Virginia and its people.
3 years ago
jenmenkhaus says:
so nice to see familiar faces!!! congrats Virginia!
3 years ago
beeskneesstudio says:
Whoohoo! Look at my big ugly mug! ;) Hi JMichelle & Dinosaurtoes! I grew up in Lynchburg!
3 years ago
rivercitybeads says:
Hello all and yes Virginia does have a lot of talented artist. I have done my last show for the year. I have free shipping in my shop. Check out my new items just listed. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18655347 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18656476 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18655780 Happy Holidays.
3 years ago
Oliba says:
Yay Va....Our shop just moved there as well and we love it. Virginian's are so crafty and we are lucky to have such a great community!
3 years ago
happycarolsphotos says:
I realy love sweetpeashappy Items.
3 years ago
badcatjewelry says:
I miss Virginia! We just moved from there this summer and I want to go *back*! Yay for Bunny being featured:)
3 years ago
TheBumbleBeeStudio says:
this looks GREAT....thanks so much for adding me!! i LOVE my home in the woods here in virginia with all the trees and wildlife in our YARD....so wonderful !! congrats and HI to all my fellow VA etsians .... HUGS !!! bunnie (julie)
3 years ago
BizzieLizzie says:
WOWZA - I cannot BELIEVE I'm just finding this incredible article on Virginia Etsians! I'm proud to be one and I've met several of these ladies featured! Rock on Virginia Etsians!!
1 year ago