This holiday season, instead of pouring your hard-earned money into the pockets of a Disney villain who’s destroying the Fourth Estate, let us help you cross items off your shopping list while helping you support small businesses owned by Black and Brown Texans. At The Barbed Wire, we cover all things Texas for all Texans. We’re kicking off seven days of gift guides featuring our staff’s favorite Texas-based stores that make everything from clothes and accessories to puzzles and candles. First up, we’ve hand-picked items celebrating communities of color.
When I’m out in the community, it’s so fun seeing all of the beautiful creations — art, fashion, and events — made by folks in the global majority. Here are some of my favorites.
Clothes
Puebla Embroidered Corset from Cadena Collective
Dallas sisters Mabel and Alejandra Aguirre Jiménez (source and) design their own fashion with influences from Mexico and other Latin American countries as a love letter to their bicultural upbringing. “Somos de aquí, y somos de allá — we are from here, and we are from there, a testament to the depth and richness of our cultural heritage,” the sisters wrote on social media. “Every purchase represents a piece of your story, a part of your identity, and a reflection of your values” Their signature bustiers have been on my list for a long time! But you can’t go wrong with anything on their site.
Sweatshirt from Lake and Prosper
In December 2017, 41-year-old Kaleb Elijah lost his mother to Multiple Myeloma. He started Lake and Prosper as a way to deal with the grief. Elijah “champions the rights and visibility of Black LGBTQ and marginalized individuals,” according to his Instagram. The Houston-based brand is known for its sweatshirts and tees with bold lettering. They’re a small and mighty team (as are many locally-owned businesses), but there’s nothing little about their iconic looks. I have one of their signature sweatshirts that says “Family Celebrity,” which we’ll call it vintage because they’re no longer making it. But there’s plenty to choose from to keep you warm this holiday season.
Grow at Your Own Pace Sweatpants from JZD
This shop started in 2016 in the Rio Grande Valley. It’s owned by wifey duo Jen and Vero, who’ve embraced a mission to remind Latinas of their power. Jen moved to the United States from Mexico at seven years old and Vero is a first generation Mexican-American. Their first successful product was an uber-popular Pink Latina Power Tee. Right now, during such challenging times, I’m loving their new collections filled with little reminders telling us it’s ok to not be ok — like their “grow at your own pace” sweatpants.
Cuídate Sweatshirt from Cuídate
The name of this brand means “take care” in Spanish. The Austin-based small business was created by two first gen sisters and is dedicated to their grandmother, who lived thousands of miles away and would always end their phone calls with “cuídate.” Now, the sisters want to share that message with their community. My fave is the signature Cuídate sweatshirt, but of course you can’t go wrong with an extra “Support Latina Owned” tote.
Accessories
Acrylic Eye Crossbody Clutch from Las Ofrendas
This Austin-based company is run by TK Tunchez. It’s a Latina & Queer-owned retail lifestyle brand that also hosts cultural events across the state. Their signature products are their flower crowns and earrings. I have so many pairs of their earrings, I’ve lost count! My favorites are the brown sun snakes, but this season, I also love the Acrylic Eye Crossbody Clutch. After the year we’ve had, we need all the evil eyes we can get to help ward off those folks who are just not your people.
Eraya Earrings from Juveli
Houston-based jewelry company Juveli is more than just a purveyor of accessories, it’s also an embodiment of the “celebration of the divine artistry within us all,” according to its website. The company is run by Tosin Tee, a 24-year-old Black woman. My fitness trainer wears her jewelry all the time and of course, I had to include her on my list! Check out the gorgeous Eraya earrings!
Blue Morpho Butterfly Earrings from Morpho Style Boutique
This shop is the cutest, and I also have too many of their items to count. Check out their signature blue morpho butterfly earrings. The San Antonio-based owner, Natalia Chaves Larkin, works with artisans and butterfly sanctuaries in Colombia to create the amazing jewelry.
Monster Bob Set from Solemate Socks
This one is for the moms who are tired of losing socks to the washer and dryer. Catenya McHenry, a single mom of three, turned a problem into a solution and invented socks that will never lose their pair — thanks to a tiny magnet that keeps them together. The missing sock company, as she lovingly calls it, features fun designs for adults, but more importantly for kids! The dinosaur pair and the monster bob set are definitely on my list for the nephews. (Really, it’s for my sister!)
Morning Affirmation Cards from NOTIQ
This beautiful brand started as a way to overcome low self-esteem. Houston-based Vivian Jokotade Adeniyi grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and was often told she was “too much” or that her dreams were unrealistic. Despite the naysayers, she ended up with a 15-year career in the world of paper as an artist, designer, and planner. Adeniyi started NOTIQ, for which she designs luxury agendas and planners. Today, her shop features beautiful handbags, luggage and even hosts classes on elevating your worth. Her planners are also now available at Target. This holiday season, however, I’m looking at gifting these beautiful morning affirmation cards, which are a nod to the reason VJ founded her company.
Beauty & Skincare
Stopping Traffic Liquid Lipstick from Loud Beauty by Tashara
This is my favorite brand on this list for the holidays. It was founded in 2024 by Tashara Parker, a fellow ex-TV journalist who wanted to pivot out of a journalism career “against a world that wasn’t always ready for women who looked like her,” she said in an email to The Barbed Wire. Parker spent years working at WFAA in Dallas and was instrumental in the state’s passage of the Crown Act, which is supposed to ban race-based hair discrimination in Texas workplaces, schools and housing policies. (though this is Texas and still happens despite the law) Her pivot into the beauty industry shows she continues to be a force for women who want to be unapologetically loud!
Revitalizing Moisturizing Creme from AKINYI
This brand was started by the sweetest husband and wife duo based in Austin. They wanted a product that would combine all skincare routines into one and cut down on time — but not on luxury. (I’m a busy woman, so I need all the time and beauty hacks I can get!) Their Revitalizing Moisturizing Creme is definitely on my list this holiday season.
Charcoal Beard and Balls Wash from Kissed By a Bee Organics
Akilah Scott-Amos, owner of Kissed By A Bee Organics, is a 3rd Generation Herbalist and an “urban farmer.” Her company is based in Manvel on her family farm just outside of Houston. Scott-Amos learned about the healing powers of plants from her Grandmother LeDora and her father, William. On my list of things to get immediately? The Honey Dew body oil. For my husband, I’m grabbing the Beard and Balls wash, and I love a good natural deodorant!
For the Home
Plant Pot Covers from Dope Crochet:
If “dope” is in the name, please sign me up! This Austin-based brand was created by Ericka Barnes, who crochets accessories and home decor. You can get anything from earrings to festival tops, bikinis, pants, or art. This holiday season, my eyes are especially on their adorable plant pot covers because every plant parent needs to remember their babies this holiday season. But don’t forget to check out her amazing tufted art, too!
Primary Girl Art Print from Alilscribble
This beautiful San Antonio-based art company is run by Alannah Tiller. Her scribble-art is featured on murals, and it’s even on the can art for a Pinthouse beer. Luckily, you can own some of her prints yourself — and gift them to your loved ones. This one titled Primary Girl is my favorite on the site. It features a Brown woman with a hand on her hip: To me, it represents belonging, no matter your shape. We can all use help smashing through western beauty standards.
Cookies for Santa Candle from Clayhouse Candles
These candles are more like artwork. The company is Austin-based and prides itself on being playful and creating magic in a candle jar. The owner, Tai Clay, used to be a pastry chef and started working with candles during the pandemic. These candles smell delicious. On my list are the cookies for Santa candle and the coffee date candle.
For the Littles (and Littles at Heart)
Cosmetic Chemistry Activity Set from Black to the Lab
If you’re seeking a gift for a little one in your life, look no further than Kristen Wells-Collins’ cosmetic chemistry activity set. This kit was specifically created to help young girls stay interested in science, technology, engineering, and math. Wells-Collins is a chemist herself. She was born and raised in Beaumont and is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University. She’s on a mission to make sure little girls like her can see themselves in the industry in which she made a career. The cosmetic chemistry activity set helps children create their own lip gloss and body scrub.
Serape Santa Hats from Chasing Camilla
The story is in the name, a busy mom chasing her daughter and running a business all at the same time. Melissa Rojas started her brand in 2017 with one single item: her signature serape Santa hat. Since then, she’s grown her business selling beautiful clothing online (my favorites are the guayabera crops) and has space at two brick and mortar shops in San Antonio and Austin. My favorites are her IG live sales, which often have surprise appearances and fun commentary from Cami, Melissa’s daughter. For the littles in your life, you can’t go wrong with the signature serape santa hats or the sueña grande kids tee.
500 Piece Puzzle from Puzzles of Color
Who doesn’t love a fun activity to do with the family after all the food and celebrating? Puzzles of Color is one of my favorite brands. It’s a Black-owned family business based in North Texas and is run by sibling duo Ericka Chambers and William Jones, who are looking to “solve the issue of diversity in puzzles.” Texas-featured artists include Mariell Guzman, who is a mixed media painter, muralist, illustrator and installation artist based in Fort Worth, Texas. She was born in Michoacán, Mexico. Check out her beautiful “Pachanga Familiar,” which features the most extraordinary colors. Artist Craig Carter, who is Houston-based, has more mature artwork that could be beautifully framed and hung on your living room wall once you’ve finished the puzzle. Carter’s 500 piece puzzle called “Black Plum” portrays the joy, intensity, comfort, and security in partnered connection.
Stickers from HEYPANDA DESIGNS
I love this creative design brand that brings me back to my inner child. Christine Wong is the Denton-based creator of HEYPANDA DESIGNS. Her style of art is very Kawaii which she describes as the Japanese culture of cuteness. Really it’s anything related to being lovely, loveable, cute, or adorable! Gah, I’m gushing at how cute her designs are like this adorable mushroom notepad, the precious Asian street food stickers, and you have to love a good pun(ny) thank you card!
Ornaments
Personalized Ornaments from NLD Creative Co
Swapna Gardner is a former high school English teacher who loves “escaping into books” and “capturing the magic of literature,” she told The Barbed Wire. This lettering artist, based in Frisco, started her business after she learned calligraphy. She commissions custom projects, but she also has some incredible stickers. My favorite are her personalized ornaments.
Tejas and Cactus Ornaments from Honeywood ATX
Kaliegh Benck followed her dream of becoming a full-time artist in March 2022. This Latina uses recycled and reclaimed materials to make one-of-a-kind art pieces in order to help reduce product waste. My favorite this season are the handcrafted ornaments made from upcycled wood scraps. Check out the classic Tejas Ornament and the bota and cactus ones.
Snowflake Ornaments from Awkward Auntie
Sarah Miller dove into creating beautiful hand-made concrete art in 2018. Miller originally had a career in marketing and social media but she found moulding concrete into beautiful pieces and sharing it with loved ones was what brought her soul joy. She’s known for her amazing planters, but don’t sleep on her beautiful snowflake ornaments. Each one is hand-dyed and perfectly symmetrical. And don’t forget to check out the beautiful swirl trees for your mantle. Miller splits her time between Austin and New England. If you’re looking to pick up something in person, you can find her wares at Austin’s Blue Genie Bazaar through Dec. 24.
Happy Gifting!
