A guide to gifts from Tampa Bay indie makers and shops

Tampa Bay indie makers and small businesses have had to pivot away from selling at markets and keeping regular protocols because of the pandemic. But if there’s any silver lining to 2020, it’s the power of adaptability.

Many local makers have taken their brands online, and boutiques are offering curbside and other safe shopping options. The following suggestions can help you check off your list while supporting local businesses.

Blue Sage Eco Boutique has all your meditation needs.

This year begs for personal reflection and meditation. Founded by Christina Arenas, Tampa-based Blue Sage Eco Boutique has Intention Kits ($44) that include candles and other meditative items like sage, journals, mala bead necklaces and affirmation stickers with phrases to get you started. There is also an Align Chakra Collection of candles to help you balance your aura that come with a crystal in the bottom of the jar and scent combinations like blood orange, vanilla and cedarwood. They address the chakras and come with purposes and affirmations. A set of seven is $104, or individual candles are $22. Orders over $75 get free shipping with the code FREESHIP at checkout. blue-sageboutique.com.

Cactus Moon helps you give the gift of greenery.

Crystal Desilet, owner of succulent florist Cactus Moon, inherited her grandmother’s passion for gardening and succulents. When Desilet decided to leave the corporate world, she started her succulent business. That was about five years ago, and she recently opened her first location in a charming old house in Seminole Heights. Find succulents and cacti potted in a variety of cool planters, gemstones and more. Another gift idea is to book someone a spot in one of her workshops. A monthly market happens outside in the shop’s backyard. And purchases can be made online via Etsy under the name CactusMoonbeam. 4206 Nebraska Ave., Tampa. cactusmoonmarket.com.

Visit Neat Neat Neat for nifty local gifts.

It’s a good thing for St. Petersburg that Reneata Griffin took a chance and opened a gift shop/facial studio in the middle of the pandemic. Now, with Neat Neat Neat, there is a place to find gifts that run the gamut from retro toys to skin care to artwork to T-shirts. And more. All of the products are made by small-batch, American companies. Many of them are local to Tampa Bay, including Wood Muse, whose wooden creations are the work of St. Petersburg-based father and daughter Dan Bumgarner and Lisa Dion. Bumgarner makes wooden bowls ($20-$60) from local trees that went down during storms, like the jacaranda tree that fell over during Hurricane Irma. It’s hard to get more local than that. 689 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-755-7327. neatstpete.com.

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Pamper someone with products from Cleanse Apothecary.

Greg Curtis and Terry Bellamy, owners of Seminole Heights’ Cleanse Apothecary, make their own signature bath salts in three scents: Sleepy Time, with lavender; Muscle Soak, with eucalyptus and mint; and Harmony: a foaming bath salt with eucalyptus, lavender and ylang-ylang. They’re $29; $18 for refills. The shop also carries fuzzy slippers from Tampa-based sleepwear company Faceplant Dreams. They come in the styles Sleeps With Dogs and Cat Nap ($15.50). Cleanse carries a large number of men’s products as well. The shop offers several ways to shop: in person with limited capacity, curbside service arranged over the phone or a new option, Shop Safely With Friends, in which groups of five to 10 friends can shop privately. 6500 N Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-374-0305. cleanseapothecary.com.

Give glamour with Loudmouth Lip Attire.

Masks have diminished the art of wearing lipstick, but Tampa-based cosmetic brand Loudmouth Lip Attire has a Lip Drip Hydration Lip Mask ($12) that’s critical for healing mask-related chapped lips. Founder Amber Parker suggests applying it with a double-ended Duo Brush ($7). Other options include Hide and Fleek concealers ($18) in a wide variety of tones and 3-in-1 Pigments that can be used on eyes, cheeks and lips ($5 to $8). And for the glamour puss who wears lipstick under their mask, the Lip Frostings ($9 to $12) colors range from classic to funky and unexpected. Holiday sets and product bundles are also available. loudmouth-lips.com.

Give vintage, vinyl and handmade accessories from Artpool.

Artpool, the funky St. Petersburg boutique and gallery, has remained closed throughout the pandemic. But owner Marina Williams has spent her time wisely by making tons of jewelry and sharing pictures of it on social media. She offers earrings and necklaces for $24, or three for $60. Order on social media and have your items delivered or picked up curbside. You can also virtually shop vintage, vinyl and more on the shop’s Facebook (facebook.com/artpool/) and Instagram (instagram.com/artpoolgallery/?hl=en) pages. And more goodies are available on Etsy: etsy.com/shop/marinawilliams.

Find more ideas with LocalShops1 Marketplace.

St. Petersburg-based makers collective LocalShops1 Marketplace has an online Holiday Gift Guide featuring more than 100 gift ideas by local makers. The guide, in collaboration with Tampa artist Monica Guerrero, has been called “the Amazon of local.” It has timely ornaments and holiday cards that feature snowmen wearing masks, jewelry, journals, masks and more, available for purchase at buylocaltampabay.com.