The holidays are rapidly approaching and whether you’re looking to pick something up for yourself, family, or friends, there’s probably something here to suit your cozy, gothic, TTRPG enjoying needs! So many of the gift guides I see are focused either on US or UK vendors, which is rough for both shipping and currency conversion for us Canadians. If that wasn’t motivation enough, I’ve had the pleasure of attending quite a few great markets over the last few months which means finding people whose work I’m excited about and want to share!
So: here’s the first seven of fourteen shops that I’ll be spotlighting this year! Part two of the list is available [here]!
From candles to jewellery, tea to dice, project bags, patches and more, I hope you find a new small business to support!
EquinoxArt
“My mission is to satisfy the alternative souls who are looking for the perfect piece of jewelry, that is just the ‘right aesthetic’! And, to make you feel so empowered while you wear them. My style is highly inspired by Gothic architecture, art history, and dark fantasy. […] EquinoxArt is a brand that offers badass jewels that will make you feel so powerful and confident!” – Camille, founder of EquinoxArt.
I’ve spent most of my life thinking I wasn’t a jewellery person. Then I found Camille’s work and well, it turns out I’m a jewellery person! The Alien inspired vertebrae chain choker [here] is one of my favourites, and pairs so well with several other necklaces I’ve picked up from her. Looking for something a little more subtle and elegant? I always receive compliments on the rosary style spike filigree necklace [here] and matching silver black spike architectural earrings [here] – my cousin fell in love with this necklace the first time she saw me wearing it, so you know I’m getting her one for the holidays!
The entire Curio collection [here] is just beautiful, and whenever I see the EquinoxArt booth at markets I know I’m leaving with at least one more piece. Camille herself is also just a lovely person, and I’ve enjoyed the small chats we’ve had at markets. When my Ouroboros chain belt broke [here] (the result of wearing it snugly, stuffing myself with pasta, and not loosening the belt despite thinking “I should really loosen this”) she fixed it for me that same week and was so kind and understanding about the entire process which made my general mortification way easier to handle!
Most pieces are between 20-30$USD, and there’s so much personality and variety in each collection that I’ve found it impossible not to find something in each one that speaks to me. If you pick anything up, please let me know! I’ll be very excited about it!
Hanged Magpie
Lover of folk horror? Great news, you’re going to love what Hanged Magpie has on offer! From felt earrings to redwall inspired linocuts, small batches of tea and truly unique dolls and miniatures, there’s a lot of choice here!
“The weasel gets the egg” [here] might be my favourite design, and I’ve picked this one up for myself and for friends! There’s just a little bit of mischief there that I appreciate very much. Also a fan of the hanged magpie print/patch [here] – I’ve picked up the patch for a few friends with ah, collecting tendencies and it’s nice to think that despite the distance between us there’s a few of my friends out there who all have the same patch I do. These are both also really easy things to slip into an envelope along with a letter or card, which is how most of my gifts to friends go out.
Butttt also, the creakin’ cabin [here] is going to look excellent in someone’s home and it could be yours! The detail on all the dolls is incredible, the care and time that goes into each is so clear, and the only reason I don’t have one yet is because I’m woefully indecisive and can’t pick. Photos really don’t do these ones justice at all, so I’m here to tell you in no uncertain terms that if you think they look good online you’ll be even more impressed when seeing them in person!
Graveyard Wanders
Greatly inspired by the imagery and rituals that surround death from old to modern times, Graveyard Wanders is a tribute to the beauty of life and the sorrows of death. From the history & joy of Halloween to endless wanders in cemeteries, most of my ideas reflect my fascinations.! – Graveyard Wanders
I’m a sucker for sandalwood and cloves, so when I gave the Beloved Bones body mist [here] my first sniff, I immediately knew it was coming home with me. And then the Samhain Spice candle [here] came out and well, I have two of those now! It smells like pupmkin spice with notes of campfire smoke, woods, and a touch of cocoa and even unlit brings such a lovely scent into my room that I had to pickup a second one.
While I don’t have any myself, th sculptural candles are stunning. Between Gothic Arches [here] and Gothic Revival [here], I’m not sure which one I prefer – I’ll leave that difficult choice for each of you to make! I can guarantee that I wouldn’t be burning these, I know they’re candles and meant for that but they’re just too pretty!
Ratti Incantati
Ratti incantati is an online bookshop focused on indie books, zines, and other media that aim to inspire you to change worlds. The part of the multiverse we operate from is currently most widely known as Oshawa, Ontario. – ratti incantati
Ah, Ratti Incantati, how I enjoy my mail days from them! This is my go-to spot for tabletop roleplaying games (along with Knave of Cups [here] but with currency conversion and customs, that can become a tricky math game). I like Ratti Incantati! I don’t have a whole lot else to say about it: they’ve got solo and group games ranging across all sorts of genres.
Looking for something to play in one session because the holidays are hectic? Try Tannic [here]! I wrote about that one [here] and just think it’s an absolute blast. Looking for something a little more light-hearted? The Excellents [here, review here] has you covered, and is sure to be a hit with all ages!
Solo games your speed? There’s a great selection, and I’ve got to shout out Hedge Witch [here] from fellow Canadian Shouting Crow Press, and would be remiss not to mention Ennio’s vampire survival solo RPG, Bloodless [here].
I have two recommendations for showstopper gifts! The first is Moonlight on Roseville Beach [here], which I’ve only had the chance to thumb through but think is probably my favourite TTRPG to just… have? It’s a great looking little volume and really nails the pulp magazine feeling in its design. The second is Tangled Blessings [here] – which, ever so conveniently, has a winter expansion! This game feels great – I’m not sure what’s going on exactly with its cover, but it brings immense tactile satisfaction. Plus, who doesn’t love magic college with fantastical horror, rivalries, and possible romance? Great choice to curl up with on snowy days and play with a candle going (see Graveyard Wanders, above, and I’ll also have more candle suggestions in part two of the guide).
The Lost Attic
The Lost Attic is a project created in 2016 by Geneviève Bigué. What started as a simple hobby to integrate more illustrations into everyday’s life became what you see today. Inspired by witchcraft, vintage and autumnal rainy days, The Lost Attic offers unisex products with a tad of self-deprecating humour. – The Lost Attic
I’m always excited to see The Lost Attic at markets, and make it a point to stop by and pick up another zine! Of all the vendors I’m sharing in these articles, this shop is the one I’ve known about the longest and I picked up my Summon Selfcare pin [here] quite a few years ago now! While that one lives on my dresser, Forever Haunted Never Lonely [here] is one of the three pins that lives on my jacket alongside one from Femporium (below) and Urban Heat [here] (gifted to me in Vancouver, which was super cool).
Outside of pins, you can also find zines featuring beautiful art and moving stories. I have both le reflet/fog [here], and the garden was [here]. Want to be cozy while enjoying your new reads? There’s t-shirts and sweaters available too! I have the Witching Hour shirt [here] – it’s 100% cotton which is a requirement for me unless I’m layering something else underneath. It’s comfortable, breathes nicely and the print is holding up perfectly thus far. Want something more substantial for the colder weather? Might I direct you to The Joy of Gardening sweater [here]?I love the design on this one and think it pairs quite nicely with a warm cup of tea!
Theo Radomski’s Weirdo Art Shop
Calling all horror lovers, I’ve got another great shop for you! With very distinctive art, and drawing inspiration from a whole host of horror media, I’m pretty confident there will be something here the horror aficionado will appreciate. Stuck for ideas? I picked up My First Horror Alphabet Colouring Book [here] for myself, and have since picked up two more for friends, and need to snag a third for a family member. Again: these fit really nicely into regularly sized envelopes, great gift to send to friends both near and far and I mean, who doesn’t want to get the family together for a horror-movie marathon during the shortest days of the year?
Anddd if you’re looking to pick up some fun cards [here] to mail out this season, there’s a nice selection – one which wishes Season’s Greetings from a field of snow people who look like they’ve maybe had better days! I’ve picked up a bunch of the Bat-inspired birthday cards, and they’ve been a fit with everyone who has received one!
Femporium
Femporium is Playboy pin-up artist Maly Siri’s brand, selling prints and postcards of her best vintage inspired pin-up and erotism illustrations, but not only! She also creates new designs with her partner in crime Laure Mo for pins, patches and stickers. Designs that resonate with the couple’s values and inspirations: empowering feminism, LGBTQ2IA+ inclusivity, body positivity, dark feminine energy spirituality, fetish Dominatrix and rock n’roll badassery! – Femporium
While I only have one Femporium piece at present (their newly released Metamorphosis pin [here]), I love it dearly and have my eye on some great finds to pick up at a later date. First: the colours on the Metamorphosis pin are stunning, and I love how the gold catches the light. This is the other pin that lives on my jacket, alongside the aforementioned Always Haunted, Never Lonely, and Urban Heat ones.
The Loulou the Duchess of Rière pin [here] celebrates the Montreal burlesque stripper who has crowned Queen of Burlesque Hall of Fame 2022 – this pin is limited to 150 copies, 50 of which are sold by Femporium! Also of note is that all profits from these pins are donated to the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal.
Looking for a giant postcard to add to your art collection? Coming in at 6×9, the jumbo Vampira [here] and Halloween [here] postcards are going to wind up on my wall at some point, it’s just a matter of when! You could also send them to people but I mean. Look at them? You’ve got to keep a copy for yourself!
Finally, who doesn’t love stickers? Everyone loves stickers, and my favourite Femporium sticker offering comes in the form of this Gentlethem Golden Sticker [here]. I love the shape and attitude in this one, and think it’ll bring a good bit of joy to whoever you might pick one up for!
That’s all for this week, I hope you found something here to pique your interest and maybe even found something for yourself! Part two of the gift guide will be releasing in early November, so be sure to keep an eye and out.
Until then, stay cozy!
The Cozy Cauldron 
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