Gifts for Expressing Yourself
Cosmos Gift Guide 2021 | Part 2 of 4!
Welcome to a week of Cosmos Gift Guides!!
Tuesday: Gifts for Expressing Yourself
Wednesday: Gifts for Foodies & Home Chefs
Thursday: Gifts for Rest & Homebodies
Yesterday I wrote A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT…
about launching paid subscriptions and then immediately logged off because I am still struggling to ask for money and not feel like a capitalist grease ball! I’m grateful to just be here, to write to you, but it’s this journey that’s made me want to support other writers and creators. All too often, I opt myself out of residencies, grants, fellowships because every line on the ten page application form is a battle with my self-doubt and my suspicion that There Has To Be Some Other Way. I would like to be done proving myself to A White Owned Institution.
I created The Cosmos Care Fund because I want to give money and support and belief in the community like Oprah gives away cars, without all the hoops and strings and late stage capitalism pressure to “be yourself” but also “be super great and successful already.” I want it to be unquestionable that our stories matter, and hey, here’s a place that is really putting some mone$$ behind that!!
We’re 25% funded towards our goal of distributing $500 to Asian women in January 2022, and you can help us get to 100% by becoming a paid subscriber for $5/month and $50/year. You can read more about all the benefits of becoming a paid member here :)
On to today’s guide: Gifts for Expressing Yourself!!
ABACUS ROW | Kiki Earrings ($68)
Their jewelry is so elegant and each piece is made by hand with high quality materials! They also use their studio as a community hub in San Francisco, hosting events for the Lunar New Year and other Chinese/Vietnamese holidays - they sold mandarins and pomelos last year for prosperity! The interior designs are always thoughtful and beautiful too. Christine is such a creative and loving entrepreneur. - Cosmos Community Member
BAKA DREAMS | Bunny Still Processing 2020 ($3.50)
The artist puts so much work, care, and detail into her products. I also love her soft bunny sticker ($3.50) which says: "being soft does not make me weak" - Cosmos Community Member
BRWNGRLZ | MANANG earrings ($40, pre-order)
Many of her pieces are meaningful - either because they represent a meaningful moment in her culture, historical figure, or an aspect of her beloved culture. She does this in a beautiful way. And her earrings are just super dope in general! - Cosmos Community Member
CAMBIO | Bluko Wire Brass Ring ($28)
Enter the code COSMOS10 to get 10% off your first purchase until December 31st, 2021!
From Cambio: The Bluko brass ring is inspired by the beauty of Philippine flora, curls around your finger like a brass vine. Specifically, the curlicues mimic the pakô plant (fiddlehead fern). This brass bangle was designed and handmade by Indigenous Tboli artisans of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato in the Philippines. The Tboli are celebrated as visionary brass-casters, woodworkers, and “Dreamweavers”. The art of Temwel (brass-casting) and Kemteng (brass-pulling) is an honoured tradition passed down for generations.
COMMON GROUND CLAY | YinYang Hoops Earrings ($30)
The founder, Juliana Nguyen, creates GORGEOUS earrings and she was a part of our Slant'd auction this year! We were so happy to support and I just want to amplify her beautiful earrings :) - Tiffany S.
FACETED BEAUTY | You are Loved Nail Set ($45)
Take $5 OFF with code FACETEDCOSMOS. Valid until 12/30/2021.
Faceted Beauty is a fellow AAPI small business founded by Lisa Estrella Yang, a queer and second-generation Hmong American artist. Lisa makes gorgeous handcrafted reusable and custom-fit press on nail gel kits, and giving back and supporting diverse communities across gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and race is at the heart of her brand. - Kelly B
KAT KAT STUDIO | Stop Sexual Harassment Earrings ($72)
From Kat Kat Studio: There are 61 white beads and 260 colored beads, totaling 321 beads. The ratio of colored beads against the total represents the 81% of women who reported having been sexually harassed in some form during their lifetime. Each grouping of color also represents the scale of different forms of sexual harassment experiences. We need to continue to spread awareness and stop sexual harassment. My hope is that these earrings can help be one small step towards that by creating conversation.
LUCKY STAR FRUIT | Yellow Gingham and Blueberry Flower Handmade Clay Earrings ($23)
From Lucky Star Fruit: Polymer clay earrings made by me! Yellow gingham half ovals with ball post gold findings. Three blueberries with green leaves at the right bottom base, with one white flower. Created by color mixing, sculpting and silkscreen.
ROCKETTE FOX | Asian Stories Matter Hoodie ($49)
From Rockette: Our stories matter. Our voices matter. While AAPI voices have often been an overlooked part of the racial justice conversation, the influx of rhetoric such as "Kung Flu," "China Virus," and more at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that recently escalated with the shooting of three Asian owned spas in Atlanta, GA have brought to the forefront experiences that are unfortunately deeply interwoven into the fabric of American history. I wanted to create a piece that I felt represented both me, with the forehead design on the fox mask being drawn from the Korean flag, and is a bold call to the world that our voices matter and are just as vital a part of the rich tapestry of this story we all live. As an Asian American artist, storyteller, and performer, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support.
SAYERI | Coriander Studs from the Masala Collection ($48)
I love this business! They are a South Asian and women-run business that makes beautiful jewelry. You can tell that they put their heart into every piece they make. They have a new masala collection which is stunning with pieces like clove hoops and elachi hoops. Plus they are the nicest and most wonderful people! Highly recommend for gifts. - Dilpreet K
SESAME GIRL SHOP | Orange Bellflowers Dangling Earrings ($20)
I love Sesame Girl Shop because it's run by one of my best friends who makes colorful, floral + botanical + celestial inspired earrings. Her earrings are super light and unique. She put so much care into creating each piece, so I really want to share her work with you all - Cosmos Community Member
SUBLIMA | Boba Tea Splash & Bubbles Ring ($89)
From Sublima: Inspired by brown sugar boba tea and matcha boba tea, our Boba Tea Splash & Bubbles Ring is part of our collaboration with Faceted Beauty, a brand of handcrafted, reusable, custom-fit and press-on gel nail kits, founded by queer Asian American artist and small business owner Lisa "Liv" Estrella Yang.For the perfect pairing, wear the Boba Tea Splash & Bubbles Ring with Faceted Beauty's Brown Sugar Delight or Meet Your Match-a nail kits!
THE PONNERY | Lantern Pom Pom Earrings ($52)
Handmade, playful, and statement-making pom pom goods inspired by Asian American food and culture. I’ve never seen products like these before! - Cosmos Community Member
WOUNDED HEALING ART | Selene Necklace ($35)
This layered necklace comes with one 18 inch moon necklace paired with a 20 inch necklace with clear quartz pendant. Gorgeous lightweight crystal jewelry with purpose - Danielle D.