Did you know that many MIAD alumni are entrepreneurs and own their own businesses? This holiday season we’ve gathered a list of alumni-owned businesses submitted by alumni. From one-of-a-kind art and illustrations to puzzles, greeting cards, ornaments, games, jewelry and even premium beard oils, you can find great gifts for the family and friends on your holiday list.

Click the images and links below to support local artists and designers and small business owners this holiday season. All purchases can be made directly from each artist or designer.

Artistic Options

www.artisticoptions.com
Alum: Joelle Bhullar ’02
Business description: Hand drawn portraits done from your photographs and artistic gifts.

The Arts Mill

www.theartsmill.org
Alum: Paul DeStefanis ’85 (Illustration)
Business description: Hand made fine art and craft

Bianca’s Little Art Shop

www.etsy.com/shop/BiancasLittleArtShop
Alum: Bianca Morales ’20 (Illustration)
Business description: Welcome to Bianca’s Little Art Shop! For the holidays, the shop will have beautiful Christmas ornaments perfect for the holiday! Looking for a small gift? How about a unique little resin art necklace and earring set! Check out my little art shop for more unique items this holiday season.

Brave Bear

www.bravebearpride.com
Alum: Abraham Dickison ’09 (Industrial/Product Design)
Business description: Celebrate and support the LGBTQ person in your life with a Brave Bear. Brave Bear may look like your typical cuddly teddy bear but turn Brave Bear around to find a rainbow or transgender pride tail surprise! $2 from every bear sold goes back into the LGBTQ community.

By The Beard

www.etsy.com/shop/ByTheBeards
Alum: Michael Wolowski ’17 (Industrial/Product Design)
Business description: Premium beard oils made with all natural materials.

David Beyer Illustration

www.davidbeyerjr.com
Alum: David Beyer, Jr. ’11 (Illustration)
Business description: David Beyer is available for private commissions and commercial work. From personalized comics to one-of-a-kind portraiture, David Beyer is ready to work with you to create truly special and unique artwork.

Disc Gulp

www.discgulpgame.com
Alum: Daniel Fleming ’10 (Communication Design)
Business description: Get into the Disc Golf spirit with this supplemental skills challenge and drinking game!

Dusty Pete’s

dustypetes.co
Alums: Jackie Peetz ’15 (Illustration) and Darcy Guenterberg ’15 (Illustration)
Business description: darcy (dusty) + jackie (pete’s) are two pals who met at MIAD. They began to collaborate as a love letter to camp gritty by creating laser cut goods and accessories, taking inspiration from pop culture and their personal lives they hand make one-of-a-kind pieces. 

Family Heirloom Antiques

familyheirloomantiques.com
Alum: Heather Fenzel ’09 (Interior Architecture and Design)
Business description: Family Heirloom Antiques is owned & operated by siblings Heather and Ben Jr. The shop is full of carefully curated antiques & vintage pieces along with upcycled & repurposed treasures. There is something for everyone inside & outside this 105 year old American four square home turned antique shop.

Full Circle Collective

www.fullcirclecollective.org
Alum: Lori (Schoenecker) Ryherd ’83 (Illustration)
Business description: Unique and sustainable source of products that are more artisan in nature geared towards Architects, Interior Designer, and Builders, with many custom options available.

Lydia Jean Art

www.lydiajeanart.etsy.com
Alum: Lydia Jean “Van Hecke” ’09 (Illustration)
Business description: If you’re looking for something super fun, cute and unique look no further! My Etsy is loaded with wonderfully cute items from enamel pins, vinyl stickers, keychains, postcard sets, coasters, and tons of fun art prints from cute to spooky cute!

Maddie and the Moon Illustration

www.etsy.com/shop/maddieandthemoon
Alum: Madison Bright ’19 (Illustration)
Business description: Watercolor illustration (prints, cards, books, and stickers) by Madison Bright

Mb Squared Photography

mbsquaredphotography.square.site  
Alum: Michael Burmesch ’08 (Communication Design)
Business description: 12.5″ hand-titled/signed and 8″ signed photographic prints

Mendoza’s Curiosities

www.etsy.com/shop/MendozasCuriosities
Alum: Estephanie Mendoza ’20 (Illustration)
Business description: Art and oddities

Nathan Lynn Studios

www.nathanclynn.com
Alum: Nathan Lynn ’20 (Illustration)
Business description: I am an illustrator and digital painter. My work is suited to a wide range of editorial and commercial projects.

Over All

www.cassietompkins.com/shop
Alum: Cassie Tompkins ’01 (Fine Arts)
Business description: The Over All is the surface and pattern design studio founded by artist Cassie Tompkins. She specializes in textiles for the home celebrating individual style, color and the handmade.

Owl Sockets

www.etsy.com/shop/OwlSockets
Alum: Kayla Gerrits ’14 (Illustration)
Business description: Cartography, illustrations and patterns!

Ramie and Co

ramieand.co 
Alum: Debbie Sajnani ’16 (Communication Design)
Business description: Ramie and Co crafts lightweight polymer clay jewelry. We are QPoC-owned and are committed to creating inclusive pieces for the authentic person.

Roth Illustration & Design

www.rothillustration.com
Alum: Julie Roth ’13 (Illustration)
Business description: Original oil paintings, limited edition archival reproductions and mural/commission services

Washhero

www.washhero.org
Alum: Cat Simpson ’19 (Communication Design)
Business description: Milwaukee’s pay-what-you-can, wash & fold laundry delivery service

WB Artist

www.etsy.com/shop/KarenWBArtist
Alum: Karen Williams-Brusubardis ’98 (Fine Arts)
Business description: Contemporary Landscape paintings by Karen Williams-Brusubardis, giclee print reproductions, jigsaw puzzles, blank greeting cards and sketch pads. For more information about Karen and her paintings, please visit her website at www.wbartist.org.