Want to shop local this holiday season? Check out these Whatcom businesses

Are you planning to shop locally for gifts this holiday season?

The Bellingham Herald made this list of local artists and businesses you can support in Whatcom County.

1. EC Art And Pyrography

Elsbeth Corbin is a full-time mother, musician and artist based in Bellingham. She hand-makes wooden, laser-engraved light-switch covers. Many of her designs, like landscapes and plants, are inspired by the Pacific Northwest landscape.

“I usually start by doing a pen and ink sketch. Then I scan it, put it in my computer and laser-engrave it,” Corbin told The Bellingham Herald in a telephone interview. “Some of them I paint afterward.”

The process also involves sanding and clear coating. Each cover takes her about two hours to make.

“There’s something special about taking an ordinary object and making it beautiful,” Corbin said.

You can find her art at her online Etsy shop.

2. Northwest Corner Goods

With both a brick-and-mortar at 1230 Cornwall Ave. and an online Etsy store, Northwest Corner Goods is a Bellingham business featuring products with original, Pacific Northwest-inspired logos and designs.

You can find pins, patches and prints with designs such as fish, whales and Bigfoot. The store also sells flags, hats, totes, stickers and mugs.

3. Chocolate Necessities

For the sweet tooth among us, pick up some locally made, artisan chocolates. Chocolate Necessities is at 1408 Commercial St. and 4600 Guide Meridian, No. 109, in Bellingham.

According to the business’s website, Chocolatier Kevin Buck has been making these chocolates for more than 30 years.

You can get a range of chocolate types in different-sized boxes from $25 to $174.

4. TabithaMade

Tabitha Smed is another Bellingham-based artist and art education student at Western Washington University. She makes designs based on Bellingham icons like the Acid Ball and the Herald Building.

“We just have a lot of really cool, historic buildings and structures,” Smed said in a telephone interview with The Herald. “It’s just such a fun place to be with such funky history.”

She has her designs printed on different products such as clothing and stickers, which you can find on her online Etsy shop.

5. Conterra Inc.

Conterra Technical Systems has been building technical equipment for over 28 years in Bellingham, according to the business’s website.

Located at 1600 Kentucky St. and online, the company hand-builds EMS, rescue and first aid gear.

Conterra is also having a 2022 Holiday Sale on their website, discounting some products 20% through Dec. 16.