ShopAble Holiday Gift Guide 2022

The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego

is excited to present a group of talented, local artisans with disabilities who create a variety of products perfect for gift giving this holiday season. Introducing San Diego’s first ever ShopAble Holiday Gift Guide!

The guide assists shoppers who want to purchase meaningful gifts “with a purpose” because each of the artisans featured here is a local business owner with a disability. They are ready and willing to help fill your stockings and check gifts off your list for friends, employees, loved ones, neighbors— even coworkers or teachers. Consider beautiful jewelry, handcrafted cards or journals, or a one-of-a-kind zippered pouch in bold colors. No celebration is complete without chocolate! The dark chocolate almond toffee by Big Al’s Best is delicious—choose from a variety of sizes to use as stocking stuffers or give as gifts at your holiday office party. Have you seen the custom sea turtle or nautilus soaps made by Sydney? They make wonderful party favors or hostess gifts. Many products highlighted here could also serve as gifts for clients, packed with purpose.

Behind each purchase is a story—a heartfelt, meaningful story. And isn’t that what the holiday season and gift-giving is supposed to be about?

How Do My Purchases Make a Difference?

Purchasing products and services from business owners with disabilities allows them to achieve independence and self-reliance. It supports credible and safe job opportunities and the idea that all people have agency in our community. It encourages inclusion. The more “able” we see people with different abilities, the more common hiring becomes for them.

What is ShopAble?

It’s simple. Invest in your community and your community thrives. The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego has created a list of businesses owned by people with disabilities or chronic medical conditions. See the full list at www.specialneedsresourcefoundationofsandiego.com/ shopable-support-business-owners-with-disabilities.

Thank you to the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities and San Diego Family Magazine for your ongoing support of the ShopAble program. v

ShopAble Gift Guide 2022

SanDiego

Soap Designs by Sydney

has been creating handmade specialty soaps since she was 8 years old. According to Sydney, the soaps are like Autism—no two are alike. “Each one is unique and made with love,” she says.

Inclusion Art

by Katie Flores

Katie Flores is a prolific and passionate painter with a natural eye for color and spatial relationships. She was diagnosed with Autism at an early age. As soon as Katie picked up a paintbrush and felt the viscosity of paint under her hand, something clicked. Her craft has now become a powerful mode of expression.

Kianna Beads

I’m a Jewelry-Crafter inviting you to share my inspiration from nature, a sense of belonging, beauty, peace and infinite diversity. Butterfly

Karlee’s Kreations

Embracelets

Stephanie Monis is a dynamic bracelet designer who dreams to share her creative talents with the world. Beading has been a part of Stephanie’s life ever since she was a little girl. She discovered early on that beading bracelets made her feel calm, and gifted her with the power to focus. As an empowered woman, Stephanie is set out to prove that individuals with autism have many kinds of terrific talents that shall not be overlooked. Her B.E.E.D Collection advocates just that. Whether you have a disability or not, “Remember to always be yourself.”

ShopAble Gift Guide 2022

SanDiego

Emily Rose Sews

Emily Rose has a passion for sewing and theater arts. As a neurodivergent entrepreneur, Emily launched a successful business, Emily Rose Sews, which helps her socialize in places such as craft fairs and boutique shops. Emily loves sewing as much as she loves giving back to the community and helping others. For every item sold, Emily donates a dollar to charity, offering assistance to people and places that can benefit

ShopAble Gift Guide 2022

Brendan Kerr Visual Arts

Brendan Kerr explores media that can express how he sees the world as an artist seeking to connect and share his experience. Photography, fiber art and painting are mediums where visual, tactile and sensory relationships are explored. Growing up along the coast of North County San Diego, nature-inspired elements of design are Brendan’s passion. Also a musician with perfect pitch, Brendan plays bass guitar and enjoys playing numerous gigs as a band member of Jungle Poppins.

Ethan Marr Perspectives

Ethan is an artist, drummer and actor. He expresses his perspectives and individuality through the arts. His view of the world is unique; it’s expressed through the lens of Autism, with a personal warmth and sense of joyful innocence. Please join Ethan as he embarks on this creative journey to make a positive difference in the world around him.