The Customizable Washington DC Pillow, available at Etsy from seller lovecalifornia.

This is the second in a series of holiday shopping guides that focus on small businesses and local stores, producers and purveyors. See the first post, which focused on food gifts.

The gift-giving season is nearly upon us, and with it comes the challenge of finding items that are unique. Instead of heading to the mall for mass-produced bathrobes, scented candles and mittens, surf to Etsy, a marketplace for crafty entrepreneurs which offers gifts both handmade and one-of-a-kind. We poked around and have put together a collection of both local crafters, as well as artists selling D.C.-themed items.

Local Businesses
Etsy now allows you to input your zip code or city to shop locally online. We searched “Washington, DC” to find local crafters making items DCist commenters might be interested in. You know, items related to some of your most hated favorite topics: dogs, bikes and zombies.

• Dogs: Mooshy Gooshie’s adorable dog-shaped jewelry, like this Chihuahua ring, is great for Molly (and other dog) lovers. Instead of tossing a pitbull down a stairwell, toss this Dachshund balloon pillow from Naked Decor on your couch. And these Sari-inspired dog collars from Yappy Pooch Collars would make any newly adopted pup feel right at home.
• Bikes: Wear your bicycling pride in style with Rachel Pfeffer’s Le Petit Bike Ring. For the t-shirt types, Scott Kirkwood’s shop features screenprinted bike shirts in every color. WalnutStudiolo provides an easy way to carry that sixer while you pedal. And for those days when you’re looking to sport more local pride, consider his shop’s D.C. flag tee. Or, send a friend an invite to the next Tweed ride with a Capital Bikeshare-esque bike notecard by Elizabeth Graeber.
• Zombies: What could be more D.C. than Tina Seamonster’s t-shirt featuring Obama punching out a zombie? If you haven’t sent out your Christmas cards yet, pick up some of this shop’s cards featuring a zombie attacking Santa and send it out to all your relatives. And, whether you’re buying supplies for an upcoming snow storm or impending zombie invasion, the Panic: Buying for the Apocalypse tote bag is just what you need. Finally, your girlfriend may have your heart, but does she have your brain? Figuratively share all your insides with these brain-shaped rings from Ballyhoo Jewelry.
• Also check out these other D.C. sellers, offering both meme-related items and otherwise: AntoArts (personalized designs, like wedding hangers), Heather Dannenfelser (whimsical stuffed animal hybrids, like Uniseacorns), The Cupcake Kid (cermaics, like this bowl with chopsticks), and Laura McWethy (felted bags, like this coin purse). And search “Washington, DC” on Etsy to find even more.

D.C.-Themed
Want to give a distinctively D.C. gift this year? While not all these crafters are local, their wares are very Washingtonian.

• Wooden Teether Washington, D.C.-shaped Toy – The littlesapling shop sells a D.C.-shaped teething toy for babies to gnaw on to their hearts content. Pair this with a Washington Nationals onesie from D.C. local Melanie Becker’s shop and you’ve got an infant with a lot of street cred.
• D.C. Cutting Board – Imagine you’re doing a little redistricting while you slice and dice on this Washington, D.C. cutting board from woodbob, who offers a whole selection of state-shaped cutting boards. This, of course, could pair nicely with a Metro card dish towel from girlscantell, for a truly pro D.C. kitchen.
• D.C. Pillow – Cozy up on the couch with an arm clutched around your new D.C. Pillow, made, somewhat confusingly, by lovecalifornia.
• And there’s much more: D.C. flag stained glass, an artsy metal D.C. map (also available in copper), prints, D.C. neighborhoods sign art, metro cufflinks, cherry blossom earrings, and more.