It’s no secret that we’re a women-powered shop. Dune was concepted by a female entrepreneur and maker, our very own Cire’ Cross, and each piece of our business is supported by a woman in some capacity. From the items we stock on our shelves and the photos we take for our Instagram to the blog you’re reading right now and the support we receive in our personal lives, women are the force behind Dune.

It’s the same for many other small businesses, both digital and brick and mortar. Women owned business have increased by 3000% since 1972, and this trend doesn’t show any signs of stopping. More and more women are jumping into the entrepreneurial pond, allowing their creativity to run free and taking back control of their days. They’re dictating their financial success, they’re giving themselves space to spend time with their families, and they’re giving themselves permission to follow their wildest dreams.

This kind of freedom hasn’t always been available to women. It’s only in the last few decades that women have been able to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations. As recently as the 1970s, women needed a man’s signature (either their husband’s or their father’s) to get a credit card - seriously!

We’re so thankful that things have changed, that we have been able to open this little slice of our own personal paradise in Dune Gift + Home, and that we’re able to share it with all of you. March is recognized as Women’s History Month, and, this year, we want to explain a little bit more about what that means to us and so many other female makers.

What Women’s History Month Means to a Maker

As a shop that is owned and run by a female founder and maker, who is also the mother to a little girl, this month has an elevated significance.

Throughout history, women have often taken on the burden of making. Yes, we said “burden”, because for many decades women didn’t have the opportunity to use their skills for making as a passion project, a hobby, or an outlet. Instead, their focus was supposed to be on the home, not on these more creative, worldly tasks. Women were expected to create clothing, pottery and wares for the home, develop culinary skills, rear their children, and generally take care of anything and everything that came along with a structured household.

There were certainly female artists and makers, but many that were celebrated (and most that are still celebrated today from this time) were men. Think about it: when you try to conjure up the names of famous artists throughout the centuries? Who comes to mind? The majority of these names are probably male. Even though women were creating so much beautiful work, it was under the guise of household necessities like clothing and wares - and was not nearly considered any sort of great work of art.

Today, all of that has changed (though there is still a lot of progress to be made for highlighting the work of women around the world), and women are increasingly able to turn their skills into a passionate hobby or even a business. This evolution from women being relegated to only work that served the home or their family to women being able, and even encouraged, to let their creativity and entrepreneurial urge shine lights our fire every day.

We know that we could not have made it this far as a society without the dedicated work of women to pursue their dreams beyond the world’s expectations. Without their tenacity, and the support of other women, we would be several steps behind. Women’s History Month is a time when we can look back at these fabulous women who paved the way, from artist Frida Kahlo to author Harper Lee. It’s a time to celebrate where we’ve been and just how far we’ve come in empowering female creatives.

Supporting Women Makers

Without support, makers, but particularly female makers, have a hard time “making it” in business. We believe it is imperative that we continue to support other women makers through Dune Gift + Home, and through our own personal purchases. We believe in climbing the ladder to the top, and pulling other women up with us, perhaps even giving them a lift to pass us by. A rising tide lifts all boats, as they say.

First, through our personal purchases. We are sure to seek out female makers on Etsy, at farmers markets and flea markets, and on Instagram as we search for special pieces for our homes and closets. We recommend women makers to our friends and family, and we always always leave a review when it’s an option. There are so many great ways to support female makers without spending extravagant sums of money. From leaving that review, to attending an event that they’re hosting or featured at, you can make an impact on their business and help them continue to pursue their dreams.

Then, through Dune. Many of the people who keep Dune up and running are women. Our team is primarily female-powered, and we believe that’s the most direct way that we can support women who are actively working toward their dreams. We also have a wide array of female makers and their products represented in our shop. We’re proud to support these women, not only because we believe it’s important to lift women up, but because their work is truly fantastic, and exactly what a Dune shopper is looking for.

Female Makers Featured at Dune Gift + Home

To underscore that point, we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a few of the female makers at Dune Gift + Home who are inspiring us right now. Get to know them, follow them on social media, and pop into the shop to check out their latest creations.

Krystle Marks of Lev Apparel

Lev Apparel is a body positive clothing company founded by Krystle Marks. Formerly a stylist, Krystle takes a unique approach to designing clothing, incorporating shapes and silhouettes that work for different body types - not just a straight size. She uses her styling acumen to create clothing that empowers women to feel confident in themselves. On top of that, she’s paying her success forward by ethically producing her clothing and “creating job opportunities for at-risk women living in the slums of New Delhi”. Lev Apparel is one of the most popular clothing brands that we carry here at Dune, and it’s easy to see why. A great cause, an incredible founder, and simple but chic styles make for a product that regularly flies off the shelves.

Jessica Egan of Little Fire Ceramics

We love featuring Midwest makers, and Jessica Egan of Little Fire Ceramics is one of our favorites! We know Jessica on a personal level, and she frequently pops in the shop to drop off her latest creations. Jessica’s work has such a unique quality compared to other ceramics on the market - they’re almost calming in their super-smooth aesthetic. We can’t stop ourselves from putting these pieces on display, from using them as a chic vase for a simple bouquet or as statement styling on open shelving. If you’re in the market for ceramic dining ware, vases, or even planters with a smooth as butter finish, Jessica is your girl.

Emma Zwissler of The Sunday Standard

You know we’re passionate about using clean products: from home cleaning to candles to skincare. Luckily, we found Emma from The Sunday Standard. Emma first started creating skincare products after dealing with her own skin issues - namely hormonal acne. She felt like she had tried everything, and that other products either irritated her skin or did absolutely nothing. Now, she has a diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation, and she creates a mask, cleansing balm, and serums that we can’t stop using. These skincare products are at the front of our medicine cabinet, and a must-have in any clean skincare routine.

Natalie Jo Wright

We couldn’t complete this list without Natalie Jo Wright, a fine artist located right outside of Madison, Wisconsin. Natalie has a bold, one-of-a-kind style, and is known for her work that depicts wildlife and her clients’ beloved pets. The aspect that we love about her work in particular is that it is not photorealistic, yet it feels like you can understand the soul of the animal that she’s painted. She has a way of capturing the spirit of her subjects so that it’s impossible to look away. It’s no wonder, then, that her work is wildly (pun intended) popular at Dune.

Darci Towns of Mingled Goods

Finally, we wanted to give a special shoutout to Darci Towns, maker behind Mingled Goods. Darci’s wood and fiber work adds a natural vibe and 3D contrast to any gallery wall. We’re partial to her Dune hangings (for reasons entirely unknown to us *wink*), and they’re one of the first things that shoppers comment on when they walk into Dune. Darci’s clean style is impactful without being over-embellished, and our minimalist side falls in love every time we get a new piece for the shop.

Women’s History Month: Why Supporting Women Makers is a Top Priority