Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2024.

Some local artists have turned the season of giving into a year-round endeavor.

When you shop from these eight makers, you're also helping a worthy cause. From soap to jewelry, these creatives give a portion of their proceeds to local and national organizations.

Know of any other local makers who give back to good causes? Send me an email atΒ everdugo@tucson.comΒ so we can keep this list updated.Β 

Cassandra Kehoe

Former Tucsonan Cassandra Kehoe’s "For All // Para Todos" jewelry collection promotes equity and justice for all. As an attorney, Kehoe has a "specialized legal focus on civil rights and gender discrimination," according to her website.

Some of the jewelry Kehoe sells includes pendants of shattered glass and necklaces with "equal pay" or preferred pronouns scrawled across them. A portion of each sale gets donated to the following organizations: ACLU Women’s Rights Project, Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, Human Rights CampaignΒ orΒ Know Your Rights Camp.

For more information or to purchase an item, visit Cassandra Kehoe’s website.

Ohei Studio

Heidi Nielson poses at her in-home studio. The Mesa native creates art inspired by her time outdoors in the Sonoran Desert.

Ohei Studio is run by Sonoran Desert transplant, lawyer and artist Heidi Nielson, who creates fine art and hand-lettering prints. You may remember her from this previous #ThisIsTucson story.Β 

For some of Nielson's fine art pieces, 25% of the proceeds benefitΒ World Central Kitchen, which helps bring fresh meals to families affected by crises across the globe.

Proceeds from her Supreme Court-inspired work, hand-lettering prints, mystery grab bags and other fine art go to organizations like the Justice Advocates Coalition at the University of Arizona, Aaliyah in Action,Β the National Latina/o Law Student Association and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

For more information or to purchase an item, visit Ohei Studio’s website.

SoGayCrochet

In 2023, SoGayCrochet donated over $500 to mutual-aid and community groups, with hopes to surpass that number in 2024.

SoGayCrochet specializes in crocheted plushies, from a jumbo platypus to the most adorable smiling candy corn you've ever seen. When tabling community events, SoGayCrochet typically gives back to the host organization, including the All Souls Procession, BICAS and Survivor Shield Foundation. A percentage of the proceeds from cat plushies go toward The Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary.

"As a trans and queer artist, my business was created to emphasize the value we all hold as individuals," says owner Derek Gentry. "Using SoGayCrochet, I share my creativity and labor with my community!"

For more information or to purchase an item, visit SoGayCrochet's Instagram page.

Stickies for Kitties

Andrew and Veronica Sorensen donate 9% of their profits toΒ The Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary, under what's appropriately dubbed Stickies for Kitties' Nine Lives Initiative.Β 

Stickies for Kitties sells cat-themed waterproof stickers inspired by pop culture. You might see a cat dressed like Barbie, or a cat wearing Harry Potter glasses. The first cat in the Stickies for Kitties collection was inspired by the Sorensens' cat Ojito. Andrew Sorensen designed him as a warlock.

For more information or to purchase an item, visit Stickies for Kitties' Instagram page.

Taco Bout Crafting

Alejandra Baltazar-Carlat is the maker behind Taco Bout Crafting.

If you’re a frequentΒ attendee to artisan markets here in Tucson, you’ve probably stumbled across Taco Bout Crafting’s cute clay earrings (we’re looking at you, concha heart earrings!).

With every purchase you make at Taco Bout Crafting, Alejandra Baltazar-Carlat, the creator behind the shop,Β will donate to organizations in Tucson, according to her website. Past examples include Youth On Their Own,Β Galeria MitoteraΒ and a GoFundMe for a local dancer who was injured in a car crash.

Baltazar-Carlat, who is originally from QuerΓ©taro, MΓ©xico, got into crafting clay earrings during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Crafting has been helping me stay sane during this quarantine. In April 2020, I found myself obsessing over handmade clay earrings and decided to make some of my own. I was frightened to make this decision and taking the next step, but my husband has motivated me to start a small business of my own, and here I am sharing this with you all," she writes on her website.

For more information or to purchase an item, visit Taco Bout Crafting’s website.

Unearthed

Kathryn PeΓ±a started her jewelry business Unearthed in 2020 after she quit her job as aΒ paramedic to pursue a career in aviation. After completing the program, she decided to make Unearthed a full-time career.

PeΓ±a has nine pieces in her jewelry collection, including saguaro studs and butterfly dangles, that benefit Tucson Medical Center's neonatal intensive care unit.Β 

"I was moved to try to make a difference in our local NICU after the birth of our twin sons, Leo and Wesley," PeΓ±a says on her website. "We were blindsided when our boys were quickly rushed away to the NICU, moments after being born. We waited and watched our boys fight for three long weeks. Those three weeks were the longest three weeks of our lives, as well as the most terrifying.

"As I sat in the NICU, I looked around me to find so many other precious babies fighting the same fight as our boys. Lying there helpless, vulnerable and tired, I watched the parents coming in and out also helpless, also vulnerable and tired."

PeΓ±a watched as health-care workers worked to protect theΒ babies in the NICU and she knew she'd never forgetΒ the experience. After taking home her two healthy sons, she made an oath to help those who work or spend time in the NICU.Β 

For more information or to purchase an item, check out Unearthed's website.

Wolf Den Soaps

Les White started Wolf Den Soaps in 2022, creating soaps scentedΒ like desert rain and sweet cherry tobacco. No matter the purchase, 10% of all sales is donated to community organizations.

Wolf Den is currently supporting Tucson Wildlife Center.Β Past charities have included Greater Tucson Fire Foundation, Iskashitaa Refugee Network, Forever Home Donkey Rescue, Bikers Against Child Abuse, AZ Husky Rescue and Safe Space Fort Smith.

"We believe that supporting our community is not only a responsibility but also a privilege, and we are honored to be able to contribute to causes that are important to us," Wolf Den says on their website. "Through our charitable giving program, we aim to make a positive impact on society and to create a better world for all."

For more information or to see where Wolf Den will be popping up next, check out theirΒ website.

Yours Truly Notecards

In addition to the specific community collaborations that give back to local organizations, Yours Truly Notecards has an "Icons and Oddities" collection.

Yours Truly Notecards was created by local photographer Enrique Aldana, who uses his Tucson-area photos and designs for notecards, postcards and more. Aldana was inspired by his daughter Sophie to start Yours Truly Notecards, according to his website.Β 

Currently, Yours Truly Notecards has two sets of Tucson-themed notecards that benefitΒ Youth On Their OwnΒ andΒ Ben’s Bells. Plus, all proceeds from each month's featured artist card "benefits local charities," according to his website.

For more information or to purchase an item, check out Yours Truly Notecards’ website.

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