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Small businesses in Ukraine
Despite the vicious ruzzian onslaught, millions of Ukrainians still go to work and try to lead their lives despite the attacks. As in the US, many of my people have started their own businesses. The US dollar goes very far in Ukraine, and by supporting small business owners, we buoy up their economy, severely strained by the occupiers' destruction.
Here's a short list of vendors that I have personally done business with and recommend highly. They're honest, courteous, friendly people who create wonderful products. All of the sellers listed are fluent in English. Shipping is usually 3 to 5 weeks and I've never had packages "lost". Most of these shops are on Etsy.
If you purchase anything from any of the vendors below, please mention that I recommended them. No, I'm not getting a cut. I just want them to know that folks here are pulling for them.
Clothes:
- Ukrshop:
- https://www.etsy.com/shop/Ukrshop
Svitlana, owner. If you see me wearing way-cool, spiffy traditional Ukrainian shirts (vyshyvanku ) at my performances, this is where I got them.
- JustKnititUA:
- https://www.etsy.com/shop/JustKnititUA
Tetiana, owner. Have gotten a vyshyvanka shirt from her, also.
Drums:
- Mystery of Sound:
- https://www.etsy.com/shop/MysteryOfSound
Volodymyr Artushenko, Kyiv. Volodymyr makes astounding tongue / tank drums, in either 9" or 12" diameters. Gorgeous visually and enchanting aurally. Intelligent note layout is beneficial for easy learning and composition of musical pieces. The tone is exactly what I like personally - clear, bell-like, with great sustain. Great guy, whom I count as a friend.
- Nova Drum:
- https://www.etsy.com/shop/NovaDrum or https://novadrum.com/
Johnny Vargan, Kyiv. Johnny's drums include a line of larger-diameter drums ( in 14" and 19" diameters ) that sound wonderful. Each vendor's instruments have unique qualities; Nova Drum's are a bit more muted on the high end but have an unique reverberation and resonance.
- Orbis:
- https://www.etsy.com/shop/OrbisMusic
Max, Kharkiv. Makes practical preamps and contact mics for handpans and tank drums. Now getting into making his own drums, but I haven't gotten any of his…yet.
Misc:
- PysankyByArsen:
- https://www.etsy.com/shop/PysankyByArsen
Arsen Romanyuk, Lviv. I haven't purchased any of his work yet, but he has good reviews. What
do you think when I say, "Ukrainian tradition" ? Chances are that decorated eggs ( pysanky ) will come to mind. When you see his page, you'll agree - Arsen is an artist.
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