Shop Local

by Colleen Kennedy

“It’s basically trash,” artisan Adriana Jaramillo says of her chosen medium, raw trapillo yarn. “I was so surprised that it’s not very well known here in the States. It’s such a versatile material.”

Created from textile waste fabrics—often cotton or cotton hybrids—trapillo yarn is as soft and comfy as a favorite T-shirt. Jaramillo, a trained interior designer and Lyon Village resident, began crocheting with it during the pandemic and soon

had a prolific collection of woven baskets and bins. “I took an online class that was taught in Colombia, where I am originally from,” she explains. “I learned more about the material and realized that it’s very popular in South America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East—everywhere there’s a major textile industry.”

Cute and functional, Trapillo Art baskets come in a range of designs, sizes and colors ($18-$48), from ruddy fall hues, winter whites and rainbow pride to catchalls adorned with valentine hearts. Her

collection also includes napkin rings (set of 6 for $20), holiday ornaments ($5), wall hangings and accessories.

Aside from helping people get organized, Jaramillo hopes her crafts bring more attention to the textile industry’s negative environmental impact and the benefits of recycled and upcycled materials. “I just hope to make a positive impact,” she says, “no matter how small.” Find her creations on Etsy and at area pop-up markets. etsy.com/shop/ TrapilloArtShop

Sol Brothers Candle Co.'s bestselling Shukorina candle blends notes of amber, vanilla, jasmine and musk. The name means "beautiful woman" in Eritrean, explains co-founder Nhorn Petros, and is an homage to the uplifting women in his family and Northern Virginia's large Eritrean and Ethiopian communities.

During the doldrums of the pandemic, Petros and his best friend, Elliott DeBose, decided to start a business together. Several YouTube tutorials later, they launched their line of hand-poured soy wax candles ($5$20) on Aug. 7, 2020, selling almost 200 in the first 24 hours.

The name Sol Brothers–a play on "soul brothers"–reflects the entrepreneurs' friendship and commitment to the Black and African Diasporic community. Each candle comes with an affirmational message. "Kindness is free and happiness is a choice," reads the label on a fall scent called Equinox.

“On a mission, your worst enemy is idle time,” says Clarity, a lavenderlemongrass-green tea blend, quoting the late rapper and social activist Nipsey Hussle.

“We are definitely breaking the mold in terms of what it means to be a candle lover, and who we expect to purchase or make candles,” Petros says. “Black women are our strongest supporters.”

Two years in, the duo has plans to expand their venture and its mission. Both have earned graduate degrees— Petros in business and pharmacy; DeBose in finance—and both work and travel for Johnson & Johnson while moonlighting on the side.

The partners are planning to invest in Eritrea’s energy infrastructure and, with the help of a Comcast technology grant, they intend to hire and mentor other young Black entrepreneurs as marketing interns.

In addition to selling their home fragrances online and at regional pop-up markets, Petros says they are looking into installing candle vending machines at Tysons Corner Center and Springfield Town Center. thesolbros.com