As a designer maker/printmaker I always try to find gifts that have been made locally and are usually of superior quality than the stuff you find on the high street. It’s really important we help support small businesses, so here is a list of some of the fabulous Christmas gifts made right here in Yorkshire.
So to start with is Melanie Ellis who runs Spring Lark (I have several of Melanie’s pieces and she is fab!) Have a look at her Bob Bob Bobbing along cushion which you can find here.
Photo Credit: Melanie Ellis
Leigh Shepherd is a fab upcycled jeweller and these domino brooches are a must have!
Photo credit: Leigh Shepherd
I can very much vouch for the amazing products Rachael of Myroo creates (I am very fond of her Lemon butter!) Here however is the equally divine Geranium hand treatment.
Photo Credit: Rachael Dunseath
Have a look at Laura’s ‘Made by Lolly’ gorgeous brooch: ‘The cute as a button Retro Felt Flower Pin Badge has had a Christmas make-over – and now features a Scandi Style hand stitched snowflake and a teeny tiny dark grey polka dot button…’
Photo Credit: Laura Smith
Manda McGrory of Treefall Design creates beautiful children’s clothes, home accessories and toys.
Have a look at her Etsy shop here.
Photo Credit: Manda McGrory
Having worked with Scamp before, I’m very excited for you all to see their stunning tree decorations. A beautiful personalised wooden christmas decoration, perfect for a special gift for a very special (or hard to buy for!) someone or ideal as a keepsake for a baby’s first Christmas gift.
Photo Credit: Stacey Harrison
Kimberli of the Red Corvid is a brilliant Paper artist and she has created some gorgeous gift tags to add a special touch to any Christmas gift!
Photo credit: Kimberli Werner
Next up is the brilliant Lynsey from Swirlyarts, who writes: ‘from pre-loved to re-loved – fun and funky gifts made from upcycled paper and fabric’ These fab Robin tags are all made by Lynsey who is the master of all things upcycled!
Photo Credit: Lynsey Searle
Alison Young of Alison Young Jewellery makes some fab Robins as a side venture. These will be on sale on my stand at Country Living Glasgow and Harrogate but if you can’t make those fairs, then you can contact Alison via her Etsy page to purchase these amazing Christmas robins, which come with detachable Holly.
Photo Credit: Alison Young
I absolutely love Rachel’s work, here is a gorgeous necklace and I love the star! Taken from Rachel’s site here is an extract of the necklace description:’A swarovski crystal star hand wire-wrapped with a freshwater pearl and Swarovski briolette bead. Choose either berry and ice or classic black and silver.’
Photo Credit: Rachel Johns
Tracey from Ruby Spirit Designs makes beautiful jewellery and I’ve chosen these cufflinks because I’m biased towards fab typography! Have a look hereto buy these brilliant cufflinks.
Photo Credit: Ruby Spirit Designs
Vicky of AccidentalVix creates some of the loveliest dribble bibs and this one is perfect for the Christmas season!
You can you find this bib here at Etsy:
Photo Credit: Vicky Morse
Corinne LaPierre is Queen of Felt! I love her kits and they make fab gifts too!
Photo Credit: Corinne LaPierre
Helen Russell Creations are beautiful, have a look here at ‘Five Minutes peace’. 🙂
Photo Credit: Helen Russell
I absolutely adore Karen’s work as she combines renaissance art styles into contemporary pieces to wear. You can find her fab shop here on Etsy.
Photo Credit: Belarouci Designs
Kirsten of Quernus Crafts is a very talented lady, look at these gorgeous santa Sleighs!
You can purchase items from Kirsten at the Country Living Fairs or sign up to her mailing list for her up coming tours for 2014!
Photo Credit: Kirsten Miller
Paula at Wychbury designs makes lovely pin cushion rings, I’m a bit partial to this one…
Photo Credit: Paula Perrins
Liz Samways of Inkylinky makes beautiful jewellery and prints. Here is an gorgeous example of her work:
Photo Credit: Liz Samways
Lucy of Use or Ornament: ‘Going green never looked so glam!Make your favourite shoes fabulous for the works do, parties and more with my upcycled shoe clips.Find them here at Etsy:
Photo Credit: Lucy Sangster
Neil of Sciart Images creates stunning work, here he explains the process: A solution of citric acid was evaporated on a microscope slide to form crystals. By viewing these crystals using polarised light microscopy, amazing and interesting colours and patterns are seen. This is due to the crystals forming regular arrays and interfering with the light path to give the colours seen (no colours were changed using a computer).
Photo Credit: Neil Taylor
I have a fascination for all things crowns and this is by far no exception. Made by the brilliant Urban Fox!
Photo Credit: Urban Fox
Nina of Nina Made it has created a fab Christmas plaque and here they are via her website:
Photo Credit: Nina Made it
Helen Dyer from Silver and Stone Jewellery has the most gorgeous pair of earrings here on folksy.
Photo Credit: Helen Drye
Nel, Nan and Noramake fab little elf Booties using some pretty impressive chunky wool!
Photo Credit: Eleanor Thompson
Louby Kapow makes super awesome comic book jewellery, accessories, man things and furniture from upcycled vintage comic books so you can indulge your inner geek and I can decorate the world in comics! Kapow!
Photo Credit: Louby Kapow
Daisy Florence Designmakers some of the most beautiful pieces of work, I think you’ll love them too!
Photo Credit: Anne Crowther
Sue Whyte of Whyteglass has some cheeky Christmas puddings to hang for Christmas!
Photo Credit: Sue Whyte
Check out Jennie’s JLW Illustrations for this stunning Wall Calendar!
Photo Credit: JLW Illustrations
Order your santa sacks from the Brilliant Pink Pineapple!
Photo Credit: Pink Pineapple
The Demented Squirrel (What a fab name!) Makes lots of lovely gifts. I really love this Christmas Stocking!
Photo Credit: Demented Squirrel
Chrissie Freeth is a brilliant Handloom weaver with some pretty impressive Looms! Have a look here at her website.
Now if you want to go to actual shops to buy locally created products that are totally unique then below are a selection of shops who are paving the way forward for alternative high street shopping.
Fabrication
Fabrication Crafts Ltd social enterprise in The Light, Leeds City Centre, selling work by over 50 local artists, designers & makers, everything from Jam to Homewares, jewellery, body products, clothing, kids stuff, furniture & art work. Many one off pieces, bespoke items & a wide range of prices & presents for all. Open 7 days a week
Created in Yorkshire is based in the Ridings Centre in Wakefield and houses an impressive collection of designer maker goods. With an emphasis on being produced in Yorkshire, Lynne the founder strives to curate a varied selection of high quality crafted goods. Visit the CIY page for opening times.
Positioned within the Handpicked Hall shop in Leeds, you can find a vast array of beautiful gifts and high quality craft, visit Claire’s facebook page for opening times.
