Christmas 2020 Gift guide

 Its that time of year again! 

Its always good if and when you can, to support small or independent business' and as Christmas 2020 fast approaches its seems even more important to champion this market.  Gifting something from a small business comes with love and gives the recipient something really a bit unique.  Below we have listed some shops you may want to visit.  These are people we love, know through our business community, or have bought from.  We have tried to group them but grab a brew, put your feet up and have a scroll through! 

were not in the habit of promoting ourselves but if you would like to visit Jess or Emma's shop then just click our names-Happy Shopping!

Prints-cards-calendars 

Sketch book designs-Sunderland lad, Manchester based, music, football and city typography art. Emma has bought t-shirts and cards in the past-good gifts for the men in your life that are typically hard to buy for....Free UK delivery-Sign up to newsletter for 10% discount.

(C) Sketchbook Designs

Jennifer Court-Artist and illustrator based in Edinburgh, fascinated by Medieval and religious architecture.  Check out her Instagram to watch videos of her work.  T-towels, totes, prints, cards and calendars can be found in her shop-up to 50% off some cards and free UK delivery 

(C) Jennifer Court 

Laura Crow Stationary, wrapping paper, pin badges, and other bits and pieces inspired by animals, books and geekiness!  We particularly like her Henry the 8th and his wives series.  

(C) Laura Crow

The art of Beer Seth, creative man from Nottingham who decided to try 500 beers over 365 days-drawing them as the Art of Beer as he goes.  Prints available. Follow Seth' Instagram for the full series of drawings. 

(C) Art of Beer

The Hearth Arts Centre (where Jess is based!) have produced a calendar for 2021, featuring work from all the resident artists, with images matched perfectly to the seasons.  The centre is a registered charity and has had a troubling year, as we all have, so all funds raised from this lovely calendar also support a good cause.  Click here to view!

(C) Hearth Arts Centre

Wilderness Be Free Art creates wonderful black and white drawings with an adventurous twist, from her walks in beautiful Northumberland.  Visit her Etsy shop to see cards, prints, mugs and more.

(c) Wilderness be Free Art

Lellibelle makes intricate illustrations using appliqué and free motion embroidery.  Her range is available on cards, tea towels and coasters and she also takes commissions.  Pop over to her instagram to see some pet portraits in progress or visit her Folksy shop to browse and buy.

(c) Lellibelle

Ceramics and Glass 

Rawpots North east who doesn't need a mug with boobies on? All products hand thrown by Becky mugs, with and without boobies available as well as other homeware pieces.

(C) Becky Helliar

Gemma Truman Loving her lady pebbles-inspired by a Neolithic symbol for woman.  lovely shaped and to hold, good for meditation and mindfulness helping you to focus.  Glass baubles and sculptural pieces also available.   

(C) Gemma Truman 

Gary Thomas Ceramics- Emma has a few mugs of Gary's already and has shown a couple of times with him at Saltaire arts fair-his work is lovely, you just want to hold it which is good for a mug! stunning colour palette, they remind me of being by the sea.  Follow his Instagram for his most up to date work. 

(C) Gary Thomas

Thimbleville is from Somerset and creates one of a kind makes with wire, wood, buttons and bobbins.  Once you visit her shop you'll be scrolling for a while!  Cheerful makes and some Christmas pieces too; visit her Folksy shop to browse and buy.  We guarantee you will smile!

(c) Thimbleville

Kits 

Rosanna Clare -with being locked down for most of the year, there seems to have been a rise in the up take of arts and crafts projects which is great! In her shop Rosanna sells a lot of luxury leather goods from purses, to wallets, earrings and decorations-She also sells Kits! so not only do you get a product you also get to learn a new skill-well worth a look, another good one for the men in your life? 

(C) Rosanna Clare

EmmFloral -Emma Hewitt Another one to make it into the guide-worth a follow on Instagram if you're a fan of the floral or getting married in Devon-but we wanted to include her for her dried flowers wreath making kits-they are ever so lovely-and as above, you're getting learn something new and having a finished piece at the end.  

(C) Emma Hewitt 

Cosmetics-make up-perfume

Tellemoi UK indie nail polish brand, vegan hand crafted and cruelty free-creating and stocking a inclusive and diverse range of nudes-I ordered champagne drippin' and Ada Bloom-I got them the morning I was writing this post and I stopped to paint my nails-have a look at Instagram for all the lush colours! 

(C) Telle Moi

Oakwood Soaperie are Northumberland based and make the most delicious and skin friendly products.  Jess can vouch for their gorgeous facial oils and uses them every evening.  Ceri has put together some really tempting gifts for the festive season!  Visit their site to browse and buy.

(c) Oakwood Soaperie

Abbey Perfumery -is someone Emma has recently comes across- 'I love strong perfume that l keep catching a smell of throughout the day-I initially got a couple of sample boxes (limited stock) but I have already recommended it to a friend and put it on my Christmas list for me and others!' (personal fave Bramble smoke-so far...) Instagram 

(C) Abbey Perfumery 

Lucky Cloud Skincare  Vegan friendly-Cruelty free -award winning skincare-15% off if you sign up to emails.  Emma found these on a visit to Edinburgh-They do a lovely collection of minis so you can try small and find out what works for you.  "I have found using a facial oil has calmed down my once oily skin and the older I get the more intense moisture I need!"  If you prefer to follow on Instagram 

(C) lucky cloud skincare 

Textiles 

North star Needlework makes some really beautiful cosmetic and toiletry bags.  The combination of fabric and shapes are really quite contemporary and stylish.  All hand made in Newcastle.  Instagram

(C) Northstar Needlework

Cally Youdell creates bright and cheerful machine embroidered illustrations.  Her new range of hanging hoop decorations for Christmas are guaranteed to cheer you up this festive season! Click on her name to visit Etsy or here for her Instagram

(c) Cally Youdell

Lindsey Tyson Textiles - Jess had the pleasure of working on a piece for Lindsey's Anne Bronte exhibition earlier this year (which feels like a lifetime ago!) as part of what would have been Anne's 200th birthday!  Lindsey makes the most incredible felted and printed pebbles which are perfect as decorations or pin cushions.  See her Instagram here or click her name above to shop.

(c) Lindsey Tyson

In The Forest Felting make miniature felted creatures with the sweetest personalities. Michelle makes each one by hand so they are all entirely unique. Visit her Instagram here and her Etsy shop here

(c) In The Forest Felting

BearTon Borough is ran by Sooz.  She makes traditional, mohair keepsake art bears.  Each is handmade and entirely unique.  Sooz has started adding printed map snippets to bear paw pads, which make them an ideal gift to commission for somewhere or someone special.  Click here to visit her Etsy shop.

(c) BearTonBorough

Gift guides-Charity and Etsy Events 

Craftaid UK  was set up in 2009 to help support organisations looking after vulnerable street children in Uganda.  Set up by Lara and her husband David, they charity has developed and they now run their own home fully supporting a former group of street children.  They have some beautiful products in their extensive online shop-all locally sourced in Uganda and 100% of the profits going back to support the children in their home. They also sell facemasks! The must have accessory of 2020...Charities have struggled this year, and if you're not in the position to buy or donate then have a follow Instagram for regular updates and projects on-going. 

(C) Craft Aid UK 

Whitley Bay Loves Art gift guide is collection of local makers based or from the North east; we both worked with Christine as part of the online Whitley bay Festival-fingers crossed we can meet in person in 2021! Have a follow of Whitley Bay Loves art here Instagram 

(C) Whitley Bay Loves Art

(C) Etsy Newcastle 

On the weekend of the 28th and 29th November Etsy Newcastle and Etsy Manchester are both holding their Christmas events online.  Jess will be taking part in the Newcastle event and Emma will be part of the Manchester event.  The links will take you to a Facebook event where makers work is being shared and will keep you informed of events and workshops taking place over the weekend.  These events are great at letting you meet the maker and ask the questions you'd like to ask before purchasing and giving you the opportunity to gift something unique.  Both events will take place online on Facebook, links will direct you to the makers Etsy shops. Use the code ETSYMARKET to access special market offers.  Jess is offering free UK shipping on all orders over £25. 

(C) Etsy Manchester

We are also taking part in the St Oswald's Hospice Virtual Christmas Market on Saturday 28th November.  Follow the event on Facebook to hear from stallholders, see updates (Jess will share a link to a YouTube demo) and support a local cause.

Well that's probably enough for you to be getting on with-we'd love to know if you enjoyed scrolling and if you have any amazing finds to share, leave a comment below :)

Babble and Yak x