Monthly Simplify - Shopping Small
Each month I pick one easy thing we can do to simplify our homes, diets and lives. This month, it's shopping small this Christmas.
This Christmas I’ve made a concerted effort to buy as much as possible from independent brands and makers. To me, it’s an important part of simplifying, buying things made with love and care, sustainably and locally where the money makes a real difference to a real person. It’s something I’ve always felt guilty about not doing, and other than books and a few other things I’ve largely succeeded this year.Along the way I’ve spoken to some really lovely people, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier with the gifts I'm giving. It can be difficult to know where to start when you want to buy independenty. Here I’ve listed where you can find smaller brands, how to shop with the biggest impact, as well as my favourite makers I’ve loved and bought from this year.Happy exploring!
Where To Find Independent Makers
In Bigger Retailers
Many department stores and websites like Not On The High Street stock smaller brands and independent makers. However, 9 times out of 10 a brand won’t thank you for buying from there - with their commission demands the little brand may not even make a profit. Use sites like Not On The High Street as a search engine to find products and brands you like the look of, then go to their sites to buy direct. Often you’ll get a better choice of products, a better price and even freebies by ordering direct.
Instagram and Twitter
Most of the indies I’ve bought from this year I’ve discovered on Instagram. It's a lovely way to discover new brands and makers by going down a wormhole of beautifully styled Instagram pics and new hashtags - all with the excuse of productively Christmas shopping. Checking out Twitter hashtags like #meetthemaker, #handmadehour and #folksyhour is another great way to find out about amazing people making amazing things. And don’t forget to ask the question! When I tweeted asking whether anyone knew great independent makers I got some great recommendations.
Craft fairs
At Christmas the number of fairs and markets increases by about 600% (not an actual scientific figure), so make a day out of it, have a mulled wine and find some new favourite things. Even if you’ve missed one locally you can research the makers that were there on the market’s website or Twitter feed.
Etsy
Etsy is a bit of a minefield. There’s just so much stuff it’s easy to get overwhelmed (have you tried searching for toys on there?!). However, a top tip for Etsy shopping from my friend is to search it for something specific. It’s not all that easy to browse Etsy for inspiration but you can get some great high street alternatives when your search is laser targeted. Get your inspiration from the high street, then go home and search Etsy for ‘men’s knitted burgundy scarf’ and you’ll find something perfect.
Blogs
Well, you’re reading this so I hope you’re being inspired and will check out my favourite makers! But I also get inspired by other bloggers, many of whom have much more traditional gift guides this time of year. And it’s not just traditional bloggers you can look at. Cooperative art spaces and organisations set up to support independents will often have blogs of their own - I got my cute Christmas cards from Betty Etiquette who I found on the Just A Card blog.
Where I’ve Shopped This Christmas
The following are all some of my favourite shops and makers that I’ve bought from this Christmas, and some I consider good Instagram friends. These are all people I've bought from this year and that I thought you'd love - I receive no payment if you buy from them.
Jacqueline Colley
I’ve bought cards and notebooks from Jacqueline this year, but she has bags, trays and all sorts of lovely things in her animal prints. At £4 her A5 notebooks make an excellent stocking filler or present topper-upper (see the first picture above).
Modern Botanics
Mirta has the dream life, printing beautiful nature-inspired calendars, cards, bags and artworks in a little village on Lake Como. She’s also an absolute darling. I have asked Father Christmas very nicely for one of her scarves, but her bear print is one of my favourites too.
Lilac Coast
A beautiful little online shop that has lots of lovely things. If you have children to buy for I’d especially recommend checking them out - they have the CUTEST stuffed penguins and bears, as well as lovely wooden toys.
Rebecca de Havas
Another Instagram favourite of mine, Rebecca has just launched her site with prints, cards and a good value bespoke service. I’ve already sent her cards around the world, and have also ordered one of her lovely prints as a gift. I really want one of her custom prints too - send her Instagram links and answer a couple of questions she’ll create a print with your loved one's favourite things. Order quickly for delivery in time for Christmas.
Eve of St Agnes
A craft fair discovery for me, I am in love the idea behind this brand. Inspired by a John Keats poem, all their products are natural, seasonal and just sumptuous. They do creams and lotions if you’re into that kinda thing, but I’m all about the candles. There is one for each season, and they not only smell just like those seasons, but really uniquely too. There is something familiar but completely different about each scent which is why I had such a hard trouble choosing. Also, the packaging is to die for, I’m keeping the box my candle came in because it’s just so lovely.
Botanical Threads
Alicia hasn’t set up her shop yet but if you ask her nicely she may post one of her gorgeous scarves to you in time for Christmas. She dies linen and other natural fabrics using botanical dyes she’s made herself, and they come out in these beautiful deeps pink tones with an ombre effect. I’m also smitten with her Instagram, so if nothing else you should follow her.
Hobo Handmade
An Etsy find, I really love these gorgeous bobble hats! They look really well made and thick, and all the wool they use has a lovely tone to the colour. Dan will be unwrapping one of these on Christmas morning and I hope he likes it as much as I do.
Betty Etiquette
As mentioned above, I’ve got my Christmas cards this year from Betty Etiquette, and you can see how cute they are. I also have my eye some some lovely feather notecards on her site to send to my pen pals.