Craft markets are one the best ways you can support small businesses while also being more sustainable with your shopping. When you buy from an independent business or local designer-maker you know exactly who made the product and where. There are so many reasons why buying handmade is more sustainable than shopping with big brands. Small businesses are often more eco-conscious, prioritising the reduction or waste and using recyclable packaging.
Markets are the perfect way to discover new designer-makers, and tick some gifts off your shopping list. It's the Paperdolls Handmade Market soon. This market runs twice a year: once in summer, and once again in winter for the holiday season. As a jeweller I usually have a stall where you can shop my sustainable minimal jewellery. But I also use it as an opportunity to shop for gifts made by local independent designer-makers.
The Paperdolls Handmade Summer Market takes place on 11th June at The Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham. It's host to over 50 stalls and workshops by small brands and independent makers. You'll find everything from jewellery and clothing to homewares and ceramics. The workshops tend to sell out quick but if you get a place you could be making a punch needle wall hanging or arranging a summer bouquet.
I'm sharing some of my favourite designer-makers who have stalls at this year's summer market. If you're local, I encourage you to visit the market, shop for any gifts you might need, and drop by my stall to say "hello!"
Jewellery
Oh My Clumsy Heart
I started my jewellery brand in 2012 because it was impossible to find high quality minimal jewellery that was both sustainable and affordable. I use eco-friendly methods and fairly-sourced metals as well as plastic-free packaging. Crafted in the UK and sold direct from my studio in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter; I've eliminated the retail mark-up, meaning I can sell my jewellery for a fair price. You can shop the jewellery collection online then collect at the market.
Art & Illustration
Rosi Illustration
Rosi's work is playful with lots of bright imagery in both her prints and ceramics. She draws on her experiences as a woman to explore ideas of mental health and body shaming. I particularly love the flowers you can't kill and wrapped in spring prints.
Skin Care
Juwles
Juwles was founded by Asma Juwle, an expert aromatherapist and skincare specialist. The brand provides natural skincare handmade in small batches, designed to soothe and relax. I love the mini sets, which are perfect for gifting.
Ceramics
Maisie Parkes Design
These miniature clay sculptures are handmade and illustrated by Maisie. Her collection includes houses, mushrooms, and garden sheds. Each one an original one-off piece no one else will have. I know a friend who would absolutely love one of the townhouses.
Food
Pip's Hot Sauce
Pip makes the absolute best hot sauce in the West Midlands. Made in small batches with punchy flavours. The taster set is the perfect introduction to the brand and I highly recommend the U OK Honions.
Clothing
Kauf Studio
Beautiful high-quality lingerie handmade from a small studio in the North of England. The range is sexy and size-inclusive with an affordable price tag. They use end-of-line and discontinued fabrics as well as plastic-free packaging.
Homewares
The Snow Sheppard
Wonderfully simple homewares designed to combine living and play in shared spaces. Products are sustainably-made from FSC birch plywood, including playthings for children alongside home decor for adults.
Textiles
Earth Tribe
Eye pillows, neck wraps, and heat packs designed to help you relax as well as relieve pain and tense. These are handmade by Tina, the founder of Earth Tribe, using materials sources from other small UK businesses.