If you're keen to avoid big brands and chain supermarkets with their unethical practices and unoriginal gifts. Try craft fairs and handmade markets. They provide the perfect opportunity for holiday gift shopping. Not only are markets a great way to discover independent designer-makers, support small businesses, and buy original gifts. You'll also be helping the local economy while being a more sustainable gift giver.
Even if it's just one gift, choosing to buy from a small business has a big impact. Independent designer-makers tend to be more eco-conscious, prioritising eco-friendly habits and sustainable practices. Products are made in small batches, rather than mass manufactured; meaning you know exactly how it was made, who made it and where.
Supporting small businesses is so important and so easy to do. Even if you prefer to order online rather than shop in person. Although the best way to shop for gifts is at craft markets.
The Paperdolls Market takes place on November 12 and 13 at The Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham for their winter market. There will be over 50 stalls and workshops by small independent makers, many of them local. I'll be there with my eco-friendly minimal jewellery brand, Oh My Clumsy Heart. It would be great to see you there! Below I've shared some of my favourite designer-makers who have stalls this winter.
Jewellery - Oh My Clumsy Heart
I started Oh My Clumsy Heart in the hopes of making eco-friendly jewellery more affordable. From my studio in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, I use responsibly-sourced metals including fairmined recycled gold and silver to make sustainable minimal jewellery in small batches.
Art & Illustration - Hannah Parkes
Hannah is a local artist and printmaker based in Birmingham. She creates stylised artwork of dream-like worlds. The pared back colour palette gives Hannah's prints and paintings a wonderful calmness.
Botanical - Little Paisley Designs
Eleanor is the illustrator and designer behind Little Paisley Designs. She sells prints, stationery, patches, and pins all inspired by British flora and fauna. All her products are handmade by Eleanor or printed using British companies.
Ceramics - KT Robbins
Katie is a local potter making hand-thrown luxury ceramics from her garden studio. Katie makes beautiful porcelain vessels for everday use with soft colours inspired by the sea.
Clothing - Worn To Threads
This slow fashion brand features unisex jackets, accessories, and homewares. They are made from upcycled items, secondhand textiles, offcuts, and deadstock materials.
Homewares - Badget and Birch
Badger & Birch create a range of homewares and gifts, all made from recycled and sustainable eco-resin. Maker Hazel takes mussel, oyster, and scallop shells from local Cornwall restaurants, and recycles them into terrazzo homewares and candles.
Food - Tokidokie Cookies
Birmingham-based illustrator Hoon Yoon creates the most amazing cookies. Her hand-iced biscuits are crafted with incredible attention to detail, and packaged in eco-friendly packaging.
Textiles - Big Dog Energy
Designed with small dogs in mind, Big Dog Energy makes dog accessories with bright colours and bold patterns. Designed in the UK, they make fun harnesses, leads, and collars for your dog to wear.
Skin Care - Soapstack
Soapstack are a small batch maker providing a range of luxury candles, scented soaps, and bathroom accessories. All their products are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. With eco-friendly packaging made from recyclable paint tins, resuable glass, or handmade eco-resin pots.