20.11.24
‘Tis the season to shop local and, as ever, it’s the perfect opportunity to support independent businesses and makers in whatever way we’re able to. We’ve pulled together another gift guide with a difference just in time for the festive and market season.
We’ve asked local makers and artists to tell us a bit about one of their products and who they think would love to discover it under their tree, alongside where you can find their work. We’ve also asked each maker to ‘pass the mic’ and give a recommendation or two for other makers to shop with, helping to spread the love!
Highlighting: My Harbourside necklaces. They come in a selection of finishes, from enamelled, silver, gold plated and oxidised versions.
Who’ll love it? I think the Harbourside necklace would be the perfect gift for anyone who loves Scottish design!
Who else should we be shopping with? I love the Candle Bothy. Sophie always chooses such lovely scents and I always have one of her car scents in my car! WhimSicAL LusH’s prints never fail to make me smile. I always buy one of her calendars every year.
Shop Christina’s work via her online shop or find her at Double Door Studios’ Festive Boutique throughout December; CRAFTED at DCA, Sat 23 & Sun 24 Nov; Winter Design Market at V&A Dundee, Sun 1 Dec; Christmas Market at The McManus, Sat 7 Dec; and December Market Weekend at Bowhouse, Sat 13 & Sun 14 Dec.
Highlighting: My 31 Birds print.
Who’ll love them? This print is perfect for the person in your life who loves animals, birds and weird lil guys. It’s got character, it’s got colour, it’s got whimsy, and it’ll look great as a focal point or as part of a bigger collection on a wall. Plus, it’s educational!
Who else should we be shopping with? I’d recommend Jar of Stars Studios, a Glasgow based small business that sells charms, prints, and stickers. Perfect for lovers of all things nerdy!
Freya will be selling her work at the Winter Design Market at V&A Dundee on Fri 29 & Sat 30 Nov, or you can shop her prints and more via her online shop.
Highlighting: Oilcloth-Glazed Ceramic BFF Brooch/Magnet
Who’ll love it? Your Best Friend Forever! (Bonus points if their favourite dinosaur is a triceratops.)
Who else should we be shopping with? Andi and Hayley (@trinket_towers) for fun and cute crochet and illustration. Hollis Crowe (@mulchmancer.art) for lovely nature-based illustrated prints and zines.
Shop Ele’s work directly via their online shop or find them at Blend @ Dock Street Studios Festive Market on Fri 29 Nov where they will be debuting a whole new line of ceramic jewellery!
Highlighting: The debut Holy Snakes full length long-playing album O Me! O Life!, in digital form via bandcamp or in physical form from us in-person. A labour of love to make, it has been quietly released this autumn while I finish up some serious studies.
Who’ll love them? We’d like to think that anyone with an ear for a bonnie, well-crafted tune could enjoy this one, though fans of genre-bending music in particular are sure to enjoy the attention to detail and the combination of new and old, rough and smooth, digital and analogue.
Who else should we be shopping with? We’d recommend that everyone check out other independent musicians (particularly other Scottish independent musicians) and buy direct from them if you can, it really makes a difference. Glasgow band Former Champ are on a hot streak of releasing great tunes, Adam Ross of Randolph’s Leap released a tremendous solo album this year, and an LP copy of genius singer-songwriter Jill Lorean’s brand new album Peace Cult would go down a treat. Alternatively a voucher for courses at the Dundee Ceramics Workshop would put a smile on my face.
Purchase and listen to Holy Snakes’ music over on Bandcamp and keep an eye on their Instagram for news of a festive gig at ArtAntics on Fri 20 Dec.
Highlighting: Twisted Lambswool Headbands.
Who’ll love them? Perfect for the person in your life who loves to keep cosy. These are not just headbands, they can also be styled as neck warmers. So versatile, with lots of colours to choose from.
Who else should we be shopping with? I would recommend Sophie at The Candle Bothy, her candles always leave my house feeling super cosy and smelling gorgeous. Who doesn’t love a candle!
Buy directly from Lyndsey online or find them at the Winter Design Market at V&A Dundee on Sun 1 Dec.
Highlighting: My Cobalt Marble Mugs.
Who’ll love them? Coffee and tea lovers, naturally, I think you can never go wrong with gifting a mug! Each one of them is one-of-a-kind due to the technique used to achieve the marbled effect, so none will ever be truly the same. If hoping to gift a handmade, unique item, these might be the one!
Who else should we be shopping with? For those looking to gift an experience rather than a physical item, I 100% recommend Dundee Ceramics Workshop‘s classes and membership. DCW is an important asset to Dundee, very much need to keep it going! Lots of great local makers like Clay4Clarity, George Buchan Ceramics, Lauren Swan, Steph Liddle and many more have ties to DCW, who knows, maybe a throwing lesson can ignite the passion for clay in somebody else too!
Purchase directly from Zsófia via her online shop or find her at CRAFTED at DCA on Sat 23 Nov, and The Yard Market at the Steeple on Sat 21 Dec.
Website / Etsy / Shop / Instagram
Highlighting: Embroidered Frog Beanie
Who’ll love them? This hat is perfect for someone who loves nature, frogs and goofy little guys.
Who else should we be shopping with? I’m recommending Keira from Telltale Knits and illustrator Mandalyn Nichole!
Purchase directly from Erin via their online shop or Etsy, and find more of their work on their website.
Website / Instagram / Facebook
Highlighting: My Jewellery Class gift vouchers. (Get in touch to purchase your Jewellery Class Gift Voucher Experience!)
Who’ll love it? Perfect for someone who loves to make things and likes to learn new skills. Treat your loved ones to a jewellery class experience where they can make a bespoke piece of jewellery for themselves. You can book a one-to-one or classes up to 3 people.
Who else should we be shopping with? Oh gosh I have so many creative friends and love their products but would recommend Nine Angels for her bright, affordable and eco friendly products. And Dreamland Clothing for her fun clothes inspired by 80s/90s and Y2K!
Shop Genna’s designs online or find her at upcoming markets, CRAFTED at DCA, Sat 23 & Sun 24 Nov; the Late Night Market at Cupar Corn Exchange, Thu 28 Nov; 3D2D Christmas Art, Craft and Design Fair at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms, Sat 7 & Sun 8 Dec; December Market Weekend at Bowhouse, Sun 15 Dec; and the Winter Night Market at The Larick Centre, Sat 21 Dec.
Highlighting: The Dundee Tartan Mini Barrel Bag.
Who’ll love them? Although my main focus is making coats, my accessories range is perfect for gifting as they are all ‘in stock’ designs. I think the Dundee Tartan Mini Barrel bag would be the perfect gift for sending to a loved one further afield to remind them of home, or anyone who loves a bit of tartan but would like to wear it in a more contemporary way.
Who else should we be shopping with? I would love to recommend Jo-AMI, a local knitwear designer and maker. I own quite a few Jo-AMI pieces and they are all of great quality and long lasting as well as being ethically produced. Her gilets are so versatile and can be worn in lots of ways. I would also like to highlight KIST the shop at 151 Perth Road who stock so many Scottish designers’ and makers’ work and have a lot of local makers’ designs and artwork, so many good gifting ideas for different budgets and Mairi who runs the shop is so friendly and helpful.
Shop KerrieALDO online or visit their pop-up shop at Custom Lane on Sun 1 Dec from 11am–5pm.
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