The Independent Makers List
Hello, As Christmas is slowly creeping up on us and this weekend I have just been absolutely bombarded with “deals” online I thought it would be nice to step back for a second and spare a little time for the independent makers out there. The people who are a one man band or small team, doing it for themselves and making beautiful and unique creations which would make lovely and more personalised gifts for your friends or family or even for yourself if you cant resist… I am often a buy one for you and then one for me kind of present shopper!
So take a little look at the list below of my favourite independents - all websites and instagrams are linked!
Enjoy! x
P. S Let me know if there are any makers you love which aren’t featured on this list - I love finding new creatives to follow!
Sisterhood - https://www.join-the-sisterhood.com/
Based in Manchester- Sisterhood is a brand I buy from regularly. Every item is designed by Eve Jones who I met a couple of years ago at an event. I always find it hard to resist when she brings out a new collection as everything I have fits so well and usually becomes a favourite piece in my wardrobe.
Caroline Popham - http://carolinepopham.com/
I have recently found Caroline’s work on Instagram - I love her use of colours and abstract lines and have my eyes on a couple of pieces for our hallway!
Kana London - https://www.kanalondon.com/
Oh KANA, I have admired this pottery for so so SO long. Maybe for the last 4 years? BIG FAN of the work that Ana Kerin creates. they are beautifully made and would make even beans on toast look good! As well as table wear, workshops are also available as well as retreats (which look amazing!!!) and weekend courses.
Bonnie Grey - https://www.bonniegrayart.com/
Again I found Bonnie Grey’s work on Instagram. How great is the internet sometimes! I instantly fell in love with her paintings. I mean they are absolutely beautifully abstract and I love that there is so much to look at and catch your eye… They are also my kind of colours … pinkies, purples, blues and oranges.. yes please!! Bonnie has also created a T shirt range Beige which.. I put on my wish list for my birthday this year and my cousins got me one! I love it so much, I can assure you the quality is just lovely - it washes well and even though its from Australia don’t let that put you off. It arrived safe and sound.
Pretty Little Knots Co - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PrettyLittleKnotsCo
I met Samantha who owns Pretty Little Knots Co at an event in Beaumont Organic (a shop featured in my independent shop list which you can find here) and have followed her and enjoyed looking at her creations ever since. She is such a lovely person and makes the best, thickest wall hangings I have ever seen!
The Super sparrow - https://www.thesupersparrow.com/shop
Another Instagram find. I am a huge sucker for gorgeous hand made tableware and this collection would look so good on every kitchen table! Handmade by Lilly Mandarano - you can buy from her online store or order something bespoke which will fit in to the colour scheme of your home.
Margo in Margate - https://www.etsy.com/shop/margomcdaidart
I saw these prints in Rose & Grey ( another independent Manchester based shop!) Those quirky characters immediately stole my attention - just look at them! They would look so amazing in any home. There are a whole range of prints and characters available on her online shop or in selected retailers. I would love to find one which looked like someone I knew and give to them as a gift! Margo creates a drawing a day sooo..
Nails by ya Gal - https://www.instagram.com/nailsbyyagal/
The most talented nail tech you’ll ever meet, what started out as painting friends nails at uni has become a very popular business! You’ve got to be on it at booking in because this girl is in demand!! I believe gift vouchers are available which in my opinion would be such a good gift as its so rare to find someone so amazing at creating works of art on your nails!
For nail inspo and bookings follow Nails By Ya Gal on Instagram
Deanna Halsall - https://www.deannahalsall.com/
Tom and I spotted these two in Common Bar when Deanna held a small exhibition in there. We fell in love with her characters and style of illustration. Seeing them online like this doesn’t do them justice. Seeing big prints on the wall is when they are most striking! We are just trying to work out where we can fit them and then hopefully we will be making a purchase very soon!
Dook soap - https://dookofedinburgh.com/
You might be thinking… soap? come on Rosie… That is a boring present.. well Dook Soap is not!! It has the most delicious scent which can make your whole bathroom smell divine. The soap also comes with beautiful patterns. A range of soap trays, shampoo bars and even workshops are available too.. so you can even make your own. How cute would it be to receive a bar of soap with a ticket to make your own with it be!
Thttps://www.toowordy.co.uk/
The place to shop if you needing some cute thank you cards, quote prints for presents or something cute for your wall!
Follow Too Wordy on Instagram
The Vinyl wall - https://thevinylwall.com/
Created by the wonderful Emily Jane Lathan (Who’s own Instagram feed is full of interior, style and nail art goals). I absolutely love that there is now a way to make your Vinyls look like art. These chic selves are designed for just that but I bet old magazines would also look pretty cool displayed too. A perfect gift for anyone who had just moved, a music lover or yourself if you have a plain wall which just needs a bit of a revamp!
Love Fiddy - https://www.lovefiddy.co.uk/
We met at the “She Can She Did” event in Manchester. She DM’d me on instagram a few months later and told me the event had given her the courage to start her own business.. her headbands! She has so many beautiful and unique styles available.. What I love is that on a bad hair day they make my hair look a bit better and give it a bit of volume. Here is a picture of me wearing one below… so if you absolutely love the Blair Wardolf trend or know someone who loves accessorising Check out her website!
Wolf and moon - https://www.wolfandmoon.com/
Where do I even start with Wolf and Moon. They are incredible. unique and beautifully made jewellery designs I am a huge HUGE fan of their earrings. I always go to them for presents as they have such a great range of designs there is always something which will suit the person I am looking for and I just know they won’t already have something like them! They are handmade in their studio in Shoreditch, which I hope to visit soon. I love popping on their website every now and then to ready their blog and check out their photography!
Sam owen hull - https://www.samowenhull.co.uk/
Oh the colours on these pieces of art get me very excited. I just think they are absolutely stunning and I loveeeee the idea of sowing over a painting. I actually did a workshop with a similar concept once but it was a lot harder then I thought to make something which actually looked good enough to put on my wall so I can fully appreciate the time and skill which goes in to creating these.
Dr Harvey Musgrove’s EmpOrium - https://www.harveymusgrove.co.uk/
My Friend John has set up his own business making quirky objects and furniture for around your home. Whether it is a hand made self, a restored piece of furniture or a handmade bowl, Dr Harvey Musgrove’s Emporium is your one stop shop for trinkets and treasures! Take a look and see what you can find!
Caroline Dowsett - https://www.carolinedowsett.co.uk/
I have been a huge fan of Carolines work for a few years now, I feel like I have said this about everyone but I guess that makes sense as it is a list of my favourite creatives. I have loved seeing her work pop up more and more in cafes, on walls, and in exhibitions around Manchester. Her work is so colourful and playful it makes me automatically feel happy when I see it. It s very distinctive and its easy to spot a Caroline Dowsett piece of work!
James wilson - https://byjameswilson.com/
I have not one… not two… not three.. not four.. BUT FIVE! Pieces of James’s work in my home. I love his illustrations! He also now has jewellery collections, limited edition prints, phone cases, pin badges and totes! I have on instagram that he has also taken up a hobby of pottery using stoneware clay so I’m hoping we might soon also be able to buy his illustrations on homemade bowls!
Melissa timerly salons - https://www.melissa-salons.com/
My hair Angel! I boast about her talent on Instagram enough for you to know that she has been my hair dresser for the last two years. I don’t know what I would do without her. She has completely transformed my hair. She takes so much care and attention over every appointment and really listens to you. Vouchers are available for her salon and if I’m honest it would make the most amazing present for someone who really cares about their hair or someone who hasn’t found a hairdresser they trust yet!
Aliza Fire Jewellery - https://www.alizafire.com/shop
Hand made to order by Amy Cottee - my favourite designs are the molten collection. Each one unique and a special gift for anyone. Eye catching - When I wear my necklace I always get asked where it is from!
Follow Aliza Fire on Instagram
Frida Cooper Ceramics - https://www.fridacooper.com/
I seem to see these cuties pop up every now and then in different shops and cafes around Manchester! We have the mugs but I have the cute flower vase on my stocking list this year so hoping I’ll be able to add it to our collection. I absolutely love the kooky characters Frida creates on her work. She also has plates, bowls, a large variety of mugs and earrings!
Hope you enjoyed my list of creators who a majority of are Manchester based. I think its super important to find people doing what they love and supporting the smaller businesses rather then going straight to the big stores when looking for gifts.
Would love to know if you ended up buying anything that you saw on this list and if it was for you or a friend!!
Happy shopping!