Gift Ideas - Those Troublesome Teens

I don't know about you but it seems that buying for the teenagers in my family is the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and I've studied Thermodynamics so I know of what I speak!

This year however, after close observation of what seems to become a more and more baffling age group, I present some gift ideas from some of the amazingly creative makers who will be at Handm@de.

Cloudhopping's Skinny Minnie scarf I can already imagine on one of my ultra-hip cousins.

MyAphrodite's recent foray into mixed media has, I feel, put her on to a winner. In fact, I'd like to have her China Red pendant for myself! With its bold colours and striking silver centre-piece it is bound to be a firm favourite. And what's more, this pendant is ideal for a guy as well!

Odd Ball and Sticks' lovely bobbled iPod cover is another gift idea which would be great for either a boy or girl and is sure to get them to at least pop *one* ear bud out to mumble their thanks ;-)

Resin jewellery is very popular and this clever resin and teal dye bangle from PennyDog is both funky and classic.

Gift Ideas – Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend

With bags coming in a close second.

Several of our stallholders work with textiles, and as you can guess a few of them make bags. Bags in all shapes and sizes, different materials, different colours... in fact, probably a bag to suit all tastes imaginable.

Here are 5 of the ones I like best...

Raspberry makes some amazing tote bags – perfect for popping to the shops with!


This over the shoulder bag by CaraJane has such a beautiful shape – love it.


StitchyWooWoos bags are really well made – this one has such rich reds.


For the evening this clutch by Cloudhopping would brighten up any outfit.


Last, but by no means least, is this stunning retro bag by Yunisacs.

Gift Ideas - For the Young Ones

The toy department of stores is the best place to be! And the toys at handm@de shouldn’t be a disappointment... bright colours, and fun shapes – I’m looking forward to seeing what arrives with our sellers!

I just love the brightness of Mondas leggy monsters – very funky, and perfect for boys or girls.


This pair of booties look so snug, and the colours Jezzabell has used remind me of coastal walks. Beautiful.


The shape and the colours in this hairband are very girly – ChiChiMoi has excelled!


For the crafty child, how about one of these kits by LoveALittle?


I can vouch for the quality of Namolios toys, from stuffed elephants to rag dolls – all made from great quality linens.

Gift Ideas – Secret Santa

With that time of year fast approaching, and the inevitable secret santa gifts doing the rounds at work it is certainly worth considering handmade products. There are quite a lot around that fit within the £5 to £15 price range – from soaps to purses and jewellery.

Here are a few that have caught my eye...


Top row, left to right: Upcycled Notebook by Paperleaf; Chocolate covered Ginger by Belflair; Corsage by PinkFlapJacks
Bottom row, left to right: Cube Coin Purse by YuniSacs; Warm & Wake Soap by PureSoaps; Splodge shrink plastic bracelet by TwinklySpangle

Gift Ideas – to Treasure Forever

Sometimes we want to get our friends or family something that they’ll treasure forever, something that will last a lifetime or longer. Here is a small selection of items that our stallholders may bring with them.

The fairies that Lily Grace Originals produce are so delicate, all hand sewn and painted – not a toy, rather something to sit on a shelf and keep watch over her ward.


Tina Mammosers paintings of the English Coast are simply breathtaking.


Commissions are gladly taken by Paul of Buckingham Pottery, this vase is just one of the many examples of one off work.


Or, for the young family or doting Grandparents why not ask Designs By Dotty to recreate a childs drawing in stitched canvas? Very unique, and will last for far longer than the originals!

Gift Ideas – Glass

I love the feel of glass... but am more than a little clumsy so its not often to be found in our house. This doesn’t stop me admiring work as stunning as this though...

These latticework bowls by Handmade Heaven are beautiful, custom made in the colours that you want it’ll fit into any home beautifully.


A tiny little paisley curl, created by SnapDragon Beads, glass beads all lovingly stitched together onto a brooch back. These brooches will make any outfit ‘pop’.


Julie of Lush Lampwork sells some of the most amazing beads I’ve seen. These ‘Wonka’ beads are a riot of colour and fun.


Something smaller might be found at Mark Langfords stall. These Christmas decorations will add a touch of class to your tree.


And for those of you like me, clumsy, there is always resin! A lighter weight option that doesn’t break as easily as glass... this pendant by Teasel is very pretty.

Gift Ideas – with which to beautify your home

I’m going to skip the introduction here – as these stunning items speak for themselves.

Buckingham Pottery’s range of handthrown porcelain pieces is amazing. The colours and the shapes are perfection! I love the green and grey hues in this dessert bowl.


I’d heard of teapot cosies, but never boiled egg cosies... these tiny little warmers by CaraJane are so sweet!


HodgePodgeArts makes a whole range of art for your home – these alchemists bottles are gorgeous.


What home would be complete without a few cushions? I particularly like the colours in these ones by LittleChook.

Gift Ideas – Bath and Beauty

I don’t know about you, but one of my favourite things is choosing a new soap... the colours and the scents and the texture of the bar. Handmade soap for me is a relatively recent discovery – the sheer number of different scents available is wonderful, and that they seem less drying than most shop bought ones has made for several positive experiences.





The PureSoaps Blue Marmalade Soap Company, makes soaps that look good enough to eat as well as a whole range of hard shampoos and other skin products. All are vegetarian, with many being vegan. This Heather and Honey soap sounds divine.






PurpleSparkle makes soap amongst other things, including candles (some shaped as cupcakes!), bath melts, bath bombes and body treats. This ‘Always and Forever’ bath bombe looks amazing with the dried roses attached.









One of these already taken your fancy? Why not display it on one of HandmadeHeavens stunning square dishes... just at home in the bathroom holding soap as on the coffee table containing nuts!

Gift Ideas - Jewelled Delights

I love jewellery – I covet it and then hoard it once its mine! It can transform a plain simple (and oftentimes cheap) outfit, making it look a million dollars. It can change your look from workwear to glitzy glam in the flick of an eye... and we have some real stunners coming to handm@de. I can’t wait.

Quercus Silver uses resin and silver to create some truly beautiful pieces. The smooth curve of these silver cufflinks is wonderful.


Lush Lampwork makes her own beads, selling them individually and as already formed pieces of wearable art. I love the colours in this pendant.


Moments By Martha makes chunky jewellery using semi-precious stones. These ‘Strawberry Milk’ earrings are one of her favourite items.


Myaphrodites silverwork is stunning. The undulations of this bracelet are set off by the hues of blues and greens contained within the labradorite stones.


PennyDog’s resin jewellery is gorgeous. I love the simplicity of this fabric flower forever suspended here.


Silverqueens pieces are amazing. These Gold and Silver earrings have an ethnic, almost tribal feel to them.

Gift Ideas - from wool they're made

Our exhibitors will be bringing with them a whole range of items that started their lives as wool. With the cold weather drawing in scarves and gloves are a must – but there are so many other things that humble wool can be used for...crochet and knitting create some gorgeous items... unspun wool can be felted for decorations or clothing... and felt can be made into jewellery and toys.

Here are just a few of my favourites...


1. Earrings - SnappySausage 2. Felted Bear - Jezzabell 3. Cuff - Cloudhopping 4. Necklet - GreenWeeds 5. Felt Plush - Monda 6. Pincushions - Raspberry 7. Teapot Cosy - ChiChiMoi 8. Knitting Kits - Cafe Knits 9. Scarf - Made For You, by Shamu 10. Knitted Figures - Cakeyvoice

Gift Ideas – art to adorn your home

We’ve got some amazing artists coming to handm@de this year – from the more traditional acrylic on canvas, to glass art as well as textile and printed artworks.

Here is a selection of my favourites...

Steph from HandmadeHeaven produces some stunning Fused Glass Art. These panels are beautiful.


These ‘Milly Molly’ Dollys by Sally of StitchyWooWoo aren’t for playing with – made from rich silks they’ll last for years.


Gorgeous paintings of the English Coast are amongst the repertoire of Tina, aka the Cycling Artist.


Mark Langfords Stained Glass is beautiful and so vivid.


Paul of BarkArt creates amazing images from natural resources. This is one of my many favourites!


Ginette produces screenprints that evoke a sense of times gone by.

Gift Ideas - Stocking Stuffers, £5 and under

If you’re anything like me then this is about the time of year that you start to look for those small things that will nestle in amongst satsumas, nuts and sugar mice.

I’ve had a quick rummage through the websites of some of our sellers, and found a few items that might be suitable for under £5...



These hairclips by PoorRobin would be stunning on big or little girls!







These “bling” hair bands by SnapDragonBeads are fabulous!









How about a pencil case from YuniSacs – only a little over £5









This gorgeous red brooch by PollysDolly would be an amazing stocking stuffer for my Mum...






...and this ‘outdoors’ soap from PureSoaps would be great for Dad







For little ones, maybe this finger puppet by LoveaLittle would do the job







...or maybe this stuffed toy by Monda - or why not both?








For teenage girls there are always these gorgeous shrink plastic studs by TwinklySpangle (also known as KeepsakeKatie)





If you treat your canine companions to a stocking then why not include one of StitchyWooWoos doggy toys?