My favourite independent makers

Creative business, Creativity, Favourites, Joyful living, Wellbeing

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1 March 2023
Favourite independent makers
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Last tended: 8 November 2023

For original homeware, stationery and gifts, buying from independent makers is absolutely the way to go. There’s something just so satisfying about knowing you’ve helped another creative keep their business running, and you can’t beat the beauty of something handmade.

It can be understandably tricky to actually find independent makers online though. While there are dedicated sites such as Etsy, Folksy and Not On The High Street for people to sell through, not everyone lists on those sites. I also find it has become quite hard to discover the real handmade gems on Etsy in particular, as it has become so populated by advertised listings and personalised gifts which often don’t use handmade products.

So I’ve decided to come up with my own alternative – a list of my personal favourite independent makers. I’ve tried to include mainly solo makers (or labels run by couples) as opposed to more established shops here, as a love letter to the smaller business. One or two of the links are to collectives selling handmade goods from a range of makers, so I figured they count too.

I fully intend to update this over time as I discover (and remember) more makers I love, and if you’re a maker yourself, or can recommend any businesses you love that I haven’t included, please do add a comment at the end, or drop me a message. Who knows, this might even end up as a collaborative directory of fabulous crafters!

What are you looking for?

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All kinds of things

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Bath, body + candles

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Cards, paper, prints + stationery

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Clothes

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Jewellery + trinkets

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Knitting, yarns + fabrics

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Pottery

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Directories

All kinds of things

Chimps Tea Party – Gorgeous colourful & retro-style homeware

Emma Leith – Nature inspired mosaics
Independent Design Collective – A whole range of goodies from Bristol makers

Modo Creative – Stylish art, homeware & gifts of all kinds

Particle Press – Nature inspired homeware and gifts
Sandy Leaf Farm – DIY food, brewing & craft kits
Sarah Edmonds Illustration – Playful puns, hilarious homewares and nature inspired gifts
The Alpaca Shop – Alpaca socks, bedding, blankets & all kinds of gifts

These Two Hands – A collection of handcrafted pieces from Bristol and the South West

Bath, body + candles

Hazel & Blue – Soy candles and kits hand poured in Wiltshire
Ray of Soap – Vegan handmade soaps & bath bombs
The Mindful Apothecary – Slow, handmade candles
Thornbush Hill – Scented candles, fragrance & skincare handmade in Wales
Winterfold – Forest inspired scented candles, mindfully made

Cards, paper, prints + stationery

Freya Lines – Nature inspired papercuts, prints & cards
Kooky Books – Handbound notebooks and sketchbooks
Sarah + Maude – Fine letterpress stationery
The Tiny Toucan – Illustration, prints & stationery

Clothes

Afrayed Upcycling – Unique, upcycled clothes, including ready made and made to order
Leonie Flower Studio – Playful, colourful prints and natural fabrics
Laura Charley Design – Bright & colourful clothing, from scrunchies to dungarees

Jewellery + trinkets

Alice Stewart Jewellery – Nature inspired jewellery from ethically sourced materials
Peaches and Tea – Colourful & fun jewellery, including make your own earrings kits.

The Pine in the Valley – Handmade eco jewellery

Tiny Sunshine Shop – Playful ceramic earrings, ornaments & trinket dishes

Knitting, crochet, yarns + fabrics

Chimps Tea Party on Spoonflower – Colourful, fun fabrics with a vintage influence
Cluth – Quilted accessories and patterns
Natalie in Stitches – Original knitting patterns for sweaters, cardigans & accessories
Of Earth And Meadow – Crochet from natural or recycled fabrics
Rowan Lane Fibres – Small batch yarns, botanically dyed by the season

Pottery

Glenshee Pottery – Home of the wee bothy
Lorna Gilbert Ceramics – Handmade white stoneware ceramics
The Thoughtful Potter – Nature inspired gifts and homeware
The Village Pottery – Hand thrown homeware
Many thanks to Jess Jones & Clare Baker for contributing suggestions!

Do you have some favourite independent makers I haven’t included here? Or are you an independent maker yourself? I’d love to hear from you – please do leave me recommendations in the comments below, or drop me a message!

Rhiannon

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