Christmas 2019 Gift Guide I Our Top 10
Ethical, sustainable, handcrafted and beautiful – our pick of the perfect design-led presents this Christmas
1. Happiness in a bowl
Give the gift of happy with Ken Eardley’s glorious retro-inspired ceramic homeware – beautiful birds and blooms in his signature brights and pastels. Pottery by Ken Eardley, from £22
2. Ever so mice
Whimsical felt creatures from the Bristol-based ethical and fairtrade design studio Amica Felt. Gifts and decorations, from £7.50
3. Stay gold
Deborah Blyth’s handcrafted jewellery celebrates the beauty of nature’s imperfections, exploring organic, tactile forms. Deborah Blyth Jewellery, from £150
4. Strike a light
Luxury matches in an apothecary glass bottle by letterpress studio The Archivist. From £12
5. Bay my baby
Give the gift of hygge with vegan and organic candles by fragrance and lifestyle brand Join, whose ten signature perfumes are inspired by the British coast and countryside. Sustainably packaged in amber glass and recycled Kraft gift boxes. Join candles and diffusers, from £11
6. Winter knits
Bright and cosy knitted hot water bottles from textiles designer Catherine Tough. The Royal College of Art graduate established her knitware label in 1999, with the vision of turning heritage craft into playful, modern pieces. Catherine Tough hot water bottle, £42
7. Sew pretty
Textiles designer Sophie Pattinson created the Bangladesh Embroidery Project in 1999, working with women living in remote areas to create intricate embroidered pieces – from lavender cushions to tree decorations and cosmetics pouches. The project both trains the women and supports them to generate their own income. Sophie’s designs are inspired by everything from the gentle, humorous sketches of Edward Lear to the complex patterns of Indian textiles. Bangladesh Embroidery Project, gifts from £11
8. Vintage glamour
Glamorous ceramics from Dorset-based potter Vanessa Conyers, deftly melding earthenware with textile prints, traditional enamel decals and metallic lustre. Vanessa Conyers cups, pots, jugs and bowls from £22
9. Folky finery
Melissa Yarlett hand-makes the most beautiful organic and ethereal pieces from her tiny workshop, using contemporary and traditional techniques. Inspired by folklore and based on natural growths such as lichen, moss and rock they are fashioned from recycled silver with 24 carat gold and studded with enamel, precious and semi-precious stones. Melissa Yarlett Jewellery, from £50
10. Pie-lovers’ perfection
Brighton-based illustrator James Ward is Jimbobart – whose quirky ceramic homewares feature a menagerie of creatures, massive underpants and favourite foods. You’ll find a gift for everyone, from cheese-fanciers to muffin-lovers and those partial to a pie, pancake or pudding. Jimbobart homewares, from £23
And one for luck…
Edinburgh studio East End Press creates eccentric retro decorations and garlands from screenprinted ply. Indulge in a Scottish teacake, 1950s bauble or a Tunnocks caramel wafer. Go on, treat the tree this Christmas! East End Press decorations, from £4.
Find our Christmas Pop-Up Shop downstairs at For Arts Sake, 45 Bond Street, Ealing, W5 5AS – a mere skip across the green from beautiful Walpole Park and five minutes’ walk from Ealing Broadway station. Email us at [email protected] or call on 020 8579 6365.