If you’re looking for something unique, good quality and crafted by someone whose story you know, help is at hand. All our makers’ wonderful creations are here on the website for you to browse through and buy. So have a look and take your pick.
Any home birds out there? Scott’s Apothecary’s fine-looking candles will be perfect. The Blood Orange Rosemary and Thyme is a calming, part-zesty part-woody scent with bay, spicy juniper berry, cedarwood, basil and some bergamot thrown in there too. Made of essential oils and soy, the candles burn well and are a good slow, clean burn.
Or you could go for a beautiful Winter Spice by House of Rothach, a wonderful warm, cosy scent which comes as a candle, a wax melt or even a room mist. Their ingredients are all natural and the packaging sleek, chic and recyclable too.
A truly original gift would be a colourful botanical cast from Imprint Casts, amazing flower imprints made in plaster and painted. The smaller ones are sweet, colourful keepsakes which hang on the wall from pretty velvet ribbons, in a cluster or on their own. Real one-offs.
While we’re on interiors, the handmade lampshades by Amanda Wells are real statement pieces, striking but also true classics that will suit and add a bit of flair to pretty much any room in your home. They’re sustainably produced, skillfully made and the colourful lamp bases are must-haves too.
Fancy a beauty boost infused with wonderful locally-sourced botanicals? Seilich not only uses all of its own meadow-grown plants in its products, its whole mission is to put back into the earth what it has taken out, and more. The products are streets ahead of anything you’ll get on the high street and they are sustainable to their core. The Chamomile and Wild Carrot cleansing lotion is lovely.
The serums, oils and more produced by Raven are also infused with the sustainable ideals, expert botanical knowledge going into producing top-notch ranges of skincare with a focus on local, natural ingredients. The award-winning nourishing facial oil with sea buckthorn, rosehip and neroli is our tip.
For soap that looks good and purer than a lot of stuff out there, Dook could be just the thing. It’s 50% sea salt, a beautiful bar which lasts well and is so much better for your skin than so many more chemical-based ones. Check out the rest of their ever-expanding range too.
And if you’re looking for a really original clever thing, the dinky but packs-a-punch tins of cologne from The Solid Cologne Company are perfect. Perfect for stashing in a pocket, bag or car, as it fits into the palm of your hand. Viking, Rosewood, Granite… with such great names how do you choose?
Unique jewellery is hard to come by, but here we have it. Glasgow-based Darte Jewellery creates contemporary designs using traditional silversmithing techniques. The gold and silver are recycled and the packaging sustainable. We love the Roman coin necklaces and beautiful hoop earrings.
If we’re talking accessories, there can be no greater box-set -watching accessory than one of Wairm’s brightly coloured, knitted hot water bottle covers. With a few months more of winter yet, these beauties are a real labour of love, so boil that kettle and coorie in.
Sticking with knitwear, Cashmere Circle’s one-off knitted things from beanies to booties are beautiful (every one is unique) and you’ve the bonus of knowing it’s all recycled cashmere. A great brand too as you can throw in some extras like the sweet lavender pouches, great for heading-off moths and making your cupboards and drawers smell divine
And so to the larder lovers of our lives. If we’re talking all-out, trumps-a-box-of-chocolates luxury, look no further than the Parisian-inspired Mademoiselle Macaron. These little beauties are colourful and perfect as precious jewels and the taste is melt-in-the-mouth deliciousness with just the right crunch. Buy some. Buy double because you’ll surely end up eating the first lot yourself.
Where would a really good spread be without all the tasty, tangy, pickley bits? Whether you’re having a bits-n’-bobs pick or a big old feast, Aye Pickled has your plate covered, with their Bread and Butter Pickles an absolute classic but if you’ve an adventurer to buy for, try the hot sauce. Pass the water. It’s damn good but wow, it has kick.
Keen to buy for a foodie who has every kitchen gadget out there? Get them salt. Yes, totally serious. Blackthorn salt is 100% sea water, filtered through thousands of blackthorn branches in a huge timber tower. It’s a magical thing, a great product and once the chefs in our life try it in their cooking, they’ll be hooked.
The great thing about these botanical drinks from Nuisance is that they’re a saviour to the no-alcohol crowd who, not surprisingly, grow weary of warm juice or fizzy water, but they’re also a cracking addition to the spirit drinkers you know. The Wild Bramble and Rosemary is really good and the Nettle too (it has elderflower and grape juice so not as prickly as it sounds). Stock up, then fill ‘em up.
