Independent sellers and small businesses

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

I think it was last year that there was a thread running where people recommended small businesses or Etsy shops they’ve bought from. I’m really keen to support the small business this year, plus on the whole are that little bit different.

Any recommendations?

Can’t get it to link,
Gin in a tin

fearlessflamingo.com/

They do a kindness Advent calendar - mine arrived this morning and my children can't wait to get started

There was a thread fairly recently but not sure where. Here's mine anyway:

www.simplydivinethings.co.uk home decor stuff
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MistersCandles awaiting delivery of my gingerbread candles right now 😁
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Manorcreationsuk just received a gaming hanging gingerbread man for DS for Christmas, can't wait to give it to him!

Local company. Delicious condiments etc. Unusual items too. www.trottersindependent.co.uk/

Nice chilli sauces from www.uptonchilli.co.uk

Proper tablet (crumbly fudge) www.yarasfudge.co.uk

Beautiful handmade silver nature inspired jewellery with profits going to hedgehog rehabilitation and rescue littlesilverhedgehog.com

interiorswithlove.co.uk

Home interiors.

The lady is creative and sells amazing stuff. She is a parent at DD school.

www.etsy.com/shop/holymolydesignsshop/

www.etsy.com/shop/abowcado/

Be a bit careful on etsy...i thought i was ordering from a small seller in france..home made jewellery..transpires she only registered there...tracking later showed item coming from china...after 2 months i got a refund...then item turned up and was junk..nothing like the pics...!!

Great thread, I remember last years.

Mine is a company that makes really lovely bags that look like books. Great gift for a book worm.

wellreadcompany.com/

@earsup

Be a bit careful on etsy...i thought i was ordering from a small seller in france..home made jewellery..transpires she only registered there...tracking later showed item coming from china...after 2 months i got a refund...then item turned up and was junk..nothing like the pics...!!

Agree I thought that was whole point of Etsy. There now seems to a load of the same stuff tat as eBay but hiked up in price! Eg £35 for a shelf vs £15 on eBay.

For fine handmade jewellery- www.louisewade.com

www.blockart.co.uk does amazing maps on home products, mostly Scottish. Also has skandi Christmas decorations at the moment....www.instagram.com/blockartmaps

www.sandravick.co.uk does China.and home ware black and white birds, really beautiful.

I try to use companies that are not only independent shops but also stock products that are made locally as that has double the benefit.

Locally we have couple of charities offering supported employment who make nice garden things e.g. bird boxes and I am going with that theme this year as they have had a very tough time due to Covid and could no doubt use the revenue!

I really like the soaps at www.kohabeauty.co.uk
I also like their cream deodorant, it works really well, but I'm not sure I would want one for a Christmas present. Not mad keen on the candles though.

Thank you for this thread, I loved last years one and got quite a few different bits. Another recommendation for Braw wee from up the thread. Some others I have bought from-

East Midlands gifts

online cheese shop in Morpeth

radical feminist items

I bought a couple of these lovely hand knitted headbands last year for gifts, delivery was really quick and they were very well received

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/753575368/beautiful-cosy-and-unique-hand-knit-wool?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=knit+headband&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&pop=1

A lot of stuff on Etsy can be found on ali express etc for a fraction of the price...my item was....luckily i got my refund...that site seems full of drop shippers now.....also a local shop near me has nice bits but the prices are so shocking....90 quid for a pair of socks...70 for gloves etc etc....not even hand made....incense for 13 quid....come on...!!

Ive just bought from this new Etsy store www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1095144372/rockcandy-handwoven-tapestry?ref=hp_rf-2

Fantastic independent toy shop Piccola. They sell lovely quality toys and children's clothes. At the moment there are items reduced aswell as some Christmas items reduced such as presents sack, Christmas eve box etc.

Placemarking definitely interested in this.

I've bought from Etsy and not on the high street in the past and was very impressed with what I bought but it was some years ago and I can't remember the details will they still be available to look up on my membership do we think?

I have only 2 people to buy for nowadays but they are both quite hard to buy for, for different reasons.

One is my dd who is 20, she turns 21 in feb and I'm struggling for ideas for that too! She isn't a jewellery/watch/traditional 21st gifts person! I may need to start a thread on that alone!

@AlbertCampion now THAT may be a good place to look for dd as she's in uni in England and missing things like irn bru! I'm seriously considering part of her Christmas - if I can find someone that'll do it - sending a wee hamper with irn bru, tablet, macaroon, tunnocks products, decent shortbread etc in it

Omg the "did ye aye" and "never trust a Tory" mugs are right up her street! I actually laughed when I saw them as they are perfect for her!

And the calendars! Great wee Hogmanay gift!

Loving the cards too, I've overseas people I send cards too Scot's expats they will LOVE them omg they're gonna get loads of business off me! 

Some absolute crackers there!

@profpoopsnagle thank you for the radical link again right up dds street I'm seriously considering the feminist icons and banned books calendars for her...or me!

I have bought virtually every under 2 a knitted dinosaur this year (birthday or Chirstmas!) Found them here, in several colours and styles and this rainbow diplodocus is the favourite www.gingerlyeco.com/diplodocus-knitted-dinosaur-soft-toy-rainbow-stripe
A bonus is they seem particularly useful for babies with sensory issues, where plush fabric is too silky. They also stock masses of wooden toys too.
GingerlyEco also do a great range of eco stuff including soaps, shampoo bars, hand creams etc which make great gifts, but my personal favourite purchase this year - not really a Christmas gift but is one for the Christmas washing up - a proper old fashioned coconut fibre pan scrubber, non scratch but shifts everything www.gingerlyeco.com/ecococonut-twin-pack-scourers

I have had several pairs of lovely earrings from this shop

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MadebyJenWren

These guys were featured last year, and I have to admit, I’ve ditched most of my M&S pants and replaced them with these!

However, good place to buy undies. They’re British too.

Ella and Me