UPDATED: Indie Makers Christmas Gift Guide 2024
A curated collection of products from indie artists and crafters to make it easier to shop small this Christmas 🎁🎄
🎅🎁 UPDATED IN DECEMBER TO INCLUDE MORE FANTASTIC ARTISTS AND MAKERS! 🎅🎁
Also, on a more practical note, I’ve just found out that new EU and NI shipping rules are coming into force on December 13th (thanks Brexit!!) and a lot of UK based indie makers will be suspending shipping to these areas after that date, until they can make sense of the new rules.
So, if you’re based in the EU or Northern Ireland and you’re looking to buy from small business in the UK, it’s important you check the shipping options or put your order in before the 13th!
As if things weren’t hard enough for creatives and small businesses 😢
Back to the updated gift guide…
The ads of big brands are already competing for our attention and I’m sure I heard a few notes of Mariah in the supermarket this week. Yes, that time of year is upon us once more.
As an antidote to the ultra-commercialisation of Christmas, I do my best to focus on thoughtful gift-giving, shopping small and supporting independent or local businesses. It reminds me of the connection and care that makes this season special and it brings me joy (plus a warm, fuzzy feeling) to support a fellow creative in their business.
In my efforts to support indie makers and keep myself organised in the run-up to Christmas, I make a yearly habit of saving details of shops or items that catch my eye and share these as a mini gift guide on Instagram stories.
For the first time, I’ve decided to share this guide on Substack as well. It’s been a pleasure curating this showcase of artists, illustrators, designers, and crafters and I hope this guide will inspire you and make it easier to shop small this Christmas!
Cards & gift wrap
Clockwise from top left:
Phoebe Wahl - Peace Birds. Letterpress greetings cards
Esther Kent - Festive Street. Concertina Christmas card
- Christmas Geese. Gift wrapMartin Truefitt Baker - Wildlife greetings cards
- Horses and Ponies Christmas card collectionNicola Clarke - Reindeer. Greetings card
- Greetings cards
Decorations
Left-right:
- Fox. Christmas tree decorationEsther Kent - Jolly Angel. Tree decoration
Phoebe Wahl - Hedgehog. Christmas tree ornament
Prints
Left-right:
- Folk Stoat in Foliage. Art print - Esperanca 'Hope'. Art print - Frenchie. Art printPlus, popping in my Fox Spirit giclee print (subscribers, use printshop10 for 10% off)
Original art
Left-right:
- Mersea Island. Original mixed media paintingEmerson Mayes - Summer Hare. Drypoint original print
David Begley - Venus. Ink, monotype original print
Gifts:
Clockwise from top left:
- Artist tool roll - Stickers - Puffin NotebookDeep Deep Light Watercolours - Winter Wonderland advent calendar
- Illustrated lightEmerson Mayes - Postcard club
Mini Grey - Bookmarks and badges
Note: As a brand ambassador to Deep Deep Light Watercolour, I earn a small, affiliate commission on products purchased using my discount code. Use code emmacarpendale10 for 10% off sitewide. Paid members receive 15% discount and your offer code is sent to you when you upgrade.
Gifts continued.. clockwise from top left:
- The Lovers. Tote bagEmmeline Illustration - Sketchbook pin badge
Maike Browning Jewellery - Petal candleholder
Gifts continued.. clockwise from top left:
- The Almanac 2025Adam Oehlers - The Mushroom Garden
- A Peek at Beaks (signed copy) - The Temptation of Mr Rose
2025 calendars
Clockwise from top left:
Phoebe Wahl - 2025 wall calendar
Charis Raine - Illustrated landscapes 2025 calendar
Martin Truefitt Baker - 2025 wildlife calendar (UK site linked but multiple stockists available)
Julia Crossland - Through the Seasons 2025 calendar. Back in stock soon.
I hope you enjoyed this gift guide and that it makes your Christmas shopping a little easier. Best wishes to all the artists and makers included, I hope this season is a successful one for you and your business.
Happy holidays everyone! ⭐️
It was fun, as I was scrolling thought the pictures, to see loads of artists' work that I recognised. Saving this post because it will come in handy very soon...
What an incredible list!!!! Thank for the mention too 🥰