Christmas Gift Guide

Stuck for last-minute present ideas? Forget your festive panic: we've put together a selection of our favourite things. There's a gift for everyone- from stationery-lovers to those who like a bit of sparkle in their stockings.

We're open for your browsing pleasure 11am - 6pm every day (including Sunday 20th and Monday 21st) until the 23rd which is our last shopping day. Come along, get some of the gorgeous goodies below and shop local this Christmas!

1. Miesje Chafer Scrunchie, £6 | 2. Bonbi Forest Summer Pendant, £24 | 

3. Miesje Chafer Wire Headband, £14 | 4. Rosa Pietsch Floral Long Pendant Necklace, £31 | 

5. My Bear Hands Double Sided Gold Bangle, £28.50 | 6. Laura Lane Biscuit Brooch, £12 | 

7. The Compartment Store Festive Postcard, £3.25

1. Bat & Wolf Elephant Shaped Cushion, £16 | 2. Rolfe & Wills Polar Bear Unisex Tee Shirt, £26 | 

3. i am acrylic Bird Necklace, £14 | 4. My Bear Hands Black Flock Leaping Dog Brooch, £17 | 

5. Boodle Wooden Christmas Decoration, £4 | 6. Megan Alice England Hand Warmers, £15.50

1. The Compartment Store 'Chapter 1' Notebook, £8.75 | 2. Ding Ding Large Plywood Printed Clipboard, £13.50 | 

3. Pirrip Press 2016 Flouro Wall Planner, £4.50 | 4. Ding Ding Birch Plywood Ruler, £5.50 | 

5. The Compartment Store Festive Postcard, £3.25 | 6. Pirrip Press 'Thank You' Notecard Set, £4.50 |

7. Pirrip Press Solid Liquid Gas Notebook Set, £6

1. Joanna Oliver Ceramic Coffee Mug, £14.50 | 2. Alice Shields Block Mug, £13 | 

3. Rolfe & Wills Enamel Mug, £13 | 4. Pirrip Press Night & Day Enamel Mug, £10.50 | 

5. Tom Butcher Whisky Cup, £11

1. Stephanie Cole Fish & Chips Tote Bag, £10 | 2. Miesje Chafer Fabric Fat Quarter, £14 | 

3. Bonbi Forest Birds Scarf, £33 | 4. Gem Smith Faux Suede Knots Necklace, £38 | 

5. Anabelle Lou Tapestry Geo Necklace, £32 

Out and About: The London Design Festival and Oxford Instameet

The last few weekends have been busy for us... we've been out and about at various events, sourcing new stockists, catching up with our current makers and meeting other local Instagrammers and bloggers.

The last weekend of September saw us head down to London for the last few days of the London Design Festival. Taking place in venues across the city, there were over 400 events celebrating the very best of contemporary design. It would have been easy to have been there for the full week of the programme, there was so much on!

We were there for a special Crafty Fox Market, held at Kachette, Shoreditch's disused Victorian train station which now acts as an events venue. These markets are so useful for us to attend- quite often there are a few of our stockists there, so we get to say hello in person (important when so much communication is done via email!) as well as see the work of potential new stockists, which is much easier in real life. They're also great for introducing us to newer makers, especially Crafty Fox with their Uncovered scheme. 

We saw a few friendly faces, including the lovely Ruth & Brendan from i am acrylic and Rosa Pietsch with her gorgeous new display (check out the engraved mirror and gold leaf display boards!)  

 (photo credit: Rosa Pietsch)

(photo credit: Martha Loves via the Crafty Fox Facebook page)

We then found our way through the busy Brick Lane Sunday crowds to the Old Truman Brewery for the Etsy: Four Corners of Craft exhibition. This was somewhat smaller than we were expecting but still had lots of lovely things to look at. Whilst not everything there would have fitted in at the Old Fire Station, it was interesting to see Etsy's pick of the best contemporary craft. I particularly loved the matryoshka dolls with golden horns by Red Earth Designs.

Sort London

Haidee Drew

Red Earth Designs

Photos from @shopatofs Instagram

The following weekend I went along to the Oxford Instameet, hosted by the wonderful ladies at Independent Oxford along with photography and lifestyle blogger Natasha from Candy Pop. We all met at Modern Art Oxford's cafe for a cup of tea and cake, before heading off around the city to take plenty of snaps. First stop was the Oxford Castle for regular street food market Bitten Oxford- many a delicious stall, including the Cheese Truck with their divine grilled cheese sandwiches- Anna and I couldn't help but try the Cropwell Bishop Stilton with bacon and pear chutney! We then took a stroll along the canal path, down to Jericho, before heading back into the city centre for a pitstop at Jericho Coffee Traders. 

It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, meeting lots of new faces and having a great explore around the city. I'm looking forward to the next one in December- why not come along?

Ooh, and just a final little note- we'll be at the Independent Oxford Christmas Market at Turl Street Kitchen on Saturday 28th November. Hopefully see you there!