Wee Birdy

Birdy (and Xmas) pick of the week

Just found some more Christmas stocking (and birdy) joy by way of South-east London design company Roddy & Ginger's range of homewares, bags and prints. Scandi and folksy-inspired birds and owls are hand screen-printed across a collection of the loveliest natural linen homewares, including tea-towels, cushions and Christmas stockings. Beautiful and affordable gift ideas!

From above, large Roddy the Owl Christmas stocking, £16, Bird Christmas stocking, £12, Happy birds cushions in teal and turquoise, £25 each, adult's apron in blue or pink, £20, owl cushion in yellow, £25, and pink bird cushion on white linen, £26, from Roddy & Ginger's online shop. 

You can also purchase from their Etsy shop, and read their blog here.

Wee Christmas finds: Gifts for crafty girls

I loved putting together this crafty gift guide - and it's an extra big one because there was so much GOODNESS out there. You'll notice that there's a mix of some of the best Aussie and British designers - some old favourites (can you guess who?), and some new ones, too. What takes your fancy?

1. Sew La Tea Do by Pip Lincolne, AU$49.95, from Readings (ships internationally).

2. Rob Ryan ‘Give me Work’ tapestry kit, US$110, from Misterrob’s Etsy store.

3. Make your own monster kit, £15, by Donna Wilson (ships internationally).

4. Yasmin Ellis rain cloud tape measure brooch, AU$66, from the Portrait Gallery Store (ships within Australia only. Shipping is free if you have five or more items).

5. Wooden apple stamp, AU$8.95, from Kikki K (ships internationally).

6. Amanda Fatherazi 'Mary Swinging Sixties' hand-finished brooch, £50, from Liberty (ships internationally).

7. Sara Carr large Monty the Fox lambswool plush, US$66, from Sara Carr’s Etsy store.

8. Connections Twin Lid Sewing Basket, £35, from John Lewis (ships only within UK). Smaller baskets also available.

9. Rob Ryan Button tile, US$36, from Misterrob’s Etsy store.

10. Sara Carr lambswool petrol blue pencil scarf, US$60, from Sara Carr’s Etsy store.

11. Victoria Mason sterling silver and enamel granny square necklace, AU$220, from Lark (ships internationally).

Wee find: The Cat in the Shoe

Just wanted to show you more of the whimsical work by The Cat in the Shoe, which I discovered at The Maisonette in Glasgow. Based in Hackney, East London, The Cat in the Shoe hand-stitches totally original fantastical creatures using vintage, recycled and new fabrics.

The long-necked stripey pie girls remind me of Alice in Wonderland (apparently Lewis Carroll was inspired by the long-necked figures on the brass fireplace in the main hall at Christ Church College), whilst the furry deer girl is a little more Where the Wild Things Are. Delightfully quirky and original.

Christmas shopping nights in London – part 3

Here's my final round-up of London's best Christmas shopping sales, markets and events. Get your diaries ready and dig in...

3 December: Late Night Exmouth Market Christmas Shopping Extravaganza
Indulge in some mulled wine and nibbles while you consider your purchases from independent boutiques like EC One Jewellery, Family Tree (pictured below) and Clerkenwell Tales Bookshop. 5-9pm.

5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 21, 22 and 23 December: Pop up Christmas
If you’re in the Stoke Newington area, you might like to check out this Christmas market, which features a variety of brands and designers including Joseph Joseph, Pantone and Rude. You can also make merry with the requisite mulled wine and mince pies, along with Christmas carols and Father Christmas. Click here for more details.

12 December: Bust Craftacular
The Bust girls are back with their festive spectacular, offering over 60 stalls of crafty, handmade goodness. Shop to the sounds of ‘60s girl-pop courtesy of Sheila B, and try your luck at Tatty Devine’s Christmas Tree Tombola (can’t wait to see that one!). Keep an eye out for Belgium Waffle’s Cruel Tea stall, although prudish types may wish to avert their eyes. Adm £2. Click here for more details.

12 and 19 December: Of Cabbages and Kings Christmas market
This Stoke Newington market will be offering a host of festive treats, with refreshments from the Of Cabbages and Kings café. Look out for handmade wares by the likes of Edwyn UK (see below), Strikk handknits and Helen Rawlinson. Click here for more details.

12 December: The Mangle Xmas Sale
Tatty Devine, Rob Ryan and Amanda Fatherazi are just some of the big names to feature in this festive Shoreditch sale. Entrance is free and there will also be tea, cake and music. 11am-6pm. Click here for more details.

18, 19-22 December: Somerset House Super Christmas Market
If you’ve left Christmas shopping ‘til the last minute, here’s your chance pick up some great gifts of the non-high street variety from designers including Michael Marriott, Carl Clerkin and students from the Royal College of Art and Camberwell. Adm £2. Click here for more details.

Christmas shopping nights in London – part 2

 
As promised, here's part two of my Christmas shopping round-up, which actually includes quite a few fairs and fetes, so it's not strictly nights. Part three coming tomorrow...

1 December: Supermarket Sarah
Get stuck into the spoils of Portobello market courtesy of Supermarket Sarah, when she’ll be setting up shop in the Poke foyer of the Biscuit building on Redchurch Street. You’ll be able to shop online as well. Email sarah@supermarketsarah.com to get on the guest list. Click here for more details.

2, 9, 16, 23 December: Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays
With the promise of mulled wine, mistletoe and mince pies, Columbia Road’s Christmas Wednesdays is one of the more romantic ways to shop for Christmas. Check out my write-up on last year’s event. Don’t miss some of my favourite independent boutiques, like Cerise, Ryantown and Lapin & Me. From 5-9pm.

3 December: Content Beauty Shoppping Night
Head over to London’s gorgeous organic beauty boutique for free makeovers, drinks and a hefty 20 per cent discount. RSVP to shop@beingcontent.com as space is limited. Click here for more details.

3-6 December: East London Design Show
Boasting an impressive line-up of UK and International designer-makers, the ELDS is one of the biggest independent shopping events in London. I went along last year and picked up quite a few good Christmas presents – and took full advantage of many of the special deals and discounts on offer. Adm £4. Click here for more information.

3 and 11 December: Cheshire Street Late Night Shopping
As many of you will know, I have quite a soft spot for Cheshire Street and its lovely line-up of independent boutiques, including The Shop, Shelf and Labour and Wait. Head over to the East End and enjoy drink or two whilst you shop, and don’t miss Mimi and Dragana Perisic for special discounts on all purchases. From 6-10pm.

4-6 December: V&A Christmas shopping weekend
Stock up on arty Christmas gifts and enjoy 15 per cent off all purchases at the V&A shop this weekend. If you can’t make it over to the South Kensington museum in person, you can redeem the discount online by entering in ‘VAXMAS091’ into the offer code section when you come to the payment details screen.

5 December: We Make London Christmas Fair
Lots of local crafty goodness on offer here, from the likes of Fabric Nation, Beeb Design and London Clay Birds (love!). Pop along to Chelsea Town Hall for all the fun. Click here for more details.

5 December: Tea and Make (a great British Christmas fete)
Well worth the trip to Forest Hill in South-East London for this lovely little fete, offering an excellent variety of wares by the likes of Selvedge Magazine, Hannah Waldron and Polly George. There are also free craft workshops and fun stuff for kids. Click here for more details.