Wee Birdy

Wee Christmas finds: Gifts for birdy lovers

Thought I’d kick things off with the first in a series of present ideas for Christmas. But rather than just another bloody Christmas gift guide (yep, I can just about hear the multitude of groans), it’s really my way of catching up on Wee Finds, which I’ve been feverishly collecting over the past six months.

You’ll find that a lot of the stuff I like is UK-based, but my goal is to make Wee Birdy more global going forward. And as time goes by, I’ll endeavour to slip in more Australian products and designers.

Anyway, let me know what you think. Has anyone finished their Christmas shopping yet?

1. Sparrow pegs, designed in Australia, AU$15, from Design Dispensary (ships internationally).

2. Hand-made bone china birds nest plate, £20, by Donna Wilson (ships internationally).

3. Aubin & Wills swallow print silk underwire bra, £39, and silk briefs, £29, from Net-a-porter (this links to the UK store, so be sure to select your own country before purchasing).

4. Swallow necklace in turquoise mirror, £42, by Tatty Devine (ships internationally).

5. Bird in a Nest magentic paper clip holder, £5.95, from Muji (ships to mainland Great Britain, the EU and mainland United States and Canada).

6. Birdcage cushion by Sydney artist Binny Talib, AU$29, from Lark (ships internationally).

7. Bird black iron candlestick holder by Swedish illustrators Bengt & Lotta, £92, from SCP (ships to the UK and selected EU countries).

8. Bird bottle stopper, US$18, by Jonathan Adler (ships internationally).

9. Birdy walk scarf, £38, by Donna Wilson (ships internationally).

Christmas shopping nights in London – part 1

It’s that time of year again when I round up my favourite spots for Christmas shopping in London. There’s a plethora of events, markets, and shopping nights on offer this time around, from candlelight shopping on Cheshire Street to buying direct from the artisans at Cockpit Studios. With a focus on the hand-made, design-led and independent shops, here are my top picks (part two is coming tomorrow)...

26 November: One Night in November Xmas
This East London shopping night boasts an excellent line-up of designers including byGraziela (retro-style kids’ bedding), Studio Special (cool clocks) and Share the Feeling (stocking fillers handmade in Hackney). There will also be extra Christmas cheer by way of champagne, cupcakes and raffles. 7-10pm, Thursday 26 November, 20 St. Philip’s Road, E8 3BP.

 

26-29 November: Made in Clerkenwell at Craft Central
Buy direct from over 70 designers at the Craft Central studios, and take your pick from a variety of jewellery, fashion, homewares, ceramics, accessories and traditional crafts. Don’t miss The Design Pop-up Shop, which features Esther Coombs’ distinctive ceramics (see below). Click here for all the details. Adm £2.50.

26-29 November: Homeworks
This collective of designer-makers, including the likes of Made with Love by Mrs Booth, Petra Boase and Lou Rota (see below), will be holding a Christmas sale at the Twentieth Century Theatre in Notting Hill. Click here for all the details. Adm £1 for the Special Yoga Centre.

 
27-29 November: Hidden Art London Christmas Fair
Setting up shop at the Old Truman Brewery, the fair will offer up some great alternative gift options from around 60 UK designer-makers. Take advantage of a sustainable gift-wrapping service by Fabrications, and there will also be drop-in craft workshops for children. Click here for all the details.

27 November: Cockpit Arts Open Studio
Buy direct from the artisans at this open-studio event, held at both the Holborn and Deptford locations. Nosey around their studios and consider your purchases over a glass of mulled wine or two. Click here for all the details.

Wee Etsy pick of the week

Bird bowl, US$58.

Just look at these deliciously milky-glossy glazes and vintage-inspired pieces at Whitney Smith Pottery’s Etsy shop. At first I noticed the tiny hand-sculpted bird and flower details before discovering wonderful pops of cherry red on a bud vase and the most delicate petal pink on a gorgeously feminine cake stand.

I actually found the San Francisco Bay-based ceramicist’s shop through Sarey Poppins’ Etsy favourites (always a good way to unearth new gems). According to her profile, Whitney is influenced by her “obsession with flowers and other forms in nature” and “tries to emulate the craftsmanship of an earlier time.

You can find all of her wares at her Etsy shop here.

Birdy pick of the week, part 2

I loved this so much I couldn't resist posting a Birdy Pick of the Week Part 2, as it ticks both my tea and bird obsessions. Tea cup bracelet, featuring a pea-green glaze and tiny birdy illustration, £24, by Bethan Lloyd Worthington at The Shop Floor Project.

Top tea sets: Reiko Kaneko's Drips and Lips

Drip Teas teacup and saucer, £21.50, Hidden Art Shop.

Lip Tease teacup and saucer, £21.50, Hidden Art Shop.

In her stunning Drip Teas and Lip Tease ceramics collection, British designer Reiko Kaneko playfully renders the stains and marks we leave behind in 24 carat gold. They’re individually packaged in a black box, making them gorgeous Christmas gifts. Available from Hidden Art Shop.