The Mollie Makes Handmade Awards 2016

Yesterday was a big day, something we have been looking forward to being a part of for a while now, The Mollie Makes Handmade Awards. We have been watching for the last two years as friends and idols have been finalists and winners of these prestigious awards. This year, it was our turn!

Five Simple Ways to Support Handmade

One of the most wonderful things, that we never imagined when we started this blog almost five years ago, was the amazing people we would meet and make friends with along the way. It is something we never expected and is the thing that keeps us going after all this time. We find it hard to go a week without discovering a new maker or designer or illustrator crush.

For us though it is not just about buying awesome things, it is about supporting our friends old and new, supporting talented individuals who are putting themselves out there and creating careers for themselves. Supporting our local economy, supporting British design and home grown creatives. We are here to tell you how you can start to do the same.

1. Shop local, it supports the economy. Take a look around your local shops and galleries, you may be surprised at what you can find not far from your door. Check out local fairs and markets, you will often find really amazing quality and service, with people who are a part of your community creating amazing products. By shopping with them you are getting better value for money and most likely helping the environment by reducing your carbon foot print and waste by buying higher quality products.

2. Local is not the only way to make your support known in the handmade community, online marketplaces like Etsy, Folksy, Not on the High Street and shortly Look Lane are a great place to find bespoke gifts and unique products.

3. Instagram has become an amazing showcase for brands of all size, but it is particularly great for finding small boutique brands and connecting with those that run them, I cannot tell you how many products I have bought from designers I have found on Instagram. Following accounts like Renegade and Etsy will introduce you to lots of new makers all over the world.  If Instagram isn't your thing, try Facebook or Twitter, most makers will be on at least one of these platforms.

4. When you find makers you like buying their product is not enough! Sharing your finds on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or even just with your friends will in turn help you find more makers and help them to spread their message further than they can alone. Word of mouth is still a powerful tool, especially in this digital age. If you find something you like shout about it, to everyone you know!

5. We are not all made of money so if buying all your products from designer makers isn't an option but you still want to support the handmade community why not check out what you can do to help. Websites and initiatives like UK Handmade, Small Business Saturday or the Just a card campaign have been instrumental in bringing the issues effecting independent businesses to the fore front of peoples attentions. There may be events or initiatives in your local area that could use volunteers. If you have accounting skills, offer some lower rates for independent traders or if you are in marketing offer to run a workshop. If you don't have a local craft fair near you, organise one! The answer is if you can't give your money, give your time or support.

These are just five ways to support handmade, there are lots more but we think these are a great place to start. If you have some to add please let us know in the comments below.

Handmade fans for life
Sammy and H xxx

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Why We Will be Shopping Independent this Christmas

I feel that we might be hammering in the point at the moment about shopping independent, buying handmade and making this Christmas, but we are not going to stop any time soon!  You might have seen via our Instagram that we have been enjoying all the craft fairs in London these past few weeks, first up was Renegade at the beginning of the month and Sunday, just gone, was Bust Craftacular.

We do love a craft fair as I am sure you will know by now.  But what we really love about them is discovering the people behind the brands who are always so lovely and the individual nature of the work. The best part is that you know all of the money you spend goes towards that designer/maker making more and learning more and experimenting more.  Basically your paying for them to grow, it's not all about factories, profits and margins.

You may have seen the 'Just a Card' campaign, which aims to improve the fortunes of independent businesses and makers, as, if everyone bought just a card, then it could make a real difference to those people who make them.  Cards are so easy to buy and the easy option at a craft fair, so why not aim to start buying handmade rather than production line cards, it could be your 2016 resolution if you don't want to start this Christmas of course!

We thought we should take this time to mention a few new (to us) designer/makers we found at this years fairs.  First up was at Renegade and we loved Monti by Monti with these ace terrariums, Verdantica who 'create bespoke miniature worlds' and Sparrow + Wolf whose cushions Sammy just had to have!

Bust Craftacular was an altogether more colourful set of new (to us) finds, as you can see.  These badge rosettes from dAKOTArAEdUST were super fun and so bright,  then the cute face mitts (do you remember them from being a child!) from Terri Leahy and lastly were these cool patterned trays from Jonna Saarinen. We picked up some awesome gift ideas from both fairs for Christmas and beyond.

 

Another thing we are really enjoying about modern craft fairs at the moment is that they are introducing more workshops as well as stalls into the experience. We took part in a workshop by the lovely Helen Robinson at Bust Craftacular to make Macramé plant holders!  I feel a new craft addiction coming on for both of us, watch out for more of this.  Going back to the 70's is a big trend at the moment and so Macramé was always going to make a comeback!

Another reason we love independent makers, is that they inspire us to try new things, learn more ourselves and have even more beautiful things in our lives!  We just want all the pretty around us all the time!

Are you going to shop independent this Christmas?  Or make your own, have you been inspired to try your hand at something yourself?  Do check out our tutorials in the 'Make it' tab above to give you some inspiration.  Also check out Sammy's post last week and this Friday for a few more handmade gift ideas.

H, xxx

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