New Year. New you. Christmas, as joyful as it can be, is over for another year and it’s time to look forward to everything that the new year will bring and happily say goodbye to that big to-do gift list that might have been hanging …
Meet Bity Booker, a folk musician and illustrator. Bity Booker art shop offers a unique art prints, illustrations and handmade gifts including paper mache magnets and brooches. Learn more about how lockdown inspired her to begin her shop, her opinions on gift giving and supporting …
Sophie runs PopUp Poetry, a shop passionateabout creating fun, sustainable gift hampers that are one of a kind, with a touch of magic that don’t cost the Earth (in every sense!). Learn more about her handmade, eco friendly and magic inspired Gift Hampers, how Sophie began her business and her top tips and recommendations on how to buy the best gifts for any occasion.
Tell us a little bit about your company? What do you offer?
Hey my name is Sophie, originally from Yorkshire (God’s Own Country!) but having moved to pastures new for University, I have now been a permanent resident in Liverpool for over 12 years. Where does time go!
My gift hampers include hand (or wand) poured Candles, Soaps, handmade Bath Bombs, knitted Pet creatures, hand painted and hand drawn illustrations / infographics and hand written poetry.
All of these items are related to each theme of the Hamper – you will find a felt avocado pet in your Vegan Hamper, and a dead man soap in your magic one! I like to promote the positive impacts of veganism in my products and everything in the Hampers is eco friendly, sustainable & the materials are either sourced locally or grown in my garden – from the lavender in my soaps to the ‘Grow Your Own Sunflower’ extracted from seeds taken from Sunflowers grown in my garden to go into my Isolation Hamper.
My making process is the best part of the job – I have a fantastic sturdy wooden workbench in my studio, and this is where I create my candles, soaps and bath bombs. I have an induction hob in my studio; this is where I use pans, candle / soap jugs and double boilers to melt and cast my soaps and candles. I use my lavender, calendula flowers & seeds to use in the soaps & candles, and I use the most organic & cruelty free soaps, fragrances & essential oils in the process.
The knitted & felted goods are created from sustainable materials, crafted by hand & are all unique. The hand drawn and handwritten items are constructed in the studio also – I handwrite all my labels, images, and infographics, and take care to always provide this personalisation in my work to make it very personal and special.
The eco element of my business is the most important part of what I do, and all my materials are sustainable, encouraged to be reused, and can be broken down naturally. My packaging includes eco-friendly tape, rescued unwanted card, kraft paper & packaging materials saved from various deliveries as a means of securing your package in transit, and even my business card is made from recycled card.
Visit the PopUp Poetry shop on Etsy and take a look at Sophie’s range of sustainable gift hampers. Including:
* My Little Magic Hamper
* My Halloween Hamper
* My Vegan Hamper
* My Little Christmas Eve Box
* My Horror Hamper
…and many more!
How did you get into creating personalised poetry, hampers and gifts?
My business actually began as a personalised writing service, where I would write custom poems or speeches for people, especially for Weddings. It was around Christmas one year where I decided to create personalised Santa Letter/Poems, and added the choice of a Gift Set to accompany these. When these proved popular, I decided to expand on this idea and began my journey making novel and themed Hampers, based around the idea of the ‘cosy night in’ – Gift Boxes full of comforts, treats and some kind of fun activity.
Every Hamper still includes a poem that fits with the theme and has been written by myself – from the poem about being a wonderful human in my Vegan Hamper, to my ‘spell’ in the Halloween one.
I actually was working in a full time job when I first opened my shop as a side hustle, and carried on like this for a few years, but when I first starting making my Hampers I was predominantly advertising and selling them on Facebook, and it was one of my close friends who told me to literally ‘just go for it’ and set up an Etsy shop – and this is where things really started to happen for the business. I have a habit of overthinking just about anything and everything but following the advice that it doesn’t have to be perfect, just get it out there, I took the plunge and gave it a go!
When I actually decided to leave my full time job and run my business full time instead, trying to explain to my parents and family why I would leave a place of security and certainty for risk and the unknown was really scary, but hopefully they are now just proud of what I have managed to create and bring to life!
Why do you think it’s important to support small businesses?
Supporting small businesses is so important – it brings community together, it raises up the power of the individuals and gives freedom to creatives to create some wonderful ideas and pieces which have so much more heart than corporations or big businesses like Amazon. It keeps the wonderful highstreet alive, it shows that huge heartless corporations don’t have to rule our lives.
With small businesses, items are made from the heart, there is a real human there putting love and care into everything they make and do, and your product will be wonderfully unique to you. Finally and perhaps most importantly, it promotes the fact that anyone can be an entrepreneur, have a dream, or can bring to life the greatest ideas and imaginations and make the world a better place.
What do you think makes a great gift?
A great gift is creating or finding something for someone that just ‘gets them’, that you are so EXCITED for them to see and you are counting down the days until you know they will open it or experience it. I am also a big ambassador for sustainability and the environment so for me a great gift is from a shop that has considered and used materials that are kind to the planet, made to last or made from quality & organic materials that are good for you, the world and the recipient.
A great gift is something that makes everyone along the process feel good – from the maker, to the buyer, to the receiver – good vibes all along 🙂
What are your top tips for finding the right gift for someone?
Give yourself plenty of time to get the right thing, start looking early, and begin with giving yourself some inspiration by window shopping first, and make sure once you find it, get it with plenty of time to spare. However if you get a gut feeling about something at a Fayre or Market etc and you find yourself feeling excited about seeing that persons face if you gave it to them, then just go for it!!
I also like to keep a list on my phone when Christmas shopping to remind myself what I’ve already got so far so I don’t overbuy!!
Finally, my last piece of advice would be think about the lifespan of the purchase – from an eco friendly perspective, try and get gifts that aren’t single use or novel that will never be used again after that one occasion (unless it’s something like chocolate!!), or will fall apart quickly, and also what it will look like at the end of it’s life, ie. will it biodegrade or will it be more plastic to go into the ocean? I know it’s not a cheerful topic but conscious shopping is the way forward – and knowing something will last someone for a really long time, is fabulous quality and will itself be value for money, it’ll be a valued gift, and it shows the thought and time you have put in for this person 🙂
What are your recommendations for favourite places to buy gifts?
I would say seek out small businesses and makers – follow them on social media to keep up with offers they may have, find local fayres / markets / stalls and go see what they’re selling. Learn about what they make, how they make them and what they’re all about – you will literally make their day.
Visit your highstreet and go check out those little independent shops. Try Etsy, Not on the Highstreet, Numonday, Folksy where there is a plethora of independents all who make fantastic individual items and gifts.
Check out Vinted, Olio, Depop, Facebook Marketplace as well, where you can get handmade items or quality second hand goods too.
One of my favourite gifting sites currently is Lisa Angel UK – an independent buyer who showcases the works of so many talented individuals based around the UK right now, and I have just got a solar powered light up glass dinosaur night light I am head over heels for!!
What is the best gift you have ever received?
This may sound daft but possibly my bright yellow raincoat – I wear this every single day and have done for years. It’s lasted the test of time so well, stayed waterproof, is lightweight and so colourful it makes me smile every day when I wear it. However we do have a recent contender in a gift from my partner for my birthday this year – it is a full length mirror which opens up and has a massive jewellery & make up storage cupboard inside – I have literally managed to store everything in there and it is organisation heaven. It also rotates 360 degrees round and there is storage at the back too, where I can pop my hairdryer!!
Neither of those may sound fun but they’ve been game changers for me, and they are both gifts that have had me in mind, and they’ve got me down to a tee!
I love the individuality, thoughtfulness and creativity in all of Sophie’s hampers. They are truly unique, handmade, multisensory gifts that are bound to bring a smile to someone’s face. The handwritten notes, homely gifts and attention to detail really show how much love she puts into products and I’m sure this is reflected in people’s reactions when they open them. I love how they are all like a box of curiosities that you can sift through and really take time to appreciate each gift in the hamper.
Sam runs Childstar Samantha, a small business that specialises in creating colourful illustrations, art, homeware and apparel to make people smile. From sassy cats, typographic designs to jungle vibes and kid’s illustration, there will be something for you. Learn more about her range of playful …
Vegan top 10 Christmas Gift ideas – unique, tasty and thoughtful edible gifts this festive season Personally, when I’m looking for gifts, I want something that looks like it has been made with care and love and will make someone smile. I want to know …
No matter how organised we think we are, Birthdays have a way of sneaking up on us. So many times despite the best intentions I leave things to the last minute. Eek. Can you relate? Also when I’m buying a vegan friendly gift and I want to know that it’s great quality and something that will make them feel special; all too often vegan options can feel a bit of an after thought. If this sounds familiar, our Vegan Birthday Hamper could be just the thing for you.
This gift box is a brilliant postal present. A unique birthday experience, filled with artisan, hand decorated Birthday cake chocolates, games, luxurious vegan friendly sweets and bubbles, balloons and confetti cannons to make their celebrations go off with a bang. This is a great pressie for kids and the young at heart, a playful hamper to celebrate their special day.
Vegan Birthday cake chocolates are some of our top sellers and the stars of this hamper for sure – rich vegan chocolate fudge coated in chocolate and decorated with white chocolate and sprinkles to replicate mini Birthday cakes, to make them feel really special.
Our range of luxury handmade chocolates at EmmaBakesElevateThis are a simple and thoughtful way to send a little love through the post to show you care – no fuss ordering and speedy delivery for every occasion. We offer a huge range of dairy, vegan friendly and gluten free options to choose from and provide unique gift boxes filled with delicious and beautifully decorated confectionery that you wouldn’t find in the shop. Super simple for you and a lovely surprise for the recipient, perfect.
Looking for vegan baking ideas? Try our Vegan chocolate peanut butter scones – they are so simple to make and maybe the most decadent scone you’ll ever try.
Claire and Janet, at Fancytatcrafts specialise in upcycling gift ideas. They create new and beautiful gifts and homewares by upcycling pre-loved or neglected stuff. Learn more about this inspirational Kent based mother and daughter team of creative crafters, their growing small business and their sustainable …
Jungle Culture offers a range of unique eco-friendly alternatives to common household products to support sustainable living. Learn more about their philosophy on sustainable homeware and ethical sourcing as a zero waste brand, their relationships with local makers in Vietnam and their tips for thoughtful …
Hannah runs Peach and Home, which offers a unique range of bohemian prints, stationery and gifts, full of peachy and neutral tones. Learn more about her design background, the recent expansion of her shop and why it is so important to her that we all find ways to support small businesses when we can.
What range of prints and gifts does Peach and Home offer?
At the moment my most popular designs are my floral prints. Another bestseller is one of my gallery wall bundles that has orange tones and a retro vibe. My A4 weekly desk planners are really popular too! My customers love the quality of my work and I offer a wide range of sizes at affordable prices.
I offer custom and personalised prints and gifts too. I am always more than happy to tweak my designs to help a customer create something totally unique to them!
How did you get into creating prints, stationery and gifts at Peach and Home?
I have a design background, and I started creating prints as a hobby a couple of years ago, to decorate my own home and to give as gifts. It started as a bit of a creative escape as I was fed up with my job and struggling with my mental health. I love trying new things (I have had so many hobbies over the years) but finally I found something I really loved, yay!
Last year I decided to take a career break, and whilst I figured out a long term plan I thought why not try to grow my Etsy shop. I’ve put in a lot of work whilst enjoying some time off too, and now I am running a successful small business! I still focus on prints, but this year I’ve been expanding so I now stock a selection of stationery, cards and gifts too, with more in the pipeline – think florals, pastels, calendars & trinket dishes…
Why do you think it’s important to support small businesses?
I know it’s a cliché but it’s true – when you support a small business, you are supporting someone’s dream. For me, every purchase means that I can keep running my business full time, which has made me the happiest that I have been in a very long time! As a customer you get that personal touch with your order, which makes it feel extra special.
What do you think makes a great gift?
Personally, I think anything edible makes a fantastic gift! If someone buys me cookies, cake or chocolate I will be very happy. Or gin!
What are your top tips for finding the right gift for someone?
Go for quality over quantity – this can be tricky when you’re working to a budget but I’d rather receive one small, quality gift that’s personal to me.
What are your recommendations for favourite places to buy gifts?
I am biased but I think Etsy is a fantastic place for personalised and unique gifts. I’ve also found a lot of gorgeous small businesses through Instagram, and I love that it’s so easy to save a post for later. I’ve already bookmarked a few Christmas present ideas that have popped up recently.
What is the best gift you have ever received?
This is a tricky one – I love giving gifts, but I am not a big fan of receiving them (I hate surprises!). But I think the most memorable gifts I have received (apart from edible ones…) are experience gifts – it’s always nice to receive a gift that’s not just immediate, and creates a sense of excitement; something to look forward to. A gift card from your favourite small business is also a lovely gift, as it’s a treat you can save for a later date!
It’s clear from the quality and range of thoughtful designs offered by Peach and Home that Hannah is enjoying every minute of this journey and I think that is one of the most rewarding things about shopping small.
I love the William Morris prints and my eyes were instantly drawn to her abstract floral wall art print. So much colour and vibrancy and anything bold, quirky and beautiful will always get my vote.
Jatinder Creates is a small business that offers a range of art prints, greetings cards and stickers often influenced by her South Asian heritage. Learn more about her thoughts on gift giving and how lockdown and family support gave her the confidence to turn her …