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🎄Where to shop this Christmas in London! 🎄
Embrace the spirit of giving this Christmas by shopping small, shopping smart, and making a big impact on local artisans. Dive into a world of creativity with these 8 incredible small artisan shops that offer handmade, ethical, and locally crafted treasures. As a maker, stallholder, and avid shopper, I've personally explored many of these gems and can wholeheartedly recommend each one.
The first stop on this festive journey is particularly close to my heart – the perfect place to wrap up your Christmas shopping experience. Join me for the last stall before Christmas at the enchanting Christchurch Hall in Wanstead, East London. The atmosphere promises to be spectacular, offering a unique blend of local charm and artistic flair. If you're in the area, don't miss out on this festive celebration of craftsmanship and community.
1. Local Makers Market:
For several years, I've had the pleasure of being a part of this remarkable fair, and I can't help but express my admiration for the exceptional gathering of makers it hosts. The Local Makers Market is a contemporary, thoughtfully curated craft market that serves as a platform for local designer-makers to showcase their handmade creations. The diverse array of offerings includes screen prints, ceramics, jewelry, homewares, and textiles, all skillfully crafted by a talented pool of artisans.
The market consistently delivers a unique and vibrant experience, creating a space where creativity and craftsmanship flourish. Whether you're in search of distinctive gifts or looking to explore the artistic pulse of the community, the Local Makers Market is the place to be. With regular markets held in both London and Norfolk, it's a testament to their commitment to fostering and celebrating local talent in various regions.
Market on Sat 2nd Dec 11-4.30pm at Christchurch Hall in Wanstead
2. Solo Craft Fair:
SoLo Craft Fair is a South London-based organisation run by makers for makers. The company organises craft markets across South London, collaborating with other events such as Winterville & Between the Bridges. In 2021, they launched their first shop in Elephant & Castle, which hosts 60 different makers monthly. This shop has quickly become the hub for creatives, offering networking events, business workshops, and creative workshops.
The company has grown since their initial craft market back in 2016, and its founders, Catherine and Rebecca, are delighted to work with an amazing small team of artists and designers.
SoLo Craft Fair has received significant press attention and has been featured in The Metro, TimeOut, Secret London, Evening Standard, Londonist, Hello, and more.
A brilliant market happening 'Between The Bridges' every Sunday 12-5pm until 17th December. I had a stall in the summer, and it was awesome.
3. Urban Makers Christmas Market:
I am super proud to be one of the sellers on their website and love the Christmas Market.
About Urban Makers
'Urban Makers was founded in Bow, East London, by two designer friends Ilka Dickens and Julia Redgrove. Since 2015 we have been hosting makers markets, pop-up shops and creative workshops in London.
We believe in nurturing creative people with unique businesses, dreams and ideas. We have curated a range of gifts which are not only beautiful but ethical and made with care for the environment. Every time you buy from us you can be rest assured that you are supporting an independent small business which in turn helps our economy where it needs it most.'
Urban Makers are returning to the Ecology Pavilion Mile End Park, East London, to host their annual festive makers’ market in 2023.
Featured on Time Out London
2 Weekends
25 – 26th November
9 – 10th December
11 – 5pm
They are welcoming 50 different designers each day selling everything from Christmas gifts and decorations, home-wares, jewellery, art, candles, clothing and accessories. All sustainable and ethical.
FREE ENTRY
4. The Pop-up Club:
Being stocked at the Chelmsford shop last year was an incredible experience. The team there is truly exceptional, with a keen eye for details and a relentless commitment to making the experience of shopping small and local effortless for high street visitors. Their dedication not only showcases a passion for curating a unique and thoughtful selection but also reflects a genuine desire to support local artisans.
The collaborative effort and hard work of the team contribute to an environment that goes beyond just a shopping experience—it's a celebration of craftsmanship and community. The Chelmsford shop stands out as a beacon for those seeking quality, individuality, and a connection to the local creative scene. My time with them was not only memorable but also a testament to the positive impact of fostering a strong, local support system.
What they do:
'Our mission is simple: To provide designers, makers, artists and small businesses that have sustainability at their core an affordable platform to access the high street and grow. The Pop-Up Club identifies and transforms unused public spaces with the intention of adding cultural and commercial value to the local area.
We flexibly use empty, dilapidated, or difficult spaces in an imaginative way on a temporary basis, and transform those spaces into attractive, vibrant, and unique community assets. Our aim is to nurture and facilitate the growth of our traders, reducing financial risk whilst providing the opportunity to grow and engage with new audiences, increasing the diversity of businesses in the local area.'
And now a new London shop has launched on Victoria Street + 2 other locations this Christmas.
5. Curated Makers:
One of the best organisers of pop-up shops across the country.
Curated Makers is a collaborative retail platform that bridges the gap between big and small businesses, on the high-street. We host pop-up shops that provide customers a unique shopping experience to shop small conveniently, whilst creating new opportunities for makers and artists, along with supporting the British high-street by championing local creatives.
They make shopping small convenient and memorable, on the high-street, offering a curated assortment of high-quality, local makers.
Two London Locations -
BATTERSEA
ADDRESS
Upper Ground, Turbine Hall B
Battersea Power Station
Circus Rd W
London
SW8 5BN
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday - Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm
LONDON BRIDGE (NEW)
ADDRESS
SU04, Western Arcade
London Bridge Station
Station Approach Road
Borough, London
SE1 9SP
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm
6. Crafty Fox Market:
One of my personal favourites.
ABOUT - Shaking up the traditional craft fair since 2010.
'Crafty Fox Market appeared on the scene in 2010 with a market concept in the Dogstar pub in Brixton with maker stalls alongside DJs and drinks making for a great day out! Since then, we’ve played with the concept, hosted markets in more than 30 different venues across the UK and supported 1000’s of artists and makers to sell their work and connect with one another - building a vibrant community. Events are held in unique locations including nightclubs, artists’ studios, museums, community spaces, and major city landmarks. The markets welcome thousands of visitors through the doors, keen to snap up beautiful products and meet the makers. We have worked on collaborative projects with Battersea Power Station, Argent, Folksy, Etsy.com and the Thames Festival, to name just a few. Currently you will find the market seasonally in Kings Cross and at Shambala and We Out Here festivals. We also host a number of one-off specials throughout the year at cultural institutions.
Keen to support the community beyond physical markets, in 2016 Crafty Fox Market launched a membership programme and online showcase for designer makers. As well as providing shoppers with an edited selection, the directory is also directly used as a resource by design journalists, ecommerce platforms, retail buyers and other targeted event organisers to spot the UK's design talent. During the pandemic, we were quick to make the switch to hosting online markets.
We believe in the power of creativity and the importance of supporting up-and-coming talent.'
2 Fabulous London Markets
Festive Fleet Street Quarter Makers' Market curated by Crafty Fox Market
Tue, Dec 5, to Thu, Dec 7, 2023
Crafty Fox Christmas Markets - Kings Cross, 16 & 17 December 2023
7. Peckham’s Festival Market:
Curators of Markets & Events.
Engaging with communities; Championing small Businesses.
ABOUT:
'We started life as a small boutique market, held in Peckham at XMAS. Nine years later, that initial tiny event has become an annual fixture on the London Christmas market scene, and we have evolved many times as a business, embracing new projects and directions. But we believe in celebrating your roots, your achievements and the place you live. So despite the cringey pun, we’re stuck with “Pexmas”, and Peckham is stuck with us.'
Join them in Peckham on 2 & 3 Dec for our annual festive extravaganza! 150+ different stalls each day, across 2 spaces in Copeland Park, plus street food, mulled wine, DJs and lots of local love. Click through for all the info:
Last but not the least...
8. Women Will Create:
Women Will Create was an idea thought up by the founder Rebecca when she wanted to find something that would coincide the things she loved. With life being so busy, it can be hard to juggle a social life, a career and a creative outlet. Why can't a woman have it all?
This is a space for those in small business, those who want to start a business or those looking for a creative boost!
The aim is to host female only markets, workshops and morale sessions to help you feel confident and powerful!
Women can work.
Women are strong.
Women Will Create.
Two Fabulous Markets -
SATURDAY 2ND DECEMBER
Mercato Metropolitano
Elephant and Castle - London
SATURDAY 9TH AND SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER
Abney Public Hall
Stoke Newington, London
Hope you enjoyed this little list.
And if you have any recommendations or warnings of your own, please share them in the comments below!
Thank you,
Paulomi
Founder & Artist
Handmade by Tinni
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