A curated handpicked line-up of 12 of my favourite sustainable, ethical and small business makers. Plus tips on making Christmas more affordable.
I appreciate not everyone can afford to shop entirely with their local artisans if at all. So here's a few quick tips to make Christmas more affordable! Firstly, let's LET GO of all this pressure to spend and consume more than we need to at this time of year, gosh, I just find the sheer amount of adverts just exhausting don't you? Take this as your permission slip to release that obligation and focus on what's more important - snuggling up with your loved ones over the winter months, prioritising connection, rest and nourishment.
When it comes to affordable gift buying, get creative! I love to make edible gifts for my family, it's something I know they'll love and appreciate. Also charity shops, thrift and scrap stores are an absolute treasure trove and you know your money is going to a worthy cause as well. There is absolutely no shame in shopping vintage/second hand - let that shame go as well whilst you're at it!
But this article is all about celebrating and supporting out local artisans so without further ado, here's some of my favourite fellow small business friends. These are products I have used myself and absolutely adore so can confidently recommend!
1: IAM Candles
First up is my dear friend Anne of IAM Candles. We first got to know each other whilst doing the Totnes Artisan Market and we're often now teaming up for events, festivals and markets. She is a massage therapist, reiki practitioner and makes THE most divine candles dedicated to each chakra in the body. Made from ethically sourced European soy, high grade natural essential oils and reiki blessed crystals, these candles pack a seriously healing energetic hug and I just love using them in my selfcare rituals. You can find her on Instagram @iamcandlesandmassage and on her website www.iamcandles.co.uk
2: Sunday & Sea
Sunday & Sea is the most whimsical, cutest children's clothing brand you'll ever come across. Owned by the lovely Jade, she and I have been friends since we were 12 years old, growing up in school together! She now lives in the Devonshire countryside with her husband, three little girls and makes clothing for mamas and their mini-me's using quite the most gorgeous fabrics in the most unusual prints. You can find her on Instagram @sundayandsea_ and on Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/SundayandSeahandmade
3: Mystic Jagger Apothecary
One of my favourite internet buddies, Alana of Mystic Jagger Apothecary creates sumptuously healing herbal products from her cabin in the Scottish Highlands. We found each other on Instagram years back and have been avid supporters of each other's work ever since. Although we've never met in person, I'm so grateful that she exists and I absolutely adore her ethos. She infuses divine feminine energy into everything she makes, from herbal teas, to bath salts, to candles, oils and lip balms. The ancient wisdom, craftswomanship, and magic just shines through so strongly! Her website is www.mysticjaggerapothecary.com and Instagram is @mystic.jagger
4: SoulBlend
A fairly new discovery for me but one that I instantly fell in love with! I met Millie the creator of SoulBlend at a market recently. She handblends adaptogenic superfood drinks and they are absolutely delicious. I've been using her Soothe blend which is a cacao, adaptogenic mushroom and chai spiced drinks powder and am really noticing a difference in my morning routine. I feel alert, nourished and balanced and there's so many ways to use this product. I love to mix a teaspoon in with my chia pudding for breakfast, whip it up in a smoothie or just simply have it in my favourite mug with freshly boiled water. You can find her start-up journey on Instagram @soulblend_
5: The Local Chai Company
Without doubt, hands down my favourite tea blend ever. And that's a bold statement because, if you know me, you know I LOVE tea. A lovely couple from Exeter, Sam & Helenna created their brand after travelling in India and wanted to bring their passion for authentic masala chai to the UK. Their proprietary blend of spices combine perfectly into two different signature products: their original black tea chai and the decaff rooibos chai (this is my preferred one as I'm caffeine sensitive). Their chai is so exquisitely spiced, perfectly balanced, creamy and just delicious! I can't go a single day without enjoying a comforting cup. You can taste the passion with each sip. Their website is www.thelocalchaicompany.co.uk and their Instagram is @thelocalchai_company
6: TWRKS
A dear friend of mine and website twinny! Founder PJ Treweeks is from the same village as me and we've been supporting each other's work ever since we coincidentally launched our websites on the same day a couple years ago! He expertly weaves clean structures and mystical occultism designs in his apparel clothing from tote bags to hoodies, t-shirts and hand-dyed hats. Now living in Somerset, he's experimenting with some very cool hand-dying techniques that give his pieces that effortlessly cool, model-off-duty look. Find him here www.trwks.co.uk and on Instagram @trwksapparel
7: Blesys Sherp
Get ready for a taste explosion! I just had to include my hubby and his two best bud's business in this blog. Not being biased but you guys are going to really love this brand filled with fire, brotherhood and zest for life! What began as three friends sitting round a dinner table sharing bottles of hot sauce and discussing life, has now turned into a thriving artisan business with consistently sold-out launches. Kev, Leon & Chris dedicate themselves to creating single origin Cornish Hot Sauces using the highest quality local ingredients and I couldn't be more proud of their journey and a willing guinea pig to new recipes! Oh and in case you were wondering, blesys sherp stands for "spicy" in our Cornish language. www.blesyssherp.co.uk Instagram: @blesyssherp
8: Soul Embrace Holistics
Beautiful radiant Emma of Soul Embrace Holistics! An intuitive healer, spiritual coach, meditation facilitator & crystal light-worker, alongside her treatment practices she also sells the most potent crystals I've ever come across. She infuses each crystal with reiki energy and WOW, some of the treatments I've had with her have been nothing short of profound. I also have a collection of her ethical crystals upon an altar above my sewing space. Book appointments and shop her crystals here: www.soulembraceholistics.co.uk Instagram: @soul_embrace_holistics
9: Kat Savage
Another beautiful friend and fellow villager is Kat, an artisan silversmith who makes talismanic jewellery rich with folklore and magic! I really do recommend you check out her storytelling folk tales on Instagram as well - they are both riveting and soothing and I could happily have her softly whisper a bedtime story to me each night! Her jewellery very much has that heirloom keepsake vibe and I can imagine it being passed down generations to come, collecting myth and wonder as the years go by. Find her on Instagram @katsavageuk
10: Seamaid
Kev bought me one of Laura's lovely seaglass necklaces for Christmas last year and I genuinely almost cried as I love her work so much. A fellow artisan market friend, Laura and I have been crossing paths at events around the South West UK for a couple of years now and it is always a joy to catch up with her! She crafts delicate seaglass jewellery that has such an organic beauty to it. She also hosts jewellery making workshops from her studio in Cornwall if you are interested to see the master at work and learn from her! www.seamaid.co.uk Instagram: @seamaiduk
11: Our Atlantic Roots
What could be better than giving the gift of music? Our Atlantic Roots is one of my favourite bands. A husband & wife team Mac & Laura from Cornwall, their music is evocative of windy walks on a sandy beach, quiet strolls through dense green forests or cosying up by the fire with a good book and a warm blanket. On their website you can find CDs of their EPs, merch and their own designs of Christmas cards which I've been buying for the past couple of years. www.ouratlanticroots.com Instagram: @ouratlanticroots
12: Stag + Seer
Last but certainly not least on this list is a brand that's a true staple in my selfcare cupboard, family run herbalist shop in Totnes. Their products are so much more than herbal teas and body oil to me: it's medicine. It's magic. It's wildcraft steeped in celtic tradition and authenticity. I use their Thieves Oil every single day on my pulse points not only to envelop myself in the comforting spicy scent, but to also protect myself energetically. Their Seer's Tea is a lovely soothing infusion to have in the evening to give me some real vivid dreams! www.stagseer.com Instagram: @stag.seer
I’d also like to share a bonus number 13 (lucky number of the divine feminine), if you don’t want to spend too much, a book is a perfect gift for someone who loves walking, adventure & nature (you can be that person too!). It just so happens I’ve written the perfect book for that person. May I humbly introduce you to Becoming: A Very Long Walk & The Awakening of a Woman, my book chronicling my 630 milk walk in the wilderness. Check it out right here on my website.
And one last bonus shout out goes to the wonderful Helen Round Designs where I work part time as a studio seamstress. We make gorgeous linen homewares & accessories for eco-living. It's a pleasure to work with such a creative and inspiring team in a beautiful countryside settting. Click here to browse Helen's products.
WOW what a list! If you made it this far, I thank you so much for your patience and time. This was essentially a few minutes of me fangirling over my friends and how wonderfully creative they all are. I really hope this has given you some inspiration and please do let me know if you yourself have tried any of these brands? Let's share the love together!
As always, I'm so grateful to have you here.
With love, Ind xx