Small Biz Day 2023 – Our Maker Picks!
27th November 2023
With Small Business Saturday around the corner, it’s a perfect opportunity to show some love to your favourite makers and support the creative community!
Since 2017, we’ve been on a mission to support all forms of making – from the cosy kitchen table to the bustling factory floor. We take pride in championing the act of making every single day. To celebrate Small Business Saturday, we’ve asked our team to share their top picks for the year. Check out our recommendations and discover some incredible makers from across the UK.
Now in its Eleventh year in the UK, the Small Biz Saturday campaign has grown significantly year on year encouraging millions to shop small. Small Biz Saturday will take place on Saturday 2nd December 2023.
Fernandes Makes
Ambitious and fun Manchester-based artist Nicola Fernandes creates illustrative treats for you, your friends and the cat! Playful revenge advocator, creative coach and overall comedic girl boss – friendzoning the world to bring you fun original colourful art. Products range from greeting cards, postcards, and notebooks to cushions plus much more! Nicola’s latest venture is Flock and Gaggle – Manchester’s Award Winning Indie Gift Shop filled with small businesses.
Venture Arts
Venture Arts is an award-winning visual arts organisation working with learning disabled artists. Through their studio programmes, exhibitions and collaborative projects, they remove barriers to the arts, put artists in the lead, champion neurodiversity and provide pathways for every individual to develop their creative identity. You can now purchase some of the artist’s work in their online shop!
Tuck
Nestled in the heart of Lancaster, TUCK is a cosy and inviting independent cafe that prides itself on serving only the freshest and most wholesome food and baked goods. From artisanal sandwiches and hearty soups to delectable pastries and cakes, every item on the menu is carefully crafted with the finest ingredients and a passion for great taste.
Night Time Holiday
Night Time Holiday is a small independent jewellery brand founded by Brooke Robson. The brand has grown from Brooke’s love for colour, fun and personality within style. All Night Time Holiday jewellery is handmade from start to finish by one pair of hands in Brooke’s home studio in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Each piece from Night Time Holiday is carefully considered and all their products are made in small batches or made-to-order with sustainable materials.
La Basketry
La Basketry was launched in 2017 as an online boutique, offering baskets and unique woven products for the home designed, all handwoven by a group of female artisans Tabara had met and connected with in a small village outside of their parents’ hometown called Thies in Senegal. Today, La Basketry wants to celebrate all things woven – be it inspiring you to weave and craft your own creations either at one of their workshops, using a DIY Kit or purchasing a beautiful piece made by a skilled artisan online.
FR pattern + Textiles
FR Pattern + Textiles are a surface pattern and textiles design studio based in the North West of England. Specialising as an artisan arts and crafts business; owned and operated by one woman; producing unique quality surface pattern designs full of colour and patterns for soft furnishings, stationery, fashion, jewellery and art. All lovingly handmade since 2016.
The Fabled Thread
The Fabled Thread by Eppie Thompson was born out of a love for the pleasures of sewing. After starting the business from a corner of Eppie’s bedroom at home with three kits, they have grown to offer over 100 different embroidery and needlepoint kits, as well as framing, decorative painting, virtual courses, workshops and more. The Fabled Thread’s mission is to empower everyone to explore their own creativity and experience the joy of making.
Scotty Gillespie
Scotty Gillespie is an illustrator based in the Southwest of England, UK. Scotty’s work consists of bright and optimistic imagery that celebrates inclusivity, playfulness, and tenderness. Their practice spans digital illustration, ceramics, animation, and design.
Cheryl Tully Ceramics
Working from their space at Ceder Farm in Lancashire Cheryl runs a studio and gallery shop. Working in porcelain or white stoneware clay, Cheryl creates functional ware and sculptural work. Each piece is made by hand without using the potter’s wheel and is made with minimal tools creating beautiful and functional pieces.
SOCK OF A KIND
It started as a simple need. Peter was invited to a wedding and wanted to find high quality socks that spoke to his African heritage. When he couldn’t find any he decided to create his own, as an homage to Africa’s bold, distinctive character and cultural abundance a SOCK OF A KIND was born. Because these aren’t just socks that you slip on and then they slip your mind. They’re colour-blocking, loud, proud. They’re Peter’s way of celebrating the vibrancy of Africa – turning an everyday fashion staple into a statement.
Folka
FOLKA specialises in objects of modern craft, folklore and one-of-a-kind pieces with a focus on handmade, authentic folk art from Poland. Folka source and sell a range of unique ceramics, textiles, glassware, jewellery and stationery, as well as more unusual items. The name ‘folka’ is a portmanteau of Polka (Polish girl) and folk. The shop is run by Karolina Merska, an art historian.
Golden Hour Co
Independent small business Golden Hour Co. is creating beautiful candles with well-being in mind. All of their candles are hand-crafted, hand-poured soy wax candles with 100% pure essential oil blends. No fragrance oils are ever used to facilitate 100% aromatherapy benefits. From the testing of different blends to achieve the ultimate scent, researching the essential oils to ensure great benefits, and waiting patiently for wax to melt in their kitchen; Each step is handled with care and consideration.
Hiedra
Sofia Salazar is a self-taught Designer from Argentina and has been living in Norwich for the past 8 years. Coming from a family of makers Sofia explores and experiments with almost every technique they learn about and works with textiles, cyanotypes, linocut, woodcuts, screenprinting, pochoir and sculpture.
Dead Good Jewellery
Turning all manner of flora and fauna into beautiful one-of-a-kind jewellery and accessories since 2011. Built from a deep respect and appreciation for nature, Nicola Hebson preserve the beauty in things which otherwise would be discarded. Her pieces celebrate the loveliness that you find in the great outdoors and capture the spirit of the great English woodlands.
Me To A Tee
Clothing, creativity and community, from Blackburn to the World. Me To A Tee to a small designer and sportswear brand specialising in vintage and second-hand clothing. Based in Prism Contemporary Me To A Tee curates a selection of thrifted clothing from Armani to Adidas.
