Featured photograph; Christmas shop window at Handmade Design, Ashbourne in Derbyshire
Forget politics, religion and unsolicited advice on how to parent – if you want to say something at dinner party to get your friends spitting feathers you need to drop the C-word.
No, not that one, whilst swearing during the soup course will undoubtedly offend, if you want people lobbing bread rolls then detonate the other C-bomb in early November.
Christmas.
And prepare to be tarred and covered in turkey feathers if you let it slip that you’ve draped a bit of holly over your mantle/eaten a mince pie/ordered the turkey while the embers still smoulder on your firework night bonfire.
Get ready to lob some stale French sticks at my head as I’m about to tell you that a lot of people – including Asda (see below) – have already pressed play on their Michael Bublé Christmas album. Retailer John Lewis opened its online Christmas shop back in August and M&S have had not one but two controversies over the content of their Christmas ad’ (below) in the first week of November.
Instagram is awash with people who dared to debut their Christmas tree on November 1st and the hashtag #earlychristmas is a thing. But I do have to warn you; display your Xmas baubles on the grid before December and may get a ‘it’s too soon’ back-lash.
It happened to the magnificent Mario McKnight (Scotland’s answer to cleaning tips supremo Mrs Hinch), when he invited his 155k followers to talk Christmas tree themes in October on his Insta’ feed @cleaning_with_mario .
Mario (he’s doing a ‘Grinch’ theme) was so upset by some of the comments he issued the following response;-
‘Stop with the shaming,’ he implored (see below for his candy cane tree from last year).
‘I honestly can not wait to have Xmas up in our home. I treat Christmas like the kid I am still. Times! Dates! What should be acceptable! You conform to no one. Answer to no one. If Maria Carey can claim the season, then so can I.”
Taking my lead from Mario, I’m not going to feel ashamed for urging you make a list of Christmas must-haves from the cream of UK crafters and artisan makers in November.
If you choice to be an #earlychristmas naysayer, then there’s every chance you’ll miss out on getting the items you really want. The clever folk who make handmade items often have feverish fans refreshing their Instagram feeds for ‘Christmas drop’ dates and you must take into account hand-crafted items have longer turn-around times and shorter postal cut-off dates.
Moreover, just one purchase could also mean everything to the ‘small’ maker. Corina, of Ethel & Co candles puts it beautifully when she says ‘Christmas is my fave time and the most important for my little business. Shop small if you can. I know how much it means to us all..it can make the difference between being here tomorrow or not. We really do need your support.’
To paraphrase Mariah Carey, if all you want for Christmas is something beautifully bespoke – you must shelve the ‘it’s too early’ nonsense and get your skates on.
Here’s Jolly Volley’s guide to 10* of her favourite Christmas makers. It’s a personal list, not a definitive one; you’ll have your own handmade/artisan champions but the following are people I’ve seen at fairs, brocantes, markets etc which is why so many of them are based around my home county of Derbyshire. In a few (okay a lot) of cases, these are people from whom I’ve purchased items which have become personal Christmas treasures. At the end of the feature – I’ll collate my favourite things from each maker in the hope that my nearest and dearest will take the hint.
- I’ve not included a maker from Handmade Design (the shop which appears at the end of my listings) as they have 70 fabulous creatives to choose from…you’ll just have to visit and find your own favourites.
Magical Christmas maker – Lotta’s House
I first met Charlotte Toyer at a Fabulous Places Christmas Market way back in 2017. She described herself as a ‘mum with a passion for sewing’. What wowed me then – I’m a bit of a Lotta’s House fan-girl – was that, in a world of often copy-cat crafts, these pastel, padded plushies were truly unique.
Charlotte is still that busy mum (of four) but business is thriving and her passion remains undiminished even though some of the items – see robin Christmas wreath above – ‘take ages to sew’.
Must-haves for your Christmas list – the bows, that 12 days of Christmas star cluster decoration, Mr and Mrs Santa letters, the Christmas mantle banners which can be personalised and the cute the felt ribbons for wrapping that ‘foraged’ foliage you really bought from the florist.
Fancy popping in your stocking – visit Lotta’s House website and please bear in mind that there may be ‘up to two weeks’ turnaround on handmade orders. Charlotte will once again be at the Fabulous Places Christmas Market on Friday 24th November, 4pm – 8.30pm and Saturday 25th November, 10am – 4pm at Shottle Hall, Shottle, Derbyshire. Timed ticket entry only.
Magical Christmas maker – Flossie and Small
Rachael started Flossie and Small in 2020 with the intention of ‘running my little business alongside working at a school and looking after my daughter Esmée’. Such was the popularity of her wares, she’s now a full-time maker with the business name being a nod to Rachael’s childhood nickname ‘Flossie’ and ‘Small’ the name her husband gives their daughter.
Must-haves for your Christmas list – I can personally vouch for the fact Rachael’s crafts make gorgeous gifts as all ‘the smalls’ in my family (I love this nickname for children) have been gifted the ‘treat tags’ and ‘nice list letters’.
Fancy popping in your stocking – Rachael has a website but please be aware she has a 3-4 week lead time as she’s so inundated with Christmas orders. Rachael will also be at the Mama Meet and Market; Festive Family Market, The Chocolate Factory, Derby, on November 18th, 19th 10-30am-4.40am.
Magical Christmas maker – Made by Shannon
Shannon is very well-known on Christmas market circuit for her eco-conscious cards which not only spread a bit of joy (see above) – but laughter too. Shannon is on my list because my heart melts for her little snowmen ( she also does wise men) handmade at her Sussex studio.
“People spend ages deciding which one they want and discussing with their friends which face they prefer as they are all slightly different due to being hand-stitched,’ Shannon says.
Must-haves for your Christmas list – a pair of her little guys of course but, be warned, demand is such that these decorations – sold from her Etsy shop – disappear quicker than a snowman in a sauna.
Fancy popping in your stocking – Shannon will also be at the Fabulous Places Christmas Market (see above).
Magical Christmas maker – Karen Lesley Vintage Interiors
Karen is a woman after my own heart. Karen channelled her own love of ‘quirky and interesting everyday items’ (she has a bit of a thing about stocking stretchers) into something useful; namely a shop for her discovered vintage treasures and handmade sewing projects.
Must-haves for your Christmas list – Karen makes the most adorable Christmas stockings from French linens etc all inspired by her antique stocking/sock shapers. And it would be rude not to mention Karen’s embroidered decorations, often stuffed with relaxing lavender which comes in handy when someone really does start talking about politics/religion/behaviour of your children at the Christmas table.
Fancy popping in your stocking – Karen has a Christmas section on her website featuring the things she makes from vintage fabrics and some ultra clever stars made from wooden school rulers.
Magical Christmas maker – The Painted Anthology
Holly Nicholas-Steele’s dedication to sourcing vintage treasures with ancient patinas on which to hand-paint her words means there’s always something unique on offer at The Painted Anthology. As for Holly, it gives her a great excuse to go ‘scratching around in a chateaux attic or farmer’s barn’.
Here’s a thing, I have wanted to own one of Holly’s painted treasures but I’m stuck on the horn’s of indecision – should it buy the bucket, or the skates; do I have the ‘Twas Night Before Christmas’ poem painted on the side or the lyrics to ‘Let It Snow’?
Must-haves for your Christmas list – I love everything but if I really had to chose it would be the bucket, no the bottle brush trees er…maybe a row the little houses or the vintage model home?
Fancy popping in your stocking – visit The Painted Anthology website and you will see that this brand has spawned hundreds of imitators but no one hand-paints on vintage treasures like Holly.
Magical Christmas maker – Perched Bird
I had to smile when Kara Pooley (the skilled creator behind Perched Bird) appealed to other makers to see if they also ‘have stiff neck from painting, blisters from folding, crossed eyes from screens, back ache from packing but are still dancing to those festive favourites since August’.
Kara has been doing the most incredible things with paper-crafts since designing her own wedding stationery in 2010. Her wonderful drawings and paintings find their way onto baubles and into cloches, they decorate fir trees and wooden acorns and Kara also hand-paints bespoke East of India ornaments.
I’m not alone in thinking Kara’s ‘North Pole Star Polar Bear’ – see above – was the must-have make of Christmas ’23; every bear was sold within 20 minutes of being launched on her website last month (October) and fans are still asking for more (none this year due to work-load – finger’s crossed for next).
Must-haves for your Christmas list – limited stock but there are still a few baubles and other beauties available in Kara’s Christmas shop.
Fancy popping in your stocking – for a chance of getting your hands on a more extensive range of Perched Birds Christmas items, get your tickets for the Fabulous Places Christmas Market…I’m lucky enough to own a hand-painted bauble. Honestly, they’re even more magical in real life.
Magical Christmas maker – Ethel & Co’s candles
I first came across Ethel & Co candles at a maker’s market in Derbyshire and recall sniff testing the scents alongside a friend and telling her that – should I win big on the lottery – I would buy Ethel & Co’s entire range. Nothing has changed. Owner Corina and her team still make the nicest candles; using 100% Cocosoy wax. Best of all, as I’m someone who gets an instant migraine if I’m in the same postcode as someone wearing strong perfume, the scents are subtle. Plus, I love anything in medicine jar, apart from medicine.
Must-haves for your Christmas list – everything Corina makes is hand-poured by small team in Nottinghamshire and they all smell divine so you really can’t go wrong. My favourites are “Christmas spice’ ‘Duvet day’ and ‘Warm gingerbread’.
Fancy popping in your stocking – most of the candles and other candle-phrenalia (is this a word?) can be found on the Ethel & Co website or sniff test the candles in person at the Fabulous Places Christmas Market. Ethel & Co candles are also available at Handmade Design, 16 Victoria Sq, Market Place, Ashbourne (see below).
Magical Christmas makers – Darwin and Gray and Suzihearts
I know I’m cheating by grouping two makers together but it’s because I have to make an important public announcement. Seeing a fabulously handmade item on Instagram or a website is all very well – but nothing compares with seeing it in real life.
And what unites these makers is that their creative Christmas output can only be purchased by visiting them at festive/winter markets.
Stacey Gray (Darwin and Gray) can be found manning a stall (No. 78, The Stables – if she’s not there it’s because she’s at home making more stock) at the Christmas Market at Chatsworth House (Derbyshire) until November 26th. It’s a dream come true for Stacey, she started making bespoke hand-painted banners in 2012 and always wanted to secure a spot at Chatsworth and latest reports is that she is ‘so bloody happy to be here!’
Suzi ‘hearts’ is a talented maker of ‘timeless pieces from timeworn fabrics’ and – in spite of being in a state of ‘constant stitching’ at her gorgeous cottage – high demand and a new grand-daughter (welcome to the world Willa Olive) means she can only sell her lovely things at fairs and markets*.
If you do attend one of the fairs (below), go early; Suzi is so popular, she sells out of her wares almost every time. As one of the organisers of The Reclaimed Home Fair says ‘We know customers travel from all over the country to buy her limited edition pieces. That and to have a chat with Suzi who always seem to radiate good cheer!’
Must-haves for your Christmas list – from Darwin and Gray it has to be one of Stacey’s Christmas banners; customers say it’s the first thing they hang up every year to get them in the festive mood.
Aa for Suzi, I would happily travel miles to secure one of her little houses from her too-cute-for-words ‘Thimble Village’ collection. I can only agree with all the people on her Insta who saw Suzi’s linen Christmas trees and commented “I need one’.
Fancy popping in your stocking – Suzi will be popping up at the @thecountrybrocante on the 24-25 November and the @thereclaimedhomefair Saturday 2nd December 10-3pm. *Suzi has just announced she may have a ‘small sale’ on her Instagram in early December.
In addition to Chatsworth, Darwin & Gray will also be at other Christmassy events including the Pop Up in the Palm House, in Liverpool on 17-19 November and Fabulous Places Christmas Market.
Magical Christmas maker – Bow Beaus
As the attendee of many a Christmas market, I don’t have stallholders floor-plan to know where to find Jo McBride and her veritable zoo of zhuzhed-up party animals; you just look for the crowds.
Jo founded Bow Beaus in 2014; her signature customised and personalised ‘party animal’ range coming about almost by accident. Jo started by making textile pieces like children’s clothes and the customised animals were dotted around as props on her stalls (Jo bought them originally to decorate her daughter Blossom’s birthday cake). Customers asked about these animals so often; Jo started to sell them…and they became her bestsellers.
They appeal to all ages. Holly Tucker MBE, champion of creative small businesses, says Jo’s toys ‘are not just for children – my whole house is filled with Jo’s animals’.
Must-haves for your Christmas list – Okay, where to start? The party animals in their Christmas finery look fantastic on the dining table or within Christmas decor or on the Christmas cake. Jo also does an amazing range of ribbon cake toppers and flags which can be personalised. I have also seen the stampedes for Jo’s glittery wands and crowns…I once missed out on a coveted glittery wand to a four-year-old; it still hurts.
Fancy popping in your stocking – Jo has just released her Christmas collection on her website but such is the demand, the lead time is three weeks. If you have very sharp elbows, Jo will be at the Fabulous Places Christmas Market.
Magical Christmas makers – Handmade Design
if you thought I was cheating with the ‘two-for-one’ deal…I’m really going to be on your naughty list as my final selection is an entire shop – Handmade Design in Ashbourne. Opened in 2015, its mission is to champion creative businesses, most of them local to the Derbyshire area.
It would be rude of me to pick out one maker. Owner Laura Cooper (who took over the business five years ago) currently has 70 under one roof.
Laura and her team – on the day I visited artist Karen Johnson (@millie.moth) was manning the shop – have just been named Gift Shop of the Year by Prestige Awards.
For Laura it’s a honour which recognises all the hard work she puts into every single thing in the shop from bespoke greetings cards to original artwork canvases.
“Absolutely everything in our shop is picked by me. When choosing what to stock I’m constantly thinking about affordability. the environment, the uniqueness and the quality.”
Must-haves for your Christmas list – Ethel & Co warm gingerbread wax melts (see above) and Christmas spice candle (cough – I my have bought one of these), jingle bell Christmas trees and any one of those cute red robins bobbing around the shop.
Fancy popping in your stocking – visit the physical store – 16 Victoria Sq, Market Place, Ashbourne DE6 1GG – or you can shop online.
Here’s Jolly Volley’s top festive picks – any one of them would make my Christmas; all of them would make my year, ho, ho, ho…hint, hint, hint
Before heading off to drink a yard of Baileys to celebrate #earlychristmas 2023, Jolly Volley spoke with Christmas oracle James Cooper; the Christmas fan and expert, about that most pressing Christmas mystery of all…
When is the right time to decorate?
The lovely James gave me so much information, I’ve made a handy Christmas-informercial.
If you have any Crimbo questions of your own, just visit James’s website ‘The Christmas Expert’. 
