shopping Archives - Cards and Gift Wrap

Posted on December 10, 2023June 16, 2024 by janet — Leave a comment

My Christmas Etsy Guide from the Outer Hebrides

While many of my Hebridean small business friends do have social media and their own websites, some of them use Etsy to sell you their stunning handmade wares. I thought I’d share a few of them here to give you some Christmas ideas. I’m always amazed by the level of talent available on our Hebrides islands. I hope this guide will help you support our local businesses and maybe you’ll discover some small business you didn’t know we had here.

My top 8 Christmas gift ideas from the Hebrides on Etsy

Lewisian Nice Harris Tweed Decor and Hair Accessories

Rainbows, hearts and Harris Tweed – the perfect combo

You can’t go wrong with rainbows, hearts or Harris Tweed and Sarah’s heart garlands always catch my eye. What a fabulous gift for someone who has everything, especially good taste.

Sollas Books – beautifully bound in Harris Tweed

Perfectly bound notebooks – in every way

I had the pleasure of visiting Corinna’s workshop in North Uist while on a family holiday some years ago. Seeing the whole hand-binding process was fascinating and the quality of her work will leave you speechless. And you can never have too many notebooks!

Coll Pottery – and so much more

Not just pots!

Coll Pottery used to be just that when I first came to Lewis but since Alan took over it is so much more.

You can’t go wrong with a new piece of jewellery for a gift and with each of these unique glass pendants your gift is going to stand out from the crowd.

Designs on Benbecula – inspired by our beautiful beaches

Jewellery befitting of our landscape

Handmade and unique from biwa pearls and silver…and adjustable too so it will fit anyone.

This stunning choker from Deborah from Designs on Benbecula is a gift to wow both when given and every time it’s worn.

Loch Sealg Designs, handmade for you

Made to order and worth it

Katie has several designs to choose from her own fashion collection and this green agate caught my eye (perhaps because I married an Irishman).

Hallmarked and handmade and if you’re not a green person then Katie will happily do the same design in your gem of choice.https://tidd.ly/3tciTra

EJay Design – when you’re not sure which island

Have them all!

You might not be able to have the whole world in your hands but you can hold the entire Scottish Hebrides in your hands with this gorgeous teatowel from Ejay Designs.

Eilidh does the most amazing watercolour illustrations of our islands and further afield. If teatowels aren’t your thing then check out her maps, they have gold highlights!

The Herring Girl Posters

Memories of Stornoway

If the whole Hebrides is too much, or you have fond memories of somewhere in particular then take a look at Lauren’s vintage posters.

This one of Stornoway with the famous Lews Castle is a favourite of mine with many a Sunday afternoon family walk taken round its grounds.

Hair Accessories for everyone

Strikingly Stunning

I can vouch for Catherine Anne’s hair accessories as my girls have been wearing these for years.

At Mamayana you’ll also find Mother and Daughter sets which would be a lovely idea at this Christmas time of sharing.

I struggled to choose which one to share but then this black and gold hair bow stood out.

Our Scottish Hebrides are filled to the herring gills with talent and I’ve only shown a handful of Christmas ideas from Etsy here . I’d love to know what you choose please let me know in the comments below.

Looking for something last minute – you might want to check out Etsy’s top recommendations for last minute gifts

Posted on February 10, 2018April 13, 2018 by janet — Leave a comment

Mother’s Day Etsy Gift Guide

While you obviously want to get your mum a lovely card for Mother’s Day, and maybe a bunch of flowers. What else could you get that’s a bit classy and a bit different? Many of the illustrators who design cards for Flamingo Paperie have their designs on other products too. Thought I’d take a look and see if I could put together some ideas for mum that are perhaps a bit different but still lovely. Where better to start than on Etsy. Here is my Mother’s Day Etsy Gift Guide! When you appreciate beautiful illustrations but perhaps can’t afford the original artwork then here are my next best things.

I do have a disclaimer to make. I am an Etsy affiliate so if you do click through and make a purchase I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you but my gift guide is made up of things I’ve either bought or want to get myself (hint hint if any friends or family are reading).

My Mother’s Day Etsy Gift Guide

Hixxysoft

Does your mother like to bake? Does she like to stitch? Does she like watching the Great British Bake Off? Does she appreciate good artwork? If so, then how about a cross stitch kit. You could either buy it yourself, complete the kit and give a picture. Or if she likes cross stitch herself then give her the kit as a present. Amanda Loverseed is well known for her cut thru illustrations as well as her other artwork. The cut thru bakery is a favourite of mine. The Dinky Cottage is quite sweet too.

Mysticsunsetfabrics

You can never have too many cushions! Sarah Summers does the most exquisite illustrations and many of them have been put on to fabrics. You will possibly recognise her winter and Christmas designs first but she has many others. This beautiful ‘Charcoal Birdhouses and Watering Cans‘ design would make a beautiful cushion or could be used in quilting.

ClaireHenleyArt

Maybe it’s just my mum but she has a thing about coasters! She also has a thing about fish and chips so these Mr and Mrs Fish coasters would tick both those boxes. And if you’d rather have more traditional floral coasters then these are beautiful. Of course if you’re getting coasters then you need the mug to go with it and this one, made in Cornwall of a Cornish scene would brighten up any kitchen.

AlisonVickeryArt

Is your mum ‘Pretty in Pink‘? How about some flowers that will last forever in a limited edition print. When you can’t afford the original artwork but want something a little bit exclusive then this is a good idea. Alison has a number of limited edition floral prints for sale in her Etsy shop. Any of them would make a great Mother’s Day gift but this one stood out for me.

…and if you can afford the original artwork then this one is a must. ‘Fresh Daisies‘ is one of my favourite illustrations that Alison has painted. It’s also a Flamingo Paperie greetings card but I would LOVE to have this original artwork.

So now you’re all set. You’ve got the cushions, the coasters, the mug and the flowers. Mum can sit and relax with a cuppa while doing her cross stitch or admiring the one you spent months making her! She is one way or other surrounded by the most exquisite artwork and now feeling very loved.

I hope you like my Mother’s Day Etsy gift guide. If you know of other Etsy shops that feature Flamingo artists that I haven’t mentioned do let me know. You can leave a note in the comments below.

Posted on November 27, 2017 by janet — Leave a comment

My Isle of Lewis Etsy Holiday Gift Guide

With only 4 weeks till Christmas I’ve been looking at what I can still get that’s handmade by people like myself running a small business. Where better to start than on Etsy. Here is my Isle of Lewis Etsy Holiday Gift Guide! So whether you live on the Isle of Lewis like myself or not, there’s really no need to even leave your sofa to shop local.

My Etsy Holiday Gift Guide

Bruehousecrafts

I’ll start with these gift labels made by a lady I met just this weekend at a craft fairs. So I’ve seen them in the ‘flesh’ so to speak. I was really impressed with how professional they looked and I have to recommend the ones with Harris Tweed and Gaelic on them first.

She makes other ones too and my daughter really fancied the ‘Naughty or Nice’ ones. You might prefer the ‘Time to Drink Champagne‘ ones.

As I’m in to sending snail mail, I really love the vintage postcards. I think it’s the stamps that do it for me. Postal stamps and Christmas together, what’s not to like?

Lewisiannice

If you liked the Nollaig Chridheil gift tags then you might like these tree decorations with the same message. These are made by Sarah of Lewisian Nice who also makes beautiful Harris Tweed clocks. My favourite being this one in ‘winter red‘ as it both looks and sounds so homely.

Of course if red isn’t your favourite then there are lots of other colours available, all made from genuine Harris Tweed, hand woven right here in the Outer Hebrides.

Sandwickbaycandles

When you are putting your feet up and watching the time ticking by on your Harris Tweed clock, you’ll need a subtle, festive aroma to help you unwind and absorb the Christmas spirit. I can personally recommend Megan’s candles from Sandwick Bay Candles and this year’s Christmas trio sound very appealing. Megan works out of her home. Every time I visit there are the most captivating, but in no way over powering, scents unfolding from her workroom.

If you like to take the fragrances with you then Megan also makes travel tins and car diffusers. Both make perfect stocking fillers.

Sewingroomwithaview

Talking of stockings, you’re going to need a good one to put all these delights in and I have found the perfect one from Sewing Room with a View. Genuine Harris Tweed stockings that won’t ladder or let you down. Sallie also makes beautiful Harris Tweed clothing for when you’re looking for something exclusive and extra special.

So now you’re all set. You’ve got the stocking, the tree decorations, the gifts and even the tags. And you didn’t even need to leave your sofa, let alone the Outer Hebrides!

I hope you like my Etsy holiday gift guide from the Isle of Lewis. If you know of other Etsy shops from here that I haven’t mentioned do let me know. You can leave a note in the comments below.