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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

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Mothers Day Gift Ideas from Small Artistic Businesses

Mothers day gift ideas from small artistic businesses

Etsy can be a great place to find Mothers Day gift ideas that little bit unusual, special, artistic and unique. Perhaps you’re looking for artistic ideas for something made by hand or personalised or just want to know that you’re supporting small businesses with your purchase.

Top Mothers Day Gift Ideas from Small Artistic Businesses

Mummy’s Grapes

This brilliant mummy’s wine gift is perfect as a wine holder for mummy’s grapes!
An ideal gift for mummy this wine butler / wine caddy is made from solid oak and finished in oil to enhance and protect. Such a unique gift for wine lover, would make a beautiful centrepiece at a party too!

Beautiful curved and smooth edges hold two glasses included in the price.
Unique engraved design on one side and comes with two standard wine glasses.

Pretty Bird and Floral Mugs

You can’t go wrong with mugs and especially with ones as pretty as these.

2 Pretty Bone China mugs taken from an illustration by Klara Hawkins. The design wraps around the whole of the mug.

These mugs are quite a dainty size and would make a perfect gift for anyone but mum would love them!

The Girl on the Bike Print

The girl on the bike – high quality art print by Helen from Cake&Crayons.

This beautiful illustration is minimal and bold to bring light, colour and joy to your mum’s home.

The Print comes with a white border to allow space for framing and is hand-signed at the back.

It’s available in different sizes too to suit your space and budget needs.


Mum Flamingo Keyhttps://tidd.ly/3YKWf2Tchain

Lovely keychain charm, a perfect gift for Mum.

Features Flamingo bottle cap charm with added Austrian crystal element, a cute little diamante mum charm, beads and Tibetan silver charms.

Presented in organza gift bag and handmade by Jay from The Eclectic Flamingos

Would also be a great gift for a mum to be or baby shower.

Cut My Veg Board

Cut my veg in to pieces!

Laser burnt by Jonathan from Art of the Forest by Jon. This design is burnt on to a bamboo charcuterie, chopping, cheese board.

This board is 29.5 cm tall by 19.5 cm wide and has been sanded and then treated with food safe mineral oil.

Jonathan can laser burn any design on to anything so if you want something more personal follow the links on his Etsy page to get in touch.

Daisy Chain Necklace

I didn’t know where to start with IAmRachelShop as Rachel has so many beautiful understated jewellery designs but I remember my mum teaching me to make daisy chains so this stood out for me as a Mother’s Day gift.

Pretty flower pendant in a daisy style made by firing white and yellow enamel onto a copper floral shape.

This flower necklace is a beautiful piece of nature jewelry and would make a lovely gift for a gardener or flower lover.

Coastal Buildings Print

This architectural art print has been inspired by the quaint and unique buildings on the North Yorkshire coast of England, the place Jessica Hogarth is happy to call home!

The linear illustrations are typical of her artistic style, and once they have been hand drawn, she digitally enhanced them with pops of colour for print.

An ideal gift for anybody that has an appreciation of British architecture and likes unique artwork. It could also make a great housewarming, wedding or engagement present as well as birthday gift for males and females alike.

Bees Paper Tape

This could either be a gift or what you use to wrap your Mother’s Day gift.

And yes you might have seen this on my website too as I am also on Etsy!

Strong, sticky and very very pretty the bees paper tape like all our tapes is 100% recyclable and totally plastic free.

All these gift ideas were chosen by me because I know the people behind the products. Many of them I’ve met personally or I’ve come across them on social media and got to know them and can see how hard they work to make these beautiful creations.

When you buy from a small business they really do do a happy dance but you also know you are getting something personally made that has had a lot of love and effort poured into it. Your Mother’s Day gift will be truly special and appreciated.

Disclaimer – there are some affiliate links in this post and I may get a small commission if you buy but this doesn’t affect the price you pay or the quality and love that has gone in to each item!

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Mother’s Day Etsy Gift Guide

Mother's Day

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.