Looking for unique Christmas gifts? Let our Handcrafted Christmas Gift Guide make your holiday shopping a little less stressful. Discover contemporary craft from Scotland that will make the perfect gift for your loved ones and gives you the chance to support local businesses. In case you missed it, catch up on our last post in this series (all about the National Museum of Scotland Gift Collection) here.
With the festive season looming, we thought it time to offer up our selection of Christmas craft events. It might still be a little early for bells and mistletoe – but it’s the perfect time to start gathering unique, handcrafted gifts for your Christmas list.
First up a festive selling exhibition at the Barony Centre in West Kilbride. Alternative Giving pairs contemporary craft with art this Christmas, showcasing both decorative and fine art traditions. Shop work from Amanda Simmons, Beth Watson and Carol Sinclair to name just a few. The exhibition is currently open and will be, daily, until Christmas Eve.
The Park Gallery in Falkirk has a pop-up design market for its festive offering. Winter Warmth features unique and handmade gifts from Scottish artists and makers, including Clod & Pebble, Cameron Duguid and Kirsty Anderson. The market is open 10.30am to 4pm on Sunday 13 November, and you can shop your fill of ceramics, illustrations, homewares, coffee and more.
Banchory’s Woodend Barn is bringing back its signature Christmas Craft and Design fair this year, showcasing work from some of Scotland’s top makers. Head along over the weekend of 19 November for Flock, and pick up your festive purchases from the likes of Heather McDermott, Gavin Burnett, Nikki Fulton and Gabbi Reith, all amongst the festive, rustic surroundings of the Barn.
The Christmas period is an excellent time to visit makers in their studios, and this year is no exception. Edinburgh's Beaverhall Studios will be hosting their third open event on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November, where you can make the most of an exciting opportunity to visit residents Sally-Ann Provan, Chris Donnelly and Fiona Thompson, and newcomers such as Elizabeth Jane Campbell. There will be plenty of work for sale: jewellery, ceramics, furniture and millinery.
Dunfermline’s Fire Station Creative will host their Christmas Open Studios over the same weekend (25 to 27 November). Over 30 artists will open their doors, showing off their wares in their own space. In addition, you’ll be treated to two exhibitions, drop-in sessions and the studios’ popular café.
A little deeper into the festive period and you find the annual (and ever-popular) Coburg House Winter Open Studios. Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s Leith, over 80 artists open their studios on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December, offering you a rare opportunity to see behind-the-scenes, and get caught up on your Christmas shopping. Over in Glasgow, the Grey Wolf Studios Christmas Sale is back once more with an outstanding line-up of some of Scotland’s finest designers, makers, artists and bakers. On Friday 9 December from 4pm to 8pm, shop plenty of exclusive offers and support independent makers like Cecilia Stamp, Hilary Grant and Kate Colin.
This year, Etsy Made Local is back. Etsy Made Local is a national initiative that celebrates makers, collectors and artisans through local Christmas markets. Propping up the Scottish contingent, the Aberdeen Etsy Team are popping up in the site of the old Foyer restaurant on Crown Street in Aberdeen, offering a fun alternative to the Christmas shopping experience. The Aberdeen Etsy Team will be on-site from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 December, throughout the Etsy Made Local weekend. A little further south, the Glasgow Etsy Team will gather an excellent crop of Scotland’s Etsy sellers at The Briggait in Glasgow’s Merchant City. Running on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December, Etsy Made Local Glasgow will showcase 65+ different designer/makers on each day and promises to be Glasgow’s best alternative festive shopping event.
Lastly, 3D2D present their showcase Christmas shopping events for 2016. In Glasgow, over 70 makers, artists and designers will be showcasing ceramics, glasswork, woodwork, jewellery, clothing, textiles and accessories. The Glasgow Christmas Craft, Art & Design Fair will be held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November. In Edinburgh, the 3D2D Christmas Craft, Art & Design Fair will once again be held in the Assembly Rooms, with over 120 exhibitors all selling their own handmade work. The fair will pop up on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December; and promises to be, as always, a treat for your festive calendar.
