Preparing for the festive season? Emma Pritchard looks to local independent crafters for a custom Christmas – or help making your own
Embrace advent traditions and get in the festive spirit with these popular decorations – plus the chance to pick up some great tips on how to make your own...
The stocking
Buy it: Caroline Quinn works year round from her Witley home to create her Santa Sacks collection of festive stockings using a sewing machine, knitting needles and inspiration from the Surrey countryside (from £20).
Add a leather or wooden name tag for an extra special touch.
Craft it: Caroline also sells DIY kits containing the templates, instructions and materials needed to make your own (£19.95).
The greetings card
Buy it: Receiving post is one of life’s simple pleasures, so forget emails this year and set aside time to dust off your fountain pen and get writing.
Your notes are sure to stand out if you choose the hand-illustrated collection from Surrey-born Hannah Shelbourne (from £3.99).
Craft it: Make your cards even more memorable with an artistically written message. Judy Broad offers regular online calligraphy workshops that you can enrol in here.
The bauble
Buy it: Claire Waterhouse works from her garden studio in Milford creating her unique collections of Portable Pottery: bowls, pitchers and lace imprinted decorations, which she then paints with dove grey, duck egg blue and gold glazes (from £4).
Craft it: Claire offers a discounted introductory gift voucher for a two-hour lesson, which you can learn more about here.