Shop indie this Christmas #1 - 5 of the best baubles & ornaments

Shop small, shop indie

It's been a difficult year for most businesses and this can be particularly true for small independents who may not have the safety net of larger corporations. One way you can show your support for small businesses is to buy indie this Christmas, supporting small or local companies rather than giving your money to big business.

In this series of blog posts, we're here to help you out by showcasing some of our our favourite indie businesses and the beautiful and unique products they're offering to make your Christmas special. For our first post, we've selected some of our favourite Christmas decorations that we think you'll love.

Adorable Dacshund ornament from Poppy Treffry

Dacshund through the snow

Poppy Treffry is the queen of free-motion embroidery, and her quirky style has spawned two books and many awards. Her designs are now turned into products by her close-knit team in Cornwall, including enameled wooden tree decorations based on Poppy's designs. We are particularly taken with this darling dacshund in his festive finery.

View the range at https://poppytreffry.co.uk/collections/christmas 

Marbled baubles from The Whimsical Marbler

Marble madness

Marbling is a special kind of magic, which turns a few inks into unique and mesmerising creations. Jessica at The Whimsical Marbler is a master of the art and sells her one-of-a-kind designs on her Folksy store. Her papers are truly beautiful but this Christmas its her hand-dipped ceramic baubles that put us in the mood for eggnog.

Get in the spirit at https://folksy.com/shops/thewhimsicalmarbler

Birch bark stars from Seasons Green

Star of wonder

If, like us, you're trying to bring a more natural touch to your festive proceedings this year then a little trip to the Seasons Green website may be in order. Made from real birch bark, these stars would make rustic tree ornaments, Christmas table scatter or stunning additions to your brown paper gift wrap parcels. At only 25p each, we're grabbing a handful! If you're ever down by Corfe Castle in Dorset, you can visit the Seasons Green shop in person too.

Star star-gazing over at www.seasonsgreen.co.uk

Personalised hand-lettering baubles from The Preposterous Pigeon

Make it personal

One of the special things about shopping indie is that you can get hold of something truly unique. With The Preposterous Pigeon, you can go one step further and pick up personalised baubles, which owner Vera has hand-lettered just for you. Each ceramic bauble is hand painted and finished with your chosen text for the perfect finishing touch.

View all Vera's products on Etsy at www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Preposterouspigeon

Needle-felted mouse in a knitted jumper from Red Hen Trading

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

I like to add at least one new addition to our Christmas decorations every year, and ideally something handmade and adorable. Gloucestershire shop, Red Hen Trading, may have the top contender for this year - this heart-meltingly cute felt mouse decoration, complete with knitted jumper and tartan trousers.

Go hunting for mice at https://redhentrading.co.uk/ 

For more indie shopping ideas, take a browse of the independent stores at Love Our Shops UK