Handmade home accessories have become more popular over the past ten years, partly as a result of the focus on Fair Trade and people wanting gifts to be a bit more unique. Quality tends to be good and even the smallest of companies now have a website. Here’s a selection of 10 of the best handmade home accessories we’ve spotted.
1. Fabric memo boards by Annette’s Allsorts
Memo boards used to be ugly things, designed only to do their job and with no thought to how they looked. That was until memo boards such as this fabric memo board by Annette’s Allsorts came on the market. The standard size is 300mm by 400mm, although they do bigger, and the choice of fabric is pretty large. The boards are made from a heavy cotton fabric with a beautiful contrasting ribbon and is finished with upholstery studs. They are great for the kitchen, children’s bedrooms or even if you ant to brighten up the office. Swanky Maison sell them from £18.
2. Bright and funky stripy single bed quilt / bedspread / playmat
Lina Loves markets this bright and funky stripy single bed quilt / bedspread / playmat as being ideal for children, highlighting how the bright colours can help them with their development. They also state that it can be used as a playmat for kids. We agree, but also think the bright colours would look great on an adult’s bed. The price is £60.
3. Slate heart coasters
Reclaimed Cornish slate has been used to make this set of 4 heart coasters. Each of the handcrafted coasters has felt pads applied to the base to protect furniture, and are gift wrapped using natural string. The natural string which is used to gift wrap the coasters really finishes them off beautifully. They cost £18.95 from Iapetus.
4. What would Nigella do? tapestry
The words are not going to change the word, but this What would Nigella do? tapestry would make a lovely gift. Forages sells it for £27.95. The words are hand stitched and the gold frame is vintage style.
5. T S Eliot mug
Doris & Co claims to have made the perfect mug. The luxury handmade pottery company from Stoke-on-Trent sells handmade pottery such as the TS Eliot mug for £14.95. It has the words “The notion of some infinitely gentle – infinitely suffering thing” inscribed – inside and out.
6. Woven storage basket
Hastingwood Basket Works sells willow baskets – pet baskets, log baskets and also for general storage. This general storage basket using randed weave is made from buff and green willow and costs £43. It measure 43 x 38 x 20cm and has a small handle at the front.
7. Fifties vintage print mini cushion
Handmade & Vintage takes vintage items and transforms them. We like these Fifties vintage print mini cushions costing £8.50 each. One side shows a picture of the fashion in 1956; on the other is printed some advice on how to look your best. 1950s style. Each cushion is filled with carded polyester and lavender.
8. Vintage lampshade
Helen from Glow Lampshades has made a business out of stripping down old lampshades and recovering them. This stunning looking 1950s style vintage lampshade costs £140 and is made of French floral fabric with a stunning cream lining and scalloped wool edge. If you like striking colours and are not afraid to be brave in your choices this would look fantastic in the living room. Have a look at the Meggy Moos website.
9. Butterflies photo frame
Pressies4Princesses sell this gorgeous glass frame with a handpainted butterfly design. The purple butterflies sit well on the aqua background. The mirror costs £9.99.
10. Ceramic pottery spoonrest
Spoon rests are a great invention. This spoon rest in orange brown stoneware ceramic pottery almost blends in with the colour of the wooden spoon. It is wheel thrown, signed, waxed, glazed, fired and finished by hand, and is microwaveable and oven-safe. The cost is £10.55 from Etsy.
By Jackie Cosh
