9 Great Handmade Gift Ideas

“That's the thing with handmade items. They still have the person's mark on them, and when you hold them, you feel less alone.” 
― Aimee Bender, The Color Master: Stories

Ever felt like experiencing déjà vu while scrolling down Instagram stories? With repeating fashion images, copied memes, similar product trends with similar concepts that are almost impossible to differentiate, the big question of originality rises.

But, just like hidden treasures in a sea of sameness, there are those gems that are authentically one-of-a-kind that refuse to go with the flow but remain REAL to the core!

So what makes handmade gifts the best?

• No two handmade items are exactly alike. Due to the variations in colour, shading, texture, or shape, every single one is pretty unique.

• Handmade products give access to the skills of artisans.

• The feel-good factor. Spending your money on hand-crafted products supports local artisans and small businesses, hence creating jobs.

• Can meet your needs better. Often with handmade goods, you have the option of customizing your purchase. Artisans might be open to altering certain aspects of the product to fit your needs.

• Withstands the time. Due to the choice of materials, most handmade items are made to last.

• There is not large factory or industry behind the production, thus creating a smaller footprint.

• Handmade has a story woven into it which makes it more personal while gifting!

Switch to gifting handmade products with these 9 incredibly creative and functional products we think that is our staff pick from the range ;) From knitwear to ceramics, all crafted with passion and perfection by some seriously skilled hands, it’s indeed the originality that makes them stand out amongst the feeds!!

1. Loré Loré Fingerless Gloves (or Accessories)

The perfect example of embracing slow fashion with a focus on handmade!

Exclusively utilizing locally sourced materials, knitwear brand Loré Loré builds its vibrant and classic designs on the timeless craft of knitting. Whether it is the Merino Wool Fingerless Gloves ideal for those keypads and touchscreens or the Giant Pom Pom Beanie which, keeps the head stylishly warm, it’s the touch of locally sourced natural fibres that brings value and expression to the garments!

2. Alperstien Design Masks

With masks being the new socks, how cool would it be to wear a beautiful indigenous painting on your face while protecting yourself and others from germs!!

Using 100% cotton fabrics, Alperstein Designs has made a range of face masks featuring beautiful Aboriginal Artwork. Including a filter pocket and a nose wire which you can adjust for a close fit to your face, these patterned masks with dots and swirls in desert colours represent artists from the remote desert communities of Yuendumu and Nyirripi in Central Australia.

3. Thurlby Herb Farm Goodies

Using traditional botanical knowledge, a thriving garden, and surrounding forests, Thurlby Herb Farm creates a range of herbal blends and handmade soaps that contain no synthetic additives.

A cactus fibre washcloth wrapped around a moisturising orange spice handmade soap, a citrus twist clothing protector, aromatic doorstop, or a Kitchen Pantry Poultry that get rid of pesky critters in your pantry! There is something made with herblove for every area of your home.

4. Gail Ceramics’ Ceramic Pieces
   

Gail ceramics’ original handmade ceramic pieces are charmers to the T. Do check out the Ceramic Egg Cups or Ceramic Animal Rings or the Large Pig Planter!

So, what is the process? The Large Pig Planter, for example, is fired three times. First, after sculpting, drying, and painting which takes around 13 hours. Second, after three thin coats of glaze is painted, and then fired for 10hrs with a glossy result.

Playfully and intelligently made. Don’t you think?

5. Elodie Barker Bowls

Ceramics with personality!

These hand-thrown bowls by this award-winning artist also feature other individual whimsical creatures, all vibrantly painted to bring joy during mealtime!  In other words, functional pottery art at its cheerful best!!

After been thrown on the potter’s wheel, the cream-coloured earthenware clay is individually hand-painted using various underglaze pigments with adorable animal designs with facial expressions, pose, and colours. These pieces are highly usable and safe to use in the dishwasher.

6. Nine Yaks Button Ponchos

What feels luxuriously soft and makes you feel like royalty? The natural and rich comfort of pure cashmere!

Working with artisans from Nepal, Nine Yaks creates a collection of ponchos, wraps, scarves, and throws made from 100% Cashmere or Linen with vegetable-based dyes. Ensuring fair working conditions, the brand also aims to protect the environment and use natural resources sustainably.

Have fun wrapping a Cornflower Blue or Chartreuse Button Poncho (the colours are as mesmerizing as the designs!) and style it your way because there is plenty of room for creativity with these!!

7. Sabine and Sparrow Heat Packs and Eye Pillows

What is better than a hand massage? Handmade heat packs filled with locally sourced and natural wheat! Aches and pains or some comfort, Sabine and Sparrow’s heat packs are the ultimate natural relief. With excellent heat retention and longevity, these tools are also great for people with sensory needs with just a gentle massage.

And what gives those tired eyes some good rest? Natural linseed filled in 100% cotton natural and soft eye pillows in various patterns with dual thread stitching. Chamomile, lavender, or unscented, these little tools for the eyes helps balance the nervous system and calm the mind most naturally.

8. Elvis & Kresse Bags

Fill the bag and not the land!

From retired fire hoses to working luxury bags and accessories, Elvis and Kress rescues all of London's retired fire hoses and creatively upcycles them into functional items. Emulating kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, these re-engineered items that are timeless in design are handled with care and perfection, suiting your lifestyle.

9. The Wren Design Wallets

Did you ever think that paper wallets or bags can be stylish and water-resistant at the same time? Well, then you haven’t been introduced to The Wren Design as yet!

An idea that came out from driving behind a cement truck and exploring a shoe factory resulted in creating durable sleeves, bags, and other lifestyle accessories by stitching recycled cement paper!!

While the Nano Liquid Glass coat makes these water-resistant, the treatment using fusion and coating technologies enhances the paper’s strength, making it a functional fabric.

For more inspiration and similar handmade gifting ideas check out our Handmade Collection!