One of the best ways you can support small businesses and be more sustainable with your purchases, is to shop at handmade craft markets. When you choose to buy from independent businesses or local designer-marker, you make a big difference. Your money goes back into the local community and you know exactly who made your product and where.
Small businesses are often more eco-conscious because they prioritise waste reduction and the use of eco-friendly materials. There are so many reasons why buying handmade and supporting small businesses is more sustainable than giving your money to big brands.
Handmade craft markets provide the perfect opportunity to discover new designer-makers, while also ticking some gifts off of your shopping list. Next weekend is the Paperdolls Handmade Market. We have a stall where you can shop our sustainable minimal jewellery in person.
The Paperdolls Handmade Summer Market takes place on 11th June at The Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham. You'll discover over 50 stalls and workshops by small brands and independent makers featuring jewellery and clothing to homewares and ceramics. We've shared some of our favourites below.
Jewellery - Oh My Clumsy Heart
Our jewellery brand started in 2012 because finding high quality minimal jewellery that was both sustainable and affordable was impossible. We use eco-friendly methods and fairly-sourced metals as well as plastic-free packaging. Crafted in the UK and sold direct from our studio in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter; we've eliminated the wholesale and retail mark-ups, meaning our jewellery is sold for a fair price. You can shop the jewellery collection online then collect from us at the market on the day.
Art & Illustration - Rosi Illustration
If you love playful prints and quirky ceramics, you'll love Rosi's work. She draws on her experiences as a woman, exploring ideas of mental health and body shaming. Our favourites are the flowers you can't kill and wrapped in spring print.
Botanical - Twig Plants
Sarah has combined her knowledge of forest knowledge with her love of design to create Twig. A Bristol-based plant shop (also available to shop online) stocking your favourite houseplants, as well as bespoke plant pots made from recycled cotton yarn.
Skin Care - Juwles
Founded by Asma Juwle, an expert aromatherapist and skincare specialist, this natural skincare is handmade in small batches, and designed to soothe and relax. The mini sets are perfect for gifting.
Ceramics - Maisie Parkes Design
Adorable miniature clay sculptures handmade and illustrated by Maisie. Her collection includes houses, mushrooms, and garden sheds with each one being an original one-off. The townhouses are especially wonderful.
Food - Pip's Hot Sauce
This is the best hot sauce in the West Midlands with taste flavours made in small batches for freshness. We love them all so we recommend buying the taster set.
Clothing - Kauf Studio
This lingerie brand offers high-quality size-inclusive lingerie at affordable prices. Each piece is handmadefrom a small studio in the North of England using end-of-line and discontinued fabrics as well as plastic-free packaging.
Homewares - The Snow Sheppard
This design-led brand crafts sustainably-made playthings are homewares from FSC birch plywood. Ideal for minimalists who wants to make their home look pretty without the clutter.
Textiles - Earth Tribe
This brand prioritises relaxation and stress-relief with their range of eye pillows, neck wraps, and heat packs. Each one handmade by Tina, the founder of Earth Tribe, using materials sources from other small UK businesses.
