After more than 25 years selling her products to the likes of Harrods, Liberty, Saks Fifth Avenue, Le Bon Marche and Fortnum and Mason, Sue Hicks of Hollywell now sells her beautiful Christmas decorations in limited editions at Christmas Fairs and on her website.

The stunning handmade decorations are made from sumptuous fabric and trimmings including velvet, silk, braid, gimp, linen, boucle, chenille and sequins.

And as well as the decorations, you can also buy personalised gifts like these pretty embroidered linen hearts. The hearts are filled with lavender flowers and can be customised with a name or message.

Hollywell makes the kind of decorations you would expect to see in a stately home or grand hotel but they’re available to everyone at www.hollywelldesigns.com.

‘Shibori’ is the Japanese word for resist dyeing and has been used around the world for centuries. More than half of the known techniques originated in Japan, where they were used to create kimono fabric. Shibori gives fabric a 3-dimensional form by pleating, gathering, clamping or twisting. It is then secured and dyed, resulting in a soft or blurry-edged pattern. Helen Bolland has created a beautiful collection of scarves using these traditional methods.

The Coral scarf on the left is made from very fine silk and has been created using tiny ‘Fortuny’ pleats trimmed with glass beads. The Beige and Blue Bomaki scarf features irregular ripple pleats. The scarves are priced at just £49 and £45 respectively, a real bargain considering the quality of the fabrics and the work that has gone into creating them.

The collection is available to buy online at www.helenbolland.co.uk.

I used to believe that Christmas should remain in December. And then I opened an online shop and all of that went out of the window. Last week the European Markets arrived back in Manchester, the Christmas lights have been officially switched on and I am totally in the Christmas zone. I’ve therefore been scouring the Internet for Christmas gifts and I’ve found some great ideas over at Bettyjoy.

Bettyjoy is a brand spanking new online boutique dedicated to selling handmade gifts, accessories, homewares and jewellery. The cute Ragdolly Earrings on the left are made by FluffsStuff and cost just £4.99, making them an ideal stocking filler.

I also picked out the Take Me Out Bag by Sugar Cane. It’s made from cream cotton canvas with printed brown leaves and mustard yellow berries, with a wooden handle. The lining is a matching luxurious cream taffeta with large zipper pocket.

There are lots of unusual gift ideas to choose from. Take a look for yourself at www.bettyjoy.co.uk.

There are some really unusual accessories over at Le Essential Wardrobe. The designs have a decidedly European influence, which is evident through styling, use of colour and choice of fabrics.

I picked out a beautiful crocheted shawl with rose patterns and fringe detail. It’s ideal for those winter evenings, to throw around your shoulders and take off the chill. And the Satin Corset Belts are tr??s chic and will add a little je ne sais quoi to any outfit.

For more Euro spice go to www.leessentialwardrobe.com.

If you’re looking for accessories to complement your festive party outfits, then add Urban Bloom to your favourites list. Each item of jewellery is handcrafted in New York by designer Lauren Blumenthal.

For understated sophisticated try the Slender Earrings made from delicate brushed sterling silver beads on sterling silver hooks. And for something fun and frivolous, try the Once Upon a Time Necklace. A beautiful brass unicorn and aquamarine stone dangle from a gold filled chain.

The full collection can be purchased from www.urbanbloomnyc.com.