To kick off the New Year, I thought I’d share some of my Christmas gifts. I’ve been very lucky this year and received lots of lovely presents. Here are just a few with an indie / crafty theme.

Beautiful cherry cake tea cosy by my talented sister, Cassie Oldham. Cassie doesn’t have a website as yet but you can direct any enquiries via the blog.

Gorgeous handmade bag by one of my favourite bag designers, Francesca Salvini. Thank you mum.

I’ve wanted to have a go at making my own soap for ages. So thank you to my thoughtful husband for these Soap and Bath Bomb starter kits. You can find them at Fred Aldous.

What was in your stocking?

Last Sunday we went along to the Manchester Craft Mafia Christmas Market at Urbis. I spoke to a number of the stallholders about their work, the processes and materials they used and buying handmade products. Click on the link below to listen to the interviews.

Indie Quarter Christmas Podcast (The screen will initially go blank and it will take a few moments for the podcast to download.)

Pictures from the Manchester Craft Mafia Christmas Market

To find out more about the Manchester Craft Mafia and their events go to www.manchestercraftmafia.com

To find out more about Urbis and their calendar of events go to www.urbis.org.uk.

A big thank you to all the stallholders who took part.

Yay! Calloo Callay - it’s Christmas! Well, strictly speaking it’s Advent but I feel that I can now talk about Christmas unreservedly. (Not that I was exactly holding back. )

I’ve had this gem of a site up my sleeve for a little while now and have been waiting for just the right opportunity to share. Glitter Workshop is an art craft boutique which stocks the work of over 100 artists. Skip straight to the Holiday Gifts and Accessories section to find handmade tree decorations, vintage ornaments, storybook coasters, cards and other goodies. My favourites are the reconstructed cards, made from vintage children’s book illustrations, sewn onto card. In addition, there are lots of cute gift ideas and stocking fillers.

Shop online at https://shop.glitterworkshop.com.

For anyone in Glasgow over the next couple of weeks there are ample opportunities for treating oneself Christmas shopping. This Sunday is the Miso Funky/DADA market at Sloans, Argyle Arcade, Glasgow. Then on 15th December the oh-so-popular Miso Funky Market will be back at Hillhead Library.

Just to recap:

Miso Funky/DADA Market
Sunday 2nd December
Sloans, Argyle Arcade, Glasgow
11am - 4.30pm

Miso Funky Market
Saturday 15th December
Hillhead Library, Byres Road, Glasgow
10.30am to 4.30pm

Got that? If not go to www.misofunky.com for more info.

Right, that’s me done for the weekend. Back on Monday with more Christmas shopping tips and fabulous indie stocking fillers.

If you’re Christmas shopping in Manchester this weekend then pop into Urbis. Manchester Craft Mafia will be hosting the second round of their indie craft markets and there will be oodles of gift ideas and stocking fillers. I’m also going along on Sunday to do a podcast, so keep an eye out for that next week.

Products will include badges, cards, stickers, posters, clothing, lights, ceramics, toys, bags, jewellery, textiles and comic books.

What: Manchester Craft Mafia Markets
When: this Saturday and Sunday (1st and 2nd December) - 11 til 4
Where: Urbis

For more details please visit www.manchestercraftmafia.com.