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The Arts

A guide to local Christmas shopping in Cardiff

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Cardiff is a hot bed of creative craft folks and entrepreneurs who are making their hobbies their day job. Why not keep it local year and get your Christmas shopping from local friendly makers and creators. The lovely Twin Made have created a handy guide and list of local markets to help you Sleigh your Christmas Shopping!

Here are some upcoming Christmas craft markets happening in and around Cardiff:

The Christmas Makers Market at The Paget Room, Penarth – Sunday 11th November

Ichi Artisan Winter Market 2018 –  St Catherine’s Church Hall, King’s Road, Pontcanna – Saturday 17th November

Snapped Up at The Printhaus, Canton – Saturday 17th November, Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th December

Little Otter at The Paget Rooms, Penarth – Sunday 18th November

The Bone Yard, Canton Cardiff – Saturday 17th November, Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th December

WOW Women of the World Festival at Chapter Arts Saturday 24th November to Sunday 25th November

Rhiwbina’s Handmade Market – Rhiwbina Memorial Hall – Sunday 25th November

Xmas Market at The Sustainable Studio – Saturday 1st December

Etsy Made Local at The Tramshed – Sunday 2nd December

Oh So Festive at Chapter, Canton – Saturday 8th December

The Christmas Makers Market – Saturday 8th December at St Catherine’s Church Hall, King’s Road, Pontcanna

 For those that have everything

Gah, those tricky people who give you no hints and appear to have everything they need:

How about a gift voucher from Twin Made, this will also be perfect for anyone who is asking for a sewing machine, get them a gift voucher to attend a workshop and get crafty in the new year.

Twin Made are at The Bone Yard, in Canton, Cardiff.They host creative workshops, sell craft supplies and equipment hire and much, much more.

Follow @Twin_Made twitter, and Twin Made Instagram and Twin Made Cardiff Facebook.

Stitch City is run by Alex Hughes in Penarth. Stitch City makes a variety of recycled and stitched products including vintage map notebooks and badges, recycled fabric earrings and embroidered cushions.

Find them online: www.stitchcity.etsy.com or at the following markets this Winter: Ichi Artisan Market in St Catherine’s Church Hall, Rhiwbina’s Handmade Market in Rhiwbina Memorial Hall & Etsy Made Local in Tramshed

Go follow Stitch City- @Alex_stitchcity Twitter and @Alex_stitchcity Instagram –

A perfect stocking filler from Stitch City

Alice Hawthorne located in Cardiff city centre is a designer and signwriter

Alice designs and creates: from gold leaf glass signs to posters to branding and graphic design.

Pieces are created in her Cardiff based studio and each of the signs painted and gold guided pieces and created from scratch and made to order. As a graphic designer her skills of type/layout/colour work perfectly in creating bespoke and unique items. The items in the store are a perfect reflection of her style and character from quirky posters for your home to hand crafted gold signs that are something completely different.

Online: www.aliceartwork.co.uk/shop or https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/aliceartworkdesign

Or in real life at Snapped up Market on Saturday 17th November and the Little Otter events in Penarth in November.

Go follow on Facebook aliceartworkdesign & Instagram:@aliceartwork

Stocking filler: A hand crafted gold leaf letter.

Free Range Frames is a one woman show with Kath making bespoke picture frames. The frames are made from bare wood with an added finish. This can be painted, wood stained, gilded and customisable to the client’s specifications.

Shop online and find out more about Free Range Frames – www.freerangeframes.co.uk, Stocking filler: A gift voucher, pop in to see Kath to get yourself one.

What a 2018! Why not treat the stressed out person in your life to a relaxing massage! Yurt in the City is a calm oasis run by Marcos Martin-Suarez. Yurt in the City offer a range of holistic therapies including: massage and Reiki from their beautiful yurt in the heart of the city. They also provide all manner of interesting workshops including yoga, meditation classes, mother and baby massage and gong baths to name some.

Find Yurt in the City at the The Bone Yard, Cardiff

Online at: www.yurtinthecity.co.uk and www.wildwoodtherapies.com

Go follow Yurt in the City on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/yurtinthecity/

https://www.facebook.com/WildWoodTherapies/

Instagram yurt_in_the_city

A perfect stocking filler would be – A gift voucher available from: http://yurtinthecity.co.uk/marcos-suarez/

We all could do with being a little fitter, right? RIGHT? Why not head to Accomplish Fitness Studio – Wellbeing and fitness studios. Run by Natt Summers, the multi hyphenated:

Author, Mindset Coach and Founder of Accomplish Fitness Studio

Find Accomplish Fitness at The Bone Yard and online at www.accomplish-fitness.co.uk

Go follow: @accomplishfitness_cardiff and @natt_summers

Stocking filler: Millie and Pink hairbands.

All that glitters and shines is probably made by these excellent folk:

 Lesley Peate of Lesley Jane Jewellery is based at The Bone Yard, Canton, Cardiff.

Lesley make and sell copper, silver & enamel jewellery and small copperware items. She also run beginners enamelling and metal jewellery workshops in her shipping container studio.

Find Lesley online: folksy.com/shops/LesleyJaneJewellery or at her studio at The Bone Yard, on first Saturday of the month and at the Bone Yard Christmas.

Follow Lesley Jane jewellery: www.facebook.com/LesleyJaneJewellery

Stocking filler: Cherry Red Enamel Heart Earrings: https://folksy.com/items/5954181-Cherry-Red-Enamelled-Heart-Earrings

Lydia Niziblian is a resident at The Printhaus in Canton, where she deisgns and makes bespoke and one of a kind pieces of jewellery in gold and silver.

You can find her online at: www.niziblian.com or in real life at the Snapped Up Market at The Printhaus and the Rhiwbina Handmade Market. Or visit her studio by appointment – email lydia@niziblian.com to arrange.

Follow Lydia and her jaw dropping work on: www.facebook.com/niziblian or @lydianiziblian on instagram

A perfect stocking filler – Gift voucher; can be used against ready-made and bespoke items and start at £10

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/577541867/lydia-niziblian-jewellery-gift-voucher

Rhian Kate Makes works in the centre of Cardiff, designing and making handmade contemporary Jewellery, using a range of different materials to make unique jewellery inspired by the moon the solar system and geometric shapes.

Find Rhian Kate Makes online: https://www.rhiankate.co.uk

Or at the following markets: The Makers Market, Penarth Paget Rooms, Penarth’s Handmade Market, The Paget Rooms, Penarth, Rhwbina’s Handmade Market, the memorial Hall, Etsy Made Local, The Tramshed, The Local Artisan Pop Up, High Street Arcade, Cardiff.

The Makers Market, Pontcanna, St Catherine’s Church Hall.

Stocking filler; Tinymoon earrings £15: https://www.rhiankate.co.uk/product-page/tinymoon-earrings

Fizz Goes Pop works from The Printhaus in Canton creating the most beautiful laser cut and resin cast jewellery.

Go shop the Fizz Goes Pop collection at: www.etsy.com/fizzgoespop,

Or go visit Fizz Goes Pop at Frome Independent Market, The Makers Market in Penarth, Paper Dolls in Birmingham, Sustainable Studio Market, The Printhaus Snapped Up Markets and Native Makers Plymouth.

Go give Fizz Goes Pop a follow on Instagram: instagram.com/fizzgoespop, facebook.com/fizzgoespop

A great stocking filler would be these beautiful stud earrings: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/640659517/geometric-earrings-stud-earring?ref=shop_home_active_25

Baked By Lou makes beautiful handmade small batch jewellery and ceramics in Cardiff.

Go shop online at Etsy.com/Bakedbylou notonthehighstreet.com/Bakedbylou Or go say Hi to Lou at Snapped Up Market and Oh Sew Festive at Chapter..

To keep up with all these beautiful creations go Follow BBL on: Instagram is @baked.by.lou and Twitter is @bakedbylou

Stocking filler: Lucky dip dangles for £15! https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/560227130/lucky-dip-dangles-statement-baked-by-lou

For the bearded one in your life:

Old Faithful run by Gareth Daniels in Merthyr/Penylan, make and sell Unisex & Men’s Organic, Natural Skincare. Gareth is qualified aromatherapist and his products are made from organic oils, butters, essential oils & herbal extracts. The Old Faithful brand is developing in a masculine unisex direction and this gentle masculinity matches the natural scents to their products.

Find Old Faithful on line: www.oldfaithful.co

Twitter and Go follow Old Faithful on Instagram – @oldfaithfulco

Facebook www.facebook/oldfaithfulco

Purchase a perfect stocking filler right here :

Old Faithful Gift Boxes – https://oldfaithful.co/collections/all/products/gift-boxes

Shopping for Kids

Having Children around at Christmas really does make it more magical and fun, so why treat them this year to some beautiful and unique gifts:

Hayley McGhan is creator of the brand Zac & Bella, Handmade Children’s clothing and accessories. They also have a full family range of Christmas pjs on sale (includes the dog!)

Shop online at www.zacandbella.com use code FSP17 for free collection from Barry.

Or Shop at: Annie & Lolo, High Street, Barry. The Local Artisan Pop Up, High Street Arcade, Cardiff.

Find them at these local markets: The Makers Market in Pontcanna and Penarth.

Rhwbina’s Handmade Market and Etsy Made Local at The Tramshed

Follow Zac and Bella:

Https://instagram.com/zac_and_bella

Https://facebook.com/zacandbella

Stocking filler

Personalised hair bows, 2 pack £5.75.

https://www.zacandbella.com/product-page/christmas-bow-clip-set

You can find Little People Store in Rhiwbina Village they stock clothing, toys & gifts for 0-4 year olds, most of which are organic and fair trade.

Shop online at: www.littlepeoplestore.co.uk

Or pop to the shop: 14a Beulah Road, Rhiwbina Village CF14 6LX 10-4pm, Thursday to Saturday or The Makers Market in Penarth

Go follow them on Instagram: @littlepeoplestoreuk, Facebook facebook.com/littlepeoplestoreuk, twitter @little_peopleuk

A perfect Stocking filler from Little People Store is:

Santa Claus is coming to Cardiff £3.99

https://littlepeoplestore.co.uk/collections/christmas/products/santa-claus-is-coming-to-cardiff

In Rainbows is the colourful creations on Becci Booker, created in her home studio in Barry, Wales

In Rainbows designs and makes kids home decor and other quirky pieces for the home, from: faux animal heads, cushions, banners and plant pot holders. All inspired by animals, colour and 80s patterns.

You can go shop at: Etsy Bristol, Made in Bristol and The Cardiff Artisian pop up shop

Pick from these grat Stocking Fillers from In Rainbows:

Narwal: https://www.etsy.com/listing/592187399/felt-narwhal-narwhal-head-animal-mount?ref=shop_home_active_33

Mountain Garland https://www.etsy.com/listing/593573487/mountain-garland-bunting-wall-art?ref=shop_home_active_22

Shop online: https://etsy.me/2DWFFoPKathy Clark makes Hand Made Costumes in Rhiwbina. They are beautiful costumes designed for kids, made for parents.

Christmas market: Etsy Made Local Cardiff, at Tramshed.

Follow us: @handmadecostumeshop

A great stocking filler – Personalised Kids Rhino Costume https://etsy.me/2L2QkAi

Helen Smith aka Nellys Treasures is a colourful resident of The Printhaus in Canton. Making, and designing interior decor and gifts for children

Go shop online: www.nellystreasuresuk.etsy.com,

Ot head to the following markets to check out her beautiful work: Snapped Up and Etsy Made Local

After purchasing all these great stocking fillers, we need to get a stocking to put it all in and Nellys Treasures make the most beautiful and fun animal faces and character stockings that children will cherish. Get them here:

https://etsy.me/2NOXQQE

Barney & Beau in Pontcanna is a kids lifestyle boutique.

They stock design led modern products for kids and the home. Stocking majority female/women indie brands, sustainable products, the greenest toy companies and children’s book offering promotes female empowerment, kindness and diversity.

Visit their shop in Pontcanna or at these markets: The Makers Markets in Pontcanna & Penarth.

Online at www.barneyandbeau.com

Follow them: @barney_and_beau

A perfect stocking filler would be this a Little Light Company Little Light Cloud.

https://www.barneyandbeau.com/product/a-little-lovely-company-little-light-cloud/

Spotted Peach is Katie Wilcox located in Cardiff Bay. Katie creates baby clothing, hair bows, felt ball garlands, Christmas wreaths and frames.

Shop online: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpottedPeach

Go give Spotted Peach a follow here:

www.facebook.com/Spotted-Peach

www.instagram.com/spottedpeach

A perfect stocking filler from Spotted Peach: Christmas Hair Bows

 

For the homebody:

GeetLush is actually based outside of Cardiff, nestled in the Valleys… but travels well.

A fledgling small business, GeetLush creates Art, Interiors and Wearables. Expect handpainted delights, plenty of colour and something for everyone.

GeetLush joins her fellow crafty buddies at markets such as the monthly one at The Bone Yard, Canton.

Follow  www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GeetLush, www.instagram.com/geetlush/, www.facebook.com/geetlushshop/

A perfect GeetLush Stocking Filler: Cute little kawaii Christmas pots. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/651306083/teeny-tiny-kawaii-cute-face-santa-father?ref=shop_home_active_2 or join GeetLush to create your own at The Etsy Made Local Christmas Market at The Tramshed.

Blasus Succulent Emporium is a Plant Shop and soon to be coffee shop, which you can find at The Bone Yard  Cardiff.

Blasus:grows and sells plants of all varieties and plant related gifts and homeware

Go find them on Instagram @blasus_succulent_emporium

A perfect stocking filler from Blasus would be a – Potted mini succulent or cactus

Kathy Clark makes handmade costumes in Rhiwbina. They are beautiful costumes designed for kids, made for parents.

Shop online: https://etsy.me/2DWFFoP

Christmas market: Etsy Made Local Cardiff, at Tramshed.

Follow you: @handmadecostumeshop on Facebook or Instagram

A great stocking filler – Personalised Kids Rhino Costume https://etsy.me/2L2QkAi

How about some wearable art?

Then go take a look at Jodie Johns’ work, hailing from Bridgend, creating body positive artwork with hand painted clothing and accessories. Jodie Johns regularly collaborates with other artists to create t-shirts.

Go shop online at: jodiejohns.com or in real life at The Bone Yard monthly market on Saturday the 3rd November.

Or go give them a follow on Instagram: @jodiejohn_s

Stocking Filler: Anything from their accessories page would make a cute little stocking filler, but what would really be a winner is the hand painted tote bags.

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The City

Cardiff Indoor Market – the Christmas gift buying challenge!

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The challenge: 32 people to buy Christmas gifts for on a £300 budget! Can it be done? Cardiff Indoor Market enthusiast Jade Tambini tells us that yes, it can! 

cardiff indoor market by jeremy rees

This blog is all about my experience challenging myself to do a full Christmas shop at Cardiff Market with just £300 to spend.

The first thing that struck me about my decision to do my full Christmas shop at Cardiff Market this year, was the absence of stress and overwhelming panic that usually consumes me in the lead up. I’ve always been one to plan our day out in order to do the full shop in one day (much to my husband Paul’s terror). So the thought of getting it all done in one go at the market felt just wonderful!

I’ve spent a lot more time at the market recently buying lunch, fresh produce and more and have been won over by the variety of stalls there, fallen in love with the atmosphere and I’ve gotten to know loads of the amazing traders during my visits too. If you’ve not been to the market before, it’s hard to put into words how it feels to spend an afternoon browsing, bantering and buying, all I can say to describe it is that it’s a little bit like being transported to another time and place, sheltered from the world outside, like a safe haven almost to give you space to think, be and enjoy shopping.

In preparation for the shopping trip, I pled with my Facebook friends to let me borrow a ‘grannie trolley’ to make the day a more comfortable experience. Since we’ve got 32 loved ones on our huge Italian/ Irish direct family list, I couldn’t think of any other way. Amidst the mocking of my apparently ‘uncool’ idea, I managed to get hold of a shopping bag on wheels ready for a knockout day of shopping!

Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of some of the gifts I picked up during my four-hour shopping session, to get Christmas all wrapped up for under £300. I was joined by my mum and our family friend’s daughter, Heidi 12, who was super cute running around talking to all the traders, we were also later joined by Paul, my hubby!

cardiff indoor market
Mum and Heidi at Lovely Crockery

Note; if you are in my family please stop reading since you will likely find out what we’ve bought you for Christmas! That includes you, Paul!

  1. Bath bombs, soaps and candle sets from Luvely Bubbly

Julie is the loveliest lady you’ll meet, she has so much knowledge on the different products available at the stall and will talk to you about the person you’re buying for, suggesting recommended products to suit their personality and what they like.

For my brothers’ girlfriends I picked out raspberry swirl bath bombs and fruity glitter hand soaps. For my sister-in-law and my dad’s girlfriend the bath bomb, candle and soap boxes were perfect and at just £10 and £12.50 depending on which one you choose, were great value for a lovely gift! The candle and mini soap bag pictured is just £5!

cardiff indoor market

I also picked up some soaps for my mother in law. The stall has so many different types of soap whether it’s funky jelly baby flavour, parma violets, rhubarb and custard (they all literally smell like the sweets!) or natural more earthy organic smells that suited my mother-in-law’s taste really well.

  1. Asian delights from Lovely Crockery

I spent just over £60 in Lovely Crockery but I can’t begin to tell you how incredible Su’s products are and I got so much for my money. First, I bought these adorable bunny feet egg cups for my two nieces, they were only £3 each, can you believe?

Bunny feet egg cup
This bunny feet egg cup was just £3

I also picked out this gorgeous Japanese rice pattern tea pot for my mum which was only £13 and a pack of traditional teas.

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I bought my nana these super cute compact mirrors and lipstick holders, she’s always loved things like this so I thought they were perfect.

cardiff indoor market

I also bought her this lovely ‘cwtch’ mug! Since my family are all up north in Leeds and Pontefract I thought it was a nice choice to remind her of me in Wales.

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I also picked out bits and pieces for various little additional gifts for my my sister, mum, mother-in-law and sister-in-law which varied from under £1 to a few quid.

Browse Lovely Crockery’s range.

  1. Christmas Cards and wrap from JC Morgan cards

What I love most about JC Morgan’s card stall is the variety. I’ve always loved sending cards that match my family set. It’s hard to find cards like ‘Nana and Grandad’ and ‘to mum and her boyfriend’ and I always enjoyed receiving very specific cards like ‘to my granddaughter and her boyfriend’ before me and Paul got married, it just feels so much more personal. You just can’t get these old classics with the stunning verses inside in many place anymore either, and the prices are incredible here! Lots of people don’t like cards but my mum and nana especially always revel in reading the verses so it’s nice to pick some special ones!

Most of the cards I picked up were less than £1.50, the price they should be. I do love Marks & Spencer cards too, I’ll be honest, but they carry a big price tag for a card and supporting a local independent feels really nice. They are so helpful there, I couldn’t find a card I wanted and the guys there were going through all the drawers and finding me everything I needed. I also picked up wrapping paper, cellotape and gift tags.

cardiff indoor market xmas gifts

Half way through the trip my lovely husband popped in and took trolley responsibility – as you can imagine, he was delighted to be dragged around for the last hour of shopping!

  1. Festive boxes from Cheese Pantry

My favourite thing about the new Cheese Pantry stall that’s opened at the market, aside from Melissa and Jo the lovely gals working there, oh and the daisy bell, is the delicious cheese samples always available to try on the counter! My husband picked out three festive cheese boxes for our aunty and uncle and a couple of his closest cousins.

With delicious cheeses, hot Christmas chutney’s made locally by Penylan Pantry, and some crackers to compliment, we’re sure our relatives will be really pleased with their gifts!

On Melissa’s advice, we popped the cheeses in a tupperware to go in the fridge and have kept the boxes aside ready to prepare with some lovely ribbon we were given to gift wrap them! The gang there are so helpful, really worth a visit either for gifts or for a Christmas day cheese board!

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  1. Healing stones from Rocks and Clocks

My dad’s mum Grandma Angela is the sweetest, kindest lady you’ll ever meet. She’s very spiritual and has always prayed every night for everyone in our family, 30 direct cousins strong, as well as lighting candles in church for people when they need extra support. She’s had a difficult year with her mobility and some setbacks in her health and while she’s back on top form I wanted to pick out some healing crystals for her from Rocks and Clocks.

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I also picked up an incense set and a stress busting crystal for my friend who has a very busy job! The lady who works there consults on the different healing crystals and it’s really interesting to look at them and see which one’s you’re drawn to. She even cleanses them of other energy so they are brand new for you, in a special bowl before you take them away.

Cardiff Indoor Market

Lucky for us we have Christmas dinner all cooked and prepared for us, since my mother-in-law is the best you can get! If I wasn’t I’d have certainly been back this week to the butchers, fruit and veg stalls and fishmongers for my meats, vegetables and smoked salmon! Bakestones are selling gorgeous freshly baked Christmas cakes too which smell make the market smell like Christmas day even now!

All in all, a fantastic and stress free experience. My trolley was packed full when I got home ready to wrap and pop under the tree! I was on budget too with change for a Welsh Cake from Bakestones!

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As I left, I had been so in my own world that I hadn’t realised it had been pouring it down ALL day, so I even picked up a brolly for my walk back to the train!

Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas!

Follow Jade on Twitter @jadetambini

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The City

Rose Street Flea Market part two – Steptoe on steroids!

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Last week Philip Jenkins went along to Rose Street Flea Market to have a poke around. After I posted that story, Paddy Faulkner contacted me with a link to this lovely little video that he made about Frank from the market. Frank also goes by the name of Steptoe on steroids, by the way!

If you missed Philip’s photoblog, have a look here: Cardiff’s hidden gem – Rose Street Flea Market

And you can watch Paddy’s film below. Enjoy!

Steptoe on Steroids from paddyfaulknerpanopticphotography on Vimeo.

rose-street-flea-market-philip-jenkins03