Supporting Small Business this COLOUR FRIDAY!
Updated: Nov 25, 2022
I'm not taking part in black Friday; instead, I want to make some noise about COLOUR Friday! I'm talking about supporting small businesses, and I'm talking about supporting micro businesses, those teeny tiny one or few-man bands who don't stand a chance competing with the discounts offered by big businesses. If you don't already know, Colour Friday is the wonderful soul filled alternative to black Friday, a campaign launched by @hollytucker @holly.co to BE A RETAIL REBEL, to buy thoughtfully at Christmas from UK independents, and in doing so celebrating the colour and creativity that small businesses give to us all.
It can feel like we don't have much control over life’s choices at the moment, but one thing we can do which makes a difference is to vote with our money. You choose the kind of world you want to live in. You choose where and with who you spend your money. You can choose to shop with independent businesses and choose gifts made to last, not gifts made for landfill.
Small businesses are special. They may be small in some ways but in others they far outweigh big business. There is nothing quite like the expertise of a small business owner, no matter their particular area of knowledge; they know their art / craft / process / suppliers inside out, have planned and thought about your needs as a customer and truly care that what they offer does the job properly, is value for money and makes you happy. To top it all off, the skill and creativity amongst these small businesses is staggering and you can guarantee you will find gifts that you can't find anywhere else, are made with true craftsmanship and will brings joy to your days for years and years.
I've been so grateful for the support I've been shown from other businesses over the last few weeks in the lead up to Christmas, being included in gift guides, publications and online articles and being welcomed to new communities. Today is the perfect day to pay it forward and share with you some wonderful small business brands and products. Being part of this very lovely small business community means I am constantly finding new designers and makers who I love (my Christmas list is LONG). There are FAR too many to share here all in one go! The selection I have chosen to share with you today are small businesses that either I know personally, have shopped with or lusted after for a long time! I have also included some links at the bottom of this post to other gift guides put together by thoroughly wonderful human beings which showcase the glory of UK small businesses.
I hope you enjoy discovering some new small businesses, adding pages to your Christmas list (sorry!) and doing some amazing Christmas shopping this year.
Thanks so much. Beth xx
PS – I apologise in advance for the disproportionate amount of ceramics you will see listed, it’s kinda my weakness!
K Ceramics
Carved modern Rustic Pottery
@k_ceramics
https://www.etsy.com/shop/kceramicsuk/?etsrc=sdt
The Dartmoor artist
Handmade sustainable treasures
@thedartmoorartist
Julia Crimmen
Cornish Potter
@juliacrimmen
www.juliacrimmenceramics.co.uk
Doodle and Bears
Organic, planet conscious children’s clothing and accessories
@doodleandbears
https://www.doodleandbears.co.uk
The Rustic Shack
Old & New pieces to bring a timeless modern rustic aesthetic to your home & garden
@therusticshackk
Abel Burners & Apothecary
@abelburners
Hilda Carr Pottery
@hildacarrpottery
Lily and Sea
Cornish Coastal Art
@lily_and_sea
Vesta Living
Sustainable British Made Homeware
@vesta_living
Vestasustainableliving.com
Sage & Grace
Aromatherapy Home Frangrance
@sageandgraceuk
Sageandgraceliving.co.uk
Lou Tonkin
Artist print-maker
@loutonkin
Katy Pillinger Designs
Illustrator & Ceramicist
@katypillingerdesigns
The Ives
Magnesium oil to soothe sleep, restless legs, anxiety, menopause & pregnancy.
@theives.co.uk
Darwin & Gray
Creative Studio & Lettering. Banner painting.
@darwinandgray
Clare Elizabeth Kilgour
Sustainable minimalistic jewellery & accessories
@clare_elizabeth_kilgour
Justkilgour.bigcartel.com
Thehappynewspaper
A real newspaper celebrating only wonderful positive news
@thehappynewspaper
Thehappynewspaper.com
SBH Pottery
@shbpottery
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/sbhpottery?ref=shop_sugg
The Quick Brown Fox
Artist Illustrator
@thequickbrownfox
https://www.etsy.com/shop/thequickbrownfoxuk
Our Lovely Goods
Candles, Skincare, homewares
@ourlovelygoods
Real bricks and mortar shops (as well as online)
Berylune – Leamington Spa
Small independent shop selling homewares, gifts and accessories that make you smile.
@beryluneuk
Berylune.co.uk
The Curated Store – Stow on the Wold
A design led pop up shop showcasing a monthly rotation of small brands.
@thecuratedstore
https://www.thecuratedstore.co.uk
Kyleigh’s Papercuts - Wimborne
Papercut Artist
@kyleighspapercuts
Kyleighspapercuts.co.uk
Janet Bell Homestore - Beaumaris
@janetbell_homestore
Oxford soap company
Beauty, cosmetic & personal care
@oxfordsoapcompany
Oxfordsoapcompany.co.uk
A couple of rather wonderful gift guides celebrating small business...
The homeworker magazine Independent Christmas Gift Guide 2022
https://www.thehomeworker.com/independent-christmas-gift-guide-2022/
Isabella and Us. Christmas Gift Guide 2022
https://isabellaandus.com/blog/isabella-and-us-christmas-gift-guide-2022
Find out more about Colour Friday from Holly & Co
https://holly.co/colour-friday-2022/
@hollytucker
@holly.co