Meet the makers: have yourself a crafty little Christmas with the best handmade gifts from London's top independent creatives

From intriguing glassware to textile wall hangings, here's our pick of the best independent designers and makers selling at this year's Christmas markets.
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Corinne Julius25 November 2019

Try Christmas shopping at one of the many London craft makers’ Open Studios this year.

You’ll find handmade gifts, chat to the makers and sample good food and drink.

Here’s our selection of some of the best.

London Glassblowing, Bermondsey

Until Christmas Eve, Monday-Saturday 10am to 6pm. December Sunday openings 11am to 5pm, at 62-66 Bermondsey Street, SE1.

A mix of colourful works on sale, some by glass artist Peter Layton, others by resident makers and invited glass artists.

Vanguard Court, Peckham

November 30/December 1, noon to 5pm, Vanguard Court, rear of 36-38 Peckham Road, SE5.

Wonderful teaware and bowls by Chris Keenan and vessels by Carina Ciscato, plus sculptural ceramics by Henry Pim and Robert Cooper.

The Chocolate Factory, Stoke Newington

£760-£850: amber vessels by Michèle Oberdieck at The Chocolate Factory

Nov 30/December 1, 11am to 6pm, Farleigh Place, Stoke Newington N16.

Ceramics including oversized wine glasses by Susan Nemeth, colourful slipware by Sophie MacCarthy and new blue and gold ware by Jo Davies.

Cockpit Arts, Holborn

November 29 to December 1, 11am to 8pm Friday, 11am to 6pm at the weekend, Cockpit Yard, Northington Street, WC1.

Tickets: advance tickets £5, also includes entry to Cockpit Arts Deptford, available until midnight on Nov 24. On the door Holborn £6 (includes Deptford).

Flower-encrusted porcelain or black clay vessels and wallpieces by Vanessa Hogge, graphic ceramic vessels by Helen Johannessen and textile map wall hangings by Ekta Kaul.

Cockpit Arts, Deptford

December 6 to 8, 11am to 8pm Friday, 11am to 6pm at the weekend, 18-22 Creekside SE8.

Tickets: £4.

Vessels and decorative panels in leather by Fleur Owen, intriguing ceramic vessels by Simon Kidd and sculptural baskets by Alison Dickens, with great jewellery by Maud Traon, Petra Bishai and Jo Hayes Ward.

Wallace Sewell, Islington

Dec 3 to 7, 11am to 5.30pm, 24 Lloyd Baker Street WC1.

Woven second and sample throws, cushions and scarves from a firm that this year created designs for Tate Britain’s William Blake exhibition.

Pullens Yard, Walworth

Clements Yard, Iliffe Yard and Peacock Yard, December 7 and 8, 11am to 6pm, Iliffe Street and Crampton Street, SE17.

Three cobbled yards with a Dickensian feel, now home to makers, artists and photographers.

Ceramic mobiles and large-scale pots by Daniel Reynolds, small bowls by Barbara Wakefield and much more.

Christmas Fête, Royal College of Art

Cat cushion by Liina Lember, Royal College of Art Christmas Fête

December 6 to 8, noon to 8pm, Kensington Gore, SW7.

Homewares, cards, ceramics, hand-blown glass, decorations, print and artworks by talented student weavers, ceramicists, printmakers, product designers, painters and illustrators.

Kate Malone Ceramics, De Beauvoir Town

December 7 and 8, 10am to 6pm, Balls Pond Studio, 8 Culford Mews, N1.

This celebrated ceramicist has a variety of work on sale, plus pieces by ceramicists working in the studio.

Clockwork Studios , Brixton

Dec 7 and 8, 11am to 6pm, 38 Southwell Road, SE5.

Artists and makers including Badger’s Velvet, quirky household objects decorated with pithy quotes, plus colourful ties and socks by Victoria Richards.

Arch 35, Shoreditch

Dec 14 and 15, 11am to 6pm, Ermine Mews, Laburnum Street, E2.

Beautiful ceramics and glass by Vezzini & Chen, ceramic tableware by Owen Wall and concrete sculptural vessels by Jo Woffinden.

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