The Anglesey Christmas Gift Guide

Hello there everyone, and welcome back to my website if this is a returning visit, and if it’s your first time here then welcome to my website! I have something very interesting in store this week but let me start with the ‘prelude’ if you will. So if you read last week’s blog post then you will already know that last weekend I was attending a Christmas Craft Fair in Beaumaris, and that during the lead up to the weekend I was very busy (and very stressed!). The weekend was a success, despite the Fair being a lot quieter than anyone had actually predicted (and having the same five Christmas songs on a loop for the entire two day weekend. If I hear Jingle Bell Rock one more time I’m going to have a breakdown). Anyway, it was a good fair regardless of the meagre turn out and being my second craft fair of all time, still very much a learning curve for me. What made the weekend so fantastic though, was the people I met there, my fellow crafters. My table was at the end of the hotel’s ballroom, and so I had a table either side of me and one opposite as well. Thankfully, I was surrounded by lovely, welcoming people, and I had no idea that there was such a lovely sense of community at these events. It was fantastic. As well as being lovely people, the ideas and talent from my fellow crafters at the fair also blew me away. There were tables of crafters who made their own pens, vases and bowls from wood-turning, some who made their own jewellery, another who baked delicious cakepops (and I mean delicious, I ate four over the weekend and I do not regret it), and a very talented lady who hand-prints beautiful designs onto lampshades, cushion covers and more. Enough rambling from me, it’s time to get down to business. You clicked this blog post for the title I’m sure, and you’ve had enough of my wittering! Here it is, the ultimate guide to the best, unique and locally made Christmas gift ideas.

1. Write Lines These are beautifully hand-crafted pens, created using different types of wood. They are truly stunning and a work of art in their own right, and as an artist myself I can only appreciate the time that must go into each and every single product! As well as being lovely people (they were so supportive and wonderful to me at the fair, and being as nervous as I was, it was so great to know they were only opposite), another reason to support this fantastic Anglesey-based business is that from every product they sell, they donate some of the proceeds to Ty Gobaith/Hope House, a charity who provide care and support to life-limited children, young people and their families. A fantastic gift for someone who appreciates good craftsmanship!

If you are interested in Write Lines, then head over to their Facebook page for some more info: https://www.facebook.com/Write-Lines-Baller-329401930601796/ And here is the website link for Ty Gobaith as well: http://www.hopehouse.org.uk/home.html

2. Pebbles’ Creations/Ta Dah! Artworks

My oh my, the lady behind Pebbles’ Creations is talented indeed! Her artwork is absolutely stunning, and her pebble creations are fantastically unique, quirky and beautiful. She is also a lovely lady, (and a puffin fan, which scores big here, for obvious reasons) in the brief meeting I had with her (she came over to my table to say hi - and I’m so glad she did, since I was honestly a bit starstruck by her and too nervous to approach her table!) she was so friendly and encouraging, which from someone so talented really means a lot. You can find her information over on her Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/tadahartworks/?fref=ts

3. Emma’s Fairy Kingdom

I cannot get over how cute these little fairy houses are! They are so magical, and the second I get a more permanent residence I will definitely be purchasing (at least) one of these to magic up my property. They are adorable, and all made from local trees by local people. (Did I mention how adorable and pretty they were? No? Well let me tell you again!) The names on each one can be personalised for that extra special touch, so this is the ideal gift for anyone in your life who enjoys a little bit of magic. You can find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/emmasfairykingdom/?fref=ts

4. Scribe-N-Graving Now, again, I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these once I have my very own place, Scribe-N-Graving offer a bespoke engraving service, handmade on slate and wood, with a number of designs to choose from, and they also work with customers to create tailor made pieces. Another lovely local gift, for more info head over here: https://www.facebook.com/scribeNgraving/

5. DelliPops Cakery I cannot express in words how tasty their cakepops are. I really can’t. They are beyond delicious, and as someone who has tried many times (and failed many times) to make something even resembling a cakepop, I think that they’re magic. These cake pops taste like magic. Don’t take my word for it, head over to their website now and find out, you honestly will not regret it (their website is beautiful as well, I think I need to take some pointers!) : https://dellipops.co.uk/

6. Crafty Bugwug

Up until now, most of the suggestions I’ve made have been gifts mainly suitable for adults. Now this one is also suitable for adults, but these would make a perfect gift for children. They are bespoke wooden products which are skilfully engraved (I’m not completely sure on the terminology behind it, I think engraved is the right word?) with beautiful artwork and names of your choice. For more information, head over to their Facebook page or website: www.craftybugwug.com https://www.facebook.com/Crafty-Bugwug-186368934829163/

7. Beth’s Paintings I have her business card here in my hand, and on it, it says ‘amateur artist.’ Now, based on the works I have seen of hers at the fair, she is certainly no amateur. Her work is gorgeous, and once we got chatting she told me she has only been painting for two years! Her work is even more incredible knowing this, and she and her family are lovely people too, so you should definitely head over to her Facebook page to buy someone an amazing Christmas present: https://www.facebook.com/BethsPaintings71/?fref=ts

8. Purple Sue In the fair, I had Purple Sue next door to me, along with her lovely friend and their gorgeous doggies. Purple Sue is such a character, so fun to be around and she really made the Sunday (it was veeery quiet on the Sunday) an absolute hoot! She uses natural materials to fashion beautiful decorations, such as planters, Christmas decorations and wreaths. She offers commissions, and so if you’d like to find out more about the mystical Purple Sue, email her at sue@purplesue.co.uk

9. Arianrhod Arianrhod is run by two lovely ladies, who make lovely jewellery, decorations and trinkets by hand, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more. Arianrhod is mainly run by Nia Collins, and she has only recently started it up again, and so if you’d like more information you can contact her via email at nnowbs@yahoo.co.uk

10. Margaret’s Soft Furnishings These furnishings really do speak for themselves, and as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words! But I’ll say just a few before I show you; Margaret hand prints these beautiful designs onto lampshades and cushion covers, and some other products too. They are truly beautiful and like I said, they speak for themselves:

For more info on these, head to https://www.facebook.com/margaretssoftfurnishings/

11. Anglesey Chocolate Farm Luxury handmade chocolates made by an expert chocolatier at Foel Farm, in the chocolate workshop, these are the perfect gift for those with a sweet tooth! For more information, head over to www.foelfarm.co.uk

12. Puffin Prints!

(Well, I had to didn’t I?)

That’s all for now folks, there were lots of lovely crafters at the Bulkeley Hotel Christmas Fair, and there are also lots more fantastic local Anglesey-based businesses too, so if you have any other suggestions then please feel free to comment them down below for everyone to find! I hope you enjoyed this post and that it’s given you some good ideas for those last minute presents you can nip and get on the island. If you have any questions about any of these people, I have a big pile of business cards with all of their numbers should you need to get in touch with them directly, just send me an email or leave a comment below and I’ll see what I can do! Thanks for reading, catch you next week (When it will be Christmas Eve-Eve!!!!) Rachel x