11 Unique Handmade Cornish Gifts That Show You Really Care

The Art of Gifting with Meaning

Gifting for the sake of it does nobody any favours. You feel resentful for spending your hard-earned money, and the recipient has one more thing in their already cluttered space that they could do without! 

It’s important to change the way we approach gifting, using it as an opportunity to give a gift that means something, and that will be gratefully received.

Instead of buying extravagant, outlandish pieces that have a showstopping appeal, think small. Give the gift of everyday luxury, treating people to items they wouldn’t purchase themselves, but will use often. Something to elevate their daily rituals, and help them see the romance in everyday life. 

Think, an artisan ceramic lemon squeezer, made from black stoneware here in Cornwall. Or a brass and silver handcrafted olive scoop, for draining olives. Gift with a jar of Perello olives for the ultimate interesting, meaningful gift! 

It’s the small, thoughtful touches when giving presents that make the most impact. Recognising that you’ve been treated to a beautiful, handmade and locally made gift made by an artisan, and are now a part of their story, is incredibly special. 

On a side note – small is often most appreciated. Know the feeling of receiving a gift you don’t love, and then having to find a space for it?

Why Handmade Gifts Matter More

Chances are if you’ve found your way to this blog, and our artisan Cornish shop, you don’t see the appeal of mass-made bland gifts that everyone has. You understand there’s nothing particularly special about that. 

So why do handmade gifts matter more?

They are often one-of-a-kind, think how rare and wonderful that is! Your gift is unique, the only one exactly like that in the world. And why? Because it was made by an artisan who takes time to individually craft their wares. They have honed their individual style and niche, and let us into their world. 

Handcrafted gifts are well-made, and of the highest quality. This is because they have been mulled over, refined and refined again, and made by a skilled creative. They are not rushed, but are considered, and as a result will last a long time.

Which leads me to this – artisan gifts are made with love, and irreplaceable. An artist or maker has poured their imagination, their creativity, and their skill into creating something utterly beautiful. It is an object to be cared for, to be enjoyed, and to be cherished. And in a world where we’re surrounded by a sea of beige and plastic, how refreshing and special that is. 

11 Unique Handmade Cornish Gift Ideas That Show You Really Care

Now to the nitty gritty, we’re making it easy for you! Here are our favourite Cornish gift ideas guaranteed to put a smile on a loved ones face…

Remember we have plenty more on our website, under each gift we’ll pop a link to the maker, so you can see more similar pieces, always made by an artisan here in Cornwall.

1. Decorative Lemon Squeezer By Studio Agni

Nothing feels quite as grown-up as premium, beautiful kitchenware that stands out from the rest. This lemon squeezer will elevate those cosy days spent cooking and baking, and it’ll look beautiful on display when it’s not in use. Although it’s small, its timeless appeal will ensure it’s treasured for years to come.

Each one is slightly different, making these artisan lemon squeezers one-of-a-kind. They were made from black stoneware, and finished with a glaze so they are food safe and easy to clean. Inspired by rugged coastlines, and organic textures, these beauties look as though they’ve been formed in the Cornish landscape itself.

Looking for a thoughtful house-warming gift? These tactile and small but perfectly formed lemon squeezers are a great choice. And there’s no danger of anyone else giving the same gift! Buy Now.

£55

2. Beautiful Ceramic Pouring Jug by Gail Cooper

I am a lover of tall pitchers and jugs for their versatility, and satisfying silhouette. They can be used as kitchenware, holding your iced water or even cocktails. Jugs are also brilliant as vases, holding fresh blooms year round. And sometimes, they are just handy for watering your plants! Jugs are particularly special in my family, as my mum’s love of them has been passed down to me. I ‘collect’ them now, and often gift them.

These tall handled pitchers were handmade right here in Cornwall, from local St Agnes clay. Made from the very earth we walk on, these Cornish jugs are the perfect gift for your local loves. They are all glazed, making them water tight and easy to wash. Ceramicist Gail’s recognisable shapes are inspired by the tall engine houses that surround her, and her glazes reference the colours of the Cornish landscape.  

Whether a birthday, housewarming, or wedding gift, artisan jugs are a great choice – pair it with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, or just hand-picked blooms from the garden, and you have a really special gift. Buy Now.

£70

3. Handmade Turquoise Carved Vase by Michelle Foote

Gifting a vase is an opportunity to give a symbolic vessel that will last a lifetime and more. Symbolising nurturing and life’s potential when filled with water to give cut buds and flowers a longer life, they are special gifts. It can also represent femininity and domesticity, making a vase a lovely gift for those who enjoy nesting, and making their house a home.

Ceramicist Michelle’s work is made on a traditional Leach kick-wheel, from her garden studio in St Ives. Residing between the coast and a nature reserve, organic and natural patterns seep into her practice, manifesting as intricate carvings and glorious glazes.

A vase is a brilliant gift choice for milestone birthdays, and anniversaries. Again, something a little extra to accompany flowers and make the gift last much longer. Shop Now.

£75

4. Ceramic Mini Bunch of Flowers by Jess Berriman

What to give when flowers just won’t cut the mustard? These charming, beautiful porcelain flowers sit beautifully on tactile willow branches, gathered in petite bunches. In recent years dried flowers have become a popular choice for those who want their displays to last longer, but I have a hunch that ceramic flowers are next. They give the sentiment of beauty and bountifulness that flowers do, but they last forever. 

Ceramicist Jess lovingly hand-crafts and paints each flower, made from porcelain. Just like real flowers, each bloom is unique, and thoughtfully arranged. 

These ceramic flowers are perfect for a small, thoughtful gift, to mark the little occasions. You could also collect and gift them over time, which would be incredibly special. Each flower or mini-bouquet signifying a different event. Shop Now.

£18

5. Wooden Lamp By No 14 Woodturning

In the spirit of elevating the everyday, and bringing artisan wares into each corner of your house to create a home full of creativity and stories – a thoughtful gift is a unique, one-of-a-kind lamp base. How generic and bland are most of our lamp bases? We’re turning the tide against that, with our beautiful natural wooden lamp bases, each of which showcasing the characteristics of the tree it’s made from. 

Perfect for those who are at one with the outdoors, or just those who love the cosy ambience lamps create.

Made from ash, from naturally felled timber, this lamp base is a labour of love and homage to Cornwall.

The Cornish wooden lamp base would be a great gift for a couple’s 5th anniversary, traditionally the wood anniversary, where strength, deep roots, and stability are honoured. It would also be perfect for new homeowners, a small and thoughtful gift that they wouldn’t spend money on themselves. Shop Now.

£125

6. Handcrafted Brass Olive Scoop by Razmaker

For those who have a taste for the finer things in life, this olive scoop made from brass and eco-silver is a brilliant artisan gift. Something to keep and treasure forever, giving joy whenever it’s reached for in the draw. How lovely it is to be surrounded by small, artisan-made objects that have very niche functions, such as draining olives!

Metalworker and jeweller Rebecca creates beautiful, exquisitely made pieces from her studio in an old grist mill in Penryn. Referencing nature in all her work, from the domes and circles shaped by limpets and lichens, each piece is a connection to the landscape around us.

What do you get someone who has everything? A handcrafted brass olive scoop is the ideal gift of course! Shop Now.

£40

7. Fused Glass Tidal Wave by Dreya Glass

Gifting artwork can be difficult, our reaction to art is so personal, so it can feel like guesswork. Yet giving loved ones artwork is so special, because it often feels like a luxury we can’t afford ourselves. One of our most popular artworks in the shop is the Tidal Wave. It’s a fused glass piece, depicting the crest of a wave just before it crashes into white water. This dynamic sweeping motion is a reminder of the power and beauty we find in the coast. For ocean lovers, this artisan wave artwork is an ideal gift, reminding them of their connection to the seascape.

Artist Dreya has nurtured a love of Cornwall, and of swimming and surfing in the sea, since she moved to Cornwall at 9 years old from Africa. She skillfully layers glass under immense heat, forming the glass waves under power and speed, just like the waves themselves.

The tidal wave artworks are perfect for birthdays and Christmas gifts, for the ocean-lover in your life. Shop Now.

£185

8. Hand-Embroidered Lampshade By Melody Ryder Designs

Lampshades can be an afterthought, or designed to blend into their surroundings. They can however be a really beautiful way to nod to a love of art, or even remind loved ones of their passions. This neutral felt lampshade has been intricately embellished with gig rowers. The applique floral Liberty fabric gig boats are home to carefully embroidered rowers. They are a tasteful touch of whimsy, and the more you look the more you see. You could even pair it with one of our wooden lamp bases for an even more special gift!

Cornish artist Melody has a love for all things textiles, and her freehand embroidered designs are a thing of beauty. Her sewing machine is her creative tool, bringing to life characterful depictions of Cornish life.

This hand-embroidered gig boat lamp shade is a great gift for rowers, and the perfect housewarming gift for those who love getting active outdoors. Shop Now.

£60

9. Hand Thrown Mint Green Large Ceramic Bowl by Potting in Penryn

Large bowls symbolise family, and sharing. They come out of the cupboard for dinner parties, and gatherings of loved ones, where memories are made and life shared. Because they are often saved for the big occasions, it’s always fun to have bold, beautiful, showstopping bowls when you celebrate the good times. These dishes often end up becoming family heirlooms, loved and passed down to the children who grew up with them, and to whom these bowls represent home.

This fabulous mint green large bowl was wheel-thrown, and finished with mint green and pale blue glazes. It was made in Penryn, a small Cornish town on the south coast of Cornwall, by talented potter Lisa.

A handmade artisan dish is a brilliant gift for celebratory occasions, from birthdays to anniversaries – where we are surrounded by loved ones, and reminded to see them again and christen the new dish! Shop Now.

£45

10. Whimsical Handpainted Ceramics by Lucie Sivicka

Characterful, one-of-a-kind ceramics that bring joy to your everyday cereal bowls, fresh blooms, and marmalade on toast, are a fantastic option if you’re looking for a special gift. These pieces become the kitchenware we connect most to, that become part of our routines and bring a smile to our faces.

They are a reminder to embrace creativity and whimsy, and to let our own personality shine through.

Ceramicist Lucie is based in Penzance, where she handcrafts and then handpaints each and every magical vase, bowl, mug, and pot. She captures movement beautifully, and her eye for colour is unmatched.

If you’re looking for a birthday, christmas, or housewarming gift for the outdoor swimmer in your life, these are a must-give! Especially during colder months, they’ll remind your swimmer of warmer days spent in the water.

£20-£46

11. Handcrafted Tea Cup by Studio Agni

Nothing is more comforting than sitting down with a hot mug of tea, warming your hands and feeling cosier by the second. Offering a cup of tea is a kind gesture in the best, and worst, of times – and has come to mean so much to us in British culture. Hands up who has a favourite mug? Perhaps it was given to you by someone special, or you love the way it fits in your hand. Either way, good mugs are a lovely gift, but a beautiful, artisan, unique mugs made right here in Cornwall, are a GREAT gift. 

Funda is the hands and brains behind Studio Agni, a ceramics practice where she pours her creativity and skill into exquisitely made tableware. Each tea cup has been made by her, and we are honoured to showcase them. 

Every occasion is a good occasion to gift a beautiful mug. Something small and satisfying, to be used daily and remind the recipient of your love and good wishes. Shop Now.

£24