Our Guide To Gorgeous Handcrafted And Handmade Cornish Gifts

Victoria, the designer, and maker behind Wild Origin creates minimalist leather goods right here in Cornwall. Drawn to leather for its durability, tactility and versatility, Victoria sources from ethical tanneries and uses vegetable-tanned leathers. Vegetable-tanned leather uses natural dyes, instead of the chemical-intensive process that most commercial leathers use. With a range including handbags, wallets, keyrings, bookmarks and more, each piece is made by Victoria herself, with extraordinary attention to detail. Her unisex designs are loved by many, and the leather ages beautifully with wear. A luxury bookmark for the avid reader in your life? Or perhaps a new wallet for those whose loose change is found all over the house? A Wild Origin gift is a special gift from Cornwall and will last a lifetime.

Single Fin Collective is made up of the Falmouth-based duo Chez and Sam. The two surfers are immersed in the Cornish landscape, taking in plenty of inspiration from their love of the outdoors. Their outlet for all they see and experience is design, from illustration to screen printing to graphic design. From cards to prints, each piece is a calming work of art. The clean, minimal aesthetic is perfect for the style-conscious person in your life, with the colours and sleek designs bringing a space to life.

We are so pleased to stock the work of Mark Lord, a proud Cornishman and sought-after printmaker. Also known as Lino Lord Press, his handprinted lino prints are inspired by our beautiful Cornish coastline and countryside, with a retro-chic twist. Using time-honoured techniques, Mark depicts natural and iconic imagery, from wildlife to record players, to a Stargazy Pie! Although inspired by a wide range of subjects, his style is incredibly recognisable and popular. Most of the Lino Lord Press prints are limited editions, of only 25 or 50. His down-to-earth prints are bold and comforting, making a house feel like a home.

Katie creates playful air plant holders, which look a little like their namesake – jellyfish! Each jellyfish is made from clay, and is unique. Katie explores texture and colour to make each one individual. These have been incredibly popular in Inspire Makers and are a great gift for plant lovers. These charming air plants need minimal maintenance and are a joyful reminder of the sea when you’re on dry land.

There’s a reason jewellery is a popular option for Valentine’s Day. Choosing and gifting jewellery feels personal, and romantic and it is incredibly special to receive. It doesn’t have to break the bank by any means, the thought of gifting something personal is what counts. We have a lovely range of prices and styles of Cornish jewellery in Inspire Makers, with something for everyone.

Ben Miles and Lucy Gerrard are the designers and makers behind Silver Sapling Jewellery. Their love of exploring Cornwall seeps into their designs, which often reference textures and forms found in nature. From succulents to the iconic agapanthus, they are mesmerised by the beauty we have surrounding us. The intricate detail of each piece is awe-inspiring, and for those who feel intrinsically connected to Cornwall, this jewellery is a very special reminder of this county. Working from their home studio in Penwith, their jewellery is inspired by, designed, and handmade in Cornwall.

We’ve all seen plastic washed up on Cornwall’s beaches, but how many of us turn this into something wearable and beautiful? Thankfully, this is exactly what Viki of Washed and Found does! Her handmade contemporary bio resin jewellery is made from sea plastics and fishing nets washing up in Cornwall and Devon. Her sleek, colourful designs are perfect for those who love statement jewellery, and their environmentally friendly story makes them a great gift for the eco-warrior in your life.

Designed and made by Jane in the Southwest, her jewellery collections are inspired by the countryside and the sea. Constantly collecting and taking photographs of leaves, feathers, shells and stones, each piece is a love letter to the landscape that surrounds her. Often made from sterling silver, with added copper or bronze to enhance the texture and finish, Jane’s jewellery is a great choice for those who prefer jewellery which is more delicate and subtle in appearance. Look closely and you’ll marvel at the skill on display and the nods to shapes we see in our landscape.

Porth Jewellery

We’ve become especially close to Laura, the face and hands behind Porth Jewellery, as she runs workshops at Inspire Makers, as well as being stocked by us. Laura’s pieces from her sea glass collections are a hugely popular Cornish gift idea, as they are a reminder of the Cornish rhythms. Seaglass is glass that has been deposited in the ocean and tumbled and smoothed with tide and time. After collecting sea glass on her coastal walks, Laura then polishes it and creates stunning unique jewellery, each one is one of a kind. We also stock a range of jewellery by Porth Jewellery separate from her sea glass, which consists of beautiful silver and gold pieces.

Sarah creates silver and gemstone jewellery handmade in Cornwall, working with precious and semi-precious gemstones, freshwater pearls and sterling and fine silver. Whilst using high-quality materials, Sarah is passionate about keeping her prices affordable and is a great choice for gifting jewellery. From her home studio overlooking Mount’s Bay in Cornwall, each piece is made by Sarah and inspired by the coast. You can find Sarah’s jewellery alongside collections by all the makers in this blog in our Falmouth shop, Inspire Makers.

What do you give the person who has everything, or the person who prefers adventure? Gifting a workshop experience and encouraging someone to learn new skills is a fantastically memorable present. It can be a shared experience between the two of you or give your loved one the gift of time away to tap into their creativity. At Inspire Makers we have a dedicated workshop space, and regularly invite artists and craftspeople to teach their practice from here. You can make your own jewellery, learn how to paint watercolour scenes, make rubber stamps for your business and much more… Our small and friendly workshops in Falmouth are a relaxed way to meet new people and introduce someone to a new hobby, complete with plenty of tea and biscuits.

Gift vouchers can also be used on items in the shop, so there is plenty of opportunity for the recipient to find something they love with your thoughtful gift voucher!

There you have it! Just a small selection of the many Cornish gift ideas we have. Each and every item in Inspire Makers is made by a talented artist or craftsperson, so you can feel delighted that your purchase for a special someone has also made it possible for a creative to keep doing what they love. If you’re not based in Cornwall, but something has caught your eye, get in touch as we can post items to you. Our email is create@inspiremakers.com

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