LIFESTYLE

With the madness of Black Friday in sight, here at BOTI we're turning our attention to the more important stuff... like celebrating local independents for the everyday great value, top quality and lovingly made products that come out of Brighton & Hove and beyond. Just a Card is a campaign to support shopping independently, starting with the JAC Indie Week this week. Head over to Instagram and take a look at #justacard for a chance to meet the indie makers behind the brands. One of our favourite events of the year is the Brighton Etsy market, a collective of over 70 designer-makers from all over Sussex under one roof selling their incredible wares. You'll get to meet the makers and see their work in person, as they are back at the Brighton Dome on Saturday 1st December. To give you a taste of what you can expect, we thought we'd share a few of our Brighton Etsy favourites with you. Hello DODO Bright and beautiful, this lively pair are also super cool and know how to come up with a good pun or ten. You only have to take a look at their fun designs to see what we mean. Their latest jumper is a must, with a festive pun that will have you winning any Christmas jumper competition in town. Selling a range of products from cards to clothing, prices start at £1.50. Visit the Etsy shop Duck Ceramics Embracing the imperfections that handmade porcelain can bring, the works of art made by Alice Duck are all unique, much like her style. The predominantly self-taught artist uses her discovery of working with ceramics to create versatile pieces that can be used for anything from hot and cold drinks to succulents, pencils, cosmetics or even 'nothing but air'. Prices from £19. Visit the Etsy shop Hyde Wares Artist Jonathan Hyde started making a gorgeous range of leather products that are ethically produced in a way to ensure they last longer, growing alongside their owner and building character as they do. His pieces celebrate the beauty of leather, with an honest and simple approach to producing timeless classics. From card wallets and camera straps to beautiful belts, we'd recommend a leisurely look at his Etsy shop to give you some festive gift-giving inspiration. He'll happily personalise items for you, too, making it an even more personal gift. Prices from £7.50. Visit the Etsy shop In The Making Claire started developing her beautiful range having worked as a stylist and maker for events, brightening up all sorts of spaces with her wares. The props, textiles and signage she made from these one-off events were then developed into homewares, which is how In The Making was born. Her collection has changed over time, but her work continues to explore balance, movement and relationships between colour and shape, often following a gorgeous geometric groove. Her mobiles are particularly mesmerising and work as the perfect distraction for some meditative yet playful mindfulness. As well as just looking rather pretty, obviously. Prices from £19.00. Visit the Etsy shop Joan of Art If you're a budding artist or you know someone with a bit of creative flair that you would like to encourage, Joan of Art has developed the perfect mobile art studio. Born from a love of having the freedom to sketch and paint wherever you are, they've created a gorgeous sketching tin that is perfect to pop in your pocket for any unexpected moments of creativity! It comes complete with a metal sharpener, eraser, 2B pencil, three watercolour paints, water brush, sketching guide, colour wheel and, of course, the beautiful tin! Tin kits from £19.95. Visit the Etsy shop Kirstin Stride Illustrator Kirstin Stride created her brand from a passion for wildlife and all things vintage. Kirstin uses shrink plastic to create some beautiful miniature works of art for people to wear. From earrings and badges to cufflinks and decorations, you can wear your favourite bird on your sleeve! She's more recently started working with wood, laser-cutting her drawn birdie shapes and then hand-painting each and every one of them. Prices from £10.50. Visit the Etsy shop Rock Cakes Sarah's jewellery sticks to her main aim of making people smile, with a price range and product type to suit everyone, too. Injected with colour and comedy, there won't be a piece of the Rock Cakes collection that you see that doesn't give you a little flutter of joy. Her playful jewels range from chuckle-inducing pin badges (see her Porn Stars above!) and Christmas decorations (featured image), right up to luxury, well-made jewellery that will last a lifetime. Prices from £4. She's got a cheeky pre-Christmas sale on now until Monday... be quick! Visit the Etsy shop The Brighton Etsy Christmas Market takes place on Saturday 1st December, 10.00am - 5.00pm; free entry Brighton Dome, Church Street, Brighton BN1 1UE You can take a look at all the amazing Brighton Etsy sellers here

LIFESTYLE

What we’re loving at the moment.

celebrate brighton’s unique brands for indie week

what to do this weekend: 9th -11th november

SHARE YOUR BRIGHTON