This the season to buy from a small business

Anna from Door Sixteen is crowdsourcing a list of independent crafters, artists and designers that offer an excellent alternative to shopping in big box stores for your holiday gift. Supporting a small business means supporting a talented artist make a living. I strongly believe that making a living through your art and work should be a viable alternative in this day and age.

So I combed through the links of talented designers and makers, and picked a few gift options that are made in Europe:

1. Inge of Windward Made offers sustainable fashion accessories and home goods made of fine hemp fabrics. A couple of her creations that I really like:

Hemp and organic cotton tea pot cozy and tea towel. Hand-printed, non-toxic ink and organic fabrics.

Hemp and organic cotton tea pot cozy by Windward Made on EuropeanBeautiful

2. Ella Moe makes mesmerizing kaleidoscopic cards that you can buy in a set of 4.

kaleidoscopic cards by Ella Moe on European Beautiful

3. Boxwood pendants stamped with handmade stamps are a really unique gift made by Judith of Kiriku Artesania.

Boxwood pendants by Kiriku on European Beautiful

4. Yvonne of Mouseblossom is drawing botanical prints on ceramic brooches. You'll know that these mushrooms are in good company, if you look at the other nature-inspired illustrations in Yvonne's shop.

Botanical prints by Mouseblossom on EuropeanBeautiful

How to make paper snowflakes

Early in our relationship, my partner and I decided to get a Christmas ornament each year. We don't like buying the Christmas ornaments that you find in stores. It seems to me that all the collections available are cheaply made in China. The glitter is more in the box than on the baubles, Santa's eyes are drawn on his forehead and angels have dubious things hanging from their backs, that definitely don't look like wings. We like to buy from small businesses or independent vendors at craft shows or online, but we're also learning how to make Christmas ornaments from scratch. Making a paper snowflake was a simple and fun project done while we were watching TV. I remember doing this paper project when I was in kindergarten, so it really is easy. The most difficult part might be picking the right book to butcher, if you choose to use book pages instead of regular paper. I did, so I picked Jerry Seinfeld's Seinlanguage . Jerry wouldn't mind, and all...

5 European Christmas Markets to visit this winter

Christmas markets are one of my favorite places to be in December. I love going to markets because there's no knowing what you're going to find, but you can be sure there will be a feast for the senses. Christmas markets embody all that is right about shopping (beautiful craftmanship and artistry) without the consumerism of malls and chain stores. It really gives a warm and fuzzy feeling to know that you can buy homemade gingerbread, mulled wine and wood carved figurines and, at the same time, help a small business sustain itself. The first Christmas markets originated in Germany, and dates back to the 1300s. So it's only appropriate that we start our list with a German Christmas market. 1. Munich, Germany Source: EuropeanBeautiful The market at Marienplatz, facing the city's charming Gothic City Hall, is the place that becomes a winter wonderland in the heart of Munich. The origins of this market are though to date back to the 14th century, thus making it on...

Polish Textiles from Taftyli

I found out about two talented textile designers and I want to spread the news. Some of their work appeared on Kickan & Conkers , one of the blogs that I read faithfully. The textile work of Swlvya and Dorota is bulky, daring and unapologetic. Almost magnetic, I would say. You can find something for both masculine and feminine interiors, and it would certainly match sophisticated, white spaces as well as darker, moodier rooms. Every piece is unique, hand-dyed and sewed by hand. And I'm still dreaming about that braided headboard. This is their blog: Projekt-i . This is their Pinterest . This is their website . And their Etsy shop . Here's where I would see their work showcased: 1. In this warm, coastal-inspired living room in Spain. Photo by Manolo Yllera via Domaine Home 2. As headboard/backdrop against this grey wall on the Cosy Home blog. Source: Cosy Home 3. To break down and blend in with the palette in this dee...

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