Yes, it’s Black Friday – something that’s slowly infiltrated into the UK consciousness over the years along with Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day, among others.
We don’t do Thanksgiving, so UK retailers have adopted Black Friday and cyber weekend in order to get us to spend more… I’m sure the recession has a lot to do with it. But I’m not complaining, I’ve already done a fair bit of my Christmas shopping with some great discounts to boot.
But rather than bring you yet another [yawn] post about the best things to buy on Black Friday (and where to get the best deals), I thought I’d avoid all the big brands, high street and department stores altogether and instead bring you a little bit of independent retailing into the mix.
I’m featuring 7 fantastic indie sellers – here are over 50 gorgeous, unusual gifts to buy instead of all the usual run-of-the-mill stuff…!
SHOP THE EDIT:
I’ve tried to include some really interesting indie sellers – some of which I’ve been aware of for ages, and others I found just when researching this post. Some are offering a Black Friday discount, others are not.
Please don’t dismiss the ones not offering discount. The items they sell are so unique and creative (not the sort of things you’d find on the high street) and often already at the lowest prices that they can offer. I know how hard it is for indie sellers to keep prices as low as possible without operating at a loss, so understandably some of them simply cannot compete at times like cyber weekend.
Personally I think all the items here are all totally worth it – discounts or not. From kimonos to cookies, horse heads to honey bees, I think this is a great selection of unusual gifts that I can guarantee won’t be bought by anyone else for your intended recipient.
And if that recipient is you – even better! Treat yourself this weekend.
You deserve it 😊
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR EYE ON ANY OF THESE THINGS (AND WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN BUYING FOR CYBER WEEKEND ALREADY)? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!
1. Lizzy O Boutique
WHAT SHE SELLS: 🐝💍 Romantic, nature-inspired and sparkly jewellery and scarves. Really lovely quality (I have several pieces myself) and very classy, perfect as gifts or to keep for yourself. You’ll find bees, dragonflies, stars, hearts, pineapples, angel wings, birds, leaves… The list goes on.
WHAT’S PICTURED…
Top left – Lizzy O Rose Gold Diamante Wrap Bracelet
Top right – Danon Mini Honey Bee Necklace, Gold
Middle left – Danon Double Star Ring in Matte Gold
Middle right – Danon T Bar Leather Wrap Bracelet with Swarowski Crystal Gold Heart Charm and Danon Swarovski Crystal Set Star Earrings, Matte Gold
Bottom left – Lizzy O Large Dragonfly Pendant in Silver
Bottom right – Lizzy O Tan Suedette Wrap Bracelet with Baguette Diamantes
DISCOUNT: 10% off everything
Code: BLACKFRIDAY (Friday 25th – midnight Monday 28th UK time)
PRICES START AT: £12.50 (of those items pictured) – ships internationally, free to UK
2. Shade on Shape (via Etsy)
WHAT THEY SELL: 🌸🌹 Modern home decor, mostly vases and candlesticks. Totally Instagram-worthy pieces in the prettiest, softest colours with touches of crisp white and flashes of gold.
WHAT’S PICTURED…
Top left – ‘Subdued Collection’ Painted Wooden Vase, Single
Top right – Wooden Vases Set of 3, Orange
Middle left – Geometric Mini Planters Set of 3
Middle right – Wooden Vases Set of 3, Grey
Bottom left – Wooden Vases Set of 3, Rose
Bottom right – White Birch Candle Holder
DISCOUNT: 20% off everything
Code: BLACKFRIDAY (dates not specified)
PRICES START AT: £12.37 (of those items pictured) – ships internationally
3. Singing Slowly (via Etsy)
WHAT THEY SELL: 👘👰 Ethereal robes, kimonos and bride/bridesmaids robes (made to order). With a huge choice of fabrics and lengths in several styles, these beautifully elegant kimonos and robes with those wide sleeves and satin trims are not just for brides.
WHAT’S PICTURED…
Top left – ‘Haiku’ Cotton Satin Trim Bohemian Robe
Top right – ‘Noguchi’ Faux Silk Kimono Robe
Middle left – ‘Dream Catcher’ Soft Rayon Kimono Robe
Middle right – ‘Willow’ Haiku Lined Rayon Satin Trim Winter Robe
Bottom left – ‘Noguchi’ Soft Cotton Kimono Robe
Bottom right – ‘Soie Champagne’ Faux Crepe de Chine Robe (trimmed with lace, your choice of length)
DISCOUNT: none specified
PRICES START AT: £56.08 (of those items pictured) – ships internationally
4. Lucy MacLeod (via Instagram)
WHAT SHE SELLS: 🎨 Prints of her own fashion illustrations. They’re incredibly cool and so bold and edgy – I want a complete set of every. Single. One.
WHAT’S PICTURED…
Left – A3 (29x42cm) Giclee Print
Top right – Goddess collection: Individual Signed A5 Mini Giclee Prints
Bottom right – Individual Signed A5 Mini Giclee Prints (All also available at sizes up to A1)
DISCOUNT: The yellow/black print is reduced by 20% (till midnight Sunday 30th November UK time), discount is given for multiple purchases of A5 prints
PRICES START AT: £7.00 (of those items pictured) – ships internationally, free to UK
5. White Faux Taxidermy (via Etsy)
WHAT THEY SELL: 🦄🐻🐰 Faux taxidermy wall mounts and kitsch figurines, including deer, unicorns and foxes. This might be my favourite seller on Etsy, full stop. I’m a lover of kitsch, and who doesn’t know someone who wants a pink and gold unicorn head for their desk…?
WHAT’S PICTURED…
Top left – Mini Rose Gold Balloon Dog Figurine
Top right – Pink/Gold Glitter Unicorn Head
Middle left – Rose Gold Bear Head Wall Mount
Middle right – White Ceramic Rabbit Head Vase
Bottom left – Antique Gold Giraffe Jewellery Holder
Bottom right – White/Gold Faux Deer Head
DISCOUNT: 30% everything
CODE: GOBBLEGOBBLE16 (till 11:59pm 28/11/16 EST)
PRICES START AT: £12.37 (of those items pictured) – ships to select countries, includes US and UK
6. Tom Pigeon
WHAT THEY SELL: 📙📏 Stationery, prints, edgy jewellery and cufflinks by a design studio. The stuff of funky legend – I love all the prints (don’t make me choose just one), and if you or your beloved are into modern, graphic jewellery then this range is for you. There’s more Instagrammable goodness in the shape of all the notebooks too.
WHAT’S PICTURED…
Row 1, left – A5 Perpetual Calendar White
Rom 1, right – A5 Perpetual Calendar Black
Row 2, left – Form Circle Cufflinks Brass & Black
Row 2, right – Form Circle Necklace Copper & Mint
Row 3, left – A6 Reflex Set of 4 Pocketbooks Brass Set
Row 3, right – A6 Reflex Pocketbook Copper & Grey
Row 4, left – A3 Print ‘Cinematype A’ (other letters available)
Rom 4, right – B2 Colour Screenprint ‘Koenig | Shulman’
Row 5, left – A3 Open Edition Signed Print ‘Luna Dusk’
Row 5, right – A2 Open Edition Signed Screen Print ‘Day’
DISCOUNT: 20% off everything. Code: BLACK16 (till midnight Friday 25th, UK time)
PRICES START AT: £5.00 (of those items pictured) – ships internationally
6. Holly Fox Design (via Etsy)
WHAT SHE SELLS: 🍪🍪🍪 Cute, colourful sugar cookies (made to order). These cookies are incredible, almost too good to eat. I’m not sure I could bring myself to actually eat them, they’re so utterly darling.
WHAT’S PICTURED…
Top left – Unicorn Sugar Cookies
Top right – Christmas Mix Cookies
Middle left – Gem Sugar Cookies
Middle right – Mini Jellyfish Sugar Cookies
Bottom left – Champagne Flute Sugar Cookies
Bottom right – Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
DISCOUNT: none specified
PRICES START AT: £34.64 (of those items pictured) – ships to the US only unfortunately 😢
I wasn't going to buy anything. Your list got me into the shopping mood! Love the Lizzy O honeybee pendant and those kimono robes!
Michelle @ The Chill Mom
I love the set of three geometric planters – it's just the kind of thing I've been looking for to go in a little recess in my living room 🙂
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Etsy shops are the first place to look for personalized gifts<3
Join the first Holiday Link up
Fun and indeed quite different.
Greetje
I'm definitely going to buy one of those pretty gold trim vases for my bedroom & a Lizzy O silver star for Kiki for Xmas. Great selection thanks Catherine. P.S. You say Kimono I say party dress! Dreamy xxx
Gosh yes they WOULD make fabulous dresses…!! Thanks Michelle xx
I want EVERYTHING on White Faux Taxidermy. I think my son has some T-Rex bookends in his near future! I also need all the robes and kimonos. Thanks for this list; lovely recommendations! xx
Gorgeous list! Thank you for bringing forward some amazing indie designers/sellers. I may have to get myself a kimono for Bali.
So lovely to see exciting alternatives to the high street.
Aww that's really nice of you to say, Jen – I thought it'd make a nice change!! x
Wow! I love this better then all the discount by big brands! I ordered a leopard print bracelet at Lizzy O Boutique! I am still so sorry that the dragonflynisnt available gold colored! Lovely picks! Enjoy your weekend!
The Lizzy O jewellery is fabulous, Nancy – you'll wear it so much!!
Hi Catherine, thank you for these great alternatives it's a very welcome change from the usual high street options.
Pauline I'm so pleased…!! x