Gift boxes

After writing about wrapping paper and gift tags yesterday I have just found these lovely pillow boxes by gooseberrymoon. All the gooseberrymoon stationery is designed, printed, hand assembled and packaged in North Wales, UK. Whether you are looking for cards, notebooks, invitations or gift tags you will find beautiful stationery to meet your needs,

Perfect Wrapping for the Perfect Gift

Whilst thinking about the perfect gift it is also a good idea to give the wrapping some thought, after all it is the first thing that your recipient will see. So I have been on the look out for the perfect wrapping paper and gift tags.


So what beautiful things caught my eye?

These are Funky Tree gift tags made by Swirly Arts, are one example of a whole range and are available through Folksy, £2.00 for 10 tags. Lynsey, who owns Swirly Arts, is a work at home mum who loves recycling turning fabrics and paper into gorgeous things to buy.

 

Dots and Spots is run by another mum, Becky in her studio based near the Mendip Hills in Somerset. I couldn't resist this beautiful bunting gift tag. However if bunting isn't your thing there are many other cards and tags to choose from on the site. For the very organised there are even pudding gift tags for Christmas.

As for the wrapping itself I have found some gorgeous handmade heart pattern paper that would enhance any present. I imagine the recipient will be taking it off carefully to keep. It is available from the Wild Paper  priced £5.95 for 3 sheets.

Finally every little girl would love this unique wrapping paper from Penny Lindop Designs. Each fairy is fluffy and the paper comes with a co-ordinating fluffy tag.

Let me know if you find any perfect wrapping and tags, as I am sure there are many more available.

Great Notebook

Always on the look out for a good notebook, I have just found this series from Really Good. Whether you just want somewhere to keep track of all things you need to remember or you want to start your first novel then this notebook is a good place to start. The notebooks are from the Waldo Pancake range where you can find a whole host of sarcastic and witty gifts.

Beautiful Bracelets and Bangles

One of the main reasons for starting this blog was that I am constantly amazed by the number of small businesses out there making beautiful items - jewellery is just one of these. There are so many talented and individual jewellery makers out there, who create individual pieces - that there is something out there for every taste and budget. I have decided that there are so many that more than one blog article is needed, so for this piece I am going to focus on bangles and bracelets. 

As we all know it is very easy to pop into Accessorize or a high street jeweller when you are looking for a gift for someone. However, why not try out some of the jewellery internet shops I have found, and track down that perfect gift.

Sea Glass Bracelet £27.00

The Beach Shack Project has some stunning bracelets made from sea glass collected on the beaches of Cornwall. The fact that the sea glass has been shaped and smoothed by the action of the sea makes each piece unique. This is then enhanced by the patterns made with the silver plated wire that holds the sea glass in place.

I then found CeeGee Jewellery design where the jewellery is all designed and made by Carolyn Grant. I particularly liked this gorgeous Caribbean Sea Lampwork bracelet, made using Bali sterling silver beads and 3 glass lampwork beads, made in CeeGee Jewellery's own workshop. Once again this is a unique piece that you won't find anywhere else.

If you are looking for something that is a little more chunky then Pennydog Jewellery is a great place to start. Kerry, who runs Pennydog Jewellery, specialises in affordable resin jewellery and has a great range to choose from, such as the transparent moss bangle shown. However, I also love the hundreds and thousands resin bangle, which is exactly as it sounds - hundreds and thousands embedded in resin.

There are many charm bracelets out there, but if you are looking for something with vintage style then Miss Ladysmith is a great website to visit. New pieces are added to the website and Etsy shop every week so there are plenty of items to choose from. This beautiful Mother Earth charm bracelet made from a fantastic range of beads it could be worn in the day or evening.

Finally I found Cloversoul who handcraft their jewellery in their studio situated in the North of England. Their indivdual style using  English solid sterling, hand marked silver leads to the production stunning jewellery. It was hard to choose my favourite piece, however in the end I went for this classic Beaten Track Breeze bangle, just the thing to go with that little black dress.

I am sure that there are many more fantastic one off bangles and bracelets available but I could go on for hours, but I have to know when to stop. However, if you have a favourite place to buy jewellery as a gift or for yourself please let me know.

A Jewellery Box Search

Last week I received this request from one of my blog readers.

''Love the blog! Maybe you can help me though ... I've been looking for months now for a handmade/handcrafted jewellery box for my daughter - something that she will keep all her special hair clips, jewels and trinkets in and hopefully treasure for many years. I've trawled Etsy with no joy ... perhaps you might be able to help?! Many thanks''

So a Bratz or Disney jewellery box was not what they were looking for. I was a little concerned that I might just come up with things they had already seen, but always one for a challenge I emailed her and said that I would see what I could find.

My first thought that a wooden box would be a good option as it would age well. I discovered Crafty Boxes who do a range of beautifully made boxes in a range of sizes and prices. My personal favourite - just in case my other half reads this - is the Tsunami box.

Still thinking of wood I then found Katre's Handicraft and Jewellery who make a very simple, but classic handmade juniper wood jewellery box. The juniper wood contains oils that are slowly released giving the box a lovely smell.

After some thought I decided to also look at fabric jewellery boxes. They may not look as long lasting as wood, but if it was a treasured item there is no reason why it can not last. There were not as many fabric jewellery boxes available, and the one I felt most fitted what my reader was looking for was from Eve a shop in Witney, Oxfordshire. The very pretty box has lots of detailing on the top and plenty of space for all those jewels.

I also found this simpler, but nonetheless lovely cupcake box from Saltaire Gifts, which would suit a little girls bedroom, but would not look out of place as she grew up.

Finally I found Petit Home who source their products from suppliers who are artisans, often producing in small quantities, making their products a little different from those that you might find on the high street. Trousselier are a small French company  who make beautiful music jewellery boxes decorated with lovely illustrations. Their 2010 range includes the characters Ninon and Nioui.

After searching I emailed my blog reader with these options, she emailed me back to say

'I love, love, love the Trousselier jewellery box - that is exactly what I was after - especially since my daughter has red hair, she will love the figurine inside. In fact I am ordering right now!'

I was delighted that I had found what she had been searching for and I hope that her daughter enjoys the jewellery box for many years to come.

Win a Grace and Favour Doorstop.

I am excited to announce my first competition for the Unique Gifts blog. With thanks to Grace and Favour Home for providing the lovely prize.

Grace and Favour Home is the work of Rachael Rowe, who works from her studio on the edge of Dartmoor. Rachael works with a range of fabrics from some of Britain's best loved designers, as well as with vintage fabric finds. With these Rachael, and her small team, make distinctive interior accessories that will enhance any home, including noticeboards, bunting, cushions, and of course doorstops. Grace and Favour Home specialises in unique mannequins inspired by vintage French tailors dummies. My particular favourite is the wasp-waist mannequin which would add the finishing touch to any stylish bedroom. To view Rachael's work for yourself simply click on one of the links below.  Grace and Favour Home are also offering free postage and packing for orders over £50 until the 14th September, so why not buy that special gift now.

The winner will receive a doorstop in their choice of fabric, so why not get your entry in now. All you have to do is email me at perfectuniquegift@gmail.com to tell me the most unique present you have ever received. The winner will be drawn at random on the 30th September.

Links

http://www.graceandfavourhome.com/
http://www.graceandfavourhomeblogspot.com/
www.twitter.com/gracefavourhome

Laptop bags - stylish options

I was looking at my laptop bag today and realised how dull it looks - practical but dull. After some searching on the internet I realised that I could have both beautiful and practical. A distinctive laptop bag makes a great gift for someone who has everything.

You could be one of the first to be seen sporting this fantastic bag from the Old Bag Company, available from October 2010, the bag is stylish yet practical. Alternatively if you are looking for a new bag for yourself they have a great range of bags in beautiful designs.

As always when looking for bags I visited Cath Kidston, and was delighted to find not only one but two choices for everyones laptop needs. The first is a simple laptop sleeve, great if you don't want to carry about all the bits and bobs that come with a laptop. However, if you are going to need your charger and mouse then why not get the laptop bag instead.

 

However, if you are an Orla Kiely fan - which I know I am  - then the next bag is for you. The Tripp laptop bag has a beige cotton stem print lining. There is also room for all your bits and pieces with an inner zip pocket and elasticated pouch pockets.

For those of us who like to buy one off items then I think the laptop bag designed by Cela and available through Folksy is an excellent purchase. The one off designs ensure that you won't be toting the same bag as everyone else. The bag is waterproof and padded to ensure that your laptop is safe and has extra pockets for all those additional items.

Coming to the end of my blog and I have realised that I have not paid any attention to the man who has everything. Though they may think that black is the safest option there are lots of alternatives out there. I really like the colourful Acme and Built NY sleeves. However, if you think the man in your life might be ready to move on from black but is not quite ready for colourful yet, why not look at the Dicota Citywear laptop messenger bag - all available from Bag Crazy.