2020 Christmas Gift Guide.
A Lockdown guide to shopping online, early and local.
By Christine Kennedy, Whitley Bay Loves Art.
Blimey, here we go again! For so many people it feels like Lockdown has become the new normal. Do you get the feeling we’re living in a cheesy B-Movie? I’m just hoping it won’t turn into a long running saga. Of course it’s very serious. But honestly, this year’s Christmas shopping has turned into a historic challenge!
I take my hat off to all canny people who bought all their Christmas presents in the summer and already have them gift wrapped, labelled and squirrelled away in the loft! I kid you not, I know people who have done this.
On the other hand, if you are anything like me, you were only just beginning to think about Christmas and are now in a mild state of panic. What to do? Blasted COVID!
It was mathematician, John Allen Paulos, who said “Uncertainty is the only certainty there is”, followed by something about living with insecurity, which I won’t go in to. Anyway, you get the point because it definitely applies to Christmas 2020. At the very least it will certainly be different.
But don’t panic! Stay calm! There is a solution. To my small brain the sensible thing to do now, is to go online. Yes, shop early and shop local and do it at your keyboard with a cup of coffee and a biscuit. If I can rise to the challenge, anyone can.
I’m holding my hands up here and openly admitting that in normal times, I am pretty useless at getting ahead, but last year, I got flu — the two weeks out of action sort — and it forced me to do some serious Christmas shopping online. With great results!
So this year, I am resisting the urge to crawl into a cave like a Grizzly bear and hibernate ’til Spring. Instead, I am making a superhuman effort to be uber organised, not just for me and the people on the receiving end of said gifts, but for the heroic independent artists and artisans I will be buying from.
Let’s not forget that they are still hard at work because many of them work from home or have at least packed most of their studios into the spare room ‘on the off chance’. So, even when galleries and festive markets are closed, there is an opportunity for you to connect with your favourite artist online and have the work shipped to you. How great is that?
What’s more, when you make a purchase from them, you are buying something totally unique and handmade. Just think of the little dance of joy they will do when they receive your order! I bet Jeff Bezos doesn’t do that.
Before I point you in the direction of the gifts below, I’d like to add that Social Media gets accused of all sorts of things, but it has to be said that platforms like Instagram are a brilliant way to discover fabulous artists and artisan makers whose work enriches our lives as well as our Christmas present lists. It also means that we can be more discerning about where and who be buy from, knowing that behind every item there is someone who puts their heart and soul into what they make and their customer service is genuine and personal to you, the buyer.
So, I’ve made my list and I’m checking it twice, I’m ordering early and local so Christmas is nice.
Grab a cuppa and enjoy binge reading the Whitley Bay Loves Art Christmas 2020 Gift Guide. I hope you find a little inspiration.
In the meanwhile let’s keep positive and test negative!
Best wishes for a happy and healthy Christmas.
Gift Guide 2020
Sarah Piper Ceramics. Tableware Prices start at £10. Coastal Landscape Collection from £59. Go to the store
Inspiratori Art. Sofia Barton cards and Prints from £2 — £25. Commissions from £80. Go to the store
Jen Lithgo, Jeweller. Stacking Leaf Rings with CZ ring £115. Prices from £18. Go to the store
Judith Appleby. North Shields 20x40cm (unframed size) acrylic on canvas board. Framed white £175 +P&P. Go to the store
Seatern, Michelle Wood. ‘Coast’ monoprints framed £130 +p&p. Gifts and prints from £8 — £25. Go to the Store
Becky Helliar, Rawpots. Hand thrown Ceramic Oil Pourers, Prices from £30. Tableware, Prices from £12. Go to the store
Graham Caffull, Artist and map lover. Gifts from £5-£12. Mounted Giclée prints £40. Commissions. Contact for details
Carol Nunan, Printmaker. ‘Curlew Over The Wall’ variable edition original collograph print, £150 framed. Prices from £90 to £185 small originals unframed. Go to the Store
Chill out Box, from Chilli Studios, focussing on wellbeing and self care. Also Art Box and Create Box available from £20. Go to Store
Glitter Ball Glass, Contemporary fused glass jewellery and gifts. Fused glass and sterling silver studs. From £15. Go to the store
The Northern Loom. Large frame weaving loom £68. Custom-made woven, contemporary wall hangings, from £48. Go to the store
Robert Myers, Artist. ‘Tyneside Cinema’. Open Edition Prints £25. Limited Edition Prints from £50-£90. Go to the store
Rasp Lifestyle. Artist/Blacksmith. Hand Forged Toadstools. Mild steel finished with a copper fused top. Approx 70mm in height. £45 each. Set of three £100. Go to the store
Nicola Young. Ragtagmagpie. Comtemporary Landscape Artist. Original works from £40 — £345. Go to the store
Ciré bags. Yellow waxed canvas bag with long leather strap. £25.00 Go the the store
Beau and Arrowsmith. Illustrator. ‘Little Superhero’ Print. Prices start £12. Go the the store
Rosie Rendles. Artist. ‘Nude for fun’ Series. Prints 21x21cm. Prices start £12 — £35. Go to the store
Stuart Jones, Artist. ‘Autumn Light on an Ouseburn Boat’, Oil on Board, 14 x 10inches £180. Go to the store
Richard Broderick, Sculptor. Vent Dweller £110. Prices from £90. Go to the store
Kirsty Adams, Ceramics. Chilli flake bowls priced at £30 each from the Icelandic Collection. Come with boxed packaging. Go to the store
Samantha Lois Illustrations, epoxy resin luxury interior accessories. Prices from £35- £64. Go to the store
Matt Hale. Photographer, Timefreezer. Prices from £6 to £245. Go to the store
Silverkupe Jeweller. Dotty Black Pendant £64. Silver pendant decorated with black, with oxidation method. Prices start at £28. Go to the store
Emma Pinnock, prints, drawings and homeware, regional, floral and landscape inspired pieces. Hand drawn Grey Street Lampshade, £85. Go to the store
Chris Anderson. Velomentary. Digital Cycle Artist. Print: Tom Owens 30 x 30cm. Prices from £12 — £50. Go to the store
Donna Cheshire. Textile Artist. ‘Frozen in Time’ 39 x 39cm Framed appliqué and free motion embroidery textile artwork £300. Giclée print £50. Gifts from £8. Go to the store
William Fawkes, Artist. ‘Skeletons at the Club’, Framed Print £40 limited edition. Go to the store
Desayn. Metal and mixed media wall art. Map ornaments. Prices start from £8. Go to the store
Gillian English. Fused glass artist. Prices from £18 — £65. Ocean Scene £49. Go to the store
Richard Oakland, Photographer, ClickinHistory. ‘Beast from the East at work’ 10 x 8 inches. Printed on archival paper. From £55. Go to the store
Mindspice Art. Coasters, Cards and Prints from £7.50 Go to the store
Gail Curry, Happy Planet. A cleverly designed fold out paper cut with heavy duty boards at either end. The folded panorama measures 10 x 10cm and expands to 10 x 60cm. Price £7.99. Go to the store
