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Jenny Kiernan is the talent behind Scribble & Stone, a range of excellent quality costume jewellery at affordable prices. Kiernan sources the materials from her travels around the world, returning to her Dublin studio to create the range, which also includes made-to-measure leather cuffs. Made from genuine leather or snakeskin, the cuffs are finished with plated gold, silver or antique gold. Prices from €45 to €65. Available from stockists nationwide. See ScribbleAndStone.com or email scribbleandstone.com@gmail.com.
Christmas is a time for gathering, and whether it’s with friends or family, handpainted Irish trees are a beautiful way to mark and remember the occasion. They come in a range of trees (oak, ash, hawthorn, Beech) and sizes. Customised trees are also available, so a tree from your garden or a place that holds special memories can be turned into a piece of art the whole family can be part of. Each pack contains a handpainted print, black artist pen and ink pad. Prices from €30. See
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Using centuries-old binding techniques, Folded Leaf creates one-of-a-kind, completely handmade books. From photo albums and baby books, to albums of birthday/wedding cards and memory books, Eilis Murphy takes treasured moments and turns them into bound volumes that are simply gorgeous. Attention to detail is key, and Murphy consults with each client before creating their tailored book, incorporating as many special touches as possible. Prices start from €200 and vouchers are available. See
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The idea behind Hamilton Bears is utterly adorable: to take outgrown baby clothes and turn them into handmade teddy bears. But why stop there? A friend recently had a bear made using old clothes of her husband’s late parents – a beautiful way to keep the memory of loved ones alive. Hamilton Bears are unique, designed with “big squishy tummies” for “huggability” and oversized paws for messages, and they are 100 per cent made in Dublin. Prices from €140. Custom-made bears can be purchased as gift vouchers before Christmas to be made in the new year. See
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Nature lovers will go wild for Chief Rabbit’s range of wall decals (that’s a fancy sticker, to you and me). Available in custom sizes and printed on vinyl, they feature local heroes from our back gardens and country walks, like our foxy friend below. Pricing starts at € 60 for a 50sq cm vinyl. See
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Younger fans of arts and crafts may be familiar with Pippablue’s range of sewing kits, designed, cut and packed by friends and business partners Ger and Eva at their studio on the west coast of Ireland. The two mums have now turned their hands to colourful cotton patchwork quilts. Each quilt is handmade to order, measures about 100cm x 85cm, and can be customised with a baby’s name and/or date of birth, at no extra charge. Usually dispatched within eight working days. Prices from €95. See
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Irish design label Charlotte and Jane specialises in custom-made dresses and suits for women inspired by the style of the 1940s and 1950s. At their Kinsale studio, Charlotte Cargin and Jane Skovgaard have created a collection of timeless vintage styles that can be made to measure in your choice of colour and fabric from a wide range. Everything is made locally by their team of tailors and dressmakers, and the process takes about six weeks, including fitting. And if you can't make it to Kinsale, fear not: Charlotte and Jane have a "travelling studio" at Royal St Georges Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire on December 5th and 6th. Irish tweed jackets start at € 380 and skirts at € 295. Vouchers are available. See charlotteandjane.com.
It’s not often we come across men’s jewellery that catches our eye . Dublin designer Pierce Healy caught our eye with his range of sophisticated but industrial-looking men’s jewellery. He makes his creations at his studio in Dublin, and oxidized sterling silver pendants (about €145) are part of his “Dublin Slang” collection, with names such as Bleedin Heart, Wreck the Gaff and Thingamajigg. Healy is also available for commissions, including his gorgeous L-E-T-T-E-R-S-F-O-R-E-V-E-R pieces (pictured), hand-engraved letters (45 characters max) on a copper plate, mailed to your loved one (€99). See
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