Xmas Gift Ideas from FHFteam

Pick of the Presents – Xmas Gift Ideas from FHFteam
by Lynn Davy


I envy those people who are organized about their Christmas shopping. I really do. I never even start mine until December…

Oh, wait. It is December. Help!

Once again, FHFteam comes to the rescue.

If you ever thought this team was just about beads, think again! I’ve put together a quick guide to a whole range of wonderful creations that will make ideal gifts. (If, that is, you can bear to give them away.)

There are hundreds more items that I didn’t have room to feature – search the Etsy listings for ‘FHFteam’ to see more!

Jewellery is the obvious place to start. There are lots of different styles to choose from, and the joy of handmade is that each item is individual and unique.


Necklaces

You can never have too many necklaces, right?

I love the unusual combination of materials – copper and polymer clay – in this ‘Cornfields’ necklace by Hazel Ward (ContinuumDesigns):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84051419/cornfields-polymer-clay-and-copper

For a very special gift, this elegant ‘Omari’ chainmaille neckpiece by Lesley Lake (Eleljewellery) would be just the thing:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64313329/sterling-silver-and-bronze-chainmaille

And for the young-at-heart of any age, I’d pick this jaunty, colourful necklace by Dawn Price (dawnsbeadboutique):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79416987/nautical-beaded-necklace-with-unusual

Pendants

Pretty and versatile, and they don’t have to cost the earth to be really special!

Here’s a seasonal gift that would be wearable all year – a heart pendant by Lyn Gutteridge (Twirlybeads). She has made a matching charm bead too:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86967693/lampwork-focal-bead-heart-with-holly-and

For something really unusual with a touch of fantasy magic, here’s a vessel by Rita Bennett (ceram60):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75543108/handmade-lampwork-vessel-uk-sra

Every holiday party needs a bit of sparkle, and they don’t come much more sparkly than this dichroic glass beauty by Helen Clemons (BlueFairyDesigns), who also makes lovely suncatchers, coasters and bowls:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82579227/ephemera-fused-dichroic-glass-pendant

Bracelets

I love bracelets – you can see them and enjoy them while you’re wearing them!

I think this one would be perfect for teenagers – a zingy, bright toggle bracelet by cathsbeadyshed, where you’ll find a wide selection of other funky jewellery:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/72344539/bright-toggle-bracelet

And for a complete contrast in mood and texture, here’s a gorgeous Viking knit by Stephanie Gough (beadsbystephanie):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/85759070/handmade-lampwork-and-sterling-silver

Earrings

The finishing touch to every party outfit!

These unusual blue ‘Puddle’ earrings by Jo Walker (Studio Jewellery) are a real talking point – her shop is packed with lots of other lovely jewellery too:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/68912554/puddle-earrings

Di Sandland’s earrings with messages on are irresistible (I love her etched copper cuffs as well):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82828244/the-ultimate-christmas-gift

And for a can’t-go-wrong present, I’d choose the classic simplicity of these ‘Ink’ earrings by nemeadesigns:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81040870/ink-artisan-glass-earring

Rings

Here’s a clever idea. Interchangeable rings/ring tops by Jeanie Munro (ceardannanjewellery) – her beadie boxes make lovely presents for crafters too:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86711624/10-off-with-coupon-interchageable-ring

Brooches

My pick of the FHFteam brooch crop is this unique floral design by Gay (GaysieMay), who has lots of other unusual jewellery including recycled paper earrings!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/87191940/one-of-a-kind-handmade-lampwork-brooch

Charm beads/big hole beads/silver cored beads

The ones that fit on your silver chain charm bracelet. Little wearable works of art. What’s not to love?

Here are two of my favourites with a Christmas theme: the beautifully textured ‘Blue Angel’ by Priscilla McGirr (PrincessPeggy):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84557684/blue-angel-handmade-lampwork-glass-charm
and the wintry ‘Dark Skies’ by Kirsty Bryan (huppabella):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84363737/dark-skies-a-big-hole-bead-for-european

 
Accessories

Yes, there are people who don’t wear jewellery… and yes, FHFteam caters for them too!

I covet this hand coloured velvet scarf by Sue Harris (Blue Box Studio) – she sells dyeing kits too, use them in the microwave – and her seaglass jewellery is lovely:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/85255621/rainbow-spot-silk-velvet-hand-screened

These bag charms from Blue Kiln Beads make unique little gifts. She has some lovely plaited leather bracelets too:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/78834792/bag-charm-orange-zest-fhfteam-y3-uk

How can you resist this? For the Minecraft geek in your life – keyring by Julia Hay (Pandanimal):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76209825/shut-up-and-dig-minecraft-dirt-block-key

House Beautiful

Wasn’t it William Morris who said your everyday things should be beautiful as well as functional?

These would cheer up even the grumpiest Scrooge on Christmas morning! Groovy funky floral coasters by Dawn Turner (Dawn Turner Designs):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67730045/groovy-baby-fused-glass-coasters

And this bowl by Sam Capeling (venusartglass) is on my wishlist – just beautiful:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84740664/fused-glass-bowl-iridised-pinkred-unique

A vase is always appreciated. This elegant, restrained, blown lead crystal vase by Karen Lilley (lilleyglassdesigns) would enhance any mantelpiece:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86214521/vase-blown-blue-and-green-lead-crystal

And this one by Emma Mackintosh (flyingbead)couldn’t be more different – it reminds me of an exotic pitcher plant in a tropical jungle:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80836684/zingy-glass-bud-vase-or-vessel-with-red

What about us chaps, then?

Doesn’t the man in your life get a glassy present too?

Cufflinks are a traditional seasonal gift, and these stunning ‘Flame’ dichroic red and gold ones by GaysieMay would brighten up anybody’s Christmas dinner:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/73140837/handmade-artisan-dichroic-glass

Or how about a smart wine stopper for his favourite tipple? Glenn Godden (steampunkglass) makes gorgeous bottle stoppers (and collectable marbles too):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/85826610/lavender-flower-marble-bottle-stopper

And I know there are plenty of jewellery-wearing blokes out there (I just don’t happen to be married to one) who would look gorgeous in this unisex cord necklace by Jane Hamill – who also makes classic chainmaille bracelets suitable for men:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66288799/lampwork-art-glass-unisex-necklace

And finally – don’t forget the Christmas decorations!

Go on, get into the Christmas spirit with some handmade sparkle…

These are very traditional and very Christmassy – candy canes by ScarletImpressions:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86538929/christmas-tree-decorations-lampwork

And how about a window full of sparkling snowflakes by Samantha Capeling (Venus Art Glass) – who also makes lots of other Xmas decorations plus super-cute owls, fish, birds and elephants:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84884955/large-snowflake-christmas-decoration

*sings* “Deck the hall with sparkling glasses, falalalala, fala la la…” sorry, got a bit carried away there…

Have a very merry glassy sparkly Christmas, from all of us in FHFteam!

 (Photo collages by Hazel)