15 Ways Shopping Local Makes an Artisan's Day

Did you know that every time you buy local, a small business owner does a happy dance? Well, OK, they might not all actually dance, but we know that they definitely get a case of the warm and fuzzies! So why not opt to shop small this festive season, and give an artisan a Christmas gift they’ll never forget?

From keeping traditional crafts alive to supporting the local arts scene, read on for our top fifteen reasons to leave the high street behind and get festive with independent businesses this season!

1. You’re keeping traditional crafts alive

From fast fashion brand crochet cardigans to ceramic sculptures in your local supermarket, mass-produced crafts are everywhere – which means it’s even more important to support handmade businesses and keep traditional techniques alive. Buying a DIY kit or craft class or from an indie seller is the best way of learning new skills and ensuring the future of handmade – simple! 

2. You’re helping mother earth

Not only does shopping locally reduce the air miles of the actual item, but independent businesses are also more likely to be far more sustainable in their material, ingredients and packaging choices than larger corporations, especially during the busy festive season. So you’ll be doing your bit for the planet too!

3. You’ll get a fabulous customer experience 

A local business with a small team (or even a team of one!) is going to value your custom far more than a large corporation, because it means so much more to them. Shopping with an independent maker is going to be a warm, joyful experience that you just wouldn’t get on the high street – from attentive service and a cosy creative workshop experience to beautiful packaging and  those gorgeous finishing touches, nothing beats buying from a small business at Christmas.  

4. You’ll make an actual person feel amazing

Whether you’re buying a beautiful handmade item, a DIY kit for cosy evenings at home or heading off to an artisan-hosted craft workshop or cooking class, your purchase is going to make the seller feel great. And what could be more heartwarming than lighting up someone’s day and putting a smile on their face?

Jewellery designer Nadia Abbas and her team have got a lot of love for their customers. “We’re an independent, self-funded brand, built up through the passion of hand-crafting products. When a customer buys from us, they’re not only receiving a quality product or service, they’re also helping to support the team trying to build a legacy through doing something we love." Nadia Abbas, House of Stooki

5. You know exactly who made the product or designed the workshop

Shopping with an independent seller means you’ll know exactly who made the product, what materials were used, how long it took them and what they had for breakfast (OK, maybe not the last one!) – something that you just don’t get with mass-produced goods on the high street!  

6. You’ll be creating or buying really unique gifts

Wouldn’t it be brilliant to watch your loved ones unwrap Christmas gifts and be amazed at how special they are? Well, buying from a small business or artisan seller is the easiest way to make your (and your lucky giftees!) festive dreams come true! From your own handmade items with beautiful quirks that make them completely original to tailored experiences that will help that special someone have the time of their life, shopping local will help you find the perfectly unique gift you’ve been searching for. 

7. You’ll be part of the community

Independent businesses are often at the heart of the community, so by shopping regularly with your local artists, makers and creators, you’ll become involved in all sorts of plans! From fun street parties and creative workshops in the summer and festive events at Christmas to charity community projects all year round, you’ll find yourself immersed in an exciting and meaningful world that really sparks joy. 

Not-for-profit, Leeds Cookery School, are always delighted when a booking comes through, as not only does it mean they can share their culinary passion with others, but with 100% of profits being donated to local charity Zest, it also means they (and you!) can support disadvantaged people in their community.  In their words, 

“When you book a foodie experience with Leeds Cooking School, you’re safe in the knowledge that your money is being spent ethically, which gives us and our customers a warm fuzzy feeling.” Simon Chappelow, Leeds Cookery School

8. You’ll have a say in future products and workshops

Artisans and crafters with small businesses really, really value feedback from their customers – unlike larger corporations, they want to truly please their patrons (that’s you!) and are more likely to take on board your thoughts, opinions and helpful criticisms. Buying a Christmas card one day, influencing a fun festive workshop the next – all in a day's work when you shop local!

Chef extraordinaire Simon Wang and his team don’t just host super tasty cooking classes, they also love nothing more than developing them around their customers’ special requests! Simon told us, “when people book cooking classes with us for special occasions, such as birthday parties or anniversaries, we feel so grateful that they trust us with their celebration. In return, we do everything we can to make the experience unforgettable, and to ensure they leave with the best memories. Long term relationships between us and our customers are such a joy – they allow us to develop more classes around their interests and needs.” Simon Wang

9. There’ll be a story behind your purchase

From Christmas cards inspired by children’s drawings to ceramic dinnerware in unique shapes, shopping with a local seller is a sheer joy once you start learning about how your purchase came to life. With indie businesses, there’s a story behind everything  – whether it’s cooking classes brought to life by generations of handed down recipes, or craft workshops inspired by far flung travels across the globe, there’s more to your experience than meets the eye!

10. You’ll be helping a small business stay afloat 

Let’s be honest, times are tough in the UK at the moment, especially if you’re a small business – trying to stay afloat during a recession is no easy feat, which is why it’s never been more important to support your local businesses! Independent artists and makers don’t have the reserves that large corporations do, so by shopping with them you’ll be increasing their chances of staying open for the new year. And what could be better than that?

11. You’re supporting the arts 

The arts is now a severely underfunded industry; from schools and universities to local organisations, creative subjects and groups had their funding slashed across the board by a huge 50% by the Government in 2021. Shopping with an independent maker, whether you buy a product or choose to learn craft skills with them, is the best way of showing your support and helping save this beautifully valuable industry. 

12. You’re giving someone a reason to be creative 

Spending time immersed in a project, whether it’s getting creative with flavours and textures in the kitchen or losing yourself in gently repetitive crochet stitches, has the power to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and boost mental and physical wellbeing. This means that shopping with an independent seller gives them a reason to switch off, get making and enjoy that creative boost!

13. Your product will be better quality and made with love

There’s no contest between handmade and mass-produced – handmade, artisan products win in the quality stakes every time, which is why your loved one will definitely prefer something lovingly crafted by your own fair hands! The beautiful finishing touches, fine attention to detail and even quirky flaws will spark a joy that you’ll never find amongst the shelves of identical high street products.  

14. You’ll be helping a maker turn their passion into their living 

It’s simple – by shopping small, you’ll help someone else go big! For artisans and crafters, turning their passion or hobby into a fully-fledged business is often a dream come true – so every time you buy a workshop, class or product from a local maker, you’re putting them one step closer towards their goal! 

Collage artist Laura Goossens of Gooseglitters loves nothing more than sharing her passion for creativity with others – especially when they turn into serial crafters! “Introducing my craft to others is something I love most about my job – every time someone buys a workshop ticket or collage pack, I’m reminded of how fortunate I am to be able to do this for a living. It's incredible to see people come in with no experience and then leave with a new hobby - oh, or that feeling when someone returns for another session! It's honestly the best.” Laura Goossens, Gooseglitters

15. Your local creative will be so excited to meet you!

Creative crafters and culinary wizards love nothing more than passing on their knowledge and skills through their fun workshops – they get to meet like minded people and share their passion, and you get a wonderfully unique experience with memories that will last a lifetime. Now that’s what we call a win-win!  

Convinced? Go on, make an artisan's day this Christmas – they’re just waiting to meet you!