On December 2nd, it is Small Business Saturday, and Liverpool BID Company is celebrating the city’s independent and micro businesses.
The backbone of the city center’s high streets is made up of creatives, makers, foodies, crafters, and small independents.
To commemorate the occasion, a series of arts and crafts markets will showcase the best of the city’s indies. Pick up a gift for a loved one or yourself, try something new, or simply enjoy the vibrant small business community. Homemade honey, natural art and jewellery, fabrics, prints, winter warmers, mince pies, mulled wine, local choir performances, and more can be found!
The Small Business Saturday markets will be;
- The Art Quarter Market at Metquarter on Saturday 2nd December, 11am – 5pm
- The Bloom Winter Market at Mann Island on Saturday 2nd December, 11am – 4pm
- The Royal Liver Building Market on Monday 4th December, 11am – 3pm
Here are three artists, makers, and crafters whose work you’ll be able to buy.
Rebecca Christian is an illustrator and artist. She designs fabrics and wallpapers and is a finalist for the Northern Design Award.
Rebecca said:
“It took me until I was 40 to finally give myself permission to call myself an artist, despite having used my illustration skills in every job I’ve held. The design industry experience I gained is invaluable and essential to everything I do and create within my business today.
I initially gained a degree in scientific illustration then worked as a web/graphic designer in the education sector for over 20 years, which allowed me to develop my artistic and technology skills.
I love to create nature inspired artwork which is used to make products including greeting cards, art prints, scarves and jewellery sold through local museums/ galleries and online worldwide.”
Find Rebecca on her website on Etsy and on Instagram and at the Liver Building market on the 4th December.
Julie Emelogu is the woman behind Joolzery jewellery.
Julie said:
“My craft is handcrafted metaphysical wearable pieces of natural art, where I use traditional metal smithing methods and technique to create distinctive, organic and quirky statement recycle copper, sterling silver and healing crystal jewellery, which includes elegant pendants, contemporary rings, hoops and studs and boho-chic earrings.
I taught myself metalsmithing during lockdown, watching YouTube videos and practising in my attic usually into the early hours of the morning as that’s when I seem to be the most creative, and my design process can be described as chaotic, flexible and fluid.
I love sourcing the more unusual stones, or if a common stone like amethyst I will go for something a little different like tripache which has wonderful dark amethyst inclusions within the stone.
I have a zeal for working with geometric and organic shaped stones, but my pieces tend to be minimalist, as the stone is set to show off its natural beauty and brilliance, offering my customers something uniquely contemporary and stylish, not easily found on the high street.”
Find Joolzery at www.joolzery.co.uk and Instagram @Joolzery and at the Metquarter on the 2nd December.
Wallasey-based Joy Worsely sells handmade and bespoke children’s clothing as Little Badger.
Joy said:
“I make bespoke skirts, aprons, and bags for children. People can order a skirt made specifically to their child’s exact size. I get all my orders in the post within 24h.
I use mainly upcycled material that I buy from charity shops or online sites. This way my designs are totally unique and never repeated twice. Plus I’m not adding to the ever growing demand for new products by using material that has had a past life. Customers love finding out that the skirt they bought was a 1950s tablecloth!”
Find Little Badger on Instagram and Facebook and at the Liver Building on the 4th December.
