Christmas gift guide: Northern artists and makers

With – dare we say it – Christmas around the corner, we collect some of our favourite local designers from Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds together for some festive shopping inspiration. Scroll through the gallery above and find out more about them below.

Gallery by Jess Hardiman | 16 Nov 2016

Nick Deakin

Offering up some sage advice with his signature ‘Don’t Be a Prick’ design, we’re as much a fan of Sheffield-based graphic artist Nick Deakin for his blunt messages as we are for his simple, clean lines – and the wintry forest scapes that’ll prove particularly apt for this time of year. Find his work at independent book shop Colours May Vary in Leeds. totallyokay.co.ukcolours-may-vary.com

Holly Bagnall

Serving up 80s-inspired patterns, weird and wonderful faces and positive, bright colours, Liverpool-based illustrator and graphic designer Holly Bagnall's work is packed with personality and character. We reckon her ceramics and badges make particularly good presents (and our picture editor's got her eye on a bowl for her cat), though the retro bangles are great too. instagram.com/hollybagzetsy.com/uk/shop/HollyBagnall 

Cup + Cloth  

Macclesfield-based online homeware and lifestyle store Cup + Cloth curates made, sourced and found objects, all sharing the same ethos of high quality craftsmanship from the UK. Along with pieces from the likes of Joe Hartley and Holm, we also love Cup + Cloth’s own handmade African-inspired cushions and brightly coloured macramé plant hangers, which pair simple design with vibrant colours. Catch C+C at various Treacle markets in Macclesfield and at the Winter Gathering at Manchester’s London Road Fire Station. cupandcloth.com

Aliyah Hussain

Visual artist and contemporary jewellery designer Aliyah Hussain's playful style stems from her sculpture and drawing practice. As such, expect abstract squiggles, lots of colour and a range of textures and materials. Find her stuff online or in Bury Art Museum Shop, One of One in Salford or Bluebird Interiors in Garstang. ahussainjewellery.co.uk

Textbook Studio x Covet Interiors

Covet Interiors is a small, independent online homeware brand from textile artist and prop stylist Mariel Osborn, specialising in UK-made products from Manchester and beyond. For Covet's first collaborative project, they’ve teamed up with fellow Islington Mill residents Textbook Studio to create a series of bright notebooks, all featuring a risographed print and confetti cut-out cover. The first of many collabs, right folks? covetinteriors.co.uk

Hannah Marshall

Among the cacti, ferns and creeping vines, Manchester-based Hannah Marshall also pays homage to the humble avocado in her embroideries – a tongue-in-cheek nod to one of today’s most unlikely pop culture icons. The earthy hues are a reminder of sunnier climes found south of the US border, meaning they’ll guac your world when you want to, ahem, avo bit of escapism as the cold sets in. Sorry. etsy.com/uk/shop/hmarshallembroidery

Joe Hartley

Fusing traditional and contemporary materials and processes, Manchester-based designer Joe Hartley has his finger in many of the city’s creative pies, having most recently overseen the design for community pub The Pilcrow. With stock at shops including Ferrious, Hartley rustles up everything from sleek ceramic cups to misshapen, whimsical toast racks – which are made in small batches as part of a collaboration called Me&Joe; “Each batch is a 'loaf,' then we slice them up, just like toast.” Nice. joehartley.org