With just eight days until Christmas Day we have seen a flurry of last order and posting dates announced to help ensure that gifts arrive in time before the big day – but there is still time for you to support your local small and independent businesses this year if you know where to look! Through our #ShopCambridgeshire winter campaign we have been able to make it that little bit easier to know where to shop Cambridgeshire businesses online.

In our lovingly curated Instagram gift guides alone we have featured a total of 180 local businesses and over 230 products, works and services. Take a look at the gift guide series below to find stocking fillers, affordable artwork, wearables and homewares as well as an eclectic mix of original artwork, candles, stationery, children’s gifts and accessories.

There are also more local artists, designers, makers and independent businesses to explore who have been joining in with the campaign sharing their posts over at #ShopCambridgeshire as well as all those listed over on the #ShopCambridgeshire marketplace.

Our marketplace brings together a diverse trove of unique products in one place and as we do not take commission you can know that every penny you spend will go directly to the seller; less any fees they pay through their individual platforms. When you click to “buy now” you will be taken directly to the seller’s online shop or website to check availability and purchase – see selected features below or browse here!

MARKETPLACE FEATURES

Stationery & Coasters Gift Set by Sue Rapley – £20

Stegosaurus Puzzle Ornament by Garnett Crafts – £27.50

Soma Pendant Necklace by Dittany Rose – £126

Whale Illustration Ceramic Mug by Dario Fisher – £12

Shopping and supporting local isn’t just for Christmas – so whether you have finished your shopping already or have only just made a start, we encourage you to take a look through the guides as there are many great things to discover and businesses to get to know and connect with as we head into a new year.

STOCKING FILLERS

Sweet treats, enamel pins, stationery, hot sauce, eco-friendly soaps, leather bookmarks, coffee, candles, accessories, craft kits, gin and more – be inspired to shop a range of stocking fillers and gifts under £10. Featuring: @handcraftedbooksbysueday, @elyfudgecompany, @bumbleandoak, @thelittlefenlandecoshop, @kissaircandles, @thesunshinearchive, @roundwoodgin, @the_brew_project, @harryspecters and more.

Take a look at the full guide over on Instagram here: Shop Local – Stocking Fillers

AFFORDABLE ART

From as little as £6 to just over £60 – we have put together a fantastic selection of affordable art prints, original works and beautifully illustrated calendars to suit a broad range of interiors and artistic tastes. Featuring: @boudicaillustrations, @vivien.house, @korporate, @daftcow, @ellamorella, @sleepybeestudio, @shelly_brown_illustration, @little__enn, @wethreeclub, @loumillsdesigns, @lele_saa and more.

Take a look at the full guide over on Instagram here: Shop Local – Gifts: Affordable Art

WEARABLES

What to wear? Whether you are buying a gift or looking to treat yourself, let this guide spark your curiosity with a wonderful selection of vintage and handcrafted jewellery, apparel, handmade bags and accessories. Featuring: @dittanyrose, @gotaninkling, @melajewellery, @dizzydollylou, @sally_moonsilver, @trinkets_27, @eclecticstonestudio, @_posyandpen, @harrygrowler, @nokodesignsjewellery, @qhere_bags and more.

Take a look at the full guide over on Instagram here: Shop Local – Gifts: Wearables

HOMEWARES

Furniture, plants, planters, wall hangings, vases, frames, kitchenware, throws and cushions – find some truly excellent examples of craftmanship here from woodwork to textiles and ceramics to glasswork. Featuring: @woodentreasureofficial, @smallandgreencambridge, @wolimorb.ceramics, @lucynajmazur, @stedsans, @theflatlandpioneers, @millar.made, @sarora_knots, @mudwaterceramics and more.

Take a look at the full guide over on Instagram here: Shop Local – Gifts: Homewares

AN ECLECTIC MIX

Our final guide of the season ties together a miscellaneous collection of gift ideas including notebooks and journals, original paintings, festive scented candles, cupcakes, children’s clothing and experience gift cards. Featuring: @twolittlecatsbakery, @igniumcandle.co, @lizgreenhalghphoto, @theladymoth, @suerapleyart, @carolinegrayillustration, @sleepybeestudio, @helenhandmadebooks, @carolineforward and more.

Take a look at the full guide over on Instagram here: Shop Local – Gifts: An Eclectic Mix

As we bring the winter campaign to a close we would like to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to get involved and to everyone who has shared the guides and helped to spread the word about shopping and supporting local businesses this Christmas.

If you’ve recently found us through the campaign and would like to find out more about what we do – we invite you to explore the hub and follow us over on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For now, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and will see you back here after a short break over the holidays!

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Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

On Monday we officially launched our #ShopCambridgeshire winter campaign aimed at inspiring you to think about where you can shop and support your local and independent businesses this Christmas. It was great to have launched this alongside Just A Card‘s Indie Week which brings together thousands of people from across the world to champion the importance of valuing and buying from creative and small businesses throughout the holiday season!

We invite you to get involved by heading over to #ShopCambridgeshire on Instagram and browsing the feed. You can also help spread the word by sharing posts from the feed with your followers using stories and making use our fun interactive Instagram story templates which you can find below! If you are a local business please join in by using the hashtag in your posts and remember to tag us so that we can share too, you can find us at: @thetrove_cambridge

The #ShopCambridgeshire marketplace is also now live once again for this campaign and features an array of works, products and services from local artists, designers, makers and independent businesses based across Cambridgeshire and just beyond. Our marketplace brings together a diverse trove of original artworks, prints, ceramics, homewares, jewellery, stationery, accessories, sweet treats and many more unique gifts in one place – to help make it just that little bit easier to navigate shopping Cambridgeshire businesses online!

We do not take commission and so every penny you spend will go directly to the seller; less any fees they pay through their individual platforms. When you click to “buy now” or “enquire” you will be taken directly to the seller’s online shop or website to check availability and purchase or to request a quote! We really hope you enjoy exploring the marketplace and discovering new local businesses to support this year.

MARKETPLACE FEATURES

‘Ziggy Styles’ Giclée Print by Lele Saa – £50

A5 Space Notebook by Lily In Space – £6

Coffee Bean Necklace by Gina Kim Jewellery – £22

Handbuilt Cakestand by Shop At Seed – £52

Throughout the Christmas shopping period you will be able to find a series of Christmas shopping and gift guides here at #CambsCreativeScene online as well as over at @CambsCreativeTreasures on Instagram, where we have already posted guides on where to shop for cards, festive decor, gift wrapping and crafts.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Are you planning on sending out Christmas cards this year? Well… we have got you covered with a really great selection of over thirty traditional, funny, beautiful and totally unique designs in our first guide. Featuring: @juliasarahlown.design, @lellibellecards, @cam.buildings, @lilyinspacedesigns, @ccc_gallery, @abistevens_art, @joclarkdesign, @dariodesign, @georginaburtonstudio, @suerapleyart and more.

Take a look at the full guide over on Instagram here: Shop Local – Christmas Cards

FESTIVE DECOR

If you are looking for something special to gift this year or to bring more festive vibes into your home then have a browse through our curated selection of unique décor and homewares in our second guide. Featuring: @thatchandroses, @bewilderly, @far_thelabel, @artcornerbysandra, @clarekenwardflowers, @alicerosehandmade, @vk_gallery, @elybasketmaker, @bexbluedesignshed, @mapmapart and more.

Take a look at the full guide over on Instagram here: Shop Local – Festive Decor

GIFT WRAPPING & CRAFTS

For our third guide we have put together a great collection of Christmas wrapping solutions and a whole heap of inspiration of where you can get your craft patterns and supplies for your festive projects. Featuring: @doraexplored, @hahonline, @ecojapan.uk, @sewingdaze, @fabricvase, @themissingyarn, @helloshanstudio, @cambridgeimprint, @sallyroperartist, @knittingneedlelane and more.

Take a look at the full guide over on Instagram here: Shop Local – Gift Wrapping & Crafts

Download our fun interactive templates here and share them to your Instagram Stories:

There was a wonderful discussion over on Instagram in response to our last post all about gifts for Cambridge foodies – you can head back and check out that post here and read the community’s insights here. If there is something in particular you are looking for this Christmas and are not quite sure where to look then please feel free to drop us a message or reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

If you are not a member of #WeAreCambsCreatives and would like listings added to the marketplace as part of this campaign, you can get five listings for just £3 and they will remain live until Sunday 20th December. Send us an email to let us know you are interested to: hello@thetrovecambridge.co.uk

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Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

Christmas. There we said it. It might be early November still but there seems to have been a real buzz for the festive season since September due to the rollercoaster that has been 2020 and the need for something to look forward to. We are certainly ready to jump aboard the build up to the holidays and even though things may look a little different this year we know now more than ever just how important it is to shop local, independent and early!

Today we are bringing you the first of a series of gift guides as part of our #ShopCambridgeshire winter campaign – a feast of inspiration for the food lovers in your life from independent businesses across the county. There is something for everyone, from cook and craft kits aimed at bringing the whole family together to kitchen essentials and a cookery book that sets out to put British farming back on the map and at the centre of your table.

Through our winter campaign we will be sharing with you an array of products, artworks, services and experiences that can be found right on your doorstep. We hope that you discover something new and encourage you to think about supporting your local businesses where you can this Christmas.

We will be officially launching the campaign over on Instagram next week with a series of interactive story templates for you to download and share – including a gift finder template, so if you have in mind something you would like to buy but are not quite sure where to look we are on hand to help!

GIFTS FOR CAMBRIDGE FOODIES

David Underwood, founder of Orriss & Son, has been a chef for over 20 years. He has travelled extensively, cooking in some of the best kitchens in London and Melbourne, before settling back in his hometown of Cambridge in 2014 as co-owner of street-food burger sensation Steak & Honour.

A fleet of vans, an eponymous restaurant opening and a packed events calendar followed, but David’s focus has always been the building blocks of flavour; the layers of taste, tang and heat that can transform a simple meal into a culinary experience.

After 6 years and a national lockdown, David knew the time was right to devote his full energy to this pursuit of flavour. At home with his family he developed and refined an idea he had been working on for the past decade – hand-crafted, fermented chilli sauces made in small batches, plant based and without additives.

They were to carry his grandmother’s family name, ‘Orriss’ – one rooted in the East Anglian region. A personal touch for a bespoke product so closely tied to his memories of flavour-filled family meals.

David lives in Cambridge with his wife Katie and their three children. Having worked together since the day they met in a Cambridge kitchen, this new partnership allows them to create a better balance in their professional and family lives.

A strong brand drawing upon David’s love of maps and music (spot the Pearl Jam and Soundgarden references in the sauce range), Orriss & Son is unique, impactful and transformative – and available soon.

Handcrafted in Cambridge, the sauces will be available to buy at £7.50 for a 200ml bottle with a donation from each bottle sale going to Water Aid. We think these would be the perfect addition to a gift hamper and even make a great stocking filler too!

Cook & Craft is a brand new Cambridge-based independent selling specially curated kits that can be delivered straight to your door. They include wonderful recipes and ingredients for cooking as well as materials for crafting – ideal for children aged between 5-11 and fun for the whole family!

Explore delicious recipes from around the world and create them at home with your loved ones whilst learning new skills and finally getting to sit down, taste and enjoy the flavours of your cooking afterwards.

Alex and Victoria, the co-owners of Cook & Craft, invite you to pick your adventure – play and create with art materials, craft some works of art based around food and learn some facts and phrases from a different country using their activity book which features original illustrations for colouring-in. You can choose either a box with one or two recipes and there are options for ordering vegetarian and vegan as well as gluten free!

The cook and craft kits can be tailored to suit your needs depending on the size of your family and they range from £18 to £87. What’s more? You can also shop a collection of craft bundles, craft supplies and party kits – take a look at everything on offer here.

Brought to you by cook book specialists Meze Publishing and compiled by local arable farmer’s wife Jenny Jefferies, For The Love of the Land was launched this summer and celebrates the stories and recipes of some of the UK’s finest farmers.

As echoed in David and Katie’s story above, the pandemic has certainly given some families a chance to reconnect and take stock of the things that are important to them. Families used to rushing from pillar to post and grabbing meals on the go have been able to take time to cook and share meals together in a way they had perhaps forgotten.

It has also given some of us a new appreciation of what the food shop staff, delivery drivers, butchers, bakers, farmers and deli owners do to help us put great food on our table. The launch of Jenny’s cookery book couldn’t have been more timely.

She tells us: “After marrying my husband, John, I discovered the wonderful, challenging and sometimes isolating world of farming. I never before quite appreciated where our food came from so it’s been a real privilege to speak with the farmers within this book; they are truly the backbone of our country. They nurture and provide for us; putting food on our table for us to enjoy, so let’s give thanks and praise for all the hard work that they do.“

‘For The Love Of The Land’ features a collection of stories and recipes from farmers across the UK who specialise in a diverse range of produce; from game, pork, lamb, beef, cheese and dairy to the more unusual such as lavender, chillies and edible flowers.

Featured local farms include Cambridgeshire-based Burwash Manor Farm in Barton, Caldecote Manor Farm in Abbotlsey, Fuller’s Hill Farm in Little Gransden, P.X. Farms Ltd in Dry Drayton and South Farm in Royston as well as La Hogue Farm Shop and Café based in Newmarket.

For many farming families like Jenny and John, working the land and raising livestock is a true labour of love, and what they produce is the backbone of the country’s food and drink. The dishes in this book make the most of local and seasonal ingredients, creating delicious meals, puddings and bakes that anyone can cook up at home – find out more and order your copy for £22 here!

Further Gifting Inspiration:

Bumble & Oak – Truffle Making Gift Kit (£19.69 via Click It Local)

Naomi Davies Art – Cambridge-inspired Chopping Boards (£12.50)

Shop At Seed – Contemporary Ceramic Tableware from £24

Alison Hullyer – Baking Illustrated Tea Towel (£10)

Bitesize Bakehouse – Artisan Sweet Treats & Postal Brownies from £5

Sue Rapley – Nature-inspired Table Mats from £10

Claire Folkes Ceramics – Stoneware Tableware from £8

Steak & Honour – Gift Vouchers from £10

Cambridge Wine Merchants – Wine, Champagne, Beer & Spirits

Gourmandises Académie – Patisserie Workshop Custom Gift Cards

Pear Pan Tree – Kitchen Wares from £25

Kelly’s Kitchen – 1-2-1 Virtual Cake Decorating Class (£55)

La Petite Maison – Chocolate Bars & Bonbons from £14.58

White Cottage Bakery – Bread Making Workshop Vouchers from £10

The Cambridge Cheese Co. – Gift Vouchers from £25

Cambridge Cookery School –  Culinary Experience Class Gift Vouchers

If you are a local business offering foodie gifts, courses or vouchers and would like to be added to this list then please do get in involved in the discussion over on Instagram when the post goes live this evening or leave a comment below! Subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss any of our upcoming gift guides and keep an eye out for the official #ShopCambridgeshire winter campaign launch next week.

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Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

We’re getting ready for another exciting event weekender! Join us for Instagram Live sessions on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June – and keep an eye out for more virtual market stall and exhibition displays from our sellers. Today we have put together a list of 20 artworks and homewares available to buy through the #ShopCambridgeshire marketplace and there is something to suit every budget!

The #ShopCambridgeshire Virtual Showcase event is running until Sunday 28th June 2020 across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We have also launched a unique marketplace over at The Trove Cambridge – find exclusive discounts and offers* from our sellers at: #ShopCambridgeshire Marketplace

*Discounts and offers valid only until 28/06/2020

WALL ART & HOMEWARES

Butterfly, Moths & Rhino Beetle Print (18x13cm) by Duck Egg Design Co. – £5

Danish Mid Century Reniform Table (60x109x58cm) by Stedsans – £250

Small Flowers (22x22cm), Ink on Paper by Sasha DeWitt Studios – £20

‘The Air That I Breathe Vl’, Oils & Cold Wax Medium by Caroline Forward – £200

‘Cobbles Yard’ Drypoint Relief Print by Alison Hullyer – £125

Ocean Marble Clock by Zia James Curated – £35

In Dreams, Solarplate Etching (210x210mm) by Print Room – £120

Limited Edition Prints by Naomi Davies – From £45

Bright Day, Snape (Oil on Canvas, 14x18in) by Sheila Woodruff – £215

Misheard Song Lyrics A4 Print (Polar Bear Ninja) by Daft Cow – £10

Modern Edison Table Lamp (Hexagonal Series) by Millar Made – From £76.00

St John’s Street Limited Edition Print by Roxana de Rond – From £45.00

Slim Porcelain Bud Vase by Claire Folkes Ceramics – £28

Tape Collection Fine Art Photography Print by Richard Heeps – From £150

Transparence 24, Acrylic on Canvas (50x50x3.5cm) by CfrArt – £275

Caress the Light, Oil on Canvas (30x30cm) by Sue Rapley Art – £230

Bridge Of Sighs, Acrylic on Deep Edge Canvas by Clive Dawson Art – £150

Ink Drawing (30x40cm) by Vera Evstafieva Art – £50

COLOUR FLOW I, Mixed Media & Resin (61x61cm) by Louise Venning – £1,150

Custom Woven (Medium) Wall Hanging by Clare Gray Makes – £25

You can find out more about the #ShopCambridgeshire Virtual Showcase event over on Facebook – RSVP to be updated with features, special offers and further details about our weekend Instagram Live sessions!

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

Have you had a browse through the #ShopCambridgeshire marketplace yet? With over 300 artworks, products and services listed it makes shopping online and supporting local businesses at this time that little bit easier. Today we have put together a list of fifteen gift ideas for under £25 – and we have included some gift wrapping solutions too!

The #ShopCambridgeshire Virtual Showcase event is running until Sunday 28th June 2020 across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We have also launched a unique marketplace over at The Trove Cambridge – find exclusive discounts and offers* from our sellers at: #ShopCambridgeshire Marketplace

*Discounts and offers valid only until 28/06/2020

GIFTS UNDER £25

Phone Stand – Hexagonal Series by Millar Made – £15

Harvest Mouse Art Coasters (Set of 6) by Jamie Sugg Fine Art – £16

Multi-coloured Vinyl Disc Ankle Bracelet by Noko Designs – £16.50

Monogram Vintage Prints (1920s) by Em’s Vintage Prints – £7

Stoneware Tea Bowl Cup by Claire Folkes Ceramics – £18

Wax Melt Gift Set by Fox & Figgy Scented Luxury – £20

Deep Emerald Scallop Soap Dish by Zia James Curated – £12.99

‘Stormy Seas’ Screen Printed T-shirt by Dario Fisher – £15

‘Z is for Zebra Duiker’ A4 Giclée Print by Stephanie Le Cocq Studios – From £22

Artisan Marshmallow Party Box by Bitesize Bakehouse – £20

Deep Reflections Notebook by Vandy Massey Studio – £10

Ocean Jasper Stacker Bracelet with Hematite by Little Gems By Mel – £12

Tatami Air Fresheners by Eco Japan – £10

Black & White Ceramic Planter by Sarah Lou Studio – £24

Dachshund Puzzle Ornament by Garnett Crafts – £24.50

GIFT WRAPPING

Recyclable Wrapping Paper (Set of 2) by Clare Gray Makes – £5.50

Striking Peacock Wrapping Paper & Ribbon by PAPIRetc – £9.99

Furoshiki – Japanese Gift Wrapping Cloths by Eco Japan- From £12.00

EVENT GIVEAWAY

Our latest giveaway is running over on Instagram until tomorrow Thursday 25th June at 11AM – enter for your chance to win this lovingly hand-embroidered Kohlrabi Leaf Brooch by event seller The Merry Hoop! You can also see more of Mary’s beautiful embroidery work over on the marketplace and in her Folksy shop here.

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge