AS the nights start to draw in, what better way to bring some autumnal cheer into your life than with an illustrated gift or print from one of Scotland’s many wonderfully talented artists?
This month we’ve rounded up a fun pick and mix that would make ideal gifts ... or indeed a wee treat for yourself.
This week’s featured maker is Alice Newman, who is never without her sketchbook and produces prints of some of Scotland’s best-loved streets and scenery from her studio in Edinburgh. In addition to her prints her illustrations feature on a Scottish foods tea towel and Scotland Colouring Book – which would make perfect stocking fillers, if it’s not to early to mention the C-word.
Grassmarket print, £30-£45, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AlicesPrintShop
Also capital-based is Edinburgh Sketcher, whose ink sketches of the city are available in the form of coasters, tea towels, tote bags and mugs.
Set of four Edinburgh coasters, £14.95, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EdinburghSketcher
Across the country in Glasgow, Lola Polooza has sketched the city’s best-known gig venues, which are available on cards, prints and even decorative plates, while Libby Waker’s wonderfully detailed designs capture the sprawling architecture of the city, including every stop on the famous “clockwork orange” subway and the iconic landmarks on the banks of the Clyde.
Pack of four gig venue cards, £10, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LolaPoloozaDesigns
Clockwork orange tea towel, £12.50, www.libbywalker.co.uk
Clyde A6 notebook, £6, www.libbywalker.co.uk
Claire Barclay has made a name for herself with instantly recognisable illustrations incorporating Scottish words and phrases. Her “Aye” necklace is the perfect way to communicate your feelings about Scotland’s future, while her “Are you dancin’?” mug makes a great gift for the dancing queen or king in your life.
Mug, £11, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ClaireBarclayDraws
Equally fun is a unicorn brooch from Glasgow-based Ruthy Bop Shop, who also offer lovely illustrated necklaces and collar clips bearing a whole menagerie including penguins, foxes, hedgehogs and sloths.
Unicorn brooch, £8, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ruthybopshop
Animals also feature prominently in Edinburgh-based Kirsty Baynham’s wonderfully named Prism of Starlings store, which is a treasure trove of beautiful cards, calendars, letter-writing sets and more. It’s hard to choose, but her fold-out deer card and desk calendar combing geometric patterns and animals among our favourites.
2020 desk calendar, £4.50-£9, prism-of-starlings.myshopify.com
Dama Dama hand cut card, £3, prism-of-starlings.myshopify.com
You’ll find more geometric prints in the shop of Lanark-based Bitter Lime Designs, including fabulous mustard-trimmed stud earrings and a beautiful silk-effect scarf covered in Scottie dogs.
Stud earrings, £9.75, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BitterLimeDesigns
Scottie dog scarf, £26.50, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BitterLimeDesigns
If your neckwear budget is a little bigger, Aberdeen-based Lindsay And Yoshi have a stunning wool twill skinny scarf incorporating puffins, fish and psychedelic swirls of the sunset and sea. The same fantastic design is also available on a stylish silk pocket square.
Puffin scarf with fringes, £110, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LindsayAndYoshi
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