By Radka Hostašová
Upon exploring Liverpool’s independent stores, local markets and online stores you realise that there are so many outstanding creatives and unique small businesses representing Liverpool art’s community. Here, we’ll introduce you to just a handful of some of the most amazing makers and their work.
Ceramics & Pottery
Aura Living Homeware
Aura Living Homeware is currently one of the leading artists in pottery craft. Applying a minimalistic style, this local business specialises in ceramic plates, bowls, and mugs, all connected by neutral tones. Additionally, a considerable part of Aura Living’s products are made using the terazzo technique – tossing marble chips into a cement mixture to create mozaic-looking dishes.
BluBeau
Amongst local businesses, BluBeau stands out with its playful ceramics using cute animal motives. Together with unique pieces of jewellery, BlueBeau offers ceramic pots, jewellery holders, and other home decorations shaped in animal figures, using simplistic, innocent design.
Clay Elm
Clay Elm is a small batch pottery studio based in Toxteth. Their beautiful, sophisticated pieces are significant for their symmetric lines combined with neutral tones and shades of blue.
Jewellery
Shadow & Line
Shadow & Line is one of many local businesses focusing on handmade jewellery. However, their source of inspiration stands out as their silver jewellery is inspired by urban architecture, shadows and reflections to inform new minimal shapes and textures in pieces, with an emphasis on geometric shapes.
Aloë Earrings
On the other hand, Aloë Earrings could be considered the opposite of minimalism, using a wide range of colours and patterns to create original handmade earrings. Each of their limited collections features different colour combinations and shapes, spreading a cheerful vibe of a holiday, adventure and freedom.
Macramé
Knots & Xs
Macramé craft has recently started to gain more and more popularity in the maker’s community, especially due to its positive effect on people’s mental health, as it makes for a great mindfulness activity. Knots & Xs decided that rather than selling finished macramé products, they will enter the market with creative kits including pre-cut cords as well as step-by-step instructions. The kits are perfect for anybody who wants to get crafty and make their own macramé decoration.
Knotty Potty
Similarly, Knotty Potty is a small business producing beautiful macramé pieces, such as hanging pots, bags and small accessories. There is no way you would miss their stall at local craft markets as their extensive display sparkles with pieces of various colours and sizes.
Fabric & Leather
Ruby Sparrow
Ruby Sparrow is a true goddess of Liverpool. Her bohemian, indie-style pieces of clothes evoke freedom and travelling – physical as well as spiritual. Ruby Sparrow’s clothes are made from sustainably sourced fabrics, bringing the spirit of far east cultures to customers in the UK.
Rawhide Custom
Liverpool’s leather craft is proudly represented by Rawhide Custom. Their range of handmade products includes wallets, luggage tags, keychains and more. The mission of Rawhide Custom is to enhance the local market with unique, personalised, sustainably sourced leather items while using the traditional method of veg tanning the leather, one of the oldest methods of tanning known to man.