Love in the time of a pandemic.... Love in a cold climate..... we value our friendships and relationships so much right now even when we can't celebrate Valentine's or Galentine's in the ways we might normally.  But, we can still show our love by buying a gift.  Whether for a loved one or just for a bit of self-love, we've put together some gift ideas with local delivery/pick up options to make life easier especially during this cold snap!  

We are very excited to announce we have five brilliant new makers joining Muswell Hill Creatives:

Jeremy Ornstin - Ceramic Justice

After a 35 year career as a criminal lawyer, Muswell Hill based Jeremy was lucky enough to find a new discipline - ceramics - and has found it utterly absorbing.  Learning a new skill, a creative process without being answerable to anyone for the first time in half a century, Jeremy sees as a great privilege.

Read more here

Rosalind Freeborn - Papershades

Muswell Hill based Rosalind Freeborn has always been an artist but particularly loved working with paper. Ros launched Papershades as a way to make her art available beyond a work on canvas - on lampshades. Papershades presents a range of designs which are based on Ros's paper collage artwork.

Read more here

JC - Queenie Organics

JC launched Queenie Organics in the Autumn of 2018. Working from his home studio in Turnpike Lane, JC handmakes skincare which is cruelty free, certified organic, registered vegan and certified palm oil free. Queenie Organics has been rated a top ethical skincare brand by Ethical Consumer Magazine which is a tremendous achievement.

Read more here
 
Sue Copeland

Former menswear director at Paul Smith, Sue Copeland has been an international fashion designer for over 30 years. After a sudden stroke in 2010 which left Sue with Aphasia, an impairment of language, she focused on her rehabilitation. While recovering, she rediscovered her passion for sewing, leading to a handmade collection of cushions to raise money for the charity. Sue's current projects include handmade throws, baby quilts and wall hangings as well as handmade toys and gifts. Sue is based in Crouch End.

Read more here

Jenny Freebury - Crouch End Candles 

Jenny Freebury is a fashion designer who discovered candlemaking as a passion on a workshop she organised for her best friends on her hen weekend. Jenny has since developed Crouch End Candles - with beautifully simple and clean packaging with different waxes, wicks and fragrances being right at the heart of her brand.

Read more here

Christina Clements (founder of Butter Bar Soapery) has made the switch to jewellery making with her new brand Eva Fay Design. Check out her page here.

Alumni

We're saying a fond farewell but never goodbye to Jo Angell, Jess Albert, Natasha of Rolling with the Posies, Adriana of Yaya Lala, Leonora of Luminous Muse Ceramics and Edit Juhasz Ceramics. We've loved having them as part of the collective. Things change in creative businesses and in people's lives. Jo has made the shift from print and design to painting, Leonora is studying a Masters Degree in ceramics, Edit has moved to South London! Nobody ever completely leaves the Muswell Hill Creatives community and are welcome back at any time.

You will find links to past makers on our Alumni page.

The main thing, always, is to keep supporting and buying directly from all these amazing makers.

To celebrate Indie Day 2020, here are our favourite local independents across Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Hornsey, and Haringey. As a collective we believe it is incredibly important to support local independent retailers, cafes, restaurants, pubs, and cinemas. It is good for the local economy and community wellbeing.

Now, more than ever, independents need your help to survive the Covid crisis. Please do share this blog and share the love. 

Tash & Tanya 
106A-106B Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill, London, N10 2AE

Head here for beautiful, handmade products that are built to last, made by local people and sold at a fair price. Run by Natasha Barton and Tanya Kreisky, the shop made its name as ‘home of the Ally Pally cushion’ for the duos’ collaborative work based around local landmarks. T&T stocks products made by Muswell Hill Creative member Rob of Romor Designs.

Muswell Hillbilly Brewers Taproom
14 Avenue Mews, Muswell Hill, London, N10 3NP

We had a pop up shop in the building which now houses the Muswell Hillbilly Taproom. Also on Avenue Mews, Pete, Martin and team produce bottle conditioned craft beer and cask and kegged real ales in their microbrewery. The beer is great!

Cosi Homewares
85 Fortis Green Road. Muswell Hill, London, N10 3HP

An established shop on Fortis Green housing design led furniture and homewares boutique. Great for products sourced by the owner Sarah, who is very skilled at helping you find the right gift for the right occasion.

Slipstitch 
108 Alexandra Park Rd, Muswell Hill, London, N10 2AE

We've held two pop ups in the fabulous and welcoming space which is Slipstitch and Rob of Romor Designs has taught regular classes in their lovely workshop space. You may also recognise it as the location for the 'concept store' in the last series of Motherland. The physical shop is still closed for browsing but Rosie and team are open via their website offering in-store collection and can offer craft help via email.  

Sunshine Garden Centre
Durnsford Road, Bounds Green, London, N11 2EL

Creativity of the gardening kind.  We think this is the best run independent garden centre we know.  It did a fantastic service during lockdown and has now launched Click & Collect.  Excellent customer service and a huge wealth of knowledge - just ask any member of staff!

Aleion
346 Muswell Hill Broadway, Muswell Hill, London, N10 1DJ

We had a happy month before Christmas sharing Aleion's downstairs homeware boutique thanks to the lovely owners of Aleion - Alex and Ian.  We hope to see them back open soon for great food and gifts. Aleion really is an important part of the Muswell Hill community and we miss them!

Nest Knitting
102 Weston Park, Crouch End, London, N8 9PP

An experienced seamstress and teacher, Genevieve West has always wanted to pass on her love of sewing and crafting; her opportunity to do so came along when she took over as the owner of Nest in January 2015. Having seen the demand for classes explode, she decided to change the use of the space from a yarn shop to purely a sewing school in 2019. Rob of Romor Designs teaches Shibori and other dyeing & stitching techniques here.

Morley Butchers
23 Broadway Parade, Crouch End, London, N8 9DE

Award-winning butchers, Morleys are continuing a long tradition. There has been a butchers shop at the same location on Broadway Parade in Crouch End since the end of the 1800s.  The butchers comes highly recommended by our leather worker Steph Rubbo.

Arthouse Cinema 
159A Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, London, N8 9BT

The friendly local cinema will not be open again until September as they want to be sure that their visitors and staff feel safe and confident in returning. Our weaver, Cecilia of By Cecil, will be first in line when they do re-open. In the meantime, they have commissioned local artist Julia Clarke to make an angel sculpture to hang over the door. 
  
Pickled Pepper Books
10 Middle Lane, Crouch End, London, N8 8PL

Pickled Pepper Books offers a fantastic selection of books for all ages and runs a book fairy service. You decide how much you want to spend, leave a note describing special interests and favourite books and they handpick a selection for you. They even hand delivered an order during lockdown. Cecilia is really really looking forward to their theatre opening up again soon.
 
W Martyn
135 Muswell Hill Broadway, Muswell Hill, London, N10 3RS

Muswell Hill Broadway would not be the same without specialists in tea and coffee and retailers of fine food, W Martyn. The shop opened was opened in 1897 by the current owner's great grandfather. You can now have goods delivered to your door for free, if you live locally.

Dunn's Bakery
6 The Broadway, Crouch End, London, N8 9SN

Dunn’s of Crouch End is a family owned bakery, run by Christopher and his wife Christina. Christopher’s great-great-grandfather, Robert Freeman, came down from Brackley, Northamptonshire in 1820 on a hay wagon and started work as a baker in South Grove, Highgate. You may have spotted a cake by Dunn's in the latest series of Killing Eve and in bank commercial.

The All Good Bookshop
35 Turnpike Lane, Wood Green, London, N8 0EA

This is a community-run bookshop and events space selling both new and second hand books. The team behind it missed having a bookshop in Wood Green/Turnpike Lane so they got together and set up the All Good Bookshop cooperative. The shop comes highly recommended by Steph Rubbo of Steph Rubbo Leather Work & Saddlery.

Indish
16 Broadway Parade, Crouch End, London, N8 9DE

When discussing this list, Indish the vote was unanimous. The shop has been flying the design flag in Crouch End since 1996. Kasha and Melanie came from a background in publishing to a change of career in retail. Twenty years later the shop still stands proud and packed with the most amazing home-oriented products.

Children's Bookshop
29 Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, London, N10 3HP

The award-winning Children's Bookshop is an independent family-owned children's bookshop which first opened in 1974.  The team led by Sanchita has a deep commitment to enthusing children - and their carers - with a passion for books that is so important to building the booklovers of the future. Their knowledge of the books they sell never fails to impress!

Harmless
79 Tottenham Ln, Hornsey, London, N8 9BE

The Harmless Store started its life at the Blue House Yard in Wood Green, before a successful crowdfunder led by its owner Tami, led to a relocation to Hornsey. The store is a vegan, minimal packaging, grocery shop with a goal of helping you lead a more ethical lifestyle.

Sally Bourne Interiors
26 Muswell Hill Broadway, Muswell Hill, London, N10 3RT

A favourite of our floral designer Natasha of Rolling with the Posies, the shop offers over 12,000 colours of paint, with hundreds of colours painted onto large boards, to enable true comparisons. Wallpapers and fabrics are also available along with Sally’s own range of handmade tiles. The huge range of home accessories, ranging from dishcloths of Swedish linen to antique French furniture, makes for destination shopping.

Victoria Stakes
No.1 Muswell Hill, London, N10 3TH

​The Stakes dates back to the turn of the century, originally built as a coachouse & stables. The building sat firmly at the foot of the hill, and became a welcome spot for those wishing respite and a friendly welcome. Run by Ben, his wife Lucy, and brother-in-law Marc, community is at the heart of what they do and we have been fortunate to use their wonderful yard for sales and celebrations over the years.  They re-open on Independents Day - 4 July.

Owens
90-92 Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill, London, N10 2AE

Owen’s Food Store opened in November 2010. Local residents Simon & Sarah Owen decided they wanted to open a food store to bring good honest food into the heart of the local community – and to offer an alternative to often laborious supermarket shopping. Having worked as a chef for many years, Simon was able to draw from his inherent knowledge and passion for food to create a local store that provided almost everything any kitchen could need.

Cheeses
13 Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, London N10 3HP

Cheeses is small but perfectly formed. Morgan and her team are passionate about quality, well sourced farm house & artisan cheese. They sell the finest quality cheeses online from all over the world.  It is the most fun queue to be in at Christmas time! 

La Dinette
3-5 Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, London, N10 3HP

Our knitwear designer Tracey Lord was a regular at La Dinette before lockdown and is happy to be able to return. The cafe owner Claire says "La Dinette is about trying to recreate (in a very modest way) her childhood memories which are mostly filled with Sunday trips to the local patisserie and market with her dad, long family lunches ending with delicious and beautiful cakes, rainy days at home baking with her sister and making tons of jam with her mum and grandma, and talking (and arguing) about food with her brother."

Cachao Toys
452 Muswell Hill Broadway, Muswell Hill, London N10 1BS

A colourful place filled with toys, gifts, party supplies, cards & gift wrap. Everything in the shop has been carefully chosen by owner Jennie and team to give you a happy buying experience. You really don't need to turn to the big online retailers when you have a shop like this on your doorstep. If you saw balloons being walked around Muswell Hill during lockdown that was Jennie making deliveries to ensure celebrations were extra special.

Please check websites for COVID closures and any safety measurements in place.

Make yourself a cup of tea and join us for a series of Teatime Talks live on Instagram.  Meet our makers to hear what they've been working on during lockdown and get inspiration for gifts and treats for you, your friends and family.

4.45pm-5.00pm

​Muswell Hill Creatives

Rachael Booth-Clibborn, Muswell Hill Creatives founder will introduce the group, talk a bit about what we do and will introduce who is going to be giving teatime talks.
 
Live on Instagram: @n10creatives

5.00pm-5.25pm

Edit Juhasz Ceramics

Edit will be throwing a ceramic form and will present her gorgeous range of colourful porcelain tableware.

Live on Instagram @editjuhaszceramics

5.30pm-5.55pm

Butter Bar Soapery

Christina will show you her handmade range of soaps and bath products which can be collected/delivered locally.

Live on Instagram @butterbarsoapery

6.00pm-6.25pm

Samantha Sweet Glass

Sam will talk about life as a glassmaker, her past and present work and her glass bead making classes in her East Finchley home studio.

Live on Instagram @samcsweet

5.00pm-5.25pm

Romor Designs

Rob will talk about the Boro, Sashiko and Kogin Japanese textiles classes he is teaching online whilst working on a sample piece.
​
Live on Instagram @romordesigns

5.30pm-5.55pm

By Cecil

Cecilia will be presenting what she is currently working and what is available to buy on her website as well as sharing details of new weaving projects in the pipeline.
​
Live on Instagram @by_cecil

6.00pm-6.25pm

Steph Rubbo Saddlery & Leatherwork

Steph will be showing you around her studio, recent projects and how she can make bespoke orders.

Live on Instagram @stephrubbosaddlery

6.30pm-6.55pm

Wyckoff Smith Jewellery

Michele will talk about the inspiration behind her jewellery collection and will take you through great gift ideas for lockdown Birthdays and Anniversaries.
​
Live on Instagram @wyckoffsmith

Here is our Muswell Hill Creatives top ten of creative and inspiring listening/viewing during lockdown. We hope you enjoy them and would love to add to this list if you have any other recommendations. Please leave a comment at the end of the blog.

1. Grayson Perry's Art Club - Channel 4 - Monday nights at 8pm. This is cheerful, at times hilarious and generally heartwarming viewing.  

2. Something Rhymes with Purple with Susie Dent. Cecilia of By Cecil is enjoying listening to this podcast which explores the origins, meanings and insights into how and why we use the words we do. 

We're really delighted to announce we have selected four new members to join Muswell Hill Creatives. We love the creative ethos and variety that each of these creatives brings to the group and look forward to you meeting them in due course at upcoming MHC events:

Leonora Richardson, Luminous Muse Ceramics 
Leonora creates beautiful porcelain ceramic pieces in her studio on Avenue Mews, Muswell Hill. Unique and intricate in design, they create warmth in the home.

Christina Clements, Butter Bar Soapery
Christina formulates and handcrafts gorgeously nourishing palm free soap and skincare in her Crouch End home studio.

Adriana Conde, Yaya Lala Kids
Adriana designs the most exquisite children's shoes here in Muswell Hill. They are handmade in Portugal by a small group of artisans.

Natasha Betteridge, Rolling With The Posies
Florist & floral stylist Natasha is based in Muswell Hill.  Her flowers are naturalistic and wild, embracing the inconsistencies of natural materials.

We celebrated four years of our collective in the incredibly festive Yard at the Victoria Stakes pub on Thursday 6th December.  We were overwhelmed by how many people came out to support us.  A massive thank you to our hugely generous hosts Ben and Lucy at the Victoria Stakes who made the night so very special for us all.

​Members of Muswell Hill Creatives Wyckoff Smith Jewellery, Romor Designs, By Cecil, Jess Albert, Rachel Orme, Lord and Taft, Jo Angell and Isabella Lepri Ceramics all sold their beautiful work on the night.

Thanks to Ben Wilson (aka Chewing Gum Man) for drawing the prizes in our Prize Draw with such panache!  We were delighted to raise £190 for the social enterprise Wave Café which holds inclusive arts workshops and is hoping to open a permanent inclusive café in Muswell Hill.  

2018 has been a great year for our collective and we look forward to more adventures in 2019.  We were delighted to be featured in the Evening Standard  about a movement of local creative activism and we had a great time popping up on Avenue Mews and the Victoria Stakes as well as holding FOUR markets in one year - including one very snowy one.

We would like to wish you all happy holidays and a massive THANK YOU for supporting local independent artists, designers and makers.

Monday 4 - Sunday 10 February - Muswell Hill Creatives Pop Up Shop, Ply Gallery, Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre, Crouch End.   Guest stallholder applications will open in January 2019.

Saturday 16 March - 10.30am-4.30pm - Muswell Hill Creatives Spring Market, St James Square (outside Planet Organic), Muswell Hill.

We are delighted to introduce a NEW page to our website - Workshops - where you can check out which of our members teach their craft as well as designing and making.  Here's a brief lowdown about each Creative offering classes/workshops.

Tracey Lord has taught knitting and crochet for many years in a college setting, from beginners right up to degree level: whatever your starting point she can help you improve and increase your skills and confidence.  Tracey offers one-to-one sessions at her studio in Muswell Hill, North London, or can travel within the London area to come to you.

Tracey also teaches classes for adults and children at Fringe on Alexandra Park Road in Muswell Hill and Nest Knitting. 
Upcoming dates:

Kids Crochet: Saturday 27th July - 10am-3.30pm
Yarn Crafts: Friday 10th August - 10am-3.30pm

Both workshops are part of Nest Knitting's children's summer school at 102 Weston Park, London N8 9PP.  Telephone: 020 8340 8852.  Email: info@​nestknitting.com.