Support your local independent retailers

I’ve been meaning to post this for several weeks and something has always got in the way. However there’s still 6 days of shopping left before Christmas and I’m determined to finish this post. So here goes…

It’s been a hard year for all of us and certainly as a maker I’ve struggled but I want to bring some festive cheer your way curtesy of your local independent retailers.

Most will know their suppliers very well and, more importantly know the products. As such they can answer your questions, direct you to the perfect gifts, giving you a personal service in a relaxed atmosphere that makes shopping special and definitely isn’t like shopping in a nondescript shopping centre. They’re also not as expensive as you think they might be!

Living on the Southside of Glasgow the number of interesting independent retailers had sadly decreased until the last couple of years when, I’m pleased to say, they started to make a come back. I’ve decided to concentrate on Shawlands, Glasgow as time (& weather) was against me as I wandered round them (& it made photographing them very difficult!).

Nestled in a former coach house on Abbott Street is Pierrot et Coco, a shop that I think was made for me. The vintage glass cabinets and tables are flowing with beautiful gifts laid put in a style that reminded me of Liberty of London. I especially loved the colourful silk covered bangles, buttons & haberdashery and interesting looking tea that I will have to buy. Even the raven that sits in the corner watching over everyone fits in perfectly. While they work on their website have a look at their blog for more inspiration.

Across Pollokshaws Road, on Skirving Street is an array of lovely boutique shops and a few cafes. Two shops I can recommend are Young’s Interesting Bookshop and Paper Plane.

What can I say about Young’s Interesting Bookshop other than if you love secondhand books & a bit of serendipity then you’ve got to go in. You should also have a look at their Christmas window which is gorgeous – if you can’t get there check out their Facebook page. Did you know they also run the Sherlock Holmes Society in Scotland? Yup, they know how to please.

Paper Plane (don’t forget to go next door to their sister shop too for gorgeous clothes) is just a couple of doors along from Youngs. This is a bright & airy shop where you’re greeted with a smile and it’s always beautifully scented. They have a brilliant range of cards for every occasion and I love the cute range of crockery for children.

At the far end of Kilmarnock Road is Nuala Ashe who has a sister shop in Clarkston both shops are worth a visit. They have wonderful pieces for sale that make a house a home, yummy smelling candles and even a table full of fun items for your Christmas stocking.

With so much choice i could have highlighted other independent shops in Shawlands such as
– Harkins the Jewellers at the arcade who sell lovely amber jewellery & have an excellent engraving/repair service
– Gold Thimble a new fabric& haberdashery I’ve blogged about before and has also started sewing classes.
– a new jewellery shop halfway down Skirving Street I’ve not been able to pop into yet
– Deli 1901 – they’ve beautiful chutneys, teas, wine & homemade food
And how can I forget
– Southside Records for all your new and secondhand musical delights. Vinyl heaven folk folk like me!

So what’s in your area? Any recommendations for me to visit in 2012? I’d be interested to hear about your local retailers and your experiences with them.

Right let’s get this post published & I hope I’ve inspired you to look locally for some last minute gifts.

I’d also like to say that none of the retailers have either paid me to write this blog entry or asked me to do it.