"The mega stores may have kick-started Christmas in October but for the rest of us the shopping season is only just about to begin."

Our guest blog this week is from Josie Ballin from Cockpit Arts.

If you want to enjoy something a little bit special this year and like the idea of supporting local talent – we’ll let you into one of Camden’s little secrets.

Many of the designers who supply the UK’s most exclusive shops and galleries create their work at our studios at Cockpit Arts in Holborn. What’s more, we throw our doors open from 25-27 November so that you can see behind the scenes.

What could be more festive than buying gifts directly from the designers who’ve made them and over a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine?

If you've never been to our open studios before I would be happy to set the scene. It is both vast and intimate which sounds like a contradiction, but happens to be true. There are over a hundred independent designer-maker businesses all situated within a sprawling warehouse style space which Jon Snow brilliantly described as a ‘rabbit warren of creativity’.

A huge variety of beautifully made contemporary work awaits you including homeware, jewellery, ceramics, fashion accessories, glass, letterpress print, textiles and more.

While you shop, you can chat to designer-makers to find out about new works in progress and discover how they make their work. Did you know for example that a pair of bespoke shoes takes more than 200 steps to create?

Another great benefit is that most designer-makers take commissions and will be happy to discuss creating someone unique, personalised and created perfectly to fit your needs.

To get you feeling extra Christmassy we have a free prize draw to win a tree decorated with exquisitely made bespoke decorations by designers at the studios, free creative workshops for kids and a brilliant pop-up café by Hand Made Food.  So come on in, have a great day out and support your local designer-makers.

For those in need of inspiration to pick perfect presents, expert buyers at Heal’s have selected their favourite pieces to help you along the way. These are some of their Christmas picks:

Stocking Fillers

Brilliant designs like these won't break the bank: cloud money box by Yoyo Ceramics (£30),  porcelain decorations and gift tags by Jo Heckett (£7-£42) and 'Iwiill always love…' notebook set by Kethi Copeland (£6 each, 3x £16).

Lux Comfort

Perfect presents for those who want to wrap up in style and get cosy this winter: 405 line blanket by Eleanor Pritchard (£214), knitted tea lights by Annette Bugansky (£20) and cherry blossom home textiles by Suzanne Goodwin (£10-£250).

Fashion Forward

Beautifully made style savvy accessories for fashionistas who want to stand out from the crowd this Christmas include: Navajo clutch by Katherine Pogson (£165), cashmere and wool mix scarves in bold geometric prints by Tamasyn Gambell (£75) and Promise hoop earrings by Laura Gravestock (£149).

Exquisite Interiors

Gorgeous gift ideas for design fanatics and home lovers include the mixed Christmas napkin box (pictured) by Thornback & Peel (x4 £35), mini vases by Shan Annabelle Valla (£14 each, x3 £30) and stacking mugs by Billy Lloyd (£88).

Grand Gestures

Planning to pull out all the stops this Christmas? Here's some inspiration: diamonds and wedding bands by Ruth Tomlinson (£480-£1,400), city rings by Lucy Martin (£1,350-£1,165) and bespoke screen printed wallpapers by Sian Zeng (POA).

Find out more

Cockpit Arts open studios

Cockpit Yard, Northington Street, WC1N 2NP
Friday 25 November (11am-9pm), and Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November (11am-6pm).
cockpitarts.com
Entry £5 (also includes entry to our Deptford open studios from 2-4 December). Free entry for children under 15.

Cockpit Arts is an award winning social enterprise and a creative business incubator, helping designer-makers to actively grow their businesses. Proceeds from Open Studios go directly back into supporting designer-makers.