UK Edition: What Men Want

tovicorrie

Story by tovicorrie

Published on Dec 10, 2010 in Shop

Photo by MiniMemoryWorlds

Hands up: who can’t figure out what to buy the men in their lives this holiday season? Well, me too. That is, until I asked eight of that rare but valued breed of Etsian — the menfolk of our community — to each share 6 gifts from the UK and Ireland that they’d be genuinely thrilled to find under their tree.

Pull up a seat and take a lesson in manly desires from this varied mix of artists and makers. I think you’ll find our boys’ collections rather inspiring. I certainly do.

Ron has two shops on Etsy —projector and totalradness. He sells hand-printed apparel from North Yorkshire.

Top row, left to right: I’d love this cowel by Urbanknit because it was -14 degrees Celsius in the car this morning: need I say more? And I’m always losing my keys and phone, so this hipster bag by Minus would be ideal. These cufflinks by QuercusSilver are the epitome of cool. They remind me of a T-bone steak.

Bottom row, left to right: I’m currently working on a Georgian renovation with no heating, so remadeshop‘s wrist warmers would be ideal to keep my hands warm while still being able to use my fingers. I like this photo by eyeshoot, and so does my wife. Let’s finish with this painting of Hebden Bridge, which is Yorkshire’s most renowned art community, by kateboyce.

Based in London, Daniel of Weaselfactory makes acrylic accessories and housewares with his wife.

Top row, left to right: These truffles by sweetmcbirdie look delicious — and they’re egg-free! No more salmonella from cookie dough I make or buy. It’s great that we’re getting more UK foodie sellers on Etsy. The Mermaid Skeleton T-Shirt from wengergirl is really eye-catching. I like the stark black-on-white look and the degree of detail used in the design. It also serves as an excellent warning about mermaids. I can appreciate the difficulty of crafting this unusual wooden vase from EquilibriumDesigns. I love the contrasting colours, and from what I can tell, it’s made from found timber. That means it’s eco-friendly as well.

Bottom row, left to right: I’m a huge fan of penguins, so naturally I love this poster by claudiavarosio. Apparently, it’s also a movie. Whatever. Anyway, I like the graphic style of all of the posters in this shop. The Fox Girl With Cat print from foxglovepearly is unique — I don’t think anyone could argue with that. I have a small collection of odd Victorian-era books and this print would be an interesting addition to my collection. These cufflinks by bookity are the perfect way to celebrate England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup. 

Paul, a.k.a. paulofnavarone, is a multi-media artist living and working in Glasgow, Scotland.

Top row, left to right: Surrounded by jamiemilk is simply an awesome illustration. I really love the pattern repetition and the stark, precise zen garden quality. I want it! I need it! RandomlyGenerated makes a mean Marty McFly, but I’d go for lovely Joan and Roger, the real stars of Mad Men. I would keep them close by, as my little pocket-sized advisers. holeinmypocket creates lots of original stuff, and I think the Ships’ Crew could be the best thing on Etsy. Ah, the close company of tough, hairy men. My own little crew to boss around.

Bottom row, left to right: Each dreamlike world in MiniMemoryWorlds’s shop allows you to create your own little stories and meanings. I would keep The Urban Tree on my mantelpiece at Christmas, and when I doze off in a drunken stupor I’d imagine myself atop the tree, looking down on you all! I love this brooch! The very best of the ‘keep calm and carry on’ trend. Honksville has beaten everyone by including the wartime food Spam, bringing the slogan’s origin full circle. kitschandcurious feels like the kind of shop where you always find a bargain and a treasure. I love old figurines, and Mrs Mouse And Her Children are rather ghoulish and wonderful!

Gordon of Arkceramicart makes jewellery and decorative objects in London.

Top row, left to right: I like this pot from logogo because it seems to hold some sort of secret. It’s certainly a talking point. I adore the wee Reid the bear by andrewjohnbear. He is beautifully made and I think he’d make for great company while I’m working in my studio. This Blue Scarf by RomeoRomeo would go so well with the hat I bought a week ago.

Bottom row, left to right: Having dry skin is a pain, and I recently discovered this soap for sensitive skin by skintypesoap. It’s the business — the scent is subtle and it feels great on my skin. I’d happily have more of it! It looks fab too — almost too good to use, but do yourself a favor and lather up. This Tweed Washbag by catherineaitken would be perfect for my Christmas trip home to Scotland. You would not believe how difficult it is to find a good quality toilet bag of the perfect size. The colour in this decorative bottle by jmlpottery is mesmorizing. It’s a nice sculptural piece and a beautiful object that would brighten up a room, even on a dull day. It doesn’t need to perform a function to justify its existence!

James of jimbobart is an artist and illustrator of ceramics. He hails from London.

Top row, left to right: I love Ursula the winged bear by bigsister because of the eyes and expression. How can you not want to own her? I want all of Julia Pott‘s prints and her artist books! There’s an amazing use of line in this Mittens print, and I really like the variation. As an illustrator myself, her work reminds me of the importance of drawing the eyes of the subject. I came across the Wren etching whilst using the new Local Search and I recommend that everyone checks out bridgetfarmerprints.

Bottom row, left to right: ChasingtheCrayon has produced some wonderful illustration work. I adore the use of the anthropomorphic characters, like in this Deer print: beautifully drawn and full of narrative. The cycling in the park piece by MiniMemoryWorlds is one of my more unusual choices, but I love its originality. Within the miniature world inside the glass, the tree is trying to break free. I’m cheating a bit with this last item, but if someone secretly bought me all of these great pieces, I could give the last one to my girlfriend. Her Christmas gift would be taken care of with this great Fox Stole Necklace! Bbel‘s work has such simplicity and elegance.

Artist Jacob lives in North Yorkshire and has two shops on Etsy: dailyportrait, where he sells artwork from his project of the same name, and jacobcounts, which houses his folk art inspired embroidery patterns.

Top row, left to right: scottishart has a great selection of vintage items, and these red chapati rollers look so beautiful. I love their shape and think they would look great in our living room. I’ve always liked the atomic ’50s style of decoration, and this little preserve pot from starkvintage is just too cute. I want to see if I can find some more items in this style and make a little collection. Money is tight, so this beautiful money box by Veramode might come in handy. Although I doubt I’d use it for pennies – I’d probably store something craft related in it!

Bottom row, left to right: deebeale‘s gocco prints have a beautiful geometric simplicity to them that I’m just crazy about. I can definitely see this Snowy Owls print nicely framed in our house! alicegabb has a very sweet shop with great prints, including this beautiful bear, Captain Bert. I think he could keep our two cats company on the sofa, where I’m sure he’d make a dashing appearance! This sweet little oil painting by jennymccabe is just wonderful. There’s something very moving about her work – from her embroidery to her prints and paintings. I’m a fan.

Mark, a.k.a. hausofgmone, makes screenprinted fashion and housewares. He resides in London.

Top row, left to right: NewLeavesStudio‘s Joyeux Noél Tea Towel celebrates Christmas with a modern typographic twist. I love how the design flows. These mid century lounge chairs from tuderhoff ooze with potential and would make me glow with pride. I have always loved Danish furniture. I would be most pleased if someone bought this dog pillow by robinandmould for me because it’s a wonderfully illustrated gem. I am a bit crazy about blue, and it would look great in my studio.

Bottom row, left to right: I really, really wish someone would buy this illustration for me by hidenseek! All of her work tells a story and has extraordinary attention to detail. This elegant pair of noodle or rice bowls by CaractacusPots would be in constant use in my kitchen. sarahandbendrix‘s persoanlised hearts picture is a simple but clever design that makes me smile. I want to hang it on my wall!

Tovi is one half of tovicorrie, which he runs with his wife, you guessed it – Corrie. Together they create an array of colourful leather goods in London.

Top row, left to right: Working with leather means that I’m attracted to well-made leather products. This weekend bag by deBruir oozes quality and craftsmanship, I want one! Now that I have a little one on the way, I’m a sucker for original kids stuff. I think I might have to get one of these Owls by robinandmould for our new arrival at Christmas. These are very cool Banksy-inspired cufflinks by VenusFlytrapJewels. Banksy is a very clever guy; we watched his film the other night.

Bottom row, left to right: Definitely one for the boys is this print by DougArmand. This iconic British image is great and would look good on a wall at home. Check out this funky Christmas stocking by karenhiltondesigns. I wish I had a fireplace to hang it on, but will look great on our tree. The dog print by EllieJW makes me wish for a real canine companion for Christmas, but I don’t have a garden so this beautiful illustration will have to do.

A giant, festive cheer to our male community for taking part in this wonderful guide to what they love! Be sure to check out more goodies from each of the boys’ shops in the Related Items below.

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