Christmas is around the corner and we've complied a list of thoughtfully made gift ideas by local Makers at Makerversity! From free tutorials on making your own gift by reusing fabric, to one of a kind up-cycled bags, and games about HotDogs...

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Clara Chu

Clara Chu is a London-based multidisciplinary artist and designer whose namesake brand specialises in fashion accessories that challenge the ordinary. Clara's work reimagines everyday domestic objects through the lens of vibrant pop art, transforming discarded household items—such as mops, toasters, and toothbrushes—into bespoke wearable pieces. Through her workshops, art installations, and fashion collections, Clara reshapes perceptions of waste, giving discarded homewares new life and relevance. Clara has been on Makerversitys 6 month free residency Makers with a Mission where she has been developing the below collection!

HOT Beanies Bags Collection

The collection is up-cycled from “lost and found” beanies left behind by visitors at the Young V&A Museum between May 2023 and May 2024. During Clara's residency as the on-site designer at the museum’s Design Gallery, she collaborated with the museum’s team to repurpose unclaimed items. After 6 months in storage, these beanies—ranging from children’s to adults’—were generously donated by the museum for transformation into bespoke bags.

The collection features 10 one-off bags priced between £195 and £395, dropping December 5th on clarachu.com

1. Hot Chillies Beanie Bag

Price: £275

• Special features:
  Includes a short handle repurposed from a door handle and a long metal chain strap. The bag is customisable with pink chilli charms that can be rearranged and a front panel fitted with metal hardware for hanging additional charms.Features a neon logo tag as well.
• Details:
  Chain strap with magnetic closure on both sides.
• Materials:
  Knitted grey and pink children’s beanie, door handle, cutlery container, deconstructed sandal strap, leather offcuts, and metal fittings.
  

2. Hot Toddy Beanie Bag (with sewing kit)

Price: £325

• Special features:
  This bag includes detachable pom poms and a “tiny handbag” charm containing a sewing kit (buttons, needle, and thread) to customise the bag’s beanie section. Another charm, shaped like a pillbox, holds 3 types of studs for further personalisation. Features a neon logo tag as well.
• Details:
  Chain strap and top handle with magnetic closure on both sides.
• Materials:
  Knitted grey beanie, paint scraper, soap box, pill box, leather offcuts, metal fittings, and pom poms.

Clara also has some of her iconic Carpet Bags up for grabs on her shop here, where the collection will also drop on the 5th!

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Della Yellow - Free tutorials to make a hand-sewn Christmas Ornament!

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Ella and Holly, the wonderful team behind Della Yellow have been busy making a free resource for the public to encourage up cycling and crafting your own Christmas Ornament! (it’s like Duolingo, but for sewing).

Create a gorgeous decoration for your home, tree, or gift by up cycling old clothes and fabrics. Simply log in and follow the free Christmas Ornament tutorial.

Della Yellow is an online platform that advocates for and teaches people how to sew , up cycle, and begin their sewing journey! Today, three-quarters of Brits can't even fix a button. Yet the desire is there – we all want to feel more self-sufficient, creative, and less reliant on the fast fashion cycle. Della Yellow is here to guide you! From online courses, 1-2-1 sessions & a community of others taking the step! Find out more about them here.

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MuffatPrague

MuffatPrague are back with their iconic Christmas Robins! The seasonal variation of their original Oiseaux Collection, MuffatPragues Robins are cut from FSC Certified and reclaimed walnut in three sizes - Large, Junior and Petit, finished with a brass leg or looped twine details. Find them here!

If you're looking to gift something for all-year-round, MuffatPrague have released their new printed design tea towels, in 2 different colour-ways, reflecting the colours of the Côte d'Azur - Blue|Yellow and Orange|Pink.

Made from 100% cotton drill in the UK, with loop for hanging. Size 480 x 680 mm. Check them out Here!

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The Atlas Works

The Atlas Works is a collaboration between two London based designers and a traditional factory in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco.
The range is a collection of purposeful products that combine modern design, beautiful materials and artisanal manufacturing techniques. All the glassware is made from recycled glass which means the colour and surface markings are unique to each item, making them perfect for a one of a kind gift!

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You can shop their beautiful collection of glassware here!

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Drew Richards -Card Games

If you're looking for some fun games that cater to the whole family, friends, or little ones - game designer Drew Richards has brought out these affordable easy to learn games!

Hoddog

Build the Ultimate Hoddog: Using cards with different toppings, place same-numbered matched sets to build the longest hot dog – but be careful pushing your luck, the timer might run out! You can shop for Hoddog on Amazon Here, or find it at HMV.

Yes Yes Yeti

Yes Yes Yeti is a strategic card game- There is a Yeti to be discovered! With 88 snappy, chaotic cards, find out just how confident of a risk-taker you are. But you'd better be smart - your rivals are on the trail, too. You can find Yes Yes Yeti Here.

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