SHOP LOCAL

Top indie trio

This year it’s more important than ever to support our local, independent creatives and retailers –and these three make for a great starting point

Katie Johnston’s sgraffito enamel and silver hoop earrings, £28

Room 212

At this ‘fiercely independent’, multifaceted shop, gallery and community hub on vibrant Gloucester Road –owned by mixed media artist Sarah Thorp –find a beautiful array of jewellery, artwork, soaps and books by local artists and makers. Room 212’s strength is in the incredible variety and high standard of work on offer. Regular customers know there will always be something new, unique and beautifully made every time they visit, and artists are inspired by the original creative work of others. There is generally a theme to the exhibitions and window displays which encourages artists to regularly update and create new work. The aim is to bring affordable art to customers while helping artists make a reasonable living. Check out the quirky Christmas cards and Katie Johnston’s jewellery –this year the shop will be Katie’s venue during the North Bristol Art Trail. She’s Room 212’s most popular jewellery designer and we can see why –we’re adding her enamel earrings to our Christmas list right away.

• room212.co.uk

Room 212 brings affordable art to customers while helping artists to make a reasonable living from their work. This is Jenny Urquhart’s Autumn in Leigh Woods

Clifton Ceramics & Fine Jewellers

These guys have been in Clifton Village for over 15 years, offering handmade, unique, very collectable art pottery from the iconic Moorcroft pottery in Stoke. Over 300 pieces in stock include limited edition vases, pictures and lamps, sought-after by local collectors –often a particular piece catches the attention of a passer-by and they become addicted –although Clifton Ceramics sends worldwide. They’re currently offering a complimentary silk shade with all Moorcroft lamps, and have some pieces from Dennis Chinaworks in Ilminster. The other half of the shop is devoted to fine jewellery at fair prices –new and vintage rings, pendants and brooches. The team looks after couples in search of their first engagement diamond, and others wanting a unique precious stone or dress ring. The shop at 58 The Mall is a treasure trove and open to customers Moorcroft plaques looking for uniquefrom £90 and lamps from £350 Christmas gifts but, due to current restrictions, offering a private appointment service arranged in advance.

• cliftonceramics.co.uk

Priormade

In 2011 Beck Prior –a design and fabrication artist who creates innovative works for theatre, film, public spaces and events –began making jewellery with surplus materials from projects. By 2019 she had opened Prior Shop, showcasing designers who make sustainably crafted homewares and artworks. In the past, sustainably made products had looked recycled and had an overly ‘green’ aesthetic about them. Recycled creations were seen as ‘craft’ and not welcome in the world of high-profile design. Priormade –often commissioned to create largescale interactive games, props, puppets and site-specific art pieces –was established to create contemporary homewares, lighting and accessories, using sustainable, low impact and recycled materials, that would sit comfortably on the shelves of any luxury department store. Attention to detail and craftsmanship is at the forefront of each design, individually handmade in the Bristol workshop, and all offcuts are used to create key rings, magnets and jewellery, or donated to a ‘reusable waste’ charity. “We want to change common opinion,” says Beck, “and highlight that responsibly designed products can be more valuable, well-made and striking than those made irresponsibly.” Sustainably made salt and • priormade.store pepper vessels, £25