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Christmas Gift Guide: Shop our Grads
Monday, 30 November, 2020 — Shop small and support local talent this Christmas - browse our hand-picked selection of unique gift ideas from a handful of our talented graduates.
<p>In the spirit of supporting small businesses and shopping local, we have gathered together a few of our incredibly talented Plymouth College of Art graduates, so that you can spend your hard earned money on meaningful Christmas gifts from independent makers who we’re proud to call members of our creative community.<br /></p>
Mckinley & Paget
<p><strong>Mckinley & Paget<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/foundation-diploma-in-art-and-design-post-a-level/overview"><strong>Foundation Diploma in Art & Design</strong></a><strong>, class of 2010</strong></p>
<p>Daniel McKinley and Jake Paget both graduated from our pre-degree Foundation Diploma in Art & Design with distinctions. Since leaving the college, they founded Mckinley & Paget, a high-quality natural home and personal fragrance brand. Based in East London, Dan and Jake create indulgent scented candles, oils and soaps using sustainable materials. This candle is inspired by dreamy walks around Saltram House and Mount Edgcumbe, with notes of Red Mandarin, Juniper, Sweet Orange, Bitter Orange, Neroli, and Verbena.</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://mckinleyandpaget.com/products/daydreaming-at-the-saltram-orangery-candle?variant=34098481725572">Daydreaming at Saltram Orangery candle 135g</a> £18 <br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mckinleyandpaget/?hl=en">@mckinleyandpaget</a><br /></p>
Lize Meddings
<p><strong>Lize Meddings<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-illustration-2021/overview"><strong>BA (Hons) Illustration</strong></a><strong>, class of 2012</strong></p>
<p>Entrepreneur and illustrator Lize Meddings founded the Sad Ghost Club back in 2014. The Sad Ghost Club creates comics and products to help raise awareness of positive mental health, and we couldn’t resist this cute patch - perfect for 2020.</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://thesadghostclub.com/collections/patches-pins-stickers/products/not-really-im-dead-patch">Not Really I’m Dead Patch</a> £8<br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theofficialsadghostclub/?hl=en">@theofficialsadghostclub</a><br /></p>
Pete Clayton
<p><strong>Pete Clayton<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/foundation-diploma-in-art-and-design-post-a-level/overview"><strong>Foundation Diploma in Art & Design</strong></a><strong>, class of 2002</strong></p>
<p>Pete is an illustrator, animator and designer based in Plymouth. He specialises in editorial illustrations, children’s book illustration, social media and marketing campaigns and packaging and logo design, with a humorous, hand-drawn aesthetic. Pick up a cute, quirky one-off painting or a print from his shop (before someone else snaps them up!)</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://peteclayton.com/product/tiger-original-art-painting/">Tiger</a> £15 <br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/peteclayton/?hl=en">@peteclayton</a><br /></p>
Ruth Harrison
<p><strong>Ruth Harrison<br /></strong><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-craft-material-practices">BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts</a>, class of 2013</strong></p>
<p>Ruth’s ceramic stoneware pieces highlight her skill with pattern and detail that has become her signature style since graduating. From vases to vessels, her beautiful work is both functional and sculptural. </p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://www.ruthharrisonceramics.com/collections/small-vessels/products/spritzer-vessel">Spritzer Vessel</a> £30<br /><a href="http://www.instagram.com/ruthharrisonceramics">@ruthharrisonceramics</a></p>
Jake Williams
<p><strong>Jake Williams<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-illustration-2021/overview"><strong>BA (Hons) Illustration</strong></a><strong>, class of 2017</strong></p>
<p>Winner of New Designer of the Year at 2017's New Designers Festival in London, Jake graduated from our BA (Hons) Illustration course in 2017 and has since published two beautifully illustrated books, with another on the way, and has clients including NY Times and the Telegraph.</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/9781843654148">Darwin's Voyage of Discovery (Hardback)</a> £12.99<br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jkwilliams_/?hl=en">@jkwilliams_</a></p>
Fern Robinson
<p><strong>Fern Robinson<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-craft-material-practices/overview"><strong>BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts</strong></a><strong>, class of 2016</strong></p>
<p>Designer-maker Fern Robinson’s colourful world of contemporary jewellery is playful, tactile and fun. Her bold, statement pieces feature vibrant shards of children’s crayons set in resin, or are crafted from discarded skateboards. Each piece is unique, and designed to create moments of joy.</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://www.fernrobinson.co.uk/product-page/0-19">Statement Mark Making Necklace</a> £280 <br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fernrobinson.designermaker/">@fernrobinson.designermaker</a><br /></p>
Lucy Ellis
<p><strong>Lucy Ellis<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-textile-design/overview"><strong>BA (Hons) Printed Textile Design and Surface Pattern</strong></a><strong>, class of 2019</strong></p>
<p>Lucy may have only graduated last year, but her colourful work has already been highlighted by <a href="https://www.stylist.co.uk/home/homeware/food-drink-art-prints/439020">Stylist Magazine</a>. From fruity patterns to abstract prints, Lucy’s designs make the ideal gift.</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://www.lucyellisdesigns.com/shop/p/oranges">Oranges Print</a> £12 <br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lucyellis.design/">@lucyellis.design</a></p>
Sam Ritte
<p><strong>Sam Ritte<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-craft-material-practices/overview"><strong>BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts</strong></a><strong>, class of 2018</strong></p>
<p>Since graduating from BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts (now titled <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-craft-material-practices">BA (Hons) Craft and Material Practices</a>) in 2018, Sam Ritte has secured a role at <a href="https://www.thegreatfroglondon.com/">The Great Frog</a>, the pioneers in handcrafted, iconic statement jewellery for rockers, bikers and those favouring their metal heavy. Check out some of the work from his personal collection, featuring metal tools, chunky chains and a scattering of skulls and crossbones.</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://www.samritte.co.uk/product-page/shell-skull-pendant">Shell Skull Pendant</a> £120<br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sam_ritte/">@sam_ritte</a></p>
Amanda West
<p><strong>Amanda West<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-illustration-2021/overview"><strong>BA (Hons) Illustration</strong></a><strong>, class of 2018</strong></p>
<p>Amanda’s sumptuous homewares and accessories will bring an element of luxury to your gift giving this year - choose from velvet cushions and lampshades with designs inspired by Oriental silk garments and the natural world.</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://amanda-west.com/new-products-1/luxury-shimmer-velvet-cushion-hmc86-alrzr-ax444">Shimmer Velvet Rectangular Bolster - Acers</a> £70<br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/_amanda_west/">@_amanda_west</a><br /></p>
Kate Packer
<p><strong>Kate Packer<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-craft-material-practices/overview"><strong>BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts</strong></a><strong>, class of 2012</strong></p>
<p>Kate’s intricate mini sculptures feature a range of wild woodland flora and fauna, with delicate wirework insect brooches, earrings and rings adorned with freshwater pearls, semi precious stones and iridescent fossils. For the bug lover in your life.</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/684146337/wire-moth-broochpin-with-green-agate?ref=shop_home_active_8&pro=1&frs=1">Wire Moth Brooch with Green Agate</a> £37.80 (was £42)<br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/katelousculpturalzoo/">@katelousculpturalzoo</a><br /></p>
Laura Scott
<p><strong>Laura Scott<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-graphic-communication-2021/overview"><strong>BA (Hons) Graphic Design</strong></a><strong>, class of 2018</strong></p>
<p>Graphic Design grad Laura Scott noticed a gap in the market for delicious vegan candy, so took the plunge and set up her own business sourcing and selling vegan pick’n’mix, with 100% plastic free packaging and no palm oil. Satisfy your sweet tooth in her online shop.</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://www.consciouscandy.co.uk/candy/1kg">Conscious Candy 1kg Mix</a> £6.99 (was £9.99)<br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theconsciouscandycompany/">@theconsciouscandycompany</a><br /></p>
Stevie-Leigh Smith
<p><strong>Stevie-Leigh Smith<br /></strong><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-craft-material-practices/overview"><strong>BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts</strong></a><strong>, Class of 2016</strong></p>
<p>Mother of two Stevie created her own jewellery brand Botanical Boheme after graduating from Plymouth College of Art in 2016. With a range of botanical inspired pieces made from copper, clay and 100% eco silver, Stevie has also recently launched a collection called Woman, an illustrative range in silver that celebrates the female form.</p>
<p><strong>Buy now: </strong><a href="https://botanicalboheme.com/collections/woman/products/mini-boob-necklace">Mini Boob Necklace</a> £38<br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/botanicalboheme/?hl=en">@botanicalboheme</a><br /></p>
<p><strong>Looking for the perfect Christmas card?</strong></p>
<p>Three of our graduates from our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Illustration</a> and <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fine-art" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Fine Art</a> courses have collaborated with <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tate</a> on their annual Christmas card collection.</p>
<p><a href="https://shop.tate.org.uk/charlotte-leadley-decking-the-halls-christmas-cards-pack-of-6/25565.html?cgid=christmas-cards">Charlotte Leadley, BA (Hons) Illustration</a></p>
<p><a href="https://shop.tate.org.uk/stella-olivier-all-that-they-could-pick-up-on-their-screens-was-snow-christmas-cards-pack-of-6/25564.html?cgid=christmas-cards">Stella Olivier, BA (Hons) Fine Art</a></p>
<p><a href="https://shop.tate.org.uk/matt-brampton-the-dove-christmas-cards-pack-of-6/25563.html?cgid=christmas-cards">Matt Brampton, BA (Hons) Illustration</a></p>