A GIFT GUIDE: THE MONOCHROME EDIT
THE MONOCHROME EDIT
The black and white of it is that we’re resolutely refusing to fall into the ‘For Him / For Her’ approach to seasonal shopping. Instead we decided to group the Simple Shape collection into approximate colour groups to help you with your gift shopping.
So, if you’re looking for special gifts that are handmade, crafted things that have ALL, without exception, been made in the UK and Ireland and that each support a designer, maker, small business or unique industry then this is the gift guide for you.
We have things that are black, white and a good few shades of grey for kitchens, bedrooms, sitting rooms and gardens. Be it wool, linen, ceramic, concrete…
[AND, if you’re signed up to our newsletter delivery is ALWAYS free.]
An absolutely perfectly sized bowl for fruit, or salad, or bread or whatever you want to take centre-stage on the table really. Hand-thrown in Sheffield in flecked stoneware and then glazed in a lively matte finish charcoal glaze. No two will be the same as they are all made by hand and the glaze on each bowl dribbles and gathers into one-off places. The foot-ring remains unglazed and stamped with the makers mark.
Also available in White and Olive
Colour: Charcoal
Size: height 6cm x diameter 27.5cm
Notes: Hand washing will extend the life of your handmade ceramics.
An absolutely perfectly sized bowl for fruit, or salad, or bread or whatever you want to take centre-stage on the table really. Hand-thrown in Sheffield in flecked stoneware and then glazed in a simple white glaze. The foot-ring remains unglazed and stamped with the makers mark. No two will be the same as they are all made by hand. [also available in ‘Nori’ colour]
Colour: White
Size: height 6cm x diameter 27.5cm
Notes: Hand washing will extend the life of your handmade ceramics.
This is a simple shape. It manages to look classic, new, like it’s been around forever and contemporary all at the same time. No easy feat. These are made by hand in Sheffield using flecked stoneware. As they are handmade each one will be slightly different to the next.
They are available in three colours, White, Charcoal and Olive.
Colours: White, Charcoal, Olive
Size: height 4.5cm x diameter: 10cm
Given that this bowl is perfect for cereal at the start of the day and tapas at the end of the day it’s a very handy thing to have in your kitchen cupboard. The fact that it is beautifully made by hand is a glorious added bonus. Made in the North of England from iron-rich speckled stoneware and glazed in tin-white. No two will be the same, you wouldn’t want them to be, they’re made by hand after all! [also available in a ‘Nori’ glaze.]
Colour: white
Size: height 7cm x diameter 14.8cm
Notes: Hand washing will extend the life of your handmade ceramics.
Given that this bowl is perfect for cereal at the start of the day and tapas at the end of the day it’s a very handy thing to have in your kitchen cupboard. The fact that it is beautifully made by hand is a glorious added bonus. Made in the North of England from iron-rich speckled stoneware and glazed in a ‘Nori’ seaweed colour. No two will be the same, you wouldn’t want them to be, they’re made by hand after all! [also available in white.]
Colour: Nori
Size: height 7cm x diameter 14.8cm
Notes: Hand washing will extend the life of your handmade ceramics.
This is a mug to cup your hands around. And it’s a beauty. Hand thrown in iron-rich stoneware, local to the Sheffield area in the North of England where these are made, each mug is glazed (almost but not entirely) in a simple tin-white glaze. A little foot ring of stoneware is left visibly unglazed on each mug and the makers mark is stamped into the base. You know this of course, but no two mugs will be the same, they’re handmade, so that’s the whole point! [also available in a ‘Nori’ (seaweed) colour]
Colour: white
Size: height 8cm x diameter 9cm. Capacity: 250ml
Notes: It’s best to wash by hand to prolong the life of your ceramics
An everyday mug, but so much more than ‘a basic’. Hand thrown in iron-rich stoneware, local to the Sheffield area in the North of England where these are made, each mug is glazed (almost but not entirely) in a simple tin-white glaze. A little foot ring of stoneware is left visibly unglazed on each mug and the makers mark is stamped into the base. Of course, no two mugs are identical. That’s the whole point of handmade things, right! [also available in a ‘Nori’ (seaweed) colour].
Colour: White
Size: height 11 cm x diameter 7.5 cm. Capacity: 325ml
Notes: It’s best to wash by hand to prolong the life of your ceramics
An everyday mug, but so much more than ‘a basic’. Hand thrown in iron-rich stoneware, local to the Sheffield area in the North of England where these are made, each mug is glazed (almost but not entirely) in a simple ‘nori’ glaze. A little foot ring of stoneware is left visibly unglazed on each mug and the makers mark is stamped into the base. Of course, no two mugs are identical. That’s the whole point of handmade things, right! [also available in white].
Colour: Nori (seaweed colour)
Size: height 11 cm x diameter 7.5 cm. Capacity: 325ml
Notes: It’s best to wash by hand to prolong the life of your ceramics
A simple side plate. Each one hand-thrown in Sheffield, in local iron-rich speckled stoneware and then glazed in tin-white, only the foot ring remains unglazed. Gosh your bread and butter never looked to good. [also available in ‘Nori’ seaweed colour]
Colour: white
Size: height 2.5cm x diameter 20cm
Notes: Hand washing will extend the life of your handmade ceramics.
A simple side plate. Each one hand-thrown in Sheffield, in local iron-rich speckled stoneware and then glazed in ‘Nori’ a lovely seaweed sort-of colour, only the foot ring remains unglazed. Gosh your bread and butter never looked to good. [also available in white]
Colour: Nori
Size: height 2.5cm x diameter 20cm
Notes: Hand washing will extend the life of your handmade ceramics.
A simply great jug. Good for milk. Good for flowers. Treat yourself. Each one is carefully handmade in the North of England in local speckled stoneware and glazed (almost but not entirely) in a simple tin-white glaze. A little ring of stoneware is left visibly unglazed on each jug and the makers mark is stamped into the base. Each jug will be ever-so-slightly different, but that’s what we want, it’s the beauty of the hand made! [also available in ‘Nori’ colour]
Colour: White
Size: height 17cm x diameter 13cm. Capacity 1060ml
Notes: Hand washing will extend the life of your handmade ceramics.
A simply great jug. Good for milk. Good for flowers. Treat yourself. Each one is carefully handmade in the North of England in local speckled stoneware and glazed (almost but not entirely) in a ‘Nori’ glaze. A little ring of stoneware is left visibly unglazed on each jug and the makers mark is stamped into the base. Each jug will be ever-so-slightly different, but that’s what we want, it’s the beauty of the hand made! [also available in white]
Colour: Nori (seaweed colour)
Size: height 17cm x diameter 13cm. Capacity 1060ml
Notes: Hand washing will extend the life of your handmade ceramics.
This is one of those blankets that will be with you FOREVER. It is impossible to imagine a room that it wouldn’t work well in. You could take this to university with you and still be tucking it over your knees in your nineties. It’s quite simply a great blanket.
Material: 100% Lambswool
Colour: Grey
Size: 140 cm x 170 cm
Notes: dry clean only
Twines for gardening or gift wrapping, twines for kitchens or art projects, use your twine as you choose, but you do have to choose the colour. Luckily there is a colour for all needs! These clever twines have a starting point in the centre of the spool which means you’re much less likely to get into a tangle. And, they’re biodegradable and are made in Scotland, as they have been since 1922.
Colour: Black Twist
Notes: approx 110m length and the special central dispensing method means no tangling
We have been looking for an apron for Simple Shape since we began; a good looking apron for kitchen, workshop or garden. It needs to be an apron that you want to use, an apron that you forget to take off. Oh my goodness this has not been easy BUT we have found it. This, the Classic Irish Linen Apron has an adjustable neck strap meaning that giants and lilliputians can wear it, it has long waist straps to fit your shape. It has unobtrusive deep front pockets. It is woven in 100% Irish linen in a wonderful two-tone fabric that looks almost like denim.
Colour: Charcoal Grey (this is achieved by weaving with grey on the warp and black on the weft). The grey neck strap and waist ties are a softer grey. The makers tiny bird detail is embroidered in the corner in white.
Size and details: l 86cm x w 62cm / brass hardware on neck strap
Notes: Linen should be washed at max 30 degrees (never tumble dried or dry cleaned)
A dark take on the classic bread board. Each board is ebonised in a flame that reaches 3000 degrees! Once the board is blackened it is scrubbed and oiled and a thick leather handle, branded with the makers mark, is attached with strong copper tacks.
Size: length 35cm x width 20cm
Notes: wash and dry immediately, do not leave to soak.
By sticking fiercely to a simple design and a classic shape, using the best quality leather, carefully stitched by experienced craftsmen, using strong buckles, the satchel is a bag for life. Importantly it’s a size that works. You can fit in a notebook, a novel, a pencil case and a makeup bag, and there’s space in the front pocket for your phone and keys.
And now, all you need to do is make the difficult decision between black, tan and the bold canary yellow.
Notes: The makers name, Ox & Ram, is discretely stamped into the front plate. Leather will age with time, use a leather cleaner occasionally to ‘moisturise’ the leather and to improve water resistance. If you get caught in the rain, air-dry the bag at room temperature away from direct heat and sunlight.
Colour: Black
Size: w: 28cm x h: 21cm x d": 6.5cm
Strap length: 110cm - 130cm
Tea. The most British of traditions, made incredibly stylish with this simple white handmade teapot. Tea? Yes please.
Colour: Matte White
Size: height 12.5cm (+ handle height 10cm). Holds four large cups of tea.
Notes: please wash in the sink and dry carefully. Do not put in the dishwasher. The handle pivots which makes it easy to store.
These are the perfect 'bits & bobs' baskets. Ideal for collections of things and stuff, keys and change, watches and jewellery. The things that gather can now have an aesthetic 'home'. These handcrafted baskets are carefully coiled and stitched to make vessels that are tactile, visually appealing and super versatile.
Material: white cotton cord
Size: height approx. 8cm x diameter approx. 17cm
Notes: each basket is made by hand and variations will occur, no two are the same, that's the beauty of handmade of course. NOT machine washable.
Beautifully soft and versatile little mini blankets available in two simple designs and three colours. There’s no doubt that these are ideal gifts for babies (if I had my babies again I’d want to snuggle them in these). BUT they’re not exclusively for babies…in fact my teenager tucks one over her knees when she’s doing homework. So they work for teen-snuggling too!
Colour: Dark Grey & Pale Grey
Size: 55cm x 90cm
Notes: hand wash at no more than 30º
This is a mug to cup your hands around. And it’s a beauty. Hand thrown in iron-rich stoneware, local to the Sheffield area in the North of England where these are made, each mug is glazed (almost but not entirely) in a simple ‘Nori’ glaze. A little foot ring of stoneware is left visibly unglazed on each mug and the makers mark is stamped into the base. You know this of course, but no two mugs will be the same, they’re handmade, so that’s the whole point! [also available in white]
Colour: ‘Nori’ (seaweed colour)
Size: height 8cm x diameter 9cm. Capacity: 250ml
Notes: It’s best to wash by hand to prolong the life of your ceramics
Our Charcoal Grey galvanised steel jugs are made in the West Midlands in a workshop that has 130 years of British engineering experience. They don’t rust so can be used inside or out. Fill them with flowers or use as an indestructible water jug in the garden.
Colour: Charcoal Grey
Size: 3-pint capacity. h 23cm approx
Notes:
The Duck Egg Blue galvanised steel jugs are made in the West Midlands in a workshop that has 130 years of British engineering experience. They don’t rust so can be used inside or out. Fill them with flowers or use as an indestructible water jug in the garden.
Colour: Duck Egg Blue
Size: 3-pint capacity. h 23cm approx
Notes:
My Nana would only drink tea from a fine bone china cup. She would have been very happy with this mug. It is perfectly balanced, both delicate and strong with a deliberately subtle 'dimple' detail in the material. It comes beautifully boxed so it makes a really lovely gift.
Colour: White Fine Bone China mug with a deep blue hand-painted handle
Size: height 8.6cm x diameter 8cm. Capacity 12oz
Notes: these can go in the dishwasher, but they're bone china so do be careful.
An absolutely perfectly sized bowl for fruit, or salad, or bread or whatever you want to take centre-stage on the table really. Hand-thrown in Sheffield in a local speckled stoneware and then glazed in a ‘nori’ (a sort-of seaweed colour) glaze. The foot-ring remains unglazed and stamped with the makers mark. No two will be the same as they are all made by hand. [also available in white]
Colour: Nori
Size: height 6cm x diameter 27.5cm
Notes: Hand washing will extend the life of your handmade ceramics.
This is a thing of strength and beauty. Each concrete trivet is poured by hand into a mold ensuring perfection in the shape but individuality in the outcome as each concrete pour behaves differently. The complexity of the seemingly 'folded' surface is in direct competition with the brutality of the concrete, and the outcome is bold, beautiful and useful. What happy pots and pans you'll have!
Notes: the trivet has a cork base to protect the table. Clean, by hand, with warm soapy water.
Strong and striking. The Black Ash Trivet is not only a bold statement for your kitchen table, it enables you to pull-off easy-going, laid-back hot-pot suppers with practical ease PLUS style. Its a dream addition for any kitchen. Each segment that makes up this striking trivet is linked together with a flexible cord meaning that each segment moves independently. The only difficult thing to decide is whether you opt for the Black Ash or the Natural Ash…it’s a tough one.
Size: height: 3.5cm x diameter 23.5 cm
Notes: please do not immerse in water. Wipe clean and dry straight away.
A butter dish. I don’t know what to say apart from an emphatic: ‘this is it’. The best butter dish you can find (…and I’ve looked!) Made in discretely dimpled pure white bone china with a fine hand-painted handle in cobalt blue. What better housing could there possibly be for your sunshine yellow salty butter? (oh, and it comes in a nice box too).
Size: height 9.3cm x length 14.5cm x width 10cm
Notes: hand wash in soapy water
This is a very good size to cup your hands around whilst you contemplate your day. Each handmade cup is ever-so-slightly different from the next as the bespoke glaze behaves uniquely every time. What a completely delightful way to take your tea!
Size: height 10cm x diameter 6.5cm
Notes: please hand wash carefully
An absolutely perfectly sized serving dish for whatever you want to take centre-stage on the table. Hand-thrown in Sheffield in flecked stoneware and then glazed in a cheerful olive glaze. No two will be the same as they are all made by hand and the glaze on each bowl dribbles and gathers into one-off places. The foot-ring remains unglazed and stamped with the makers mark.
Also available in White and Charcoal
Colour: Olive
Size: height 6cm x diameter 27.5cm
Notes: Hand washing will extend the life of your handmade ceramics.