Back to School Gift Ideas for Teens

If you are thinking about giving a back to school gift to your child or grandchildren, why not combine it with something that will be really useful for their next academic year.  We've put together a selection of great ideas for gifts to celebrate the start of a new year and encourage your teenage children to plan ahead.  Help them get organised with their home and course work and even making their own pack lunch - a new pencil case, lunch bag or beautiful retro satchel can really inspire a little boost in productivity! (in fact, a new leather satchel this gorgeous may be a great idea for the parents too!)

Things I must never forget Notebook

Goal Cards from fink

Lunch Bag from Alexandra Snowdon

Vintage Pencil case from Poppy Valentine

The Leather Satchel Co

Gift Guide - Quality Craft Kits

A few weeks ago we posted a guide to crafty activities to keep the kids amused over the summer holidays.  During our hunt for crafty and creative project ideas we came across lots creative people who have put together craft kits to buy.

These quality kits contain everything you need to make up a simple craft project, supplies, tools, instructions and some useful tips.

We have created a gift guide with our favourite quality craft kits - they are from small independent companies and designer-makers and will make wonderful gifts for creative freinds and family.

This kit from www.artfelt.co.uk contains everything you need to make this amazingly cute and colourful needle felted elephant.

From www.thelittleknitkitcompany.co.uk - Knit and create your own seaside cottage

Eco Jewellery making kit from www.notmassproduced.com

Make a little pe kit or shoe bag for a pre-schooler or for a child starting nursery - everything is included and it's simple to sew up. Pump Bag Kit from www.kotorikits.com

www.handprinted.co.uk has everything you need to start lino cutting in this lino cutting starter set.  Lino Cuts are great for printing your own greetings cards - it could save you a fortune at Christmas!

We hope you agree these kits look fantastic - have you ever bought or received a craft kit as a gift?  We'd love to hear about what you created...

Creative Bloom!

Pretty, floral and not mass produced...

These pretty floral inspired gifts are all ethically produced and available at our website www.notmassproduced.com along with many other florally inspired gifts, accessories and homewares.

Coalescence - unique sterling silver vase

English Flower Garden Natural Soap

Silver Daisy Earring Studs

Sophisticated Petals Corsage

Gorgeous Gifts for Dog Lovers

Hello Dog Lovers! Woof Woof...


Today we have some decidedly doggy handmade finds to share - perfect gifts for dog lovers.  So if you know someone who is dotty about their dogs but also likes things environmentally friendly,  they will certainly appreciate one of these not mass produced, handmade gifts.

1. Love is a four legged word plaque
2. Scottie dog cushion
3. Tony the Bulldog
4. Personalised handmade dog lead hook
5. Fox terrier embroidered purse

Ethical Fathers Day Gifts

Fathers day is on the 17th June 2012! What would he like this year?  We've put together a few great gifts from the designer makers at Not Mass Produced, so you can show your appreciation for your Dad, without having to buy anything that's been mass produced and shipped half way across the world.

There's some great ethical gifts here for new Dad's too - that first Father's Day should be one he can always remember :)

The Boss Cushion

Unique Handmade Jewellery

We have a growing collection of fantastic jewellery designers at Not Mass Produced.  Here we have posted just a small taste of the truly unique handmade jewellery available, to whet your appetite.  

We think handmade jewellery is particularly special. Jewellery is a gift to be cherished, kept safe and worn close.  When given as a gift it often represents a special event in our lives, or a connection with someone special.  

Emerald Green hewn Ring

Jubilee Gift Ideas we love!

Made in Britain Cushion

Marking 60 years of the Queens reign, we are soon to be celebrating a fabulous 4 day weekend, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th of June 2012! It will certainly be a celebration that's recorded in the history books - and that's why everywhere you move there are Union Jacks and Queen's Jubilee Memorabilia .  


We wouldn't want to distract you from the party planning, pimms buying and bunting making  for too long, but we just had to show you the Jubilee inspired gifts that the designer makers at Not Mass Produced have created to celebrate the occasion. (bunting tip at the end of this post!)

London Tubemap Handbag

Crown Handbag Mirror

Corgi Cushion

Union Jack Knitted Phone Case

Leather Union Jack Cushion

We hope you all have a fabulous weekend!  If you haven't started on that essential jubilee bunting yet, why not try this tutorial from blogger 'Paper and String'.  

Bunting Ingredients!

This fun felt bunting tutorial would be a brilliant, boredom busting activity for the kids at any jubilee street parties you're having.  Lay out a table out with all of the bits and bobs they need and let them make it all up themselves - great icebreaker for adults at the party too.

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Dads can be difficult to buy for, so here are a few suggestions.  Hope they help!

Alternative Mothers Day Gifts

When I went into town recently I saw a local card shop full of Mothers Day stuff and everything was a sickly pink! And I mean everything.  What a ghastly sight!  Take a look at some alternative suggestions which aren't all pink or made in China.

Give a cat a home, these lovely little bags/purses (above) are just too cute, small £43, large £57 handcrafted in wool felt and organic leather.