Explore Arts University Plymouth’s Festive Makers Market – Hand‑Made Gifts from Emerging Makers

What the Festive Makers Market Offers

Arts University Plymouth is opening The Little Box in Plymouth’s cultural quarter to showcase a curated selection of handmade gifts from its own emerging makers. Running from 6 December to 14 December 2025, the market will operate daily between 10 am and 5 pm and will be a card‑only venue. The event brings together around 20 student artists from the BA (Hons) Craft & Material Practices, MA Glass, MA Craft & Material Practices and BA (Hons) Textile Design programmes.

Why Visit the Makers Market?

Unlike mass‑produced holiday items, the Pieces on display are handcrafted with sustainability and storytelling at the forefront. Visitors can purchase raku‑fired ceramics, Shou Sugi Ban wooden vessels, glass‑fused jewellery and textile‑led gifts that echo childhood memories while supporting local talent.

Hands‑On Learning for the Next Generation of Creators

Students participating in the market face a real‑world retail challenge. Their projects are now tested against customer feedback, pricing strategies and shelf presentation – crucial steps that code into their future professional practice. As Principal Lecturer Tim Gundry explains, “Projects like the Makers Market give our students genuine insight into what it means to be a professional maker.”

Developing Market‑Ready Skills

• Idea to Product: Students refine concepts into finished works ready for sale.
• Pricing Analysis: They evaluate costs, market trends, and perceived value to set competitive prices.
• Branding & Packaging: Creative presentation reinforces product storytelling.

These lessons align with the university’s commitment to industry‑standard facilities and live briefs that bridge academia and commerce.

Sustainable Craft – A Core Theme

Many pieces at the marketrely on recycled or repurposed materials. Example: glass from salvaged commercial windows is repurposed into jewellery, while wood treatments like Shou Sugi Ban use natural oils to enhance durability. Every item carries a narrative about material transformation and environmental stewardship.

Meet Some of the Makers

Below is a snapshot of the talented individuals whose work will be on display:

• Beth Williams – potter whose raku vessels feature playful patterns.
• Kate Templar – glassblowing inspired by Fauvism and traditional techniques.
• Kizzy Rose Budd – dance‑inspired pottery and textiles.
• SJ Hooker – mixed‑media artist combining wood and glass.
• Fin St John Cooper – industrial fabrication artist linking design and engineering.

These makers, along with a collective of 15 other students, have collaborated on the live brief that driven the market’s thematic direction.

Arts University Plymouth – Your Launchpad in the Creative Industries

Stepping outside classrooms, students engage with the city’s cultural infrastructure – the adjacent Museum & Art Centre, local galleries and the creative organisation network of Plymouth. This proximity extends the benefit of a real‑time market environment to postgraduate MA students in Museum Studies who interact with curatorial and exhibition contexts.

Courses Highlighted

Those intrigued by these practices can explore graduate‑degree options: BA (Hons) Craft & Material Practices and BA (Hons) Textile Design. Both programmes offer hands‑on studio work in ceramics, glass, textiles and digital fabrication, culminating in stage‑specific projects that avidly mirror industry expectations.

Practical Details for Visitors

Location: The Little Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth (directly opposite The Box).
Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily, 6 December – 14 December.
Payment: Cashless (card only).
Accessibility: The venue is fully wheelchair accessible.

Why Crafts Matter This Holiday Season

In a time of consumer bursts and corporate excess, handmade gifts stand out for their authenticity, longevity and personal connection. Supporting the Makers Market means investing in local talent and the sustainability story that our future relies upon.

Take the Next Step – Engage, Learn, Create

Whether you’re a prospective student curious about the world of craft and textile design, a resident looking for unique holiday gifts, or a gallery curator seeking fresh voices, the Festive Makers Market invites you to participate in the creative life of Plymouth.

Have questions about the event? Write to us or contact via WhatsApp for more details.