For the past 10 years, Urban Makers has been championing independent creatives — people who design, make, print, stitch, and build thoughtful products by hand. In a fast-moving, increasingly expensive urban environment, like London, handmade work continues to matter more than ever.
As we celebrate a decade of Urban Makers, it feels like the right moment to reflect on why supporting independent makers is so important, and why choosing handmade still makes a real difference.
Handmade in the City: More Than Just Products
Urban life often means mass production and convenience. Handmade work offers something different — story, skill, and connection.
Illustrated London prints, small-batch ceramics, textile accessories, and thoughtfully designed homeware reflect the places they’re made in. They feel personal. They feel rooted in the city.
Explore handmade gifts by Urban Makers – shop here
Hanaa from La Plante Carnivore trading at Old Spitalfields Market
The Reality for Independent Makers Today
Running a creative business in a city like London has always been challenging — but rising rents, material costs, energy bills, and reduced disposable income have made it especially tough.
This is where community-led platforms like Urban Makers matter. Every purchase, market visit, and share helps small businesses stay visible and viable.
Supporting independent makers isn’t just about shopping — it’s about keeping creativity alive in our cities.
Christina from Forge and Thread at Old Spitalfields MarketÂ
What Makes Handmade Different
Handmade products are built on values, not volume:
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Small-batch production
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Sustainable, considered materials
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Craftsmanship developed over time
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A direct connection between maker and customer
When you buy handmade, you’re choosing quality, individuality, and longevity.
Stuart from Stuart Hicking Art in his Studio
From Studio to Market Stall
Behind every Urban Makers product is a real person balancing creativity with the realities of running a small business — sourcing materials, pricing fairly, packing orders, and showing up to markets.
Meeting makers face-to-face or discovering their work online creates a connection that mass retail simply can’t offer.
Meet the makers → Read our series hereÂ
Maker & Product Spotlights
Some of our most-loved pieces perfectly capture what Urban Makers is about:
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Illustrated pub and London landmark prints — celebrating local culture and shared memories
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Handmade ceramics and homeware — designed to be used, not just displayed
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Textile accessories and wearable pieces — practical, beautifully made, and thoughtfully sourced
Each product tells a story — of the maker, the materials, and the city itself.
Shop London-inspired gifts → / Gifts for London Lovers
Karin Akesson at Old Spitalfields Market with Urban Makers
10 Years of Urban Makers
Urban Makers began with a simple idea: make it easier to discover and support independent creatives. Ten years on, that mission hasn’t changed — but it’s never felt more relevant.
Cities are shaped by the people who make things in them. Artists, designers, illustrators, printers, and craftspeople give urban life its texture and soul.
By choosing handmade, you’re helping ensure cities remain creative, diverse, and full of character for the next 10 years — and beyond.
If you would like to sell with Urban Makers please apply hereÂ