Last chance to buy handmade Christmas presents – as Curated Makers John Lewis pop-up closes Wednesday

On the next shelf, handcrafted earrings and bangles nestle close to handmade Christmas tree ornaments in sparkly reds and golds.

Further along is a selection of scented candles in every shade, a rack of whimsical greeting cards, and a proud selection of Sheffield artwork.

Welcome to the Curated Makers pop-up, at John Lewis Sheffield.

"I’m so glad we’re here,” says Curated Makers founder Megan Jones.

“We’ve had such an encouraging response from shoppers, and a really good flow of customers, so we’re delighted to be here in Sheffield – even if it is more short-lived than we would have liked.”

The pop-up, which launched on Monday, was scheduled to run for seven weeks in the run-up to Christmas, but this latest national lockdown, which comes into effect on Thursday, will see it shut up shop after just three days.

Determined to give her independent artists and makers as much opportunity to sell their goods as possible, Megan has now decided to take the whole enterprise temporarily online.

"2020 has been a tough time for our independents,” confirms Megan, who founded Curated Makers back in 2017 on a market stall, representing just four makers at a time.

Today her pop0ups regularly feature between 20 and 50 makers, creating new opportunities for them to showcase their products within prime retails spaces.

She continues: "Because no one was prepared for the shops to close again, everyone had readied themselves for peak trading in the run up to Christmas.

"The materials have been bought, the products have been made, the time has been spent, so now the challenge is finding a way to sell that stock.

"I made the decision to pivot, launching ‘Post from the Pop-Up’ and taking our physical pop-up online during lockdown, to ensure people can still buy those wonderful items.

"It’s by no means a perfect solution, but it is a working solution, and one that we hope will mean people can still buy these fantastic handmade items ahead of Christmas.”

The pop-up features work by over 20 Sheffield artists and makers, including artwork, jewellery, candles, homewares, Christmas decorations, craft kits and much more.

Megan adds: "John Lewis is so supportive of small businesses, and has been so collaborative with us – we’re just delighted they still let us come in store for this three-day period.

“It is such an amazing opportunity to host our first Sheffield based pop-up with John Lewis, and the day John Lewis Sheffield is allowed to reopen, we will be back, offering the convenience of shopping small and local, within an established department store.

"Until then, visit our online shop, as now more than ever, small businesses are reliant upon a successful Christmas to ensure they can continue to do what they love into the following year.”

Curated Makers will be in John Lewis Sheffield today, from 9am to 6pm.

Visit ‘Post from the Pop-Up’ to shop online throughout lockdown.