Shops / Christmas
Hand-crafted baubles spreading some Bristmas cheer
Delightful decorations adorned out with quintessential scenes from the city are spreading some Bristolian Christmas cheer this festive period.
Incredibly, the baubles’ designs are painted from the inside with a hook through a tiny opening once the glass is blown.
The creations are designed by Other Lovely Things, a Bristol independent business founded and run by Rebecca Walker.
is needed now More than ever
Rebecca, who lives in Horfield, explained she was inspired by her fondness for the city she “fell in love with” when she relocated from London over a decade ago.
Decked out with elaborate panoramas sweeping across the glass bulb, some of the classic scenes depicted on the baubles include the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the towering cranes outside the M Shed.
The intricate method in which they are crafted and painted is an ancient one dating thousands of years, according to 39-year-old Rebecca.
She attends Christmas markets all over Bristol and beyond, each time thrilling the public with her display of charming ornaments.
Of all Other Lovely Things’ designs, the most popular is that of Clifton Suspension Bridge – photo by Rebecca Walker
In the past, the Bristol-based business owner ran a stall for four years at the Harbourside Christmas Market. For four years Rebecca’s primary focus was on selling handmade jewellery, with baubles functioning as sheer embellishments for the stall.
Visitors to her stalls, however, were more interested in her glass decorations than the jewellery, and led her to pivot her business focus onto baubles.
“People are especially supportive of the Bristol ones. People like sending them to family and friends that have moved away and they have gone all over the world to America, South Africa and Australia”, she said.
To Rebecca, their immense popularity is evidence that “people in Bristol are so proud of their city, which is really special.”
To buy Other Lovely Things’ baubles, visit www.otherlovelythings.co.uk/collections/hand-painted-baubles or head to Eclectic Gift Shop in Hanham
Main photo by Martin Booth
Read more: How to give back this Christmas
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
