We Make Bristol

24/12/2025

Amazon Prime can't save you now!!! 😅
I'm here till 5pm today, then hibernating for a couple of days.
Loads of discombobulated husbands, dads, and sons shopping here today. The jewellery section is a Hot Destination 🔥 💎

Thank you so much to you all for shopping local this Christmas! It means a lot.
It's been hard for us all in retail, but we may live to fight on another year with your support 🥰

21/12/2025

I'm here today till 3.30pm and then every day 9 to 5 till Christmas Eve!
Come see me in Westbury on Trym, I've got
a cheeky coffee or brunch and avoid the mad crowds 🥰

Special extra mention to the wonderful who have worked so hard on last-minute orders and STILL made the time to restock us independents. Much appreciated, team!

Are you all ready? House decked, trimming ordered, cards written and posted? (If not, we have loads too 😏)

But most importantly, can we settle a Hot Debate?
Do Brussels sprouts and Cauliflower cheese do have a place at the Christmas meal table??? (This is controversial, I know. Ducking for cover 😂...)

14/12/2025

11 DAYS!
Open today till 3.30pm (need to start my usual Christmas panic cleaning after 😅)

If you've visited the shop recently, there are loads of new or restocked items hitting the shelves! Books, decorations, cutest Christmas earrings. Argh!
It's very dangerous to have first dibs, I have to say. And I'm strongly tempted to put an air mattress in the back room and move in...

So if you've not finished your Christmas shopping, or not even yet started it like Yours Truly, or need an unseasonal birthday present (my girls are December babies!), come in and say Hi!
It's nice and quiet here, I have Classic FM on, am drinking way too much coffee and labelling even more new goodies I'll share soon, including THE most adorable children's clothes

Love from me and our 50+ local makers
Isabelle

12/12/2025

You lovely lot have been emptying the shelves in the last few days!
I'm still here past 9pm opening boxes and begging out lovely makers for more stock.

See you bright and early!
Loads of love
Isabelle

07/12/2025

Oyez, Oyez!
We're open today (Sunday) from 11 to 3.30 and every Sunday till Christmas as well as Mondays to Saturdays 9 to 5!

So if you're grabbing a cheeky brunch at Grupo, Goldfinch, Fed or Coffee One, or browsing at AgeUK or St Peter's charity shops, why not pop in?

You'll also probably find me throwing items at the shelves or vacuuming earlier and later, and always welcome to come in if the lights are on!

We're all busy, so hopefully that will help some of you get to us at a time that suits you best!

Much love and caffeine
Isabelle

06/12/2025

I'm caffeinated (brand new lovely mug!)
Honed my wrapping skills
Been here since 6am replenishing the shelves with chocolates, jams, Christmas cards and the remains of my sanity 😅

There is also a lovely brass band in the Village at 2pm, for festive spirit and to raise vital funds for the Children's Hospital.

So if you don't want to brave Cribbs or Cabot Circus today, we're here in Westbury and all the independents shops will do a little dance when you visit 🥰

Loads of love
Isabelle

05/12/2025

NOTHING. Cash is great. I'd like more of it. Wouldn't we all 😅.

But I'm flabbergasted by the number of shops not accepting physical cash anymore.
Let me be clear (in shouty all-caps): WE ACCEPT CASH AND ALWAYS WILL!

And here is why:
- it's commission free (card payments cost 1 to 2% plus various fees)
- No Internet connection required - it works everywhere, always will
- No need to show your face ID, remember your PIN, sign up, log in, prove you're not a robot by clicking on the bicycle pictures...
- YOU SHOULD HAVE A CHOICE!

I feel strongly about this, but I'll ask below:
Do you think cash payments should be phased out?

03/12/2025

We're feeling blue as Bristol Blue Glass is under threat!
I started stocking Bristol Blue Glass at We Make Bristol a couple of years ago, and it's such a pleasure to be part of keeping alive this Bristol craft!
But now the business is at risk of closing as their premises are being sold off (to develop into flats, don't get me started on that...).
A new location is very hard to find as the furnace needs a safe building and correct zoning.

So if you love this Bristol Business, come down to Westbury, get a bauble, a vase, a piece of jewellery to help with relocation costs and to hopefully save this local business for many years to come.

Loads of love from your local makers
Isabelle

01/12/2025

Hello lovelies. I haven't been on here for a while, as I am working a full time job on top of running the shop.

I'll cut straight to the chase... It's crunch time at We Make Bristol and for all independents out there.
Please, please, please shop local and visit your local High Street this Christmas season.
We may not be here next year otherwise.

I'll be sharing the wonderful art, crafts, locally produced food, books and all things Christmassy in the next few days.

There are so many talented makers in Bristol. Let's show them some LOVE ❤️ 😍 💖

Isabelle

31/08/2025

Hey everyone! Back on socials, and what better comeback than being Shop Of The Week in the paper?
That's me there, looking awkwardly French as usual 😅

Bristol24/7 is supporting independent High Street businesses in these uncertain times, so a big Thank You from us!

Article below.
Shop of the Week: We Make Bristol, Westbury-on-Trym

This handmade gift shop sells a wide array of items all crafted in Bristol

18/04/2025

Hello lovelies,
The shop is open today (Good Friday) as normal.
Nancy will be keeping the show on the road, as I'm having a cheeky day off for my birthday and going to see a Jane Austen play tonight (Janeite to the core, who's with me?)

Much love to you all
Isabelle

10/03/2025

Hello you lovely lot! Sorry I've not been on here for a while, I've been rather poorly and the Team has kept the shop running in the meantime. (Big Big thanks!)
Back in today and buzzing to show uou some lovely new makers and items coming soon!

If you want a particular maker in the shop, either an old favourite or a new one, do let me know!
Also looking into hosting more workshops.
What say you?

Much love. Isabelle