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🗞️ Your Gift List = Sorted: Handmade Finds from Local Creators
Published 3 days ago • 7 min read
Welcome
Great list of local makers and artists to meet your seasonal gift-giving needs, and a new theatre launches in Hampstead.
🎁 Gift Local: 7 Finchley Finds
Miki Shaw's collection of local landmark note cards
Meet seven brilliant local artists, creatives and makers turning neighbourhood talent into gifts worth giving.
1 Miki Shaw, Finchley Squared
Local artist Miki Shaw created Finchley Squared with images of local spots – now available as prints, cards and mugs.
Exhibition of her local landscape artworks is now on display at Redwood Café in Whetstone, where you can also purchase items.
2 Noriko Nagaoka
Japanese ceramicist, originally from Hirakata-shi, situated between Osaka and Kyoto, Noriko moved to London and set up her own home studio in her garden.
Inspired by nature, you can purchase on her Esty store or DM her. Handmade tableware in North London. Insta.
3 LunaPetal Crochet Studio Hand-crocheted floral bouquets, plus bespoke orders. Insta or Etsy shop. 4 Tracy O’Neill Jeweller Tracy studied Jewellery Design in Hatton Garden and her passion for it only increases. She makes bespoke one-off items with recycled precious metals, as well as undertaking repairs. Beautiful sterling silver work. Insta. 5 KTCD Upcycled Jewellery Katie began making jewellery from old CDs in 2018, born of a passion for recycling combined with beautiful jewellery. At KTCD you’ll find recycled bicycle inner tunes, computer circuit boards, electric cable and wine corks. Rescued from landfill and handcrafted for you. Insta. 6 Papershades Paper and collage artist Rosalind Freeborn loves working with paper, creating unique flatpack paper lampshades as well as teaching workshops for you to make your own. Insta. 7 Tin Soldier Tin Soldier in the handmade “arm” of the Can’t Buy Me Love vintage shop in Muswell Hill. Cool handmade novelties available in the store and online on Etsy. Insta.
Wrap it local this season - follow, DM and shop these makers for gifts with a proper Finchley (and surrounding area) story. 🎁
Events
ARTS
Tuesday 23rd December
Graffiti Jam | Tue, Dec. 23 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | Tarling Road Community Hub, 20 Fallows, N2 8LG | This hands-on graffiti workshop is all about making your mark. Designed for teens, it’s a chance to dive into the world of street art, explore bold lettering, experiment with bright colours, and create eye-catching designs that reflect your personality and vision.
Wednesday 31st December
The Bomber Command Tour | Wed, Dec. 31 | 11:00 am | RAF Museum London, Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL | £10 | Join the expert guides for a powerful behind-the-barriers experience through our new exhibition: Strike Hard, Strike Sure: Bomber Command 1939–1945.
Thursday 1st January
Sambuca Steve | Thu, Jan. 01 | Old Marine Arts Group, 95 Colney Hatch Ln, N10 1LR | Free | Sambuca Steve moved to London more than 30 years ago, although his accent still carries a hint of his childhood roots – almost Liverpudlian but not quite. He studied for a fine art degree and drew nearly every day, with a particular passion for comic art. A selection of his work is now on display at Old Marine Arts Group, a tattoo and art studio located on Colney Hatch Lane, until the end of January 2026
COMMUNITY
Sunday 21st December
Carols by Candlelight | Sun, Dec. 21 | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | St Mary-at-Finchley, 26 Hendon Lane, N3 1TR | Free | Carols by Candlelight - a traditional Nine Lessons service followed by mulled wine and mince pies - all are welcome.
OLDER PEOPLE
Monday 15th December
Christmas Concert and Singalong | Mon, Dec. 15 | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | The Ann Owens Centre - Age UK Barnet Oak Lane N2 8LT | Free | There'll be musical performances, a singalong, mince pies and nibbles, a glass or two of hot spiced apple juice, a tombola, a puzzle stall and a chance to buy Christmas cards designed by Age UK Barnet's art group.
SPORTS
Monday 29th December
Fitness - Move, Sweat, Grow | Mon, Dec. 29 | 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | Tarling Road Community Hub, 20 Fallows Close, N2 8LG | TBA | Designed specifically for teens, this fitness class is a chance to move your body, boost your mood, and build healthy habits that last. Whether you're into sports or just want to feel good, this session offers a supportive space to get active, challenge yourself, and grow stronger - physically and mentally.
MUSIC
Monday 29th December
K-Pop Dance Class Seniors | Mon, Dec. 29 | 11:00 am to 11:50 am | Finchley Youth Theatre, 142 High Road East Finchley, N2 9ED | TBA | Step into the spotlight with this high-energy K-Pop dance class designed especially for children who love music, movement, and fun. Inspired by the vibrant world of K-Pop, this one-off session teaches a dynamic routine based on popular hits, giving young dancers the chance to learn, perform, and shine.
Great Gatsby Christmas Party | Mon, Dec. 29 | 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm | The Ewen Hall Wood Street, EN5 4BW | £18 | The Art Deco Orchestra return to the Ewen Hall for an evening of toe-tapping nostalgic syncopation from the 1920s and 30s as we re-create the sounds of the great British and American dance bands of the inter-war years. Ballroom, swing and non-dancers all welcome.
THEATRE
Saturday 20th December
The Flat Earthers - A Short Comedy Play | Sat, Dec. 20 | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Lion & Unicorn, 42-44 Gaisford Street, NW5 2ED | £15 | A heartfelt look at the people who are deep down the conspiracy rabbit hole and what drives them to defy society.
KIDS
Saturday 20th December
Winter Wonderland At The Spires | Sat, Dec. 20 | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | The Spires, 111 High Street, EN5 5XY | Free | The Spires will transform into a Winter Wonderland. Families can meet two well-known Ice Princesses, enjoy their songs, and stop for photos. It’s a lovely experience for little ones and adds a touch of magic to the run-up to Christmas.
Events - Book Ahead
Saturday 24th January
Wild about Hampstead Heath - Big Birdwatch | Sat, Jan. 24 | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | Bird Sanctuary Pond, Hampstead Heath | Free | Join our Wildlife Interpreters near Hampstead Heath’s bird feeders for an identification session to mark the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
Saturday 31st January
Age UK Barnet: Coffee Mornings | Sat, Jan. 31 | 10:30 am to 12:00 am | Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, East Finchley, N2 8LT. | Free | Join us for a cuppa and a friendly chat at one of our new coffee mornings which are held between 10.30am to 12 noon around the borough. For more details, call Tamara on 0208 1297619 or email.
Saturday 7th February
Kombucha Workshop | Sat, Feb. 07 | 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm | Our Yard at Clitterhouse Farm, Claremont, NW2 1AP | £54.88 | If you have never tried Home Brewed Kombucha, then you are in for a marvellous surprise. Join Food Therapist Lisa for an exciting and interactive Kombucha Workshop where you'll learn how to make your own delicious and healthy kombucha at home, saving you £££'s and allowing you to get really creative with your flavours.
Local Lowdown
Action shot | Image from Belmont + Edgware Cricket Club
Cricketing
Season send-off in style. Belmont and Edgware Cricket Club finished 2025 with its AGM and awards night. Adam Morris will continue as captain. Top gongs went to Daniel Humphrey and Josh Reynolds. Teenage all rounder Elisha Lev took home two awards. The club now eyes a new league and 2026 tour.
Screening
Barnet goes on camera. The council’s new Screen Skills Plan aims to turn the borough into a major film, TV, gaming and digital media hotspot. Partnering with Middlesex University, Barnet and Southgate College, and Troubadour Studios, it will train local talent. This effort will open creative career doors and help secure Barnet’s future on the big screen.
Campaigning
Ready to represent? Barnet Council is hosting an online info session on Monday, 12 January, at 6:15 pm. This session is for anyone interested in a councillor role in the May 2026 local elections. Learn what the job’s really like - from meetings to paperwork. And get tips on standing as a party or independent candidate.
Connecting
Step, pedal, glide. Enfield Council has announced plans for a safe walking and cycling route. This new path will connect Palmers Green, Arnos Grove, and New Southgate stations. Think quieter streets, traffic-calming, and even nine fancy “parallel crossings” combining zebra and cycle lanes. One smooth route from trains to tubes - and fewer traffic tangles along the way.
Lifting
Going up? TfL’s giving Tube lifts a smart upgrade. A third of them now report automatically when they're out of service. This means apps like TfL Go can alert you before you arrive at the station. More upgrades are coming by March, and accessibility is getting a high-tech boost across the network.
The Finchleyite: Circle & Star Theatre
Lenny Beige + Jess Robinson | Image Circle + Star Theatre
The Circle and Star Theatre – above The Horseshoe pub – is an intimate independent Hampstead theatre where people, presence and artistry shine. Insta.
Launched last week - this is the return of one of London’s original ‘black box’ theatre spaces, which for 54 years was Pentameters Theatre.
Offering a mix of cabaret, spoken word, comedy and live music, it’s a new creative home for Hampstead, a 50-seat intimate, independent theatre. Led by Steve Furst (aka Lenny Beige) with Carri Hecks (general manager) and Justin Bovington (creative director), the Trustee Board includes Kate Alderton, Tim Arnold, Ashley Campbell, Melinda Hughes, Mike Leigh and Tomi Pauk.
From cabaret to comedy, this is the comeback worth seeing - book in (some shows already waitlisted) and be there early.
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Editors' Note - From Sasha
A chag urim same'ach (happy Festival of Lights) to all those locals celebrating the first of eight nights of Chanukah last night. Or a freilikhen chanukah (AH FRAY-likh-en KHAH-noo-kah) for any local Yiddish speakers.
We were with 3 generations of our local family - lots of kids, donuts and song.
Thinking of the local Jewish community after yesterday's terror attack at a Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
Kid-friendly chanukiot (7 candle candleabras) in their sparkly glory
Also, let us know about local events or local news. We curate our content to keep it a 5-minute read, so can't include everything we're sent.
And email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.
Tessa Davis
Sasha Frieze
Finchley Now
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