Shopping: Shop Talk

IF YOU'RE feeling short of inspiration at the thought of having to buy your Christmas presents, get down to Sussex this weekend and get into the seasonal shopping spirit at the Turner Dumbrell Craft Workshops Christmas Open Weekend. To help you along the way, there will be mince pies to nibble on and a glass or two of wine to sip as you make your way round the 12 craft studios.

The workshop themes range from silverware and sculpture to ceramics, cards and clocks and each of the different craftsmen and women will be on hand to discuss ideas, take on commissions or personalise their work to a particular request.

The price of each piece on display ranges from pounds 3 to pounds 2,000 so it should be easy enough to find something you can afford. And, of course, the great thing about this kind of shopping, apart from the mince pies, is that there is no chance of waking up on Christmas morning to find that someone else has bought your Mum the same present as you.

The Open Weekend takes place today and tomorrow from 10am to 5pm at The Turner Dumbrell Workshops, North End, Ditchling, Sussex (contact Rebecca Smith on 01273 846338 for more information)