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Introducing Scottish Honeyberry Growers, a dedicated cooperative of passionate fruit cultivators, eager to unveil their naturally grown superfruit at the London Country Living Christmas Fair. As November approaches, get ready for a delightful and wholesome holiday season as you discover the wonders of their Honeyberries. Join us in exploring the remarkable journey of Scottish Honeyberry Growers and get ready for the upcoming Fairs, where their exceptional superfruit will take center stage. Meet the Maker: Scottish Honeyberry Growers Instagram Facebook Youtube Envelope Interview with Catherine Sim. Introducing Scottish Honeyberry Growers, a dedicated cooperative of passionate fruit cultivators, eager to unveil their naturally grown super fruit at the London Country Living Christmas Fair.As November approaches, get ready for a delightful and wholesome holiday season as you discover the wonders of their Honeyberries. Join us in exploring the remarkable journey of Scottish Honeyberry Growers and get ready for the upcoming Fairs, where their exceptional super fruit will take centre stage. BOOK FAIR tickets HERE Tell us a little bit about your work… Scottish Honeyberry Growers is a farmers’ cooperative that was formed in 2017. Honeyberries are edible honeysuckles packed with polyphenols, anthocyanins, antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium. All the goodness packed in them makes the Honeyberry a super fruit. How did it all start? One of our growers was on their honeymoon in Japan and came across Honeyberries in various products (in Japan, the berries are known as “the berry of longevity”). Intrigued by the health benefits and cultivation methods, he did some more research. Subsequently, a group of farmers visited Canada, where Honeyberries have been grown commercially, to learn more. The fact that Honeyberries thrive in our climate in Scotland due to their frost resistance and hardy nature made them a perfect fit. Honeyberry plants bloom in February/March, which is early, and for cross-pollination, we rely on native Masonry Bees and Bumblebees. The orchards are surrounded by wildflower strips to provide food for the bees and encourage their visits. What inspires you? Scottish Honeyberry Growers are inspired by cultivating a healthy, versatile berry that promotes bee activity and supports healthy eating. BOOK FAIR tickets HERE What is your creation process?   Sustainability, wellbeing, staying true to our brand, and all-natural elements are what we prioritize when creating new products and concepts. You have to love it to share it. What makes you, your brand or products unique?   We sell Scotland’s very own super fruit. What is your next project? Our next project involves releasing a coated range of Honeyberries, including yogurt and chocolate-covered Honeyberries. Queen Margaret University has been experimenting with potential recipes and products for us. We look forward to expanding on their hard work and continuing our collaboration. What is your biggest achievement? Our most significant achievement to date is being featured in The Hairy Bikers Go Local series on January 6, 2023. What is your best-selling product?   Our 50g Freeze-Dried Honeyberry pouch is our most popular product. What are you looking forward to the most about exhibiting at the Christmas Fair? We love the extensive range of products available for visitors, making it a fantastic day out that introduces people to many new brands. Your three top tips for crafters and makers… Be 110% committed to your product.Share your story.Put yourself out there. More information on Scottish Honeyberry Growers can be found here. BOOK your fair tickets Share this article Instagram Facebook Youtube Envelope Link The Wick & Wax Co.: Stand Award Winner 20-December-2023 No Comments Welcome to The Wick & Wax Co. – your backstage pass to the artistry and passion behind Sasha’s luxury candle brand. Join us as we share how it all began, the inspiration behind their signature scents, and a glimpse into Read More » Rhian John Paintings: contemporary colourful canvas and prints 11-December-2023 No Comments Welcome to the vibrant world of RJP Artistry, where Rhian and Mr J bring art to life with a burst of colour. Join us on a brief journey from graphic design to full-time artistry, exploring the charm of their Stratford Read More » Milina London: Handcrafted Gold and Sterling Silver Jewellery 6-November-2023 No Comments Explore the world of Milina London, where timeless elegance meets contemporary craftsmanship. Join us as we share our passion for artisan jewellery and the inspirations that drive their creations. From North London to India and Mexico, Milina infuses her talents Read More » Dr Jackson’s Skincare & Wellness 3-November-2023 No Comments Meet Dr Jackson’s Skincare and Wellness, a UK-based cosmetics company that combines the best of nature and science. Founded in 2012, this innovative brand draws inspiration from traditional herbal remedies and indigenous plant knowledge, crafting natural skincare products and organic Read More » Freddie’s Flowers: fresh flowers 2-November-2023 No Comments Meet Freddie’s Flowers, a floral oasis delivering nature’s essence to your door. With meticulously handpicked bouquets in three distinct sizes, their mission is to offer style, freshness, and unique floral experiences. Join us as we explore the world of flowers Read More » Cruan: enamelled vessels 27-October-2023 No Comments In the heart of Cornwall, Cruan rose from the ashes of a devastating fire, crafting exquisite artistry. Explore their journey from tragedy to triumph, their unique enamelling process, and the inspiration drawn from the Cornish landscape. Discover what makes them Read More »

Karen Levi Borley, a skilled and eco-conscious jewellery designer, is poised to showcase her meticulously handcrafted and sustainable creations at the London and Harrogate Country Living Christmas Fairs. With November’s arrival, brace yourself for an enchanting festive experience, as Karen’s unique pieces promise to make this Christmas truly special. Explore Karen Borley’s captivating journey and anticipate the upcoming Fairs… Meet the Maker: Quince Jewellery Instagram Facebook Youtube Envelope Interview with Karen Levi Borley Karen Levi Borley, a skilled and eco-conscious jewellery designer, is poised to showcase her meticulously handcrafted and sustainable creations at the London and Harrogate Country Living Christmas Fairs. With November’s arrival, brace yourself for an enchanting festive experience, as Karen’s unique pieces promise to make this Christmas truly special. Explore Karen Borley’s captivating journey and anticipate the upcoming Fairs… BOOK FAIR tickets HERE Tell us a little bit about your work… Handmade silver and gem-set jewellery. I describe most of my work as suitable for washing up and gardening – in other words, you can wear it all the time, and it will absorb the patina of your life. I want my jewellery to become your new BFF.Even as a little girl, I loved making jewellery, and now I am thrilled to have my own jewellery business. In my youth, I worked for the famous De Beers Diamonds and fashion houses such as Mulberry; all that experience informs what I create now. Mostly silver and chunky, I design jewellery I want to wear and share with like-minded women. The Quince spirit matches the mood of sustainable fashion – made to last by talented craftspeople. How did it all start? I was looking for a new outlet for my creativity and my entrepreneurial spirit. An old friend in India reminded me of how much I already knew about jewellery and offered to introduce me to her stone dealer. So, I packed up the kids, and we went to India for half term, leaving the dogs and husband at home. We all had a blast soaking up the color, noise, and culture. What inspires you? I studied Art History, and that certainly underpins my jewellery design. I love to find the jewels in Renaissance paintings and often mimic their shapes. Historical jewels were so important as a mark of status or personality. I think today, our jewellery is still a strong statement of who we are and what the world should think about our taste and style. BOOK FAIR tickets HERE What is your creation process?   I am in my happy place, choosing gems and planning collections. I only design and make jewellery that I would love to wear myself. Shops, magazines, gardens, and junk shops are all sources of visual inspiration – I love a good rummage. I will often start with beautiful stones and work out a design from there. Shapes have to be fluid and organic; otherwise, they can be uncomfortable. Enhancing natural beauty in the color and shape of stones is very important. What makes you, your brand or products unique? Every hand that picks up a hammer makes a unique mark. I love the fact that each piece carries the marks of the hand that made it. Combined with my eye for history and color, those handmade imprints make each piece unique. What is your next project? Besides gemstones, I also love textiles. I’m so tempted to do more with textiles, but I do run the risk of getting carried away, so I’ll probably keep it very modest. We’ll see! What is your biggest achievement? I am very proud of my little business – it has come so far in the last 5 years, but two historical achievements I am very proud of.  A showcase for young art students to have their jewellery designs made in diamonds and gold and then auctioned at Harvey Nichols.   And secondly, an exhibition and book I wrote about the History of the Diamond Engagement Ring – another labour of love. What is your best-selling product?   People love my Portia earrings that combine two fabulous gemstones – the options are endless! They are elegant, timeless, and very wearable. This was one of my first designs; I’ve never seen anything quite like it, and it remains a firm favorite. What are you looking forward to the most about exhibiting at the Christmas Fair? I love that they bring the pages of the magazine to life; I’m a long-time subscriber. I also used to live in Islington, very close to the old Agricultural Hall that is now home to the London Christmas Fair. And, of course, I love meeting the other traders and returning customers. Your three top tips for crafters and makers…   Try to assess if there is a market for what you make. Do you want this to be a business rather than a hobby? Both are valid but different. Stay strong, but be open to advice. Talk to lots of people, then make up your mind. Running your own business can be tough and lonely, but also very rewarding. More information on Quince Jewellery can be found here. BOOK your fair tickets Share this article Instagram Facebook Youtube Envelope Link The Wick & Wax Co.: Stand Award Winner 20-December-2023 No Comments Welcome to The Wick & Wax Co. – your backstage pass to the artistry and passion behind Sasha’s luxury candle brand. Join us as we share how it all began, the inspiration behind their signature scents, and a glimpse into Read More » Rhian John Paintings: contemporary colourful canvas and prints 11-December-2023 No Comments Welcome to the vibrant world of RJP Artistry, where Rhian and Mr J bring art to life with a burst of colour. Join us on a brief journey from graphic design to full-time artistry, exploring the charm of their Stratford Read More » Milina London: Handcrafted Gold and Sterling Silver Jewellery 6-November-2023 No Comments Explore the world of Milina London, where timeless elegance meets contemporary craftsmanship. Join us as we share our passion for artisan jewellery and the inspirations that drive their creations. From North London to India and Mexico, Milina infuses her talents Read More » Dr Jackson’s Skincare & Wellness 3-November-2023 No Comments Meet Dr Jackson’s Skincare and Wellness, a UK-based cosmetics company that combines the best of nature and science. Founded in 2012, this innovative brand draws inspiration from traditional herbal remedies and indigenous plant knowledge, crafting natural skincare products and organic Read More » Freddie’s Flowers: fresh flowers 2-November-2023 No Comments Meet Freddie’s Flowers, a floral oasis delivering nature’s essence to your door. With meticulously handpicked bouquets in three distinct sizes, their mission is to offer style, freshness, and unique floral experiences. Join us as we explore the world of flowers Read More » Cruan: enamelled vessels 27-October-2023 No Comments In the heart of Cornwall, Cruan rose from the ashes of a devastating fire, crafting exquisite artistry. Explore their journey from tragedy to triumph, their unique enamelling process, and the inspiration drawn from the Cornish landscape. Discover what makes them Read More »

Meet the Maker: HITTITE Instagram Facebook Youtube Envelope Meet the Maker: HITTITE Instagram Facebook Youtube Envelope A new face will be joining us at the Country Living Christmas Fair in London this year and we can’t wait to give them a warm welcome! Seyda Tuzunalper, creator of Hittite, will be exhibiting with us for the first time this year. We caught up with Seyda to hear all about her company and the journey. Read on to find out more… BOOK FAIR tickets HERE Tell us a little bit about your work… Our company brings a tasteful touch to your homes and businesses with its carefully selected, exceptional and elegant home and fine dining decoration products.  Hittite London, our brand in UK, was born in 2021, introducing our top of the quality handcrafted products with UK customers. Through our exclusive partnerships, and our 45 years’ experience of handcrafted production in Istanbul – Turkey, we aim to meet bespoke requirements of not only our retail customers, but also hospitality businesses.  Based in North London, providing high-quality products across all customers in UK.  How did it all start? Hittite London is our dream coming true. With our extensive experience and partnerships with producers across Turkey, we decided to introduce our top of the range products with UK consumers.   The objective of our company is to provide exclusive and unique handcrafted products which are not commonly found on the high street. What inspires you? Our dream is to be the elegant touch with exclusive and authentic products decorating everyday experiences.    BOOK FAIR tickets HERE What is your creation process?   We select our products through a very careful process, to provide the highest quality of handcrafted items at affordable prices. We leverage our extended business partnerships as well as our own production facilities in Turkey.   What makes you, your brand or products unique? Authenticity, quality, and elegance are the three major pillars of our product range.   What is your next project? We want to grow our business through B2B engagements and with top retailers in UK and beyond.  What is your biggest achievement? We have established and grown our retail and wholesale engagements in UK, alongside with constantly growing product range being offered both online and instore.  What is your best-selling product?   Our tabletop fine dining decoration products and unique lantern candles are our top sellers.    What are you looking forward to the most about exhibiting at the Christmas Fair? We are very excited to participate in Country Living Fairs. This will be our fist experience with these initiatives. We have high expectations of further growth opportunities and brand awareness through such engagements.  Your three top tips for crafters and makers… Sustainability, quality and operational discipline are the top three factors which have been key to our success. Hence, when we are picking our faux leather products being handcrafted in Turkey, we pick highest standards of production methods. All our faux leather products are certified as vegan.  More information on Hittite can be found here. BOOK your fair tickets Share this article Instagram Facebook Youtube Envelope Link The Wick & Wax Co.: Stand Award Winner 20-December-2023 No Comments Welcome to The Wick & Wax Co. – your backstage pass to the artistry and passion behind Sasha’s luxury candle brand. Join us as we share how it all began, the inspiration behind their signature scents, and a glimpse into Read More » Rhian John Paintings: contemporary colourful canvas and prints 11-December-2023 No Comments Welcome to the vibrant world of RJP Artistry, where Rhian and Mr J bring art to life with a burst of colour. Join us on a brief journey from graphic design to full-time artistry, exploring the charm of their Stratford Read More » Milina London: Handcrafted Gold and Sterling Silver Jewellery 6-November-2023 No Comments Explore the world of Milina London, where timeless elegance meets contemporary craftsmanship. Join us as we share our passion for artisan jewellery and the inspirations that drive their creations. From North London to India and Mexico, Milina infuses her talents Read More » Dr Jackson’s Skincare & Wellness 3-November-2023 No Comments Meet Dr Jackson’s Skincare and Wellness, a UK-based cosmetics company that combines the best of nature and science. Founded in 2012, this innovative brand draws inspiration from traditional herbal remedies and indigenous plant knowledge, crafting natural skincare products and organic Read More » Freddie’s Flowers: fresh flowers 2-November-2023 No Comments Meet Freddie’s Flowers, a floral oasis delivering nature’s essence to your door. With meticulously handpicked bouquets in three distinct sizes, their mission is to offer style, freshness, and unique floral experiences. Join us as we explore the world of flowers Read More » Cruan: enamelled vessels 27-October-2023 No Comments In the heart of Cornwall, Cruan rose from the ashes of a devastating fire, crafting exquisite artistry. Explore their journey from tragedy to triumph, their unique enamelling process, and the inspiration drawn from the Cornish landscape. Discover what makes them Read More »

Purple Sage Soap Company A new face will be joining us at the Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow this year and we can’t wait to give them a warm welcome! Ann Carter, founder of Purple Sage Soap Company, will be exhibiting with us for the first time this year. We caught up with Ann to hear all about her company and the journey she has been on as a fledgling business starting out in just 2021! Read on to find out more… Tell us a little bit about your work…Purple Sage Soap Company produces handmade, vegan  soaps and natural skincare products. Located in the beautiful Scottish Borders, we are a rural, woman owned business. Using only plant-based ingredients that are ethically sourced, we create luxury products that are kind to your skin and the planet.  All of our products are made in small batches, not commercially produced, using the traditional cold process method of soap making. With our products being handmade, this also makes them unique! How did it all start?My love of soap making began whilst I was living and working in Germany. I spent hours watching some of the best soap makers such as Ariane Arsenault, Jerika Zimmerman and Sorcery Soaps to name but a few, and I was hooked. So I purchased a kit and that’s where the story starts. I returned to the UK in 2020 and immediately started to plan my soap business. Even though the company was incorporated in 2021, because of COVID and life I spent most of the time experimenting with soap making, selling at small shows and working full time for another company. In the later part of 2022 I decided that I wanted soap making to be my full time job and have spent the last 18 months really planning out our journey, developing our brand and this year, getting our brand out there. What inspires you?There are many things that inspire me. Living in such beautiful surroundings, other creatives, traditional crafts, magazines, social media – this list is endless! At the moment I’m giving some of my soap bars names based on themes such as mythical queens – we have a soap bar named Guinevere. Another bar is named Lillie after my daughter’s Haflinger Horse – the colours of the soap match the colour of Lillie’s mane and coat. What is your creation process?  I use the traditional art form of soap making  – the cold process – which means that I make soap from scratch.  I know and choose every ingredient that goes into my bars of soap. I don’t use melt & pour bases (pre-made bases). Using the cold process means that I work with lye, which may frighten some people, but as long as you follow all the safety procedures, then it’s a great process to work with. We combine natural oils and butters with the lye, which in turn saponifies and creates the soap. Of course we add in other natural, plant based ingredients such as luxury clays, micas, salts, essential oils, botanicals and powders.  I have a plan in mind for each loaf of soap created – not that it always goes to plan! Using the cold process method, also means that the naturally produced glycerin, stays in the bar and moisturises your skin, unlike commercially produced bars that have the glycerin taken out and sold on to make other products.  This is why cold process soaps are so good for the skin – made from natural, plant based ingredients, free from synthetics, artificial fragrances, detergents and other nasty additives. After pouring the soaps into a mould, they are left to set for 24 – 48 hours, then de-moulded and cut. Cutting the soaps, for me, is so satisfying and I know a lot of my customers love watching this too. After this, the soaps are left to cure for around 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the bar of soap. Finally, after curing, we stamp and bevel the edges of the soaps, pop them in their own individual soap sleeves, label them and pack them off, ready for their new homes. What makes you, your brand or products unique?Every bar of soap is unique as it is never mixed, swirled or poured in the same way twice! Sometimes the soaps determine what they are going to look like, despite my best plans for them. Apart from the uniqueness of each bar, our company is also much more than making and selling. We grow our own botanicals to use in our products. More importantly, we run a Make & Donate project which means we donate soap to local organisations, charities and good causes such as animal rescue centres, women’s centres, NHS, food banks and charity raffles/auctions.  Customers can also contribute directly by our Pay it Forward facility on our website. Giving back to the community is very important to us and plays an important role in the company. What is your next project? Our major project is to get the Soap Barn up and running, which will allow us to upscale our production and in turn, allow us to employ another worker that we can train in the art of soap and natural skincare production.  We also want to run soap making workshops on a regular basis at the Soap Barn – this is the most exciting project that we are working towards. What is your biggest achievement?In all honesty, my biggest achievement (at the moment) is that I haven’t given up! It has taken a huge amount of learning (especially around social media), practising and refining my craft, designing my brand, learning about all the other (not so glamorous) aspects of running a business. I have taken every opportunity to learn about growing and developing my business and have had some great support from organisations such as the South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Borders Chambers of Commerce and Business Gateway Scotland. What is your best-selling product?  Our best selling products include the Gardener’s Soap, Fruit Soap, Dry Clay Masks and our non-scented Dog Shampoo Bars made with our own botanicals and infused oils. We also have a zero waste policy, and so all the soap cuttings that come off the soaps when they have been bevelled are collected and put into a sisal soap bag. These soap scrap bags have been a real hit with our in-person customers who love the idea of not letting anything go to waste. What are you looking forward to the most about exhibiting at the Christmas Fair?I am so excited to be attending the Christmas Fair for the first time this year, in Glasgow. I love to meet my customers, old and new, chatting with them and getting to know what they like about my products. I value their opinions and feedback.  I’m looking forward to meeting other makers and creators – people are so talented & knowledgeable and I love sharing information, tips and tricks.  Your three top tips for crafters and makers… Where do I start?  I’m still learning and I don’t think that will ever change. But what I will say is never give up – believe in yourself,  your product and your worth. There is so much help and support out there for businesses, don’t be afraid to take it.

Charlotte Macey If you’re in need of the perfect homewares to brighten up your space this Spring then look no further than the fabulous Charlotte Macey. We recently caught up with Charlotte, who has been running her business since 2010, to find out a bit more about what inspires her designs and how she has found running a small business since completing her degree in Textile Design. Tell us a little bit about your work…I have been hand making embroidered and printed homeware since 2010, making pieces that showcase my unique style of illustrative embroidery and love for pattern. I’m based in the Cotswold countryside where I grew up and my embroidered illustrations and fabric designs are inspired by the beauty of my home, capturing swathes of cow parsley swaying in the breeze and wildflowers poking up through grassy fields. How did it all start?I began with a background in embroidery and degree in Textile Design, then working for a textile magazine in London, but living in a big city quickly made me realise how much I missed the countryside and so I moved home and worked in a chocolate shop and cafe. It was during these chocolate and coffee-filled days that I embroidered my first tea towel, enjoying using the piece of fabric as a blank canvas to stitch on to! I also still have the very first egg cosies that I made then too. What inspires you?I find continual inspiration in my country surroundings and the changing seasons, if there’s a name for someone obsessed with seasons, then that would be me! I try to encapsulate these moments of nature’s beauty in my work and embroideries – bringing a little bit of nature into your home! What is your creation process?  All of my work begins with embroidery, either stitching directly onto fabric, or developing my original embroideries into fabric prints. From the materials that I choose to the process of making, when I create it is to make beautiful products that will last. What makes you, your brand or products unique?I like to think that with each embroidery and piece that I make, that I’m bring nature into the home. Someone once described what I do as ‘bringing nature to life with thread’ and I think that sums it all up pretty well. What is your next project? At the moment I’m working on new homeware pieces and embroidered accessories for my Spring collection, launching at the beginning of March. There will be some new embroidered designs and patterns, as well as fresh Spring colours, and I can’t wait to see it all come together! What is your biggest achievement?I’ve worked with some really wonderful brands and companies over the last 13 years, but my favourite has to be collaborating and working on a design collection with Highgrove. It was a definite career highlight and the process of working to create a new floral design filled with honeybees was a great learning experience for me at the time. What is your best-selling product?  My work is very floral-focused and the best selling design has always been the Blue Parsley collection. It’s a mix of flowers, cow parsley and leaves, in a range of blues and greens, and I think the soft colours and array of subtle patterns sits really well in peoples homes, hence it’s popularity. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?I have so many favourite things about Country Living Fairs – firstly, the people – they’re ‘my’ people, they appreciate and seek out handmade, and I always have the most wonderful conversations when I’m at shows. I also love how well my products fit with the Country Living brand, and the overall look of the shows is always beautiful. Your three top tips for crafters and makers… Get out to shows to meet your customers if you can, putting a face to a name really helps people to connect with a brand.Create work that you love, something that you are wholeheartedly behind and you are proud of.And get chatting on your social media! It took me a long time to feel like it was okay to do talking stories on Instagram, but again it really helps to connect to people, and I haven’t looked back!

Amanda Mercer Meet Amanda Mercer, a ceramic homeware designer and the face behind the brand Amanda Mercer. We recently caught up to understand more about the process behind her beautiful creations and discover her advice for fledgling businesses following her 10+ years as an artisan designer. Read on to find out more… Company OverviewI am Amanda, a ceramic designer and maker behind Amanda Mercer, ceramic design and loveliness. I create porcelain gifts and homeware. How did it all start?Ever since I can remember I have always loved drawing and creating which eventually led me to study BA Contemporary Applied Arts, gaining a First Class Honours Degree at the University of Cumbria. It was a fantastic diverse course which combined, embroidery, ceramics, printed textiles, and constructed textiles. It was in my third year where I found my love for clay and that was it, I was hooked! After a successful degree show where I had sold quite a few of my pieces and started to supply galleries and take part in exhibitions my business was established.   The story behind the name… It was just a natural choice to use my name and my tag line became ‘Ceramic design and loveliness.’ Where are you based?In Cumbria. I work from my home studio based in the heart of the city centre in Carlisle. What inspires you?Beautiful things, nature, textures, fabrics, pattern, mark making. I also find inspiration from my collection as a piece I make may give me an idea and inspire a new piece which is mostly how my collection has developed over the years. I also enjoy flicking through home styling magazines and watching interior design programmes. What is your creation process?  When creating I use many techniques within my process. My main style is imprinting textiles into the clay surface which I then hand build into different forms. I love the whiteness of the porcelain so mainly choose to leave the decoration completely raw but I also use different colours of oxides or underglaze as an inlay to add colour and highlight the surface pattern.I also use slip casting as a technique where liquid porcelain is poured into a plaster mould. Gold lustre and decal transfers also feature in my pieces to give colour and surface pattern or text decoration.My pieces are fired up to three times in the kiln. A bisc firing is the first firing which allows me to then decorate and glaze the piece. These then go back in to the kiln for a glaze firing where I fire up to 1250 degrees. Then if I am adding lustre or decals these are fired for a third time. What makes you, your brand or products unique?Everything I design and create is completely made by me in my own personal style and because it is handmade, each piece will always be slightly different. I can also make to order and personalise most of the pieces I make creating special keepsakes to be enjoyed for years to come. An ideal choice for a birthday, Wedding, new baby or any other special occasion. What is your next project? I have many ideas jotted down to design and create samples and will be working on some new pieces for Spring. I always get suggestions from customers which are great to try out and lovely to have new fresh pieces from time to time. What are your plans for the next 12 months? Exploring new ideas and sampling. Making stock for my online shop and future Fairs. I also recently joined the Country Living Marketplace so looking forward to spending some time adding lots more loveliness on to that. I enjoy how each day can be different and the different directions my work can take me. What is your biggest achievement?There are a few that stand out for me. Gaining a First Class BA Honours degree and supplying the National Trust with pieces of my work. I was also absolutely delighted to have won the Editors Choice Award at the Country Living Christmas Fair, London back in 2011 and most recently being awarded the Best dressed stand award at the Glasgow Fair in 2022. I was so overwhelmed and over the moon to have won. What is your best-selling product?  My decorations are always a popular choice. I create many different ones including Christmas and Spring shapes and patterns. Also my porcelain tokens and pocket hugs are perfect little letterbox gifts that can be sent direct to a loved one. How was your first experience at the Country Living Fair?My first retail event and where I launched my business was at the Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow back in 2010 and I have exhibited there ever since. The Fair has always been a special event for me. It was such a lovely confidence boost as it was definitely a step out of my comfort zone but I received a warm welcome and such lovely feedback. The biggest compliment is customers purchasing my work. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?I look forward to the Country Living Fairs every year! I love seeing and catching up customers past and present, exhibitors, meeting new faces, the festive atmosphere, and being surrounded by creative and small businesses. Your three top tips for crafters and makers… Just enjoy creating. It will shine through you and your work.Share your makes on social media or with family and friends, people like to see what you have been working on.Try out different ideas. Some things may work or not work out but it’s all part of the creative process. Any advice for fledgling businesses…  Just go for it. You always have to try and give something a go. You never know where it may lead to! Also don’t be afraid to ask for advice, people like to help!

The Lost Girls In our latest Meet the Maker Q&A we have been catching up with Aoife and Georgie, the pair behind the brand The Lost Girls who joined us at our last Country Living Christmas Fair in London. As an artisan company still in their very first year of business, we couldn’t wait to find out more about their backstory and their new Valentines product drop which is now on the market! Company OverviewThe Lost Girls is so much more than an interior brand. Made up of two friends who studied textile design together at Nottingham Trent University, the pair have come together to bring their passion to life.Aoife, an embroidery designer and Georgie, who specialises in accessories and print design make the majority of their products in house or with local suppliers based in the UK.They care about zero waste and doing their bit for the environment, so any fabric products that aren’t selling will be made into something else. How did it all start?The founders, Aoife and Georgie, met at Nottingham Trent University whilst studying Textiles. Aoife specialising in Embroidery and Georgie in Print, they have always dreamed of having a studio they both can develop these passions with. Deciding to give a career in fashion a chance, they both delved into this after University. However, feeling like it wasn’t quite fulfilling them how they expected, they went back to the studio dream of owning their own business together. The story behind the name… Everyone loves our names and always asks us about this! From working together every day we predicted even though we planned to venture into the world of fashion, that one day in our 20’s we would be lost in what to do with our careers. Having come to the realisation that this was happening, The Lost Girls was born. Where are you based?We are based in London, just by the river in Battersea, so you can catch us on our lunchtime walks around there. We love to meet new people, so please knock if you see our studio and come and say hello! What inspires you?One of the main reasons we started TLG together is because our inspiration comes from the same source. Pattern – specifically florals and all things colours! Colour is so important to us both, sometimes interiors can be so plain, and we like to bring our personalities into everything we possibly can. What is your creation process?  Depending on the project, whether it’s bespoke or a collection this can vary. For bespoke projects we work closely with the client, seeing their ideas, creating mood boards or samples to then choosing the fabric and colours. For our collections we try and see what’s inspiring us and work from there, collecting fabrics and items to bring together our ideas whilst sketching and making as we go along. One thing that is always the same is everything is handmade by us, here in our London studio or with local artisan UK makers. What makes you, your brand or products unique?We feel here at TLG we are more of a community than a brand, we want to bring people together with events and homeware that lasts a lifetime. We try not to follow a structure of trends and seasons but more what inspires us. A big element of our work is sustainability and thinking about the environment. We don’t want to be another mass churning addition to the cycle of consumerism, however we are always on the lookout to improve. We want The Lost Girls to be a lifestyle brand, not just an interior shop. What is your next project? We have just done our Valentines collection, bringing 100% Pink Irish Linens a lovely new life with our personalised napkins and tablecloths. However we are so excited to bring our Easter collection to you, we are trying to source lots of beautiful items from charity shops and second hand shops around London. Making use of the already intricate things out there whilst giving them a second life on your tables! What are your plans for the next 12 months? Our plan throughout the year is something that changes a lot! However, something we have tried to stick to is evolving different elements of our business. We are currently working with lots of wedding planners, event clients and supper clubs to bring out the bespoke elements of our business whilst bringing you beautiful, well thought out products. We have had a few of our own events planned, having just had a special Valentines event – in which we taught hand embroidery on our TLG tote bags. However we want to push this side of our business to really see the full potential and meet more of you lovely customers! What is your biggest achievement?As our business is still in its first year, we both agree this fact in itself is our biggest achievement. From setting it up to balancing all the different aspects of it has been something we are very proud of. Aside from this, having the privilege to work with brands such as Lulu Guinness and authors such as Roxie Nafousi at their events have been a huge highlight this year for TLG! What is your best-selling product?  We currently have a few best sellers, our product that everyone loves is our Bonita Pillar candle. We have this in a variety of colours and it’s just so different, a Soy wax pillar candle embossed with our bespoke pattern based on our embroidery. This product is so special and unique to us, it’s our favourite also – we have about 3 each at home! Aside from this our napkins have been super popular especially now we personalise these, people have been loving them recently! How was your first experience at the Country Living Fair?We really enjoyed the other companies we met at CLF, seeing how they developed their business really inspired us. We were lucky enough to be around really supportive brands and felt this made the experience really fun and such a learning experience for us. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?We like that they include smaller brands such as ourselves, allowing us to showcase who we are to such a wide audience and be able to interact with our lovely customers! Your three top tips for crafters and makers… This is hard for us as we are so new, and so still taking all the tips we can get! But so far we would say, stick to what you know and love – this way you’re as passionate about the product you sell as your customers would be. Trust your gut, even though sometimes it seems everyone knows what they are doing, they don’t – they are just trusting themselves. And lastly, enjoy it! It really is a once in a lifetime experience working for yourself and we try to remind ourselves of that every day. Any advice for fledgling businesses…  Being a sort of ‘fledgling’ business ourselves our advice is make sure you are confident in your business and what you do. Everyone will question you a million and one times about it and as long as you believe in it, so will everyone else!

Lást Maps In our latest Meet the Maker Q&A we have been catching up with Angel and Tom, the pair behind the enchanting brand Lást Maps. Having joined us recently at our 2022 Country Living Christmas Fair in Harrogate, and winning our Editor’s Choice Award, we decided it was time to discover a little bit more about their company and the fabulous ethos of slow living, adventure and traditional artwork they embody.  Company OverviewLást Maps is a petit design studio that’s made up of a small team of two (Angel & Tom). The studio specialises in heritage style ink work – a timeless design style that we use across cartography, illustration and design. We run the Lást shop too – which sells artwork and apparel, which we were lucky enough to share at the Country Living Fair. How did it all start?Our story began in the snowy mountains of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. We’d just finished hiking the iconic Routeburn Track, and one evening cosied up next to a roaring fire we sketched up the adventure in the form of an illustrated map. Other hikers were soon asking for copies, and our brand took flight from there. This organic moment was the key that unlocked the application of our creative talents in the business world. It was unexpected, but in hindsight was a long time coming. From there, the brand grew steadily to what it is today: a small studio that specialises in heritage style ink work, which takes the form of maps, illustration and branding. The story behind the name… Lást is an Old English word that encompasses the notion of a ‘footprint’ or ‘track’ – it essentially means ‘to go journey’. We wanted a name that captured the magic of times gone by, and the meaning behind the word resonated so firmly with us. Our brand is for the wanderers and the explorers in each of us, and the name we fly on the flag had to capture this. As a side note, it also makes sense when read as ‘last’ in the modern world – we celebrate a slower approach to design and life, and last sings to this. Where are you based?We’re based in York now, the historic heart of North Yorkshire. We’re originally from down near the South Coast but visited York four or five years ago and immediately fell in love with it. There’s some of the countries most breath-taking national parks just an hour or so away along with a really exciting rising creative scene. What inspires you?We could ramble for hours here, so we’ll keep it concise. Most of our biggest inspirations come from the natural world, whether from moments spent hiking or perhaps even just sitting in the garden watching the storm clouds build. There’s so much to fill the inspiration tank up with day to day. Where possible we spend time each year scuba diving too – lots of our current work is ocean inspired, so it’s important to get below the surface where we can. Aside from this, our style inspiration comes from lots of work from last century – particularly scientific illustrations and brand identities from the times before cameras were invented. What is your creation process?  Our process always begins with introducing ourselves to the topics we’ll be working with. Whether researching an animal, or hanging out with a brand, it all starts with a form of conversation. From there, it’s all about sketching – so we’ll grab ourselves a coffee and lay down some pencil work. These will get refined before the pen scrapes the paper and the ink flows. We like to create the right atmosphere throughout the creative journey, so our studio is tailored to the process with work on the wall that inspires us, along with a fine-tuned working space that keeps the engines running smoothly. What makes you, your brand or products unique?It’s a combination of different approaches that makes our brand unique. The style of our work is of course our unique fingerprint, but it’s the application if this style across such varied projects that makes us different. You can always tell it’s design work by our hands, but it takes the form of everything from maps to logo marks. We have a slower approach our clients seem to really value in the journey too, good things take time and we like to sit you at the drawing board wherever possible. What is your next project? We’re about to embark on our third edition of a map of the River Test. Our first big project as a studio was of this river, and we’ve revisited in a second edition since, and have just been approached to do a third and final version. It’s our most ambitious cartography project yet, and will tell the story of this famous chalk stream from source to sea. They’ll only be 100 copies available, and it’ll mark the end of a real love affair. We’re working on some really exciting label designs for some vineyards near Milan too, which we can’t wait to tell you more about. Aside from this we’re whipping up some classic designs too for some ocean charities too, which we love. What are your plans for the next 12 months? The next twelve months is all about developing our visual story telling tool box even further. We’ve just started to collaborate with a company called XR Stories – where we’ll be pushing the boundaries of interactive story-telling in the form of immersive maps. It’s a research project that will push our skill set to the max, breaking the boundaries of what we think we can achieve with illustrated maps – it’s all down to utilising the amazing immersive technologies available. Our shop is growing more and more too – so this year will present exciting new challenges and collaborations for this side of our business. What is your biggest achievement?We tend to treat every design project with the same fresh perspective, so each feels like our biggest achievement when the client falls in love with what we produce. It feels like we’re dodging the question but we sincerely feel the same achievement each time. We love to celebrate the small victories each week too – perhaps it’s learning something new, improving our technique, or selling a new product. One particular thing we will say though is that winning the Country Living Editor’s Choice award this year was a big deal – we were over the moon. What is your best-selling product?  Our best-selling product line is our botanical series – this includes three different artworks that act as identification artworks for fungi, plants you can forage and trees you’ll see on your adventures. Our Lake District map has always been popular, but we were surprised how quickly these botanical artworks established themselves as our front runners. We’re about to launch a garden birds artwork that we think could be a new challenger to the ‘best seller’ title. Your experience of your first Country Living Fair?Our first year was a roller coaster, from designing the space we were exhibiting in to deciding what artwork to showcase, we learned so much and loved every minute. So many other makers were there to lend their experience, and the whole thing was expertly choreographed by the Country Living Fairs team – we felt looked after every step of the way. We’re really excited to return again later this year – and can’t wait to dive deeper into the stall design. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?This year was our first, and we fell in love with the fair for lots of reasons. It was an enriching experience getting to meet so many lovey people who wanted to learn about the brand and bring some of our artwork home, it was such a fulfilling experience. Country Living have created such a unique event, that attracted such a high standard of crafters and makers, so we left feeling super inspired and with new friends in the industry. We truly can’t wait for the next one. Your three top tips for crafters and makers… When it comes to exhibiting at the fair the most important thing to consider is the story you want to tell in your stall. You have this wonderful opportunity to take a blank canvas and sing your song to victors, here’s three things we found were essential:Don’t overcrowd too much, let your products breath and leave space for visitors to interact with themLighting is really crucial, so consider how you can use different formats to set the right vibe. We used lots of lanterns and some fairy lights to create a warm welcomeAlthough we didn’t this year, painting the walls is great tool in the toolbox to bring your brand to life Any advice for fledgling businesses…  Such a great question and one that could explore so many directions. The most important advice we like to share is to just start. To begin. It can be so daunting when you look at the journey ahead, with so many ways of doing things and people offering different advice. The most useful thing you can do is just take that first step though, and to take your time. Build slow and steady and don’t hesitate to ask other brands for help – we learned so much by hanging out with the people that inspire us. People are so happy to offer a helping hand – there’s room for everyone at the creative table and really exciting things happen when you collaborate like this. Before you know it, years have gone by and you’ve refined your process and built your client list. That all starts with that next step, so jump in.

Lucas Ruth When it comes to running a successful artisan business with a young family, Adam and Vicky from Lucas Ruth certainly know a thing or two! We’ve recently caught up with the pair after they attended our Country Living Christmas Fair in Harrogate to find out more about the story behind their brand and the creative process that goes into making such beautiful leather pieces.  Company OverviewWe are Adam and Vicky from Lucas Ruth (name will be explained later on…), we are a married couple who have a beautiful daughter, and we love creating leather products! We mainly make leather journals, but we dabble in other leather products too! How did it all start?My love of leather began when I worked in one of the most prestigious leather companies in England, where I hand dyed, treated and finished leather. As a creative person, I eventually became eager to make my own products out of this material that I had been using. So I started making leather journals as gifts to friends, and I then eventually turned it into my full time business. The story behind the name… My names Adam, and my wife’s name is Vicky…Adam Vicky didn’t have a good ring to it, so we went with our middle names instead ‘Lucas Ruth’. Family is so important to us, and we really wanted to reflect that in our business name. Where are you based?We are based in Walsall, which has a rich heritage in leather. Our workshop is above our local coffee shop, come say hi and we’ll give you a tour! What inspires you?I honestly want to make a great life for my family, the people I love! I feel so fortunate to be able to be creative and expressive as a job. What is your creation process?  Unravelling a leather hide, seeing all the natural edges, scarring, stretch marks and even vein marks of the cow, which all add to its character.Then envisioning the different products I plan to make with it, and how the natural characteristics of the cow hide compliment what I’m about to make! What makes you, your brand or products unique?Every one of our products will look different, we use extremely high quality top grain leather, which keeps all the natural characteristics of a the cow hide in.We also have a passion to help others be creative, which is why we have released Make Your Own Journal Kits, which give you everything that you need to make your own leather journal…and it only takes about 30 minutes!! What is your next project? We have been gifted a Singer industrial leather sewing machine from 1940 – we plan to fix it up …what we’ll use it for who knows…up until now, everything that we make, we sew by hand. What are your plans for the next 12 months? We plan on brining out some new products, and also some new DIY leather kits! What is your biggest achievement?It’s a hard question to answer, as all I can think of are lots of little achievements that have become building blocks over time. Last year, we took our new-born baby to over 4 weeks worth of shows/exhibitions – that’s got to be up there with our biggest achievement! What is your best-selling product?  Our Evergreen leather journal is our best selling book, having rich dark green tones of leather wrapped round our Italian milled off white pages.Closely joint is our Make Your Own Journal Kits, which have been a massively popular success. Your experience of your first Country Living Fair?It’s just such a pleasurable environment, everything looks amazing! Even as a trader, I find myself sneaking off to do lots of shopping. I love the high standard and quality that it has, clearly a lot of effort is put into the organising of the event. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?I love seeing so many high quality products that people have made, it’s really inspiring. Your three top tips for crafters and makers… Think outside the box, there’s always a new material that you can be creative with!Ask friends/family for feedback on your work – but also don’t be too hard on yourself!Try and express yourself creatively with whatever you are making. Any advice for fledgling businesses…  Surround yourself with people who are further on than you, take some classes and make time for plenty of practice!