Meet the Maker – Ches & Co
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Ches & Co. We’ve been discussing all things upcycling and interior design with Francesca, the face behind the brand Ches & Co. We were lucky enough to have both her and Matt join us at our latest Christmas Fair in Harrogate and now we’re delving deeper into their start up story and discovering how they ended up exhibiting with us at the Country Living Fair.  Company OverviewWe are an interior design studio creating personal spaces for our clients. We use recycled and reclaimed pieces where we can and create our own collections of upcycled furniture and homeware using recycled materials. How did it all start?It started in 2020 when I was on furlough. I’ve always loved interiors, have sewn since I was 16 and have filled my home with second-hand and upcycled furniture and homeware which I love doing. Furlough gave me the opportunity to get back in touch with my creative side, so I gave myself the project of turning what I love into a business. The story behind the name… My family have always called me Ches and they have been so supportive of this new pathway that it felt like a great opportunity to use their nickname for me as the connection to my designs. The ‘Co’ is all of the people it takes to make this business and our projects successful (including Matt!!) Where are you based?We are based in Buckingham. We have recently moved into a new studio which used to be a milking shed on a really beautiful farm! We’re surrounded by some other great businesses and love the community spirit of the place. We’re hoping to put together a calendar of events for the year so that we can share our space with anyone who would love to visit us! What inspires you?Nature for sure. I love muted, earthy colours and shapes – I’m also a sucker for florals!! But I’m also inspired by the beautiful fabrics, homewares, textures, patterns and furniture pieces that we have already existing around us. Often a project or collection will begin by looking at what we have and drawing out from there. What is your creation process?  I love creating new homeware collections because I can work with all the fabrics, colours and patterns that I love! As I use recycled materials, I start by sourcing a few fabrics that I love which starts to build a picture of how the collection will feel. I then create a moodboard using the fabrics together, research current products and trends in the market then work out what else needs to be brought in to complete the collection. I create one of each product so that I can work with my very talented photographer, Stephanie O’Callaghan, to share the collection online. I then make a small amount of each product to avoid any waste and ensure that I can accommodate any customisation such as changes in size etc. Every collection is limited due to the amount of each fabric that I am able to source. What makes you, your brand or products unique?That we combine recycled products and interior design to create unique and personal spaces that reflect the owner. Whether a client would just like one accessory or a full home renovation, we are on-hand to help! What is your next project? My next project is creating our Spring/Summer collection! I love the process from developing the concept all the way through to sourcing the perfect recycled fabrics and creating new, unique pieces. What are your plans for the next 12 months? Our plans for 2023 are to build on the foundations we lay in place last year. We now have our own studio, are both focused full-time on the business and have started to plan and create our new collection of furniture and homeware. We’re looking forward to working with new clients on their interior design projects and furniture commissions – plus meeting lots of new people at events throughout the year. We’re ready to share what we do and get creative! What is your biggest achievement?My biggest achievement last year was absolutely winning Best Dressed Stand at Country Living Fair in Harrogate. What is your best-selling product?  From our homeware collection, our cushions have been popular because they are all unique. I work with recycled fabric including curtains and remnants or deadstock fabric to create pieces that wouldn’t otherwise be made. I love that what I do prevents unwanted textiles from going into landfill and creates pieces that people love again. I also make cushions to order so clients like the flexibility of different sizes or fabrics to suit their home perfectly. Your experience of your first Country Living Fair?I loved getting into the spirit of Christmas at the Fair this year. It was so great to be surrounded by so many other talented makers and see their latest pieces. It was also such a great opportunity to get to know customers face to face and chat about what we do and hear about their interiors projects first hand. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?I love being surrounded by creative people that make unique pieces and meeting customers that share our interests, too! It was really great to see so many eco-friendly brands at last year’s show – I can’t wait to see what people bring this year. Your three top tips for crafters and makers… Start the project you’ve been putting off, it’ll be so worth it.Buy the crafty bits you’ve been thinking about – and enjoy using them!Gift your makes to friends and family, they’ll appreciate them more than you think. Any advice for fledgling businesses…  Just keep doing what you love. Enjoy the creative process and get on top of the ‘boring bits’ so they don’t hold you back!
Meet the Maker – Minnie La La Desi...
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Minnie La La Designs This year we were lucky enough to have Minnie La La Designs join us at our Christmas Fair in London. We’ve caught up with the artist behind the brand, Miriam Vincent, to delve deeper into her story and discover how she ended up exhibiting with us at the Country Living Fair.  Company OverviewI create beautiful, happy art to hang in your home or work space. All of my work is one of a kind. It is not mass produced, no body else will have one like it hanging on their walls. I also have a great love for the outdoors and much of my inspiration comes from nature and the beautiful Welsh countryside where I live. To create my pieces I use oil paints because of the way they can be layered, creating thick, rich, sumptuous colours, that scream to be touched. How did it all start?After my mum died I couldn’t see any beauty in the world anywhere, I was so devastated, lost and angry that my wonderful mum had died and I just didn’t want to do anything. I even struggled to have conversations about ‘normal’ things. If I hadn’t had a young family to get out of bed in the morning for, then I’m not sure I would have, but I did, so I did. I would walk or run, whatever the weather and as I ran along the straight mile, near my home, I would scream and swear out loud at Cancer.Cancer had already taken my mum’s life and I was dammed if it was going to take mine and my family’s as well. Slowly, I started to notice the seasons change, the striking colours of the leaves on the trees, bulbs poking up out of the soil, beauty was everywhere.These were all the things my mum loved. Slowly, my anger changed to sadness, at type of sadness that was so deep in my being but I was also able to remember the love that my mum had given me, the times we had shared together and how lucky I was to of had a mum like her. It was then that I really started to paint, I painted without purpose, just to create, just to play with colour and I let the paint guide me, I didn’t realise I would end up painting what I did but the more I did the more I saw the beauty that surrounded me and I realised that it was also a representation of my relationship with my mum.Bright, colourful, extravagant, (not with money but love and time), bold, beautiful, happy, joyful.I’m becoming known as the happy artist as my work is full of life, colour and movement. There’s lots of texture in each painting. I use oil paints and love to really layer it up onto the canvas, where the trees, flowers, mountains, stars, moon or sun (all popular themes in my work) really stand out of the canvas.You can see the pallet strokes and the different colours blending together and almost feel the movement of the great outdoors. That is also the reason now for me painting, I want others to feel happier, have their spirits lifted when they look at my work but also to bring awareness of what is on our doorstep – Mother Nature is extraordinary, and we should take the time to really look at it and be with it, study it, the power of it, if we give her time, is immense. The story behind the name… I’ve been called Minnie, since forever, by my folks. My friends added the La La, later and it came from our dancing days! Where are you based?Wales. What inspires you?Mother Nature, the great outdoors is a constant source of inspiration – no matter what the season, there is always something amazing and magical to be found outside. What is your creation process?  I spend a lot of time outside and I think ideas slip into my mind without me even realising – I might be struck by the incredible colours on the trees and be inspired to play with those colours on a canvas. Sometimes I sketch ideas first but mainly I let the paint guide me, whenever I seem to have a set idea in my mind, when I try to create it on to the canvas mycreative flow just gets stuck – I work in a very organic way. What makes you, your brand or products unique?I’m very honest and real about who I am – I’m the same with my work – it’s bright, colourful, happy work without any hidden meanings – I’m not trying to prove anything but I’m colourful in my nature and my work. What is your next project? I’m about to run a Wellness Art workshop for a big corporate company, that will then result in me creating a big painting for their work space. What are your plans for the next 12 months? More wellness workshops, with businesses, people experiencing grief, I’ve just opened, with 26 other makers and creators a gallery in Abergavenny and I have some retreats in the pipe line too. What is your biggest achievement?Having the courage to be an artist and to really discover what is important to me and how I navigated myself through my grief through Mother Nature and art. What is your best-selling product?  My limited edition prints are very popular. Your experience of your first Country Living Fair?I was so excited to exhibit at CL, partly because I’d been to the fair 10 years previously and felt like I belonged and wanted to come back as a trader in some sort of capacity but wasn’t sure what that would be – I wasn’t an artist then – I think torn the advert out of the magazine and put it on my mood board – where it stayed for 5 years until I applied. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?The wide variety of traders, the buzz, the thrill, talking to stall holders and punters. Your three top tips for crafters and makers… Stay true to what you believe, keep at it, if you don’t succeed at first find another way to do it, don’t give up. Any advice for fledgling businesses…  I have a business mentor with Business Wales and that is invaluable – it’s really great to have somebody to talk things through – surround yourself with good people who believe in you but will be honest as well.
Meet the Maker – CityStack
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CityStack This year we were lucky enough to have CityStack join us at our Christmas Fair in London. This unique brand provides a particularly interesting service that is certainly beneficial during these colder months when all we want is to cosy up in a welcoming pub. We recently caught up with the founder of this wonderful brand, Alison Boutoille, to discover their origins, inspiration and plans for future projects.  Company OverviewCityStack is the perfect gift for pub lovers: a £20 stack of beer mats that allows pub lovers to get £100 worth of food & drinks at ten amazing independent London pubs.This pack offers ten money-saving coasters, each giving £10 off a £20 spend at one of the ten independent London pubs that are part of the collection: it’s a total of £100 worth of food & drinks offered per pack.How does it work? When it is time to pay, give the coaster to receive a £10 discount on your bill. This discount is available on any item on the menu (food, drinks…) at any time.With this pack, you save money, you discover, and you support a selection of great independent pubs at the same time, it’s a win-win! How did it all start?I am French, and I arrived in London in the middle of the pandemic (Oct. 2020). I fell in love with the pub culture and was fascinated by how Brits consider a pub as an extension of their living room.But I was sorry to see how people deserted these amazing places dedicated to gatherings.I decided to help prevent the disappearance of these businesses that are part of the UK’s DNA with a unique gift for pub lovers, and launched CityStack for the Christmas season, which is a great excuse to encourage people to go back to pubs. The goal? To allow Londoners to treat pub lovers with a gift that supports independent pubs.In October 2021, I was able to select ten amazing independent pubs ready to kickstart the adventure with us, and we launched a two-weeks crowdfunding campaign for Christmas, which we overachieved in a short period of time. My network has been very supportive and so the pubs. People are very sensitive to the support of these independent businesses. I was then able to order our first coasters, the packaging, and the booklets, and I spent a few nights assembling the packs.Since then, we started to generate sales both online and in retail independent shops. We also dealt partnerships with coworking spaces and have been recommended by TimeOut. The story behind the name… “City” refers to the City of London, in which we are launching our project. “Stack” refers to the stack of coasters you use to get discounts at pubs! Where are you based?We are based in London, in Spitalfields’ area. For now, our packs are prepared at home, in my living room to be very specific! I am lucky enough my flatmate accepts it to be a bit messy sometimes for producing the packs! What inspires you?The best way to get inspired and find amazing independent pubs, is to walk across London, discover hidden streets and small boozers around the corner. I usually do it when browsing the city with my DSLR to get nice pictures of places off the beaten track.I also get a lot of inspiration from discussions with friends. When I explain my project, there is always someone happy to share his/her favourite pub in a specific area. Conversations with Londoners are always a great source of inspiration for finding good independent pubs. What is your creation process?  Using our advanced ranking model and visiting scores of venues, we have hand-picked some of the very best pubs with meticulous care. We have created a selection of outstanding independent public houses across London. All have something particularly special to offer: craft beers, a hidden garden, an incredible menu or unique design.Each pub has been visited and we met every manager. Once our pubs are selected, we launch the production of the bespoke coasters and the printing of the packaging.All the packs assembled at my place, then ready to be shipped! What makes you, your brand or products unique?CityStack is a unique system that allows to discover amazing hidden gems, support independent pubs AND save money at the same time. Great pubs are willing to offer exclusive discounts with CityStack because it drives people to visit and discover them. It’s a win-win!This gift is an experience we offer to pub lovers. People like to spend time at pub, we simply encourage them to do what they enjoy the most: to connect with people. It is also a great way to support local businesses. What is your next project? If this first collection proves to be a success, we will launch new versions for other independent businesses in new cities in the UK, and with other categories (bakeries, wine shops, coffees, restaurants etc.).The goal? To connect people with independent businesses! What are your plans for the next 12 months? For the next 12 months, we plan to develop new collections, more local, dedicated to London boroughs. The goal is to allow Londoners to discover fantastic hidden gems in their own area!We also want to offer companies to treat their employees & partners with this unique gift, with personalised collections.  It can be a great gift for Christmas treat for clients, branded gift for employees, incentive prize for sales team, social media prize draw… and we already started a few discussions with some companies based in London. What is your biggest achievement?I am quite proud to have launched CityStack in such a short period of time. We already started to generate sales both online and in amazing retail independent shops such as the Brick Lane Bookshop, Inspitalfields, Funky Cellar, Mae and Harvey, or Magma bookshop.We also dealt partnerships with coworking spaces and have been recommended by TimeOut. What is your best-selling product/line?   For now, we have only one collection, the first edition, with 10 pubs across London, in zone 1 and 2. But we plan to develop new ones very soon for other areas, and other kind of independent businesses! Your experience of your first Country Living Fair?It was the first “big fair” we participated in, a great way to prove the concept of our product and showcase it to new people! We received great feedback from visitors, and people were very enthusiastic about our project and sales were good for this first edition! What do you love about Country Living Fairs?It looks to be the right audience for people looking for unique gift ideas. Find the best novelties! Your three top tips for crafters and makers… Acquiring new clients can be time consuming and, most of all, very expensive. Focus on loyalty! Make your clients super happy with your products, create relationships with them and transform your customers into ambassadors. They will probably be the ones who will bring you the most prospects!Use social media: people spend increasing time on the platforms, you need to be there. Show your success and your failures as well. Show the person behind the brand, and always keep in mind that people don’t buy a product, they buy the story that goes with it.Keep learning: Internet allows us to have a massive amount of free available information to learn new skills. Don’t be afraid to learn how to design on photoshop, code for a website, or use free platforms to make your work online more efficient. These platforms offer, for most of them, free version, you should use it! Any advice for fledgling businesses…  Do it because you love doing it… not for money! The beginnings as an entrepreneur can be quite though. If you do a business to become “rich quickly”, you will quickly lose your motivation, as the key for launching a business is to be patient. Trying many things and learning from it can take time.
Meet the Maker – Art on Scarves
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Art on Scarves This year we are lucky enough to have North Wales-based scarf designers Art on Scarves joining us at our Christmas Fair in Harrogate. We recently caught up with them to find out more about this wonderful brand, their origins, inspirations and future projects.  Company OverviewArt on Scarves was set up by North Wales based artist, Lucy Hay to showcase her original drawings and designs, by handprinting them onto beautiful Cashmere Scarves. How did it all start?Completely by accident!!  Lucy was printing cards from her drawings and selling them at local craft fairs.  She moved onto having mugs printed and then wondered what her prints would look like on fabric.  Using a charity shop white fleece scarf, Lucy printed her first set of Christmas Robins!  They looked fantastic and Art on Scarves was born. The story behind the name… Lucy was originally known by the brand name An Unexpected Artist.  Why?  At School Lucy was told to give up art as she had no talent for it!  30 years later ….  Lucy did a beginners drawing and painting course at the local college and found people actually wanted to buy her prints and cards.  It was so unexpected that Lucy calls herself An Unexpected Artist!After trading successfully for a few years, Lucy decided to bring other hugely talented artists’ designs into the Company, so rebranded to Art on Scarves.  Today the Company handprints the designs of over 10 British Artists onto these elegant and luxurious fashion accessories. Where are you based?North Wales. What inspires you?What I see out of my window!  Foxes, Hares, Sheep, Wildflowers, Robins and of course Dragons! What is your creation process?  I see an animal or plant that sparks some kind of emotional reaction and which would spark the same in my customers.  I start by sketching and then adding layers as I go.  I’ve recently started drawing on an iPad which is really different but I’m enjoying not making so much mess! What makes you, your brand or products unique?All our scarves are handprinted in the UK.  All the design work, painting and drawing is done by British Artists and is both beautiful and unique. What is your next project? We are now trying to source a scarf with a much higher content of Cashmere. What are your plans for the next 12 months? To conquer the world! What is your biggest achievement?Adopting my gorgeous son. What is your best-selling product/line?   Definitely the Cashmere Blend Scarves. They are super soft, warm and cosy and add more than a touch of elegance to any outfit. Your experience of your first Country Living Fair (year, exhibiting or visiting) / What are you looking forward to the most about exhibiting at the Christmas Fair?This year I exhibited at RHS Malvern, RHS Tatton and Burghley Horse Trials all in the Country Living Marquee.  Most looking forward to the atmosphere of a Festive Fair. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?The friendliness and camaraderie of the other traders, the support of the Country Living staff and the customers who know quality when they see it! Your three top tips for crafters and makers… It’s very challenging at the moment, so keep on going, adapt your products when you need to and most of all listen to your customers! Any advice for fledgling businesses…  Be determined, be fierce and don’t let anyone take away your dreams!
Meet the Maker – Selbrae House
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Selbrae House We recently caught up with Scotland-based family business Selbrae House, maker of beautiful hand-crafted homeware products to learn a little more about the brand’s origins, inspirations and upcoming projects. We were lucky to have Selbrae House joining us at the Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow this year. Company OverviewWe are an established, independent, family business that offers a wide range of quality products with their design and manufacture rooted in Scotland.We started doing what we love back in 2006 as The Just Slate Company, initially with a small range of hand-crafted slate place mats and coasters. Today, we offer a wide range of hand-crafted homeware products that make unique presents for all occasions. How did it all start?A seed was planted – quite literally – over 30 years ago, which bloomed into a family entrepreneurial adventure; the result of which is Selbrae House, our craft-driven, family run Homeware & Gifts Company. Donny is the owner and director of Selbrae House, and the big bro. Little sis Emma is Design Director, and little bro Colin is Production Director. Our mother and father are also actively involved in the day to day running of Selbrae House; so it’s truly a family affair. The story behind the name…The families entrepreneurial adventure commenced with mum Louise, who started off selling dried flowers, the company was named SEL standing for Scottish Ever Lasting. Keeping in line with our rich Scottish heritage we also incorporated the Scottish word for a steep hill – Brae.We’re a Scottish design house that creates meaningfully made pieces for your home. Made by our family for yours! Where are you based?You’ll find us on said brae (hill) in Kirkcaldy. What inspires you?Natural, tactile materials, that have been skilfully handcrafted into useful and beautiful wares that we all covet for our homes.  What is your creation process?Taking Inspiration – Keeping eyes wide open to new trends, visiting inspirational concept stores, Trade shows and obviously Instagram!  Then thinking of materials that we have to hand, or what can we source to make these at Selbrae House.Framing – Joining the materials and ideas, this often involves a lot of photoshopping and drawings etc..Prototyping – The making of the samples, some work instantly, others need a little tweaking!  Often these will sit around our showroom for a time, for all to pass comments on, then will be taken to our photoshoot to be ‘brought to life’ for our customers, hopefully in an inspiring way! What makes you, your brand or products unique?Our products are unique in that they are undeniably Scottish, without being ‘twee’. They’re elegant, durable and meaningfully made. We celebrate the most iconic and beloved British wildlife through our designs, using native materials and manufacturing everything by hand right here in Scotland, while being intentional and careful with our design and finishing processes to ensure that we still allow the beautiful natural materials to do the talking.   What is your next project?We will continue to make innovative products with stunning new British illustrations.  What are your plans for the next 12 months?To continue enchanting our customers with charming hand-crafted homeware products. What is your biggest achievement? Our biggest achievement so far has to be the wide array of bespoke projects we have worked on. However, collaborating with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was a team favourite for us! Emma, our Design Director, worked closely with the R&A buying manager to develop a stunning range of products which featured a number of different designs, ranging from a beautiful custom sketch of the clubhouse to a stylised ‘150’. What is your best-selling product/line? Our mini cheeseboard sets have been unbelievably popular – especially those with our country animal designs. Your experience of your first Country Living Fair (year, exhibiting or visiting)/ What are you looking forward to the most about exhibiting at the Christmas Fair?Our first show was back in 2010. It was great to meet our customers in person and share with them our lovely family story, we’ve been every year since! What do you love about Country Living Fairs?We have been attending Country Living for many years and absolutely love the Fair’s Christmas buzz – everyone is on that Christmas high and is super friendly. We can’t wait to get into the Christmas spirit this year, we’ve already got our Santa hats looked out. Your three top tips for crafters and makers…Make sure you tell people your story.Never get complacent, make sure you’re always innovating.Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Any advice for fledgling businesses… If you are genuinely passionate about what you do, go for it! As Steve Jobs once said, “the only way to do great work is to love what you do”.
Meet the Maker – Lux Yorkshire Wre...
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Lux Yorkshire Wreaths This year we are lucky enough to have Harrogate-based wreathmakers Lux Yorkshire Wreaths joining us at our Christmas Fair in Harrogate. We recently caught up with them to find out more about this beautiful brand, their ethos and their plans for the future – read on below! How did it all start?It started with a passion for flowers by our co-founder Jane. Jane has always taken a keen interest in floristry – even making all of the arrangements for her daughter Francesca’s wedding – and what once started as a hobby, has now turned into a profession and a business.Lux Yorkshire Wreaths specialises in handcrafted Christmas wreaths, dried floral bunches and centrepieces. We very much love the joy that flowers and wreaths bring – even more so at this magical time of year! The story behind the name… We toyed with a few names but always wanted to reflect our luxury, local hand-crafted quality so we (eventually!) decided on Lux Yorkshire Wreaths. Where are you based? In Harrogate, Yorkshire. What inspires you?The natural world, the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, moonlit nights, summer meadows and forests dappled with sunshine. What is your creation process? We spend a lot of time just holding flowers and foliage in our hands and experimenting with various shapes and colours until we find something we think works. Jane often wakes in the middle if the night with ideas so always has a pen and paper by her bedside to note any ideas down, however in the morning it can be tricky for her to try and work out what can sometimes be almost illegible handwriting and drawings! What makes you, your brand or products unique? We design every piece ourselves so each wreath is truly unique. And being a mother-daughter business, we create each wreath with our own fair hands – for example, from wiring on dried cinnamon and oranges to adorning some of our creations with lights. What is your next project? We’re currently focusing on Christmas and you’ll see us popping up at local fairs across Yorkshire. We’re also always working on new wreath designs. What are your plans for the next 12 months?To expand the business and to hold wreath-making workshops – whether it’s Easter, spring or an autumnal wreath – we’d like to showcase how people can use their creativity and make one for themselves – it also makes for a great morning/afternoon out! What is your biggest achievement? Jane’s biggest and happiest achievement was decorating her daughter’s wedding venue, it was incredibly special. Jane grew flowers from seed over two years so it was a very long project! The two days previous to the wedding was spent arranging vases with flowers, filling baskets, decorating with garlands of flowers and hanging various arrangements from the ceiling. What is your best-selling product/line? One of our best-selling products is a wreath called Summer Meadow. It’s made of dried oats, wheat, nigella pods, pink, yellow and white delphiniums and red and yellow helichrysum, and the bright design always makes us smile. A lot of our customers hang it as a piece of art from the wall as it really ‘pops’.  Your experience of your first Country Living Fair (year, exhibiting or visiting)/ What are you looking forward to the most about exhibiting at the Christmas Fair?We’re looking forward to getting into the festive spirit, meeting new people at the fair and showcasing our designs. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?Meeting wonderful crafters and makers and discovering their creativity and passions. We also think it makes a great festive day out! Interestingly, one of the things that inspired us to found our business was actually attending the Harrogate Country Living show! Your three top tips for crafters and makers…It’s never too late to nurture your creativity.Use time wisely… for us it can be hard to accept that after hours of work that sometimes a design just isn’t working.Seek help in the areas where you most need it. Any advice for fledgling businesses… Keep at it! We have gradually built our business up, and this worked well for us.
Meet the Maker – Melissa Marie Lea...
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Melissa Marie Leather We recently caught up with luxury leather brand Melissa Marie Leather, who joined us at the Country Living Christmas Fair in London this year, to find out all about the Exeter-based business. Company overview Hand made leather bags and accessories, using the highest quality leather and traditional techniques to create quality pieces that will wear in, not out. How did it all start?Melissa Marie Leather started from my love of horses. I have always been around leather since a young child with my horse tack and riding boots.  I wanted to learn how to repair my own tack, after looking into this I absolutely fell in love with the process, started to experiment with making my own products and Melissa Marie Leather was born. The story behind the name… Highly unoriginal, the name of my brand is my own name.  My initials are MML, So using my first 2 names and adding leather meant the brand initials mirror my own. Where are you based? Exeter, Devon What inspires you?Nature, the character and journey of each piece of leather I use. I like to display any marks and scars as a natural part of the life of the animal. What is your creation process? My creation process is very hands on, I like to use pencil and paper to design each piece, then work up card mock ups. This allows me to see if the size and shape is working in the way I hoped. From here I create templates, each on card to transfer onto the leather.  I use traditional saddlery techniques for every item, no machines, just hands. Each item you see has been hand cut, stitched and finished by myself, meaning each one is unique in it’s own way. What makes you, your brand or products unique? All of my work is designed and entirely hand made by myself only, I use only the highest quality leather from a tannery in my home county of Devon. I don’t believe in throw away fashion, so each piece is designed and made to last a lifetime, only gaining character with age.  To aid in my slow fashion vision for my brand, each piece comes with a makers lifetime guarantee on all stitching and fastenings. The leather I use is a bi-product of the meat industry and is produced sustainably, using centuries old processes that take up to 14 months and are finished by hand, ensuring that each finished hide is not only beautiful and strong but unique too. What is your next project? I am currently working on a collection of homewares that I am hoping to launch next year, including candle holders and lampshades.  What is your biggest achievement? My biggest achievement so far is having 2 of my products – the Lilla tote and snap pouch – featured in Country Living Magazine, CL Fairs Emporium.  I have also been accepted for a pop up in a John Lewis store. What is your best-selling product/line? The Lilla tote bag.  The Lilla tote is the first bag I designed and made and has been a firm favourite of mine and my customers since.  The bag has a very special place in my heart as my first and is named after my late dog of a lifetime, Lilly.  Your experience of your first Country Living Fair (year, exhibiting or visiting)/ What are you looking forward to the most about exhibiting at the Christmas Fair?The Christmas fair will be my largest exhibition to date, so I am both excited and nervous! But I’m looking forward to talking to visitors about the products and processes and meeting other makers and exhibitors! What do you love about Country Living Fairs?The amazing variety of exhibitors. Your three top tips for crafters and makers…Try not to compare your work to others (although we all do), do more of what really engages you, enjoy the process. Any advice for fledgling businesses… Figure out who you want to sell to and be patient, growth takes time.
Meet the Maker – Glenna Studios
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Glenna Studios We recently caught up with mother and daughter team Glynis (Glenna) & Alison of Glenna Studios, the jewellery, fragrance and soy wax melts company based in Castle Douglas, to learn more about the business following their exhibition at the Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow. Company overviewWith a passion for Scottish art & jewellery design, mother and daughter team Glynis (Glenna) & Alison recently opened a new Glenna Studios showroom and studio in Castle Douglas. Their award-winning Scottish & Celtic silver designer jewellery is inspired by nature and the beautiful countryside of Dumfries & Galloway. Complimenting the jewellery, Galloway Melts, their collection of luxury home fragrances & soy wax melts is all handmade in small batches using the finest ingredients. How did it all start?Back in 2013 with daughter Alison expecting twins, it seemed like the perfect time to start a family business so we could all work together and help each other as the family grew. We both had backgrounds in art and design so knew we could create something unique. The inspiration to create a contemporary jewellery collection with a distinctive Scottish style came on a hilltop close to the studio. It’s so peaceful in Galloway and you can see for miles, a good space to focus your mind. The story behind the name… We decided on the Gaelic version of my name Glynis (Glenna) and first launched our business as Glenna Jewellery. Glenna Studios was a natural follow on when a shop and studio space became available. The shop now showcases all our collections instore and online as Glenna Studios. Where are you based? We are based in a small studio shop and workshop at 175 King street in Castle Douglas in beautiful Dumfries & Galloway. We live locally so it’s a simple walk to work, what could be better. What inspires you?Both Alison and I are Inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Dumfries & Galloway, a place we as a family have called home all our life. The open Scottish countryside, coastal villages and natural wildlife of South West Scotland provide the perfect inspiration for our collections. What is your creation process? Living in rural Galloway, inspiration is all around. Usually a simple sketch drawing is the beginning of an exciting new jewellery collection. Our Galloway Melts fragrances are inspired by family memories of days at the beach, peaceful morning walks and cosy nights by the fire.  What makes you, your brand or products unique? Our handmade jewellery greeting cards are quite unique. The concept of a high quality but affordable sterling silver necklace combined with a quality greeting card with space to write your message inside makes them one of our most popular products.We also have our own unique house blend of natural, toxin free wax which has been carefully developed to give our soy wax Galloway Melts customers the best scent experience. What is your next project? We will be launching new Glenna Jewellery Collections early in the new year and our Spring/Summer Collection of Galloway Melts fragranced soy wax melts will be online and instore just in time Spring. What are your plans for the next 12 months?To keep up with demand we hope to take on some new staff early next year. It’s always nice to welcome a new team member and it should allow Alison & myself more time to design and create. What is your biggest achievement? Working with family is simply the best. It’s also lovely seeing our designs in quality retail stores all over Scotland and when a customer buys one of our products and loves it, it feels amazing. Our other claim to fame is making the final of Gift of the year awards for our Birth Flower Collections, quite a surprise for a small family business like ours. What is your best-selling product/line? That’s hard to pin down! For some our Glenna Bluebell jewellery collection is a must have, others love our Birth Flower Card & Gift in one range. Plus, can’t forget our Galloway Melt fans who keep coming back for the latest scents from our handmade soy wax melt fragrance collections. Your experience of your first Country Living Fair (year, exhibiting or visiting)/ What are you looking forward to the most about exhibiting at the Christmas Fair?This is our first Country Living Fair, so we are beyond excited to take in the whole experience. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?Country Living Fairs are a brilliant way to meet the customer, gather feedback and maybe have a little chat with likeminded small business owners that are also exhibiting. It’s good to talk one to one. Your three top tips for crafters and makers…Take advice from more experienced business owners when starting up.Search the market to see if your product will stand up to the competition.Keep believing and make sure you price properly for your time and effort. Any advice for fledgling businesses… If you have an unfulfilled passion you will always wonder what if, so don’t waste time and just go for it, you never know where you might end up! 
Meet the Maker – First Moon
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First Moon We recently caught up with Ilkay Shafik, owner and founder of candle company First Moon, to learn more about the business. We were lucky enough to have First Moon exhibiting at the Country Living Christmas Fair in London this year. I started my small business during the lockdown in 2021 at the age of 17 years old through my love and interest in candles.As many struggled, including myself in lockdown, the low light from a candle and the candle’s flame helped me to calm and relax my mind during the difficult times whilst still studying my A Levels.I also found that certain scented candles like Jasmine, Lavender and Chamomile helped me reduce my anxiety.First Moon is the translation of my name Ilkay and I am based in the Kent area.I strive to make candles unique and believe in protecting the environment by using non-harmful, eco-friendly, biodegradable and animal cruelty-free products.A candle is for every occasion and I have lots of wonderful scents to choose from including specific scents for different times of the year e.g. Easter, Mother’s Day and Christmas.I have also created a charity candle called ‘Eye Will Product You’ where I give 20% of the profit to Women’s Aid who is a charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. The most popular scent I’d say is Velvet Rose & Oud, Passionfruit Martini and Teddy Bear which is a soft and comforting scent.I also make vegan car perfumes in over 10 scents which has been very popular too. Since starting my business, I have sold online through Instagram and Etsy and now through my new website. I have also sold my candles at craft fairs I’ve attended and been invited to all around theKent area.My candles are also stocked in a local gift shop close to where I live where I have been a customer since I was a young girl. My plans for the next 12 months is to stock more of my candles in craft shops and to continue to grow my name and business. This year November 2022, will be my first experience of exhibiting at the Country Living Fair. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous but I’m also very excited as this is my largest fair yet! I am looking forward to sell my products at the fair and meeting new people being customers or other exhibitors. My top three tips for any crafters and makers is, research the market. If you’re looking to start a craft business, make sure there’s a demand. Advertise your brand and products through social media as you’re increasing brand awareness plus it’s low cost advertising. And only attend craft fairs that suit your products. My advice for fledgling businesses is do your research and don’t be afraid to ask for help as it’s not ideal to try doing everything alone. Be different and be passionate and get your branding right and understand the marketplace. Starting up any new business is not only exciting but scary too so believe and be positive. Make sure you have enough money lined up and the correct business insurance.
Meet the Maker – Lindsay McDowall ...
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Lindsay McDowall Jewellery We recently caught up with Lindsay, namesake and founder of Lindsay McDowall Jewellery, to find out more about the brand after we were lucky enough to have them join us at Country Living’s Glasgow Fair. Read the interview below to discover more… How did it all start?My journey into jewellery started when I took a night class in Jewellery Making at the College of Building & Printing in Glasgow in 2005. I soon discovered that I loved it! What started as a hobby developed over time into a business and here we are. The story behind the name… It’s just my name. I toyed with other options but decided in the end it was best to keep it simple! Where are you based? I work from my home studio in Glasgow. What inspires you?Everything! I’m lucky to live in such a beautiful place so everything from the scenery to the colours around my home spark ideas and inspiration. What is your creation process? I always have a notebook on me so that if I think of an idea I can sketch or jot it down and have something to refer to later but until I actually start making I don’t know quite how a piece will end up. I like to just start making and see what happens from there. What makes you, your brand or products unique? I make everything myself. I take pride in making jewellery that is wearable and affordable but a little bit different. What is your next project? I want to make a unisex line that can be worn by anyone. What are your plans for the next 12 months?I just want to keep building on the success that I have enjoyed so far and keep making jewellery! What is your biggest achievement? I took part in a pop-up event last year in John Lewis in Glasgow. It was hard work making all the pieces that I needed for the week and being there to sell it but it was a huge achievement and a big success for my business. What is your best-selling product/line? The Oyster Earrings. I think it has to do with the cream pearl against the dark oxidised silver that appeals to people. Your experience of your first Country Living Fair (year, exhibiting or visiting)/ What are you looking forward to the most about exhibiting at the Christmas Fair?Meeting potential customers and getting their feedback on my products. What do you love about Country Living Fairs?There is such a great diversity of exhibitors and the atmosphere is always good. Your three top tips for crafters and makers…1: Believe in yourself- if you don’t then nobody else will either2: Try your products in different places- shops, craft fairs etc. It’s always surprising to find that what works in one place doesn’t work in another and vice-versa!3: Be kind to yourself! Making mistakes is human and you’ll learn from them, don’t dwell on them. Any advice for fledgling businesses… Work on your pricing. It really is important and so much rests on it.

Important Announcement

We are delighted to announce that the management of the Country Living Christmas Fair is transitioning back to Hearst UK, owners of the Country Living Brand. For 2024, Country Living are partnering with iconic sister brand, Good Housekeeping, to bring a fabulous new and enriched festive experience to the London Christmas Fair. Good Housekeeping is the UK’s biggest lifestyle magazine brand for women and in 2022 launched its own, annual Christmas weekend festival, Good Housekeeping Live.

Good Housekeeping Live with the Country Living Christmas Market will take place at the Business Design Centre from 13th – 16th November 2024.

The Glasgow and Harrogate Country Living Fairs will be paused for 2024.

For more information on Country Living Events for 2024, please contact Ellie Craig, Artisan Growth Manager at [email protected]