Our Brand Story - The First 10 Years!

Candles, Country Shows & Family Life

It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since the business started in 2014, at my kitchen table, shortly after having my first child.  I had closed my previous business (a high street interiors and gift shop) in order to be a full-time Mum.  However I soon learned that I needed something creative to keep my own identity alive, an element of independence from motherhood, but something that would fit around children, with me working in the evenings and weekends.

The first product I developed was a range of soy wax candles and reed diffusers which I sold at country events and markets, before eventually venturing into the world of wholesale. I also added the colourful wool blankets to my range which proved to be extremely popular.

During a quieter few months in early spring 2017, I spent a bit of time playing with watercolours.  I had enjoyed art at school and it was lovely to pick up the brushes again.  I developed a range of greetings cards focussing on simple illustrations of dogs, wildlife and country living.

By 2018 the wholesale business was strong with valued customers such as the National Trust and lots of independent retailers across the UK.  I was also selling at lots of country events and had a successful pop-up shop in Northallerton in the run up to Christmas.

With a second child on the way, and then a small interruption to business called Covid, the business changed considerably over the course of the next few years.  The wholesale market went quiet but the online retail side of things really started to grow.  To give myself an outlet from my time spent homeschooling, weaning a baby and packing orders, I started to convert some of my original card illustrations into fabric patterns, and over time developed a whole new range of kitchen textiles and cosmetic bags.  I also used the watercolour illustrations on fine bone china mugs, which are made for us in the potteries of Stoke on Trent.

Crafted for Country Living

Whilst the business has developed hugely since those first days of pouring candles at the kitchen table, the core values of the brand have stayed the same.  It’s very important to me that our products are well made, functional and long lasting as well as being beautiful designs rooted in our love for the countryside.  I still love to sell at Country Shows, and the heritage, tradition and craftmanship that you see at these events is the perfect backdrop for our timeless country designs.

When people use our products, I wanted them to feel uplifted, the vibrant colours and charming motifs should bring a dash of joy to your day, even when you are simply drying the dishes or taking the spuds out of the oven. 

I also want you to feel good, knowing that your purchase has been made right here in the UK, by skilled craftsmen and women who have spent years perfecting their craft.  I believe passionately in supporting homegrown British industries, whether that be backing British farming and food production, or supporting our Lancashire seamstresses or pottery workers in Stoke on Trent who not only are experts in their field but are training a new generation of crafters to ensure these heritage industries survive in the future.

If you are looking for charming, country inspired homewares in colourful and stylish designs, made in Britain and designed to stand up to a busy family home, then please take a look around, I hope you like what we do and look forward to seeing you at a country show soon.