Tell us about your brand; who are you, what does your brand sell and how long has your brand been around? Have you been at Home & Gift before?

In 2019 I was coming to terms with having to sell my childhood home where my family had lived since I was 3. Sadly my parents both had Alzheimer’s disease; we were caring for my mum after dad had passed away, and we were faced with selling the house to pay for care home fees. 

It was a place I loved. The old mill house was in a near derelict state when we moved in, but over the years my parents transformed not only the house but the unkempt and overgrown garden. So much of our time was spent outdoors as children building camps in the trees and flower beds, paddling in streams, and then as we got older, gardening, reading, drinking lots of tea, soaking in the sounds of running water and the birds. 

I took a break from packing up the house, drinking a cup of tea in the garden and looking at the beautiful yellow water Irises in the stream, listening to the sound of the water trickling by. I was struck, then, with the realization that I would never see those Irises bloom there again, so I set about drawing them - and then all the other flowers that came and went that summer - to hold on to something of the place I loved.

 

What’s the biggest highlight of owning your brand? Why do you love what you do?

As an artist, drawing and creating is often more of a compulsion than a job. Looking at and thinking about flowers all day, communicating my own way of seeing flowers and gardens, and meeting connecting with other sentimental flower lovers on social media is a lot of fun. To be able to make art and create useful, sustainable British products from it that I can share with the world is such a joy.

 

Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself when you first started out? (e.g. any struggles and how you overcame them)

If you can’t afford to pay someone to manage your admin and accounts, maybe do a short course in those to get you track so you can focus on your art. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other brands to ask for help and advice too. Some are not very willing to give their time, but others are and it’s really helpful.

 

 

What can we look forward to seeing from your new collections that you are bringing/launching at Home & Gift? Do you have any personal favourites?

I have nine of my designs currently featured on British-made fine bone china mugs, as well as a whole range of greeting cards, tea towels and other products. But I am excited to be bringing a number of new floral mug designs to Harrogate including a Sunflower, Dahlia and Peony.

 

Can you describe the experience that buyers can expect when visiting your stand at Home & Gift?

My designs are all florals on a blue background. The designs are colourful and fun, but the blue brings a unifying them and a sense of calm. I hope buyers will enjoy finding some really sustainable new British products and enjoy the fresh floral designs.

 

What are you most excited for when exhibiting at Home & Gift?

As a bit of an introvert working alone from my garden studio in Kent I’m really looking forward to meeting other flower lovers, business owners, and of course buyers and retailers, and hopefully making some lovely new connections.

 

 

If applicable, how do you operate your brand sustainably?

My designs are all inspired by my love of the English garden, and in keeping with this floral garden theme all my products are locally and sustainably made in the UK. The mugs I sell are 100% British made - not only made in Stoke on Trent in the UK, but only made with clay from Cornwall. Designs from Kent, clay from Cornwall and made in Staffordshire. My greeting card suppliers are based in Kent, and my textiles are made in Lancashire. I love using local British companies across the UK and always being thoughtful of the environment.