Kent
SMALL BUSINESSES
MEET THE TALENTED KENTISH MAKERS KEEPING US COSY THIS WINTER ...
BUSINESS
Handmade In Bridge
With a background in the fashion industry , an inspiring eye for style , and a passion for combining her loves to bring an environmentally conscious brand to life , Sima Al Said began Handmade In Bridge in 2020 . Her small business specialises in creating handcrafted knitted and sustainable shawls made from locally spun merino yarn using the traditional Fair Isle technique alongside a whole lot of love . The result ? A perfect blend of stylish Kentish couture . “ My designs are unique and timeless , taking inspiration from art , folk tales , myths and the endless beauty of the natural world ,” says Sima . “ I craft each individual design from an initial hand sketch , then transform that into a knitting pattern and finally make it manually on a vintage handworked machine from home .” Sima takes huge joy from creating and sharing her pieces to those who want for a one-of-a-kind fashion statement and offers personalised visits for commissioned pieces , perfect for those with a vision of their own , as well as selling a variety of gorgeous designs through their website .
www . handmadeinbridge . com handmade _ in _ bridge
Pure Wix
Grown from a want to improve her own skin needs , Karen Wickenden began creating her own traditional soaps in 2012 , determined to fix her own dry and cracked hands in the winter months . Fascinated by the process and eager to research more into the world of natural remedies and homemade products , Karen soon stumbled upon candlemaking . After catching the attention of others and receiving numerous requests from people wanting to purchase her products , Pure Wix was created in 2017 . Her collection now consists of nourishing melts , shampoo bars , soothing candles and soaps , all handcrafted from skin-loving essential oils , butters and natural clay or vegetable-derived colourants . “ The wax that I used was incredibly important to me , so I settled on an eco-soya , which is sustainable and has a low carbon footprint as it is grown in the UK , is vegan certificated and has no contact with any pesticides ,” Karen explains . “ We also use wooden wicks which add to your experience and ensure there are no heavy metals or petroleum byproducts . I am looking forward to creating a larger range of gorgeous products with a difference .”
www . wixcandles . co . uk pure . wix
Real Deal Roasters
Real Deal Roasters ( named after their seaside home town of Deal !) is an honest small business championing the importance of passionately made , freshly roasted coffee . Beginning in 2013 selling hot drinks from a converted caravan , they quickly realised the need to roast their own , soon landing on beautifully restored 1940 ’ s Italian and Greek coffee roasters which ensure the natural flavours are preserved perfectly . Since then , Real Deal Roasters is now a mobile coffee shop at Deal and Cliftonville markets , as well as a coffee roasting house in Mongeham . After celebrating the 10th anniversary this year , founder Emma Barrett reflected on just how far her little business has come . “ Our original aim was to do something that was local , sociable and fun ,” she says . “ We wanted a business that we could fit around our children . Now the kids work alongside us ! We love having a family business , building long-term relationships with our customers and supplying guaranteed fresh coffee at an affordable price .” Find their much loved products around lots of cafes and businesses across East Kent and through their website .
www . realdealroasters . co . uk realdealroasters
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