CHRISTMAS
The Homegrown Flower Company
The Homegrown Flower Company is a flower farm and florist based in Mayfield, East Sussex. They grow and sell a wide variety of English country garden flowers and foliages throughout the seasons, including classic florist favourites and other more unusual varieties not often found on the high street.
“ Everything we grow is grown using organic principles and without harmful pesticides, and care is given to growing varieties, which provide a nectar source for bees and other pollinating insects,” says owner, Zelie Billins.“ With 80 per cent of the flowers brought into the UK being imported, it is great to be able to buy such beautiful flowers that haven ' t been transported for thousands of miles! Over Christmas, we offer gorgeous hanging wreaths, table decorations and potted bulb arrangements, all handmade in our workshop here on the farm. We’ re also running a series of floristry courses throughout 2017, which make brilliant Christmas presents for budding flower arrangers.”
www. thehomegrownflowercompany. co. uk
Cassia Beck
" I am a photographer and collage artist based in Brighton with my fiancé, three children and a whippet,” says Cassia.“ All of my collages are hand cut using different papers and vintage magazines in my home studio. I love to play with paper and rarely plan my pieces; they evolve as I work.”
“ Since I started selling my prints, I have slowly introduced more products such as badges, notebooks, postcards and greeting cards. Some are humorous and surreal while others are more graphic, which means my work appeals to a wide range of people. You can buy small affordable goodies for stocking fillers, right up to original framed collages for art lovers. I will also be introducing handmade jewellery to my shop soon. I am taking part in two Brighton Artists Open Houses this Christmas: LittlePapa House, 338 Queens Park Road, and The Stanley Road Store at 25 Stanley Road. Both are full to the brim with amazing talent. Come and say hello!"
www. etsy. com / uk / shop / CassiaBeckCollage www. cassiabeck. com
WordChatter Candles
Launching in 2014, WordChatter make 100 per cent soy wax candles in three sizes of jars, as well as gorgeous tealights, wax melts and reed diffusers.
“ Since we opened for business, we have grown from six fragrances to the 40 we make today, all of which are still hand poured in our kitchen at home,” says co-owner, Helen Emery.“ We make a whole array of fragrances from our deliciously fruity strawberry and rhubarb, to musky‘ Arabian Nights’, and our Christmas range, which includes my personal favourite, gingerbread.
“ Our prices range from £ 3 to £ 20 with gift packs starting at just £ 10,” adds Helen.“ Christmas this year has seen the introduction of our‘ 12 Days of Christmas’ Maxi Tealight Stack and our Wax Melt Gift Jar- these are flying off the shelves and make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves home fragrance. We don ' t have a shop but you can find us at various events around the country in the run up to Christmas – find us on Facebook( WordChatter) and check out our events tab to find out where we’ ll be.”
www. wordchatter. co. uk
The Sussex Hamper Company
Nick and Muir started The Sussex Hamper Company after many years of trying to find gifts for difficult folk. To make it easy, they started with a range of base hampers with an added range of personalised jewellery, accessories and cards, making each gift unique to the recipient. They know a few things about gift giving and have a couple of helpful pointers.
“ Firstly, never underestimate the value of a surprise,” says Muir.“ Unwrapping a gift is one of life’ s great pleasures and brings out the child in us all. Secondly, make it personal; adding something well thought out will take you that extra mile to make it special. Lastly, if you’ re not sure what personal message to write, remember conversations and what their sense of humour is. A bit of everything means that you have struck gold on giving a personal gift. Giving a hamper can tick many of the [ gift ] boxes, but likewise, remembering something important to your recipient will also truly make that gift sparkle.”
www. thesussexhampercompany. co. uk
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