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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