13 minute read
Love Country
Gifts for Garden Centres
Art that tells a story
If you’re looking for gifts and homeware that combine beautiful watercolour art with heartfelt words, check out Love Country by Sarah Reilly. We catch up with artist and illustrator Sarah to discover where she finds her inspiration
Sarah, what’s your career journey to setting up Love Country 10 years ago?
Like most people I was working full time and dreaming of other possibilities. At a crossroads in life, I took a huge risk and set up a dog sitting business from home, looking after dogs when people went on holiday. This allowed me for the first time ever to work from home. Whilst occasionally painting dogs for clients, I was commissioned to create a cushion as a special birthday gift, and started experimenting with washable fabric paints. One Sunday, just for fun, I created a little hare in watercolour on the fabric, to see what it would look like. The paints ran and wandered through the fabric making the hare appear to be running….my style suddenly took on a vibrancy and enchanting feel I had been waiting for. I started taking my products to country shows, and then trade shows, and my business was born.
What range of products do you offer?
As well as my prints, I offer cards, cushion covers, fine china, coasters, candles, bookmarks, keyrings, the list goes on!
Where do you find inspiration for your images?
I find inspiration in nature around the Suffolk Coast and its glorious countrywide. My favourite time of day is walking the dogs in peaceful woodland that sparks the imagination and nurtures the soul.
‘I find inspiration in nature around the What are your most Suffolk Coast popular characters? and its glorious countrywide’ There are many of them to introduce you to…whether it’s cheeky Mr Prickles Hedgehog or the very relaxing Hugging the Moon, each design takes you to a The ‘storytelling’ is as important to your products as the artwork. How did this come about? place of happiness. Love Country is quickly becoming a popular choice for collectors, with a wide range of artwork and stories to discover this is an affordable and loveable collection. I became known for my watercolour paintings of woodland animals. Then, in 2016, I wrote a poem for one of my paintings ‘Hugging the Moon’. This charming print became so popular that I started to write poems for other designs too. I don’t consider myself a poet but I write from the heart. These little poem stories were so well received that I now print them on the reverse of all my greeting cards – customers love them. All my prints now come with a copy of the poem, too.
How can I stock Love Country?
If you’d like to join our growing list of lovely independent retailers, just fill in a form on my website. A member of out team will be in touch to talk you through, and give you access to the online ordering site.
Introducing a brand new update to the Cath Kidston Pet Collection. With two new hand-drawn prints, designed with love to evoke the lighter days of Spring.
Contact Vital to set up an account today 01837 883 000 info@vitalpetproducts.co.uk
Gifts for Garden Centres
Pampered pets
Vital Pet Group
The rapid rise in pet ownership has been one of the few upsides to the pandemic, as people increasingly work from home. Vital Pet Group is the largest pet product distributor in the UK and thanks to this rise, an increase in online shopping and the ability for pet retail to remain open as essential businesses, they’ve seen strong growth across the sector.
Pet retail has a track record of being recession resistant, with spending on pet increasing rapidly during previous recessions. Factor in that 88% of people admit to spending in excess of £50 on gifts for their pets and it’s clearly a big opportunity for the gifting market.
There is increasing demand for gifts that align with trends in fashion or homeware, such as feeding bowls, treat jars, pet clothing and bedding to match interiors. The Cath Kidston pet products always perform really well – especially the iconic ‘London People’ and Provence Rose prints. There is a lot of excitement about the new bee range that will launch this spring. With dog coats and jumpers, treat jars and bedding, it can be merchandised very effectively as a range.
Pet products that are packaged so they can be easily sent in the post are great for online retailers but also for sending to friends and family when visiting isn’t always possible. Vital’s bamboo bowls are a great example and eco too. Pet products that fit with interiors are a good call – pet owners often have multiple beds for their pets to fit the style of different rooms.
Those lockdown puppies are coming of age so training toys that occupy the mind are good news – the IQuties brain training range make ideal gifts. Humanisation is a strong trend in pet, so seasonal pet products always do well.
Need some guidance on what to stock? Call: Vital’s national sales manager, Bridgette Sturgeon, on 07980 717128 Visit: vitalpets.co.uk
Soft as velvet
The Wheat Bag Company
The Wheat Bag Company is an established company manufacturing Microwavable Wheat Bags and other unique items in the UK.
The Wheat Bags come in a variety of designs to suit all tastes including their own bespoke range of fabrics that include rainbows, highland cattle, donkeys, swimming penguins and bumblebees.
Each Wheat Bag is filled with cleaned English wheat and optional Lavender buds. Lavender does not only smell delightful but is well known for its natural aromatherapy qualities of helping to aid sleep and relaxation.
This year the company are launching their brand new Luxury Velvet collection. Made from a selection of indulgent velvet fabrics, these will include Wheat Bags, Hot Water Bottles, Eye Masks, PADi Pillows, Door Stops and much more. Call: 01747 840499 Email: sales@thewheatbagcompany.co.uk Visit: thewheatbagcompany.co.uk
Moocow Studios
Become a stockist!
This range features 50 different dog varieties, including Dick Twinney’s original 20 designs as well as 30 new breeds. Whether it’s an old faithful, or one of the trendier breeds, there is something for all dog-lovers in the collection. The delightful canine designs are available on mugs, plaques, tea towels, mounted prints or greeting cards.
Moocow Studios offer UK manufacturing at its best, proud to design, print and manufacture an extensive range of giftware products from their East Sussex HQ. Their items are available in low quantities and by not relying on overseas imports you can have British designed and made products ready to inspire your customers in no time at all. Call: 01424 310057 Email: sales@moocowstudios.co.uk Visit: moocowstudios.co.uk
Life Charms
If you are looking for something fresh, modern and fast selling to add to your offer for 2021, consider becoming a stockist of Life Charms jewellery this year.
Life Charms are now entering their sixth year, and garden centres have seen fantastic sales and big profit margins by stocking their gorgeous bracelets, necklaces and earrings. All their bracelets, necklaces and gift sets come with complimentary luxury gift boxes and they really do make the perfect gift for any woman, for any occasion.
Life Charms have a number of collections to choose from, including two ranges that have come runner up in Gift of The Year these past two years, along with a choice of free display options including counter top spinners or floor stands.
To find out more about how Life Charms could improve your offer and increase customer sales please get in touch by email or telephone number or even visit their trade website and register for an account to view everything including prices. Together, let’s make 2021 as great as possible. Call: 02034882656 Email: info@lifecharms.co.uk Visit: lifecharms-trade.co.uk
Helping hands
Richard Lang & Son
As a family import and wholesale business, Langs were established over 50 years ago. They specialise in finding something different your customers will love, and they have plenty for greenfingered garden fans. Highlights include their Gnome ‘welcome’ ornament, face planters and white floral wreath.
The company have launched their ‘Staycation Surprise’ that has lots of handdesigned products in it. They have also launched their Lang’s Helping Hands Platform which is full of downloadable product images, articles, shoppable brochures and so much more: langshelpinghands.com. You can also book a Zoom call or make an appointment directly on the platform. Call: 01332 340927 Email: sales@richardlang.co.uk | Visit: richardlang.co.uk
Gifts for Garden Centres
Disney magic
Enesco
Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk | Visit: enesco.co.uk Illuminated castles piece carries a quote from the 1951 film such as ‘Down the Enesco has unveiled a brand-new collection of illuminated rabbit hole’ and ‘Curiouser and curiouser’, making the whole castles by Disney from Dept56, comprising four castles taken range super functional but highly collectable too. from the scenes of some of Disney’s most iconic animated classics including Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Little A tale as old as time Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty. They make a magical window A new Belle figurine from Jim Shore celebrates the 30th decoration or stunning table centrepiece all year round. anniversary of Beauty and the Beast in Enesco’s ever-popular
The castles are carefully crafted and layered using Disney Traditions by Jim Shore collection. natural elements to build a 3D effect, with LEDs Designed by world-renowned artist Jim Shore lighting up the windows of the structures, sprinkling a to mark 30 years since the cinematic release of little bit of Disney magic on each scene. Every castle Beauty and the Beast, ‘A Rare Rose - Belle is complete with a 3D cut-out of the corresponding Deluxe Figurine’ is a striking piece that princess, making each piece easily recognisable any fan of the movie franchise and the whole range massively collectable with will want to add to their fans of the franchises. collection. Standing at 38cm tall, Curiouser and curiouser Belle looks stunning in her Enesco has launched new Alice in Wonderland characteristic golden ball gown, ladies’ accessories into its ever-popular embellished with pearls and Enchanting Disney collection. With record sales Swarovski crystals, making for its Belle and Cinderella pieces, the new ladies’ her outfit every bit as special as accessories now feature Alice in Wonderland the movie’s landmark anniversary. across several products including a tote bag, The piece also features Belle purse, jewellery case, glasses case and holding a clear resin cloche cosmetics bag. The new design has with the symbolic red rose also been applied to seasonal items in her hands – an icon of including a festive sack and Christmas the movie and integral to stocking. the plot of this heroine
Each piece in the learning to love a collection features Alice beast before the in her iconic blue dress last petal falls. and white pinafore offset against bright florals presented in shades of blues, yellows, pinks, and greens. Each
Gifts for Garden Centres In the bag
Alice Wheeler London
Introducing the latest collection of spring/summer designs by Alice Wheeler London, a beautiful range of vegan leather beauty and fashion accessories with a fantastic array of colours perfect for every occasion. Alice Wheeler London is a British design brand, manufactured by FMG Ltd, and created in-house at their Birmingham Studios with Alice and her design team. You’ll be spoilt for choice with Alice Wheeler’s latest spring/summer collection. They are introducing new beauty and cosmetic accessories, available in a plethora of fabulous and joyful colours with co-coordinating geometric designs, and newly-styled beauty bags providing a wider compartment access for holding all your essential needs. Latest vegan style leathers, faux suedes and pressed velvets gives an elegance and sophistication to this collection. This is so much more than just beauty accessories. There’s a luxurious collection of magnolia floral designs Latest vegan style this season in two colourways. They offer a stunning black leathers, faux and white magnolia wash and travel range with white suedes and pressed velvets gives an elegance and vegan leather cosmetic accessories to complement the design and a further collection of beautiful pink magnolia designs, also with co-coordinating vegan leather cosmetic bags in three sizes. sophistication to Look and feel fabulous with the latest range of chic this collection Tote bags from Alice Wheeler London. They come in a range of fabulous colours, are fully lined and have a generous zipped pocket to house valuables or even one of Alice’s range of co-coordinating purses. The Tote has a large size compartment to accommodate all your goodies; the bag is styled to wrap around your body for comfort and has a magnetic metal close for added security. They are a must-have luxury treat. This season introduces a stylish range of fashion accessories manufactured in the latest vegan leather. Alice Wheeler has created a wonderful range of purses, pouches, and bags, available in eight amazing colours, little luxuries perfect for every occasion. There is a cute phone cross-body bag new this season with a detachable chain turning it into a perfect pouch. There’s the versatile camera cross body, an elegant envelope clutch and chic Tote shoppers or backpacks designed to keep you organised and looking fabulous. There are two practical purse designs to complete the collection, available in matching colours and boasting multi-card pockets with metal zipped compartments and Alice’s signature honeybee insignia adding a little loveliness to the range. Alice Wheeler London spring 2021 is now ready to order.
