A change is gonna come
We are so busy designing a new website and expanding our agency/wholesale project that we haven’t had much time for blogging, so sorry about that. Just to let you know, we are currently entering our testing period and hope to be live in a few weeks time. Sometimes a song naturally becomes associated with a certain activity or time of day and for me over the past few weeks this Sam Cooke song just keeps popping into my head and as it’s such a beauty I thought I’d share.
A change is goona come - youtube video
British Craft Trade Fair
Scooted down to this glorious trade fair yesterday in sunny Harrogate. Such a pleasant way to spend a day looking at so many beautiful things and talking to incredibly talented designers. Here’s a few who caught my eye:
Hannah Nunn
Tracie Murchison
Maria Collins
A Special Gift for Mother’s Day
Mothering Sunday is just around the corner (Sunday 14th March) and we’ve got the most beautiful little gift that’s perfect for letting your mum know how special she is. These little cubes are delightful and versatile. Designed and handmade in Britain, using card and paper folding techniques, these three cubes spell out the word ‘MUM’.
They can be personalised on the inside with a message, so they are also a money saving option as they are a gift and a card all combined together. They are also a sensible price of only £5.
The cubes are self mounting so they can be hung from a tack or small nail on a wall or they can simply be stacked and displayed on a mantelpiece or shelf.
Here’s a link to them in our shop: Mum Letters
Beautiful Stocking Fillers
The Julianna Grove Studio has produced something new for Christmas this year - some lovely bookmarks which make perfect stocking fillers as their introductory price is only £3, including postage, how generous are we?!
Choose from either the quirky duck set of the beautiful flower set.
View them both here: Fine Art Bookmarks
Remember these eco cufflinks?
Well, after a lonnnnng absence they are coming back. We are having some new designs delivered this week and should have them up and for sale on the site at the weekend. Each set is truly unique and they make a perfect Christmas gift for the man in your life.
More jewellery handmade by UK designer Julie Robertson.
More ideas for Christmas Gifts for Men.
Delivery, sorted - problems facing online retailers.
The current postal strike has a been the hot topic for the past few weeks, particularly amongst us small businesses running online shops. It has created a very lively debate on the rights of workers, universal postage and privatisation but most of all on delivery of a service and customer satisfaction. Some customers have told us that want to continue to support the Royal Mail and others have said that they absolutely need their order for a birthday present that week. The conclusion we have come to here at Julianna Grove is that we would like to offer both options for customers so that they can choose for themselves.
At the checkout customers can now opt for a a delivery service by private courier, this is priced at £3.95. Or they can still have their orders delivered at our standard rates by Royal Mail but they need to be aware that delivery times may be affected because of the postal strikes.
We hope that this satisfies all our customers and that we are not too adversely affected by the strikes.
Mandala – Calton Hill, Edinburgh
It’s not unusual for artists and designers to have alternative jobs and different ‘irons in the fire’. One of Julianna Grove’s designers – Hannah Ayre, as well as being a talented ceramicist (see her beautiful hanging decorations here) is also an education facilitator. She works with organisations such as the National Museum Scotland and Historic Scotland, Edinburgh Castle interpreting different themes and events through art and design.
This weekend as part of Doors Open Day, Edinburgh World Heritage employed her to do some art activities to celebrate the re-opening of Nelson’s Column on Calton Hill. One of her activities was a 10m by 10m ‘mandala’ in the shape of a sailor’s compass. Using rice, mung beans and red lentils the general public helped create this beautiful picture. We went along for a look and ended up getting involved. Pouring the grains and gently smoothing them out in the autumnal sunshine was such a peaceful way to spend an afternoon, no wonder ‘sand-mandalas’ are part of meditation practices. When it was finished it looked absolutely amazing from the top of Nelson’s Column.
Eco Jewellery - reused V upcycled
Finding new uses for things which are broken, out of date or just no longer needed can be difficult but artists and designers are at the forefront of addressing this issue. They are using their creativity, imagination and hard earned skills and techniques and taking the concept of reusing into a whole new dimension.
There are few different words used to describe this process, the most popular ones being: reusing, upcycling and re-design. We’re still a fan of calling it ‘reusing’ as it makes it clear to customers and as there is so much green wash around at the moment that we want to be as clear as possible about the eco and ethical aspects of our products and company.
The reason for all this? We’ve just started to stock new eco jewellery from Kate Hamilton-Hunter, who reuses biscuit, sweetie and tobacco tins in her designs. What a clever idea and what beautiful necklaces and earrings she makes.
Check out the full collection here at juliannagrove.com
British Jewellery - a wish list
I have been hanging out in York this summer and have found the temptation of all the beautiful independent shops sometimes too much to bare. One of my favourites has to be the Pyramid Gallery on Stonegate. It is just chock-a-block with amazing British artists and jewellery makers, I’ve been writing my wish list. If you are ever in the neighbourhood do pop into this amazing treasure trove.
Summer Holiday Activities or Just a Great Gift
We’ve just got some lovely new sewing kits delivered to Julianna Grove, designed and made by Area Thrifty One. They are funky and fun - choose from Babushka Bunnies or Dinosaurs. For those struggling for things to do with their children this summer holidays, they would make a great rainy day activity. They make ideal gifts for people who have a little sewing experience, of any age. Or complete the kit yourself and the finished soft toy makes a great cuddly present, handmade by you - ideal as a children’s birthday present or for a stylish and funky adult.
Click here to see the full range.
Four colours available
Four colours available