20 Seventh Letter is a small British brand based in London, established by April Christopher. Fun, colourful illustrations are printed onto extremely high quality cloth in either London or Glasgow.

we love the characters that april has given to each of the animals - the alpacas look especially cheeky.

we asked April 3 questions to learn more about her:

what is your favourite way to spend your free time?

I enjoy doing a lot of things, but I must say one of my favourite things to do is to eat tasty food! Whenever my boyfriend and I go away on holiday, the first thing we do is arrange where we are going for dinner! There is nothing more satisfying than eating delicious food!

Do you remember your favourite childhood book?

In all honesty, I would only read books when I was told to as I was far more interested in drawing and making random things out of paper as a child - I used to make wallpaper out of old fax paper and paper waistcoats! Having said all of that, one book that I do remember reading on numerous occasions when I was very very young, was an illustrated book called ‘What’s the matter little frog?’ and it was about a group of animals going on an adventure to try and find out why the frog was upset.

Do you have a motto that you like to live by?

I don’t really have a motto as such, but only recently I’ve realised that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. It’s so easy to compare yourself to others and complain that you don’t have things, but on most occasions you have to seek the opportunities yourself. I had spoken about creating something like 20 Seventh Letter for years before actually doing anything about it and then one day I realised it wasn’t going to happen unless I made it happen! I’m working full time alongside 20 Seventh Letter so I can financially live the life I’ve chosen to in London; my business may take me longer to build up than someone else in a different situation but at least I am moving in the right direction!

Find the beautiful 20 seventh letter makeup bags here:

- Textiles

- For Your adventures

91 Magazine was launched in 2011 by founder and editor Caroline Rowland. The idea came about when Caroline felt that none of the mainstream magazines were capturing her interest any more, and she longed for a magazine that covered all aspects of creative living.

She wanted beautiful homes that were attainable and oozed creativity while mixing contemporary, vintage and handmade looks effortlessly. She wanted craft and DIY projects that were modern, not twee, and that represented current trends, while also being accessible to all levels of skill. She wanted shopping tips, not only from the high street but from obscure corners of the world and the internet, so she felt she was always discovering the newest boutiques and designers. She wanted to read about creative lives and businesses that would continue to inspire her on her own journey while getting handy tips and advice. She wanted all of these things to be visually beautiful and well written.

To see Volume 7, based on the theme of ‘play’, click here.

Alphabet Bags is tun by the lovely Lucas and Hayley, a husband-and-wife team in Saffron Walden. They started their accessories brand in their spare room in East Dulwich in 2008.

I am obsessed with typography (I am part of a ‘Font Appreciation’ Whats App group where we text each other with new discoveries!) and the bold, simple, fun messages on the Alphabet Bags designs really make my heart sing.

find our selection of alphabet bags in the new arrivals section of the shop, and in the for your adventures and textiles collections.

Nottingham-based painter, printmaker, knitter, maker, writer and reader Amy Blackwell captured my attention a long time ago when I spotted her illustrations and fell in love with the characters she creates. We also have a shared love of pancakes.

She is inspired by “the weird and wonderful, clashing colours, the natural world, history, fashion and folklore”. We are so excited to stock a small selection of her greeting cards, which look absolutely lovely in a frame. check out amy’s you tube channel to glimpse behind the scenes at her creative processes!

Find them in the new arrivals collection, and in paper goods.

Discovering artist anna mac was a highlight in this firain adventure. anna has the most calming, beautiful instagram account @_anna_mac_ and as soon as i realised she sold greeting cards, i contacted her!

about her work, anna explains:

"the way I paint feels like a game of building and taking away, the smallest edition of a shape or use of colour can transform the painting. The evolution of each painting can come quickly if each move fits with the next, and some can be a complex journey of changes and wrong moves. Either way, a piece builds and builds until everything 'fits'. Peeks of layers underneath show through and I like to complement those delicate details with bold clean shapes".

the greeting cards we sell at firain look really lovely framed and hung as a series, where this use of colour and shapes that anna describes is clear to see.

we asked anna 2 questions:

Who are the biggest influences on your work?

I tend to be influenced by shapes, colours and negative spaces in the world around me. I like to look at the forgotten details that perhaps go unnoticed ordinarily. In terms of being influenced by another artist, Henri Matisse is one of my all time favourites; seeing his 'Cut -Outs' exhibition at Tate Modern was pretty life changing for me. 

Where on earth is your happy place? 

Hard to pick one! At my easel painting, sitting on the front doorstep on a warm evening or the countryside where I live on the Suffolk coast. 

find anna’s cards in the paper goods section.

"Inspired by nature to be creative and lead a considered way of life."

Another Escape is an outdoor lifestyle, creative culture and sustainable living publication that explores the stories of passionate people, alluring landscapes and intriguing ideas.

Established in 2012 by Jody Daunton and Rachel Maria Taylor, Another Escape aims to inspire and encourage readers to actively explore their own aspirations. Another Escape is comprised of a mix of ideas-based articles, features, people pieces and photo-essays, and storytelling is at the heart of the Journals and strong narratives are key to the publication. Another Escape believe that the interaction and experience that printed material allows is invaluable – they have create a well-designed, tactile object that can slot onto your bookcase, sit on the coffee table or be slung into a rucksack.

Another Escape covers a disparate selection of subject matter all deep-rooted in exploration, creativity, innovation and discovery, and aims to be a source of inspiration for those who seek an active and considered lifestyle by encouraging an optimistic, forward-thinking and responsible mindset.

The publication is a high quality journal: Another Escape is 160 pages on beautiful, quality 120gsm uncoated paper stock (FSC approved & Euro Ecolabel) with 300gsm matte laminate cover, printed in vegetable inks with a local printer.

I wanted to share this magazine as part of our celebration of adventures and a nod towards the great outdoors here in North Wales.

Click here to buy The Frozen Volume— Winter 2018/19 - step out and embrace the cold.

In stock very soon….the most wonderful handmade chocolate from Bare Bones in Glasgow.

Like me, the makers behind Bare Bones chocolate are passionate about proper chocolate. Not the synthetic, what-the-heck-is-in-it chocco, but the real small batch, bean-to-bar chocolate made from the world's finest cacao. 

The beans

Bare Bones source their beans from co-operative farms in Madagascar and Honduras. The farmers take great pride in what they do at each stage; from the bean varietal they work with, growing, harvesting, fermentation to the drying of the beans. Each process of creating the perfect bar is done by hand – with lots of time, attention to detail and care.

Once the beans arrive, Bare Bones sort the good beans from the bad (only the best beans make the cut!) and roast them. Roasting is a delicate and precise process which brings out the unique flavour profile in each bean – this can be anything from fruity berries, vanilla tones, deep velvety caramel or a sharp citrus tang. Delicious! Once the beans are roasted, they are cracked and winnowed to release the nibs from the husks. Bare Bones then take the nibs and grind them to a paste, before adding them to a stone grinder called a melanger. The chocolate is ground for up to 72 hours where it becomes silky, liquid chocolate. Much like a fine wine or cheese, chocolate is aged to allow the flavours to develop. Patience is a virtue in this business. Next the chocolate is tempered – to stabilise the chocolate and give it that perfect snap – and mould it ready for wrapping and sending out to the world.

the packaging

I also loved Bare Bones because of the special packaging they use. Like me, they deeply care about making ethical choices in their packaging and we try to do our bit as small business owners. Working with some amazing papermakers and printers, Bare Bones have created mindful packaging from recycled sources (that can be recycled too!) In the UK, we use 7 million paper cups per day – yet less than 1 in 400 of those cups are recycled. Commendably, Bare Bones have created our chocolate boxes using recycled cups so that they not only look good but do good too. Inside our boxes, you'll find a beautiful plant-based wrapper from Vegware.  Each bar is a joy to unwrap.

Find the chocolate bars in the new arrivals section.

it’s always special to collaborate with a maker, and we are delighted that we have some special firain-inspired soap dishes in the shop by jeweller and ceramicist beci callow.

beci’s designs are whimsical and fun. she uses colour sparingly to create simple designs with handmade charm. each item is hand cut, shaped, painted and fired by beci in her workshop. (i love the way the avocado people soap dishes all have different personalities!).

based in leigh-on-sea, beach runs clay clubs for budding artists - follow her on instagram for more details: @becicallowdesigns.

as a devon-born girl myself, i was really excited to discover tones-based artisan leatherware makers anna and alice, who own and run by alice wood.

established in 2012, the ethos behind the brand is that form follows function; combined with the use of sumptuous leathers, the organic shapes these women create are beautiful and extremely useful. the leathers they use are often off-cuts from brands including mulberry; the colours they choose are gorgeous (that yellow!!).

i love the story behind this brand: in 2009, anna and alice were working together for handmade shoe company but in time moved away from each other. however anna returned to devon in 2016 and the women realized it would be a wonderful opportunity to work together again: by alice woods was born.

find their beautiful, luxurious leather goods in the for your adventures section of the shop.

Callie Jones lives and works close to Firain HQ in North Wales and we have a shared love of the coastline and countryside in this magical location. We have also both lived in creative hubs in london and the peaceful west country. i am so excited that we are able to stock Callie’s beautiful linocuts that she has printed onto cards.

Callie is a trained artist and has worked with brands including marks and spencers (designing wine bottles!) as well as receiving commissions for a wide range of commercial assignments. her observations of even tiny details - chickens in the yard and ripples in the water - draw the viewer in.

each artwork has a story - see the individual cards for each one and lose yourself in callie’s world! these cards also look so lovely in a simple white frame on the wall.

find callie’s cards in the new arrivals and paper goods sections.

mid-century modern design lovers rejoice! ding ding is a design studio in nottingham, uk, which is a location known for it’s rich textiles history. jenna owns and runs ding ding, and focuses her practice on shapes and mark making and one colour printing. 

the results are simple but gorgeous designs that are then applied to a range of useful objects. taking inspiration from heavyweights lucienne day, lygia pape and john piper, jenna is making their own mark in pattern design. its a labour of love to create crisp shapes and consistent design. 

find the ding ding pouches and purses in the textiles section.

:: COMING SOON! ::

The Wild Swimming book is a collaboration between glass painter Flora Jamieson and illustrator Gemma Koomen. the book captures the joy of swimming in beautiful, unspoilt places and I know that as fellow adventurers you will love this book.

Flora Jamieson

Based in Dorset in the UK, Flora undertakes a wide variety of stained glass commissions - from small commemorative panels to  full sets of window or door panels.  As well as her own contemporary designs, she  also reproduces and restores windows from our rich heritage of domestic stained glass, such as those from the Victorian, Edwardian, Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras.  She sells small decorative items in her distinctive bold colours and simple graphic style online and in select shops and galleries. Her contemporary stained glass designs are inspired by graphic design, the natural world, organic forms and geometric patterns.

Follow Flora on instagram for glimpses of her favourite wild swimming spots: @theroundwindow.

Gemma Koomen

I have long been a fan of Gemma’s playful illustrations which reflect the wild Northumberland countryside that she calls home.

Inspired by nature, nostalgia and simplicity, Gemma’s work begins by hand with gouache, ink and the occasional colour pencil, and is driven by the desire to capture little moments of calm and joy, recreating the familiar and domestic into elements of magical possibility.

Her love of painting and drawing began as a child when she would spend her days in an imaginary world created with crayons and pencils on the backs of her artist father’s rejected screenprints, on walls and underneath furniture. Gemma went on to study Fine Art Photography at Glasgow School of art, go on to complete a whirlwind Masters in Illustration and continue to work as a photographer, web designer and occasional illustrator in between raising children. Through the years, the love of drawing and painting remained, and inspired her to start illustrating freelance full-time.

Gemma loves plants, birds, rambling walks and tea in the sunshine, and is inspired by vintage paraphernalia, old black and white photography, time spent in nature and conversations with her two young daughters. Follow her work on Instagram: @gemmakoomen.

Dreaming up ideas then turning them into tangible, usable products sounds relatively easy but how many of us would love to turn our passions into a business? We have from the very beginning of firain stocked handpoured concrete coasters by Florence + Moose and the creative brain behind the business, Charlotte White, has been kind enough to share a little more about her brand with us. 

When did you start using concrete in your work? 

I think it’s something that has crept into my work over the last 6 – 9 months. My partner and I bought an old cottage last year (which we are currently in the process of renovating) and I had some left-over concrete from a project. I started experimenting with the mixes and different molds and its grown from there. 

Concrete can be a tricky material to use. What are your tips for handling it?

The best tip I can give for working with concrete is making sure that you prep everything in advance. This makes a big difference when you start mixing the concrete as you only have a limited time before it starts to set. Another thing that I spent a lot of time doing was trialling a range of different concrete mixes to find what worked best for me. And… Always put the water in first before you add the concrete mix. 

Your background is in Fine Art. Who or what are your influences? 

I’ve been fortunate to work/study/live with creatives. It makes such an impact having people around you to bounce ideas against. Visiting contemporary art spaces (and their amazing gift shops) is a real source of inspiration. There are so many artists who have inspired me, I don’t even know where to begin….

Where do you live and how does this affect your work?

I currently live in a small village in Oxfordshire in an old cottage, which I love. It’s nice to have a tranquil space to come back to at the end of a long day.

Who do you love to follow on Instagram (or anywhere else for that matter?) and why?

It’s difficult to name specific people, because there are so many fantastic people to follow. I love following creatives, designers, small independent businesses. 

Tell us 3 things about yourself that we might not know

Okay, here goes; 

- Our name; Florence (after a 1970’s Beetle that we had which we unfortunately sold last year – best car ever). Moose (we always said we’d name our dog Moose when we got one) We’ve now got a 5-month-old Goldie puppy – called Moose!

- My other half, Gary, who has been my rock for the last 9 years is a massive inspiration to me. We talk through every idea, he helps at fairs, he helps me to pack orders into the early house and with product development.  

- I also work full time as a Merchandiser! Lots of numbers and spreadsheets. 

What are your future plans for Florence and Moose?

The last few months have really been a whirlwind, which I am massively grateful for. But, I’d really like to work on expanding my range (concrete of course!) and I’m in the process of developing a website. I’m just really excited about the future and have loved every minute of it so far. 

You have a successful small business. What are your tips for those thinking of setting up on their own?

Running your own business takes a lot of time and effort and it’s not all plain sailing. Having a strong support base around me has been helpful to me. Working in retail has really allowed me to understand how businesses are run. It’s important to understand finance, stock control and time management. When setting up my Etsy Shop, I didn’t really know where to start, but once you’re set up it’s such a great platform to sell through! Firstly, spend some time searching through Etsy and other sites to see what’s out there. It’s important to get your prices and photography right from the start. I also found the articles Etsy produce useful and get in touch with your local Etsy group for support. There are so many people out there with great knowledge who are more than happy to give advice and encouragement. What I found useful is to set up cost cards for all of my products. This is useful in understanding the broken-down cost that goes into each product and make a list of where you get your supplies from.

The main lesson I’ve learnt is to believe in yourself and if you have confidence in in your products then other people will as well. 

find florence + moose concrete creations in for the home.

i have long been a fan of gemma’s playful illustrations which reflect the wild northumberland countryside that she calls home. She has created a range of greeting cards and prints as well as the illustrations for the wild swimming book with flora jamieson, all available in the paper goods section.

inspired by nature, nostalgia and simplicity, gemma’s work begins by hand with gouache, ink and the occasional colour pencil, and is driven by the desire to capture little moments of calm and joy, recreating the familiar and domestic into elements of magical possibility.

her love of painting and drawing began as a child when she would spend her days in an imaginary world created with crayons and pencils on the backs of her artist father’s rejected screenprints, on walls and underneath furniture. gemma went on to study fine art photography at glasgow school of art, go on to complete a whirlwind masters in illustration and continue to work as a photographer, web designer and occasional illustrator in between raising children. through the years, the love of drawing and painting remained, and inspired her to start illustrating freelance full-time.

gemma loves plants, birds, rambling walks and tea in the sunshine, and is inspired by vintage paraphernalia, old black and white photography, time spent in nature and conversations with her two young daughters. follow her work on instagram: @gemmakoomen.

Hattie is a Yorkshire-based illustrator who describes herself as “appreciating the little things in life”. You must follow her Instagram stories for a peek of her two adorable dogs!

I was first drawn to Hattie’s use of colour - the calming pinks and caramels - as well as her lightness of touch…each design is just enough and thoroughly modern (even the Bronte gals!).

Find Hattie’s cards in the greeting card shop and signed prints in the paper goods collection.

kylie dunn is a busy working mum and jewellery maker. she runs jack + freda (named after her beloved grandparents) from wokingham and has a real love for fun, easy-to-wear, affordable pieces.

we asked kylie a few questions…

1. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? 

Probably 'in a minute' to my children which is just awful!  Juggling a business from home with 2 young kids is great, but tricky and I find myself asking them to 'hang on' far too much. Now I've been asked what my most overused phrase is, I'll make a concerted effort to find a more positive one!

2. if you could choose one favourite book, what would it be? 

I rarely get time to read these days, but oh wow, I just loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. 

3. Where is your happy place?

L'Escale in Cap Ferret, France. There is a gorgeous restaurant on the beach where we first visited with our baby son (who's now 7). We always said it would be lovely to go back without the kids and we did exactly that last weekend for my husbands 40th! It serves amazing food and we could have a dip in the sea between courses! 

click here to see the Jack + Freda necklaces in the accessories collection.

i discovered this candle company in the best way possible - i smelt Join candles in my friends home and i decided that they would be one of the launch products when i opened firain.

join is owned by jen and her sister who hand pour each and every candle in their riverside studio in south london. Join products are lovingly packaged in amber apothecary style glass jars which can be re-used for all kinds of things.

the natural candles are made with carbon neutral soy wax (no nasties to inhale!) and the finest essential oils which have a big ‘throw’ - you don’t need to burn these candles for very long to appreciate the scents. like me, the sisters are inspired but their travels and heritage; they create unique fragrances inspired by the rugged coast of Cornwall where they grew up and the smells of the countryside where they walk their dogs.

watch this space for a very special collaboration between firain and join…under wraps for now!

find join candles in the candles section of the shop.

Juliet Foster is the owner and maker behind Jules + Clem. I was drawn to the simple shapes and interesting colours in Juliet's creation, and I knew we had to share them with our customers.

In her own words, Juliet describes her creative journey:

“I've always made jewellery, starting my label - Jules & Clem - back in 2009 when I was working as a production assistant for Walker Books, a children’s publishing house. I loved my job but didn't find it creatively fulfilling and making jewellery gave me the outlet that I needed. In 2012, after the birth of my daughter, I left Walker to focus on making jewellery (and being a mum!) 

I work mainly in perspex and wood, doing whatever I can from my home studio. My early designs were influenced by working with children’s books and I still make the more popular items from that time - bunnies, cats and birds - but as my life has changed so have my influences. Now, as a busy mum, I am drawn to much simpler forms and shapes. I make minimal pieces in subtle hues with and emphasis on quality and wearability. 

I love every part of running Jules & Clem, even the accounts! A lot of thought, care and attention goes into every detail and I hope it shows in my products.”

To see the Jules + Clems earrings, click in the accessories collection.

Jwrnal (‘journal’) is about people, places, products and processes. It's about conversation, community, storytelling and sharing.

I remember the giddy feeling I had inside when I stumbled across the website only a few weeks after moving to Wales. Seeing the vibrant communities here in Wales makes me excited to explore and discover. I feel privileged to be stocking issue #01 of the print magazine. Over 40 makers and creatives in Wales (including one of Firain’s makers, Callie Jones) shared stories, photographs, recipes, doodles and so much more to create Jwrnal #01. in print.

Jwrnal magazine launched at the Good Life Experience Festival in 2017 by curating a collection of contemporary craft products made by Makers from all corners of Wales, representing many mediums of traditional rural crafts including; pottery, weaving, chair making, textile art, wood work and more.

Editor Sarah Hellen is a collector, a curator, a do-er, a maker, evolving most things she does around her love of Wales and the creative people she meets. Follow her on Instagram @jwrnal_wales.

Jwrnal magazine is very special: click here to buy your copy. (It would make a fabulous gift for that Welsh friend in your life who misses home.)

Sending a card to a friend is such a thoughtful act and one I love to encourage, so I am delighted to add these beautiful cards by illustrator Katie Housley to the Firain collection to make to the whole affair even prettier.

Katie runs her stationery company from her studio by the sea in Hove, on the south coast of England. Her illustrations are light and fun, some with delicate foil or hand-finished details; the wording is thoughtful and sentimental.

I was drawn to the colours Katie uses - pinks and oranges and earthy tones.

Find Katie’s work in the Paper Goods collection in the shop.

About Kinfolk

Delving deeply into home, work, style and culture, Kinfolk promotes quality of life and connects a global community of creative professionals from London to Tokyo. Since 2011, Kinfolk has become a leading lifestyle authority with a dynamic mix of print and online media, including a quarterly magazine sold in over 100 countries in four languages, daily posts on Kinfolk.com, bestselling books, plus international events and a gallery space in the heart of Copenhagen.

Find the latest issue in the magazines collection.

In a world where even babies know how to use a device, stepping away from the digital world and enjoying a printed magazine feels like a treat but part of an important shift back to enjoying the physical pleasure of holding books and paper!

lionheart magazine is oozing with the most gorgeous illustrations, photography and thoughtful articles by artists, makers and musicians. established by hels, a mother of 3 and freelance writer, lionheart was created to help women feel peachy good and roaring from the inside and out into the world. 

find issue 10 in the paper goods section and magazine collection.

Fashion graduate Laura Baker creates the most wonderfully fun jewellery from her home in Manchester. Laura makes many of the beads she uses herself and has a fabulous way of using colours to elevate something as simple as a string of beads to a much grander piece.

we will have some new loela jewels available later in the summer, so look out!

To see the Loela jewellery, click in the accessories collection.

Maxine Pharoah is an experienced maker based in the utterly gorgeous town of St. Ives in Cornwall. Inspired by her coastal surroundings, Maxine creates a wide range of products and I am fortunate enough to be a stockist of her wonderful rope creations.

If you are ever in St. Ives, do visit Maxine in her studio in the Sloop Craft Market which was started in 1969. It is a complex of eleven workshops in a picturesque and quiet courtyard. The workshops include stained glass artist, illustrators, painters, ceramists, jewellers and craft makers. Take me with you!

Go to the textiles collection to see Maxine’s woven bowls, hanging planters and more.

miss bees balms is a unique and gorgeous range of highly effective, 100% natural, simple, pure plant skincare.  using only the finest bioactive botanical ingredients, Miss Bees Balms aim to deeply nourish, balance, and improve the skin structure by harnessing whole plant goodness.

It’s taken me a long time to select a skincare range for Firain. There is so much choice out there, but having tested these products myself - along with other humans, not animals - I am ready to promote them to my lovely customers.

Useful information…

Miss Bees Balm use both green and miron glass containers not only for their preserving and aesthetic properties but also for their endless recycling potential.  

As The Miss Bees Balms products are made without water, a small amount of balm/oil goes a long way - use sparingly at first (pea size amount for buttery balms) and apply more as necessary, ideally to clean, warm skin and allow to deeply nourish and moisturise for a few moments following application.

The Miss Bees Balms products are heat sensitive, so store them in a cool dry place away from direct heat and sunlight to help keep your products in optimum condition.  exposure to extremes may separate or alter the texture. for maximum freshness and potency, please follow the best before dates displayed on the label.

The products contain only pure plant goodness and no synthetic preservatives, so it's wise to exercise good hygiene (clean hands/spoon or spatula with the balms) when using these products and to help keep them at their best. Avoid getting water into bottles/jars and ensure the lids are replaced securely after use.

 It is wise to do a patch test when using new products and check the ingredients list to ensure suitability.   Please discontinue use if irritation occurs.   As with all products containing essential oils, please seek professional advice if you are unsure about your sensitivity to certain ingredients.

 All the products are industry certified and fully conform to the European cosmetic products safety regulations.

Molly has many strings to her bow!

She found a love of sewing and interiors when her mother trained her in soft furnishings in 2011. During her apprenticeship she began experimenting with making cushions and bags and has since gone on to complete a Diploma in Professional Curtain Making and Soft Furnishings.

For Firain, Molly has created a range of her beautiful soft buckets in ‘firain’ colours - blues and yellows of the seaside. She sews and hand paints onto cotton that is ethically sourced from India; each pot is different and I love these dotted around the house storing all kinds of things.

Find Molly’s buckets in new arrivals and for the home.

Glasgow-based Jen stewart established NMARRA in 2017 and has created quite a following for her fun and irreverent brass earrings.

​Jen is inspired by shapes in the natural world, folk art, 20th century design and architecture that she develops into wearable (and affordable) accessories. She kindly answered some questions I had about her creative process:

How do you get yourself in the creative mindset?

At the moment I feel like creativity breeds creativity for me, the more I put out into the world the more ideas pop up. Ideas for new designs come to me at odd times, so I try to get them down on paper so they are out of my head, which means I have many scattered sketches. I then gather them together to properly work up and develop into my designs.

Learning new skills, investigating a technical process or material always makes me look at things from a fresh perspective. Recently I have really enjoyed working with other creatives on photo-shoots, as it's great when everyone's expertise comes together to create something bigger and better.

Is there a book, person or place that you go to, to regain balance when things get crazy?

I love the sea, and water in general, it always makes me feel restored and re-energised. NMARRA actually takes its name abstractly from Scottish gaelic words for of or by the sea - na mara. If I can't get away to the coast or my other more reliably sunny adopted home city of Barcelona, then being in my flat, having a bath, and hanging out with my beloved kitten usually does the trick. I do love to get lost in a good (or somewhat trashy book) I am currently devouring Elmore Leonard and Raymond Chandler crime/ detective novels and find them very relaxing!

Do you have a motto you like to live by?

When it comes to work, a quote nabbed by author Alasdair Gray from Canadian Dennis Lee provides a bit of a inspiration: “Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation”. For me this is a good reminder that work should be part of creating the future world that we want to live in. I’d love to design and run my business full time and be able to create opportunities for others. This coupled with the old marketing motto, ‘if you fail to plan you plan to fail’, covers my general approach to NMARRA. In life, I generally just try to follow my gut and have a good time!

we love the bold designs in the nmarra range - the OPLA’s pictured here below are a best-seller.

click here to see the Nmarra earrings in the accessories collection.

Old Faithful unisex products are natural and consist of organic, cold pressed oils, herbal extracts and high quality essential oils. Old Faithful source the finest ingredients and create small batches of natural unrefined goodness. Creator Gareth is based in South Wales.

It’s taken me a long time to select a skincare range for firain. there is so much choice out there, but having tested these products myself - along with other humans, not animals - i am ready to promote them to my lovely customers.

Old Faithful products contain some fabulous ingredients, including…

argan oil has been used by Moroccans for centuries. Pure Organic Argan Oil has moisturising and conditioning properties. The oil contains eight essential fatty acids and boasts high levels of vitamin E. It is easily absorbed and non-greasy. Along with carotenoids, saponins and polyphones, Argan Oil contains rare plant sterols (schottenol and spinasterol). This oil is used in the Original Beard Oil, the mañana shave oil and the hammam moisturising serum.

avocado oil is used in the mañana shave oil as it’s rich in fatty acids and is excellent for moisturising the skin. avocado oil contains potassium, lecithin, and many other nutrients that can nourish and moisturise the skin.

Broccoli seed oil is used in the Original Beard Oil. Extracted from the oil-rich seeds of broccoli, this odourless and tasteless oil is loved for its light, but moisturising and rejuvenating feel on the skin.

Calendula species have been used traditionally as culinary and medicinal herbs as they can help to alleviate skin issues. The petals are edible and can be used fresh in salads or dried as a replacement for saffron. A yellow dye has been extracted from the flowers. Romans and Greeks used the golden calendula in many rituals and ceremonies, sometimes wearing crowns or garlands made from the flowers. Calendula flowers are sacred flowers in India and have been used to decorate the statues of Hindu deities since early times. It is used in the Makers’ Balm.

Cedar oil, used in the hammam moisturising serum, is an essential oil derived from various types of conifers, most in the pine or cypress botanical families. It is produced from the foliage, and sometimes the wood, roots, and stumps which have been left after cutting of trees for timber extraction. It has many uses in medicine, art, industry and perfumery, and while the characteristics of oils derived from various species may themselves vary, all have some degree of bactericidal and pesticidal effects.

Elemi oil is found in the Makers’ Balm. Some use this oil to prevent swelling, treat skin ulcers, and to ease the symptoms of rheumatism. In aromatherapy, elemi is used for its grounding and balancing properties, and is said to relieve stress. Similar to frankincense, elemi can best be typified in perfume lingo as "terpenic", an aroma typified by fresh pine needles, clean, woodsy, citrusy and coriander undertones.

jojoba oil is actually a liquid plant wax and is commonly used to treat acne, psoriasis, sunburn and chapped skin. Jojoba oil is the liquid produced in the seed of the Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) plant, a shrub, which is native to southern Arizona, southern California, and northwestern Mexico. It is used in the hammam moisturising serum and the Original Beard Oil.

Macadamia oil (or macadamia nut oil) is the non-volatile oil expressed from the nut meat of the macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) tree, a native Australian nut. This oil is found in the Makers’ Balm and the hammam moisturising serum.

Neroli oil is produced from the blossom of the bitter orange tree. it is sweet and honeyed and extremely popular in perfumery. it is known to be good for lifting the spirits and calming people down. This oil is found in the original beard oil - who knows how relaxed you might feel after using it!

Patchouli is related to the mint family. The plant grows as a bushy herb, with erect stems reaching around 75 centimetres (2.5 ft) in height and bearing small, pale pink-white flowers. It is native to tropical regions of Asia, and is now extensively cultivated in Asia, India, South America and the Caribbean. This oil is found in the Makers Balm as it has wound-healing and scar-reducing properties.

Rosehip oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, which are integral for tissue and cell regeneration in the skin. It's long been used as a folk remedy for wound healing, as well as the reduction of scars and fine lines. Rosehip oil is used in the hammam moisturising serum.

Sandalwood is widely used in cosmetics and soap making. It has a distinctive soft, warm, smooth, somewhat oriental fragrance. Used in the hammam moisturising serum, its derived from sandalwood trees which not only retain their fragrance for decades but are extremely expensive woods.

Vetiver essential oil, also called khus oil, is extracted from the vetiver plant, a clumpy, green grass native to India. Vetiver is in the same family as other grasses used for their essential oils, including lemongrass and citronella. This oil is found in the Makers Balm.

'Projektityyny' aka Project Cushion is a Nordic home textiles brand founded in January 2016 by Dorset-based Finnish designer, Nora Nilsson. 

my very first order for firain was with nora. I was so nervous to start this shop, but we had met at the Pulse show in London and I fell for her sumptuous textiles on the spot. with a background in fashion design and buying, nora has an eye for using the most luxurious textiles and I love the colour combinations and the sweet touches of pom poms and tassels.

the projekti tyyny cushions and blankets are special pieces that will add cosy scandi-boho layers to your home. each piece is unique - handmade in limited editions in india to nora’s exacting standards, these are truly investment pieces for your home.

find projekti tyyny in the textiles and new arrivals sections of the shop.

read more about Nora and her ever-expanding brand in an interview for 91 magazine.

I love that the word ‘reverie’ is from an old french word meaning ‘be delirious’. shouldn’t we all feel like that from time to time?

Reverie Studio was born out of a dream to create modern products that are mindfully made and I know you will love sending these gorgeous letterpress cards to your favourite people.

Reverie Studio pay attention to the materials they use - the materials they use can either be recycled or are already recycled. The cards are made on a vintage adana letterpress, which means their designs are limited edition and even more precious.

If you would like to see the reverie studio range, please go to the paper goods collection.

soap is very important to firain - we are making an effort to swap our hand-pump soaps for bars and we have been on the lookout for a long time for scents we love and packaging that is eco-friendly and beautiful. we are so happy that we discovered soap daze which fits the bill perfectly!

Soap Daze is a Devon-based company run by Sharon, who makes the soaps in her back garden. She uses the finest organic ingredients to make creamy, rich soaps in a fantastic range of scents. each soap is palm-oil free and suitable for vegans and many use herbs and spices. I love that sharon offers ‘unwrapped’ versions of the soaps, to reduce packaging and the cost of producing the bars.

find the soap daze collection of vegan soap in three places: new arrivals, for the home and for your adventures.

Louise Lockhart is a the artist behind The Printed Peanut. All products are manufactured in the UK and aim to use eco-friendly materials wherever possible. The soaps we stock are handmade with a smiley face stamped onto every bar.

The Printed Peanut is a one-woman operation, based in sunny Yorkshire, UK. Louise lives and works in an old cotton mill where she spends her days creating designs from little paper cut outs and line drawings. We asked her a few questions:

What is your most important artist tool? Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?

I’d say paper is the most important thing as I always start my designs by cutting out shapes from paper with a knife.

When you are stuck for ideas, where do you go, what do you do, who do you talk to? 

I like to cycle along the canal to the post office to send off my orders and give my eyes a break from the computer screen!

Where is your happy place?

I like to hunt in second hand shops for old children’s books and other treasures. Preferably on holiday!

Find the printed soaps in for the home and for your adventures

Lilly Mandarano is the maker behind The Super Sparrow. She is based in Deptford, South London (a place close to my heart as its the area of London I moved to when I was 20, fresh-faced from the countryside!). Deptford has a really thriving art scene and Lilly is very much part of it.

All her work is hand built and glazed, making each piece unique.

I love how Lilly describes her work: “Making ceramics takes time; each stage is important and as clay has a memory, each piece tells its own story. Having been hand-built gives them individuality and personality.”

I was drawn to The Super Sparrow creations because of the natural, simple, honest (almost minimalist) designs. Sometimes we can be afraid to use ceramics for everyday use but Lilly’s work is robust and dishwasher-proof.

Lilly uses different clays for her designs:

Top: Buff Stoneware

Bottom Left: Flecked Stoneware

Bottom Right: Lavafleck Stoneware

Flecked Stoneware has a lighter flecking and more neutral colour tone than Lavafleck.

Please go to the new arrivals and for the home collections to see the full range, and for the bathroom to see the soap dishes.

In 2001 when we all grabbed plastic bags willy nilly from the supermarket checkout, former ecologist Beth Williams established Turtle Bags to raise awareness of the hazards that plastic bags were causing in the oceans. After discovering that sea turtles were confusing plastic bags for delicious jelly fish, the brand created practical string bags to help us all reduce our reliance on plastic. It was voted as one of the top ten ‘best bags for life’ by the independent newspaper, ​

Turtle Bags work with FairTrade partners who share their environmental values (and ours!) to supply ethically produced bags for life. Turtle Bags is a company with integrity at it’s heart and Fair Trade principles at it’s core.

find the super stylish tote bags and string bags in the accessories collection.