We're in the Telegraph's 50 best websites!

Websites that are leading the online – and social – revolution…

Who, little old us?

Well, not so little any more. But the truth is, we have only just celebrated our 4th birthday so we are still pretty young, so we were hugely chuffed to appear in this Telegraph article, as one of the best shopping sites, alongside netaporter.com and ebay.co.uk.

And we feel compelled to respond to Jasper Gerard and his plea about our knitted-effect ceramic beakers.

The answer is, you don’t need one. But the reason you must have one (and it’s the whole reason our site works) is because it is beautiful.

And for that reason, you have one in the post! Think of it as a very special thank you gift: distinctive, different and handmade with love.

Posted by jokite on 25 May 2010

Holly and Sophie have their third TV appearance

We were very proud of Holly and Sophie this week when they appeared as the guests of the day on BBC 2’s Working Lunch. We huddled around computer screens and TVs to watch the live streaming of Tuesday’s programme, as the notonthehighstreet.com founders chatted about the business. We were amongst the half a million viewers who tune in daily to see the latest business, consumer and workplace news from across the country.

Watch Holly and Sophie on the programme now on the BBC iPlayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00sjtqt/Working_Lunch_18_05_2010/

Despite our very best plans to make sure the site was equipped for a large amount of hits during this period, visitors exceeded all expectations so please accept our apologies if you experienced a slow site around lunchtime on Tuesday!

Posted by jokite on 21 May 2010

Something Wonderful has happened

Another of our partners has broken into the publishing world, by having their work featured in a new coffee table book. Something Wonderful Design has been included in a new book called Impressive, published by Gestalten. The book is a celebration of artists who combine graphic design and craft, and showcases works from hundreds of different designers who are inspired by their passion for traditional techniques. The book features the ‘LOVE’ print from Something Wonderful Design, which is available from the site as a greeting card and a canvas.

Impressive is available from Amazon and the Gestalten website.

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 19 May 2010

an interview with Fingerprints

Fingerprints make a stunning range of contemporary jewellery and keepsakes with a classic but quirky twist. Designer Tabitha runs a friendly family business, working with a small team of designers in her London studios. We asked her to reflect on her business and her partnership with notonthehighstreet.com

1. What inspired you to create Fingerprints?
I started Fingerprints in April 2002. Whilst at home with my youngest child, Mia, I began making jewellery as a hobby. I absolutely loved it and found myself spending more and more time making beads and designing new pieces of jewellery that I gave to friends as presents. The response was very positive so I kept going and started to feel a real sense of destiny – that this was something I was called to do. The name came about when a friend pointed out that my fingerprints were all over the hand-crafted clay beads I had made! I loved the concept and the name reflects that each piece is made by hand, unique and reflects something of me as the maker!

2. Describe your product range and what makes it unique
Fingerprints specialises in one-of-a-kind designs, made by hand. We make both classic and quirky jewellery and accessories in a broad range of vibrant colours using sterling silver, semi-precious stones and polymer clay. Each piece of jewellery has at least one component within it that we have made by hand using this clay so it has become a signature for Fingerprints designs.

3. What is your best selling range or product?
My jewellery range – Personalised Petite Puff Heart Pendant, and the Personalised Favours.

4. Do you have a good work / life balance?
As a mum, I really value being able to choose when and how I work so that I can put my family’s needs first. Selling online through notonthehighstreet.com has been one of the ways that I have been able to have more choice regarding my working schedule.

5. Has notonthehighstreet.com had a positive impact on your business?
Joining notonthehighstreet.com has proved to be one of the best decisions I have ever made concerning my business. The sales it has generated have transformed the way that Fingerprints operates. During a tough few years of trading due to the recession, our sales through notonthehighstreet.com have continued to soar and have become our most consistent source of sales throughout the year. I am very grateful to notonthehighstreet.com for their hard work and continued efforts to boost sales.

6. What are your ambitions for your company in the future?
The success we have experienced has meant that we are expanding our Purity Collection – a range of accessories designed with Christenings, Baptisms and Weddings in mind. The Purity Hoop Earrings are already available on the site. We are also developing our personalised jewellery ranges to allow customers more options to choose from so they can ‘design’ their own pieces of jewellery and make one of a kind pieces completely unique to them. We recently launched new range of personalised gifts such as colourful key rings and decorations.

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 17 May 2010

new home for Bombus!

We’re always excited to hear news from our partners, and when we heard that Bombus were moving to a lovely new studio, we were thrilled. Based in Faversham in Kent, Bombus is run by Amelia and her team and they have just been treated to a brand new home.

Bombus make beautiful customised vintage furniture and home ware, and have been working with us since the year notonthehighstreet.com began. The personalised vintage map heart is their best seller and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular gift – choose a destination close to the heart of your recipient, and Bombus will find a vintage map of that area and make it into a beautiful heart for framing. It’s a beautiful and delightful piece for the home that is suitable for so many gifting occasions.

Due to the intricate nature of their work, it’s vital that Bombus have the right working environment where they can lovingly create each product. Their new space will accommodate for the rapid growth of the company, and for new staff to create new and exciting products. We can’t wait to see what their new inspiration leads to!

Posted by jokite on 13 May 2010

featuring... your life

For a stunning home style and a unique way to use glass cake stands when they’re not being monopolised by your latest iced masterpieces, combine a collection of domes to showcase your favourite interior accessories, jewellery or faux flowers. Chop and change at will, depending on your mood. For an edgier look, encapsulate more masculine, industrial pieces such as a pyramid of cards (glue is required!), traditional, colourful toys like rubix cubes and slinkies, metal letters or engraved stones.

The hotel Mama Shelter in Paris (a fabulous Philippe Starke hotel frequented by a couple of members of the notonthehighstreet.com team) has one filled with old cotton reels.

Buy glass domes here

Posted by jokite on 04 May 2010