Sophie is judging the Website of the Year Awards!

Now in its second year, The Good Web Guide’s Website of the Year Award is a celebration of websites from small businesses and organisations. The awards provide an excellent way for online enterprises to gain recognition for the design, content, originality and interactivity of their websites. There is a great line up of judges this year, including notonthehighstreet.com’s very own Sophie Cornish. Sophie will use her experience in the online market to judge the sites from budding entrepeneurs accross the county. The winner be will announced at The Royal Institution, London on Tuesday 16 November. Good luck to all the contestants!

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 30 September 2010

we've got the doodle bug!

We love to celebrate innovative designs from our partners, and one new product in particular is experiencing great success. The doodle duvet cover by Stitch designworks has been awarded Best New Product at Top Drawer, one of the most prestigious trade fairs in the UK. The doodle duvet is a 200 thread count, white cotton single duvet cover designed to resemble a giant piece of file paper. It comes with its own pack of eight wash-out colour pens, for drawing a masterpiece, writing a story or leaving a message – then the duvet cover can be easily washed to start all over again!

Chrissie Probert Jones, founder of Stitch designworks and creator of the doodle duvet cover, said the product was born from her passion for both textiles and stationery: “I just love the idea of going to bed under a blank sheet of paper to decorate at will, and then be able to wash and change completely. I love the slightly subversive side of giving people permission to draw where they normally shouldn’t and the freedom of totally wash-out colour so there are no limits to what you can do – a really positive addition to your interior and one you won’t tire of!”

We have a sneaky suspicion it might be the most talked about children’s Christmas present this year…

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 22 September 2010

little chooks

A very special photo shoot was held recently to test drive some new gorgeous products from Littlechook. Karin Duguid, the founder of Littlechook, organised a photo shoot at her daughter’s nursery, where she was able to showcase some of her latest t shirt designs. The new tops were a hit with the little ones, the rabbit and butterfly prints were particularly popular. The Littlechook range also includes trousers, bibs and bags, all created by Karin using very soft but hard-wearing organic cotton.

The children were excellent models, all holding hands and striking poses for the camera. To reward all their hard work they all went home with goodies, as everyone was allowed to keep the clothes they modelled!

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 14 September 2010

London calling! We celebrate London Design Festival with Livingetc

This month we’re celebrating London Design Festival, 18 – 26 September, and showcasing a range of design-led home ware from some of our London-based designer-makers. We are delighted that Carmel Allen, editor of Livingetc, is acting as curator to our collection, “London calling”, and has selected her favourite products from our partners based in the capital. In honour of our partnership with Livingetc, we are thrilled to offer you a free copy of the magazine.

To redeem your complimentary issue*, call 08452863036 and quote 115N, or text LETC to 60300 and someone from the Livingetc team will call you back. Lines are open 8am-9pm Monday-Thursday and 8am-8pm Friday-Sunday.

*The offer is available for the first 800 callers and is open to UK residents only. Offer closes on 20th September 2010 at 12pm please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Calls cost up to 2p per minute plus a 6p set up fee from a BT landline. Mobile and other providers charges may vary. You will receive the next available issue of Livingetc, which will vary from the issue shown. One free copy per household. Happy reading!

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 13 September 2010

curiouser and curiouser... how did we find the destination of our summer party?

It started at a tea party with a difference (the difference being long island iced tea… and a lucky dip), it continued with a treasure hunt around Barnes and ended in a watering hole aptly named The Idle Hour. The dress code was ‘hat’ but in their usual creative style, many team members took the party theme (alice in wonderland) and did great things with it – meaning many prizes were handed out for the best fancy dress: Roland with his hand-drawn cards, Lucy for her hand-sewn tea party apron, Joanne for her hat and belt made of cards, Jenny for turning herself into a looking glass and John for being the carpenter, with a walrus in his pocket no less. Other mentions definitely need to include Hannah’s nail varnish, and the many hats she made for lucky team members, Cora’s dress (she used to do costume design, don’t you know) and my hat made from a real tea cup and saucer (sorry, but I am writing this).

Thanks Gemma, you did a wonderful job organising it all. You’ve set your standards high for the Christmas party ;o)

Posted by jokite on 08 September 2010

an interview with Abigail Bryans

What inspired you to create your business?
I began Abigail Bryans Designs ten years ago. I found myself in the position of being on my own – with my three very small children and needing to earn a living. I looked at various jobs that would possibly work around school hours, but knew deep down I wanted to use my creativity to make gifts. Over the years I had pottered and painted things and sold them to friends, from mini photograph frames to furniture. It was a friend that said ‘don’t be frightened to fail’. Hearing those words spurred me on to make a business work with something I love doing.

Describe your product range and what makes it unique?
Distressed wooden signs with warm and quirky sayings. The signs are painted in a vintage cream, distressed and waxed and hung with a piece of twine. Each one is unique and can also be personalised. I also make necklace hooks and key rings that can be personalised and painted in the same style.

What is your best selling product?
The ‘Champagne is the answer’ and ‘I must remember to put my wife before the football’ are my most popular signs. I have also had so many fantastic requests of personalisation from customers. They always make me smile!

What is your home like?
I live in a four bed roomed terrace house in south London with my three children and a lovely lodger. It is a busy and compact work place, juggling homework and sign painting around the kitchen table. It is a place of laughter and life.

What impact has notonthehighstreet.com had on your business?
notonthehighstreet.com has totally transformed my business. It has taken the onus off me for marketing and has reached a much, much bigger audience that I would never have been able to do. I have felt so supported by them and encouraged. They have been amazing. It has been totally one of the best decisions I have made regarding my business! As the recession was hitting other places, by sales through notonthehighstreet.com kept on coming in, which was so encouraging.

What are you lusting after on notonthehighstreet.com?
Such a good question – what am I lusting after on notonthehighstreet.com; many many things! Everything! But definitely the Union Jack Chair by Foxbat Boutique. I can just see it sitting nicely in front of my desk!

What are your ambitions for the future?
What are my ambitions – I would just love for my designs, which originated from something so small to be sold around the world – and to be enjoyed everywhere, from here to Australia! And for me to still be able to make them all! I would love a gorgeous little workplace where all my dust could settle away from my kitchen! Sadly my garden isn’t big enough to build something – but maybe one day – watch this space!!

Posted by jenniferbaldwin on 01 September 2010