Gift Focus - Mar/Apr 2019 (Issue 112)

Flying the flag In this special feature, we celebrate the best of British-made products Along with an expertise for delivering a high- quality handmade product, Pintail Candles has a reputation for staying ahead of the game. As a pioneer in making candle tins, the company is once again bringing a new gifting concept to market through sparkly card and candle combinations. Following the rave reviews of the Occasions Candles range, Pintail Candles is launching equally sparkly Occasions Greetings Cards. The cards mirror the contemporary styling of the candles, including emoji and icon detailing, but with a dash of gold foil adding extra glitz and glamour. With the combo retailing at less than £7.50, this new gifting idea is set to offer a little bit of luxury at an accessible price. T: +44 (0)1539 559 007 W: pintailcandles.com New from Humblewood for 2019 is a range of chopping, cheese and serving boards in the brand’s colourful, contemporary style. In line with the company’s commitment to creating products that offer a new take on common home accessories and gift items, Humblewood’s new products are distinct from the traditional natural- edge slabs of timber on the market. Each board features angled, painted sides, with beautifully grained top surfaces treated with food- safe oil. Other new products already proving popular are sets of drinks coasters and door wedges, again matching Humblewood’s design style. These new products join the bestselling fridge magnets, vases, quirky wonky clocks and popular all-in-a-row vases. The company’s selection also includes desk tidies, phone and tablet stands, tea lights and key rings. All items are designed and made by Humblewood in the company’s workshop in Eden Valley, Cumbria. T: +44 (0)7740 076 173 W: humblewood.uk/wholesale Small-scale, artisan production is something Britain does very well, and the Somerset woodlands of walking stick specialist Classic Canes are a perfect example. British-native hardwoods such as ash, hazel and blackthorn are coppiced to produce suitable shoots for walking sticks. Taking about four years to grow, they are harvested in winter and air-dried for at least a year before steaming, straightening and being made into walking sticks. The craftsman assesses each piece of wood and works on it individually to maximise its potential. Each rustic stick is distinct and supplies an interesting story for retailers to pass on to customers. T: +44 (0)146 075 686 W: classiccanes.co.uk Dunoon is a Staffordshire-based family business that has produced high-quality mugs since 1974. The Skye mug is made from fine bone china clay sourced from Cornwall, which creates a piece that is brilliant white and translucent yet very resilient. Manufactured in England, the mugs are handled by skilled craftsmen at every stage of making. From Michele Aubourg come two splendid new designs, Agapanthus and Rosabunda, with blue agapanthus and pink cabbage rose flowers in full bloom. The designs are taken from beautiful watercolours painted in Michele’s exquisite botanical style. Michele’s designs are already been very popular, and Dunoon aims to increase the range with even more bold, summery flowers. T: +44 (0)1785 817 414 W: dunoonmugs.co.uk 44 giftfocus