Top Drawer Spring 2013

We were back at Earls Court in London to exhibit at Top Drawer, a design led trade show for gift companies and retailers

The stand was full of ribbons, piled high in a dresser that I had bought off Ebay and painted cream.

We also displayed ribbons in old fashioned crates off my fathers’ farm which were really eye catching, with everyone asking “Do you sell these?”

The stand was also adorned with our sample ‘mood board’ cards.

Each ribbon I’ve designed has a story behind it with many childhood memories or travels behind the inspiration.

Our ribbons adorned boxes wrapped up in floral wallpaper.

We very much went for the vintage floral theme and tied in artificial flowers from a local cake shop.

I love to include flowers on my stand and ribbons were tied around little vintage milk bottles with bluebells.

Our Easter collection was also showcased, and our faux speckled eggs are a favourite with Country Living Magazine.

Last year many shops ordered these purely as decorations for the window, and ended up stocking them as customers were asking to buy them.

The new range of nostalgic paper bags were launched, very versatile for parties, small gifts, sweets and favours.

I even decorated one for a Valentine style shoot, and I know these will be so popular for Christmas too.

A big trend coming through is monochrome and patterns, so our Black and White dotty ribbon proved popular.  The design came from liquorice allsorts (being my favourite, the sweets didn’t last long after this photoshoot!).

We all had a super time at Earls Court, there are so many brilliant products at Top Drawer, that I ended up placing lots of orders.

 I now can’t wait to get my new ranges for the Haberdashery Closet, Wed Craft event and Country Living Fair.

On a final note, we were so busy with the run up to Christmas that our annual staff party had to be postponed.

 Luckily some of the team enjoyed a lovely meal at Sartoria in London over the show weekend, and we aim to have a small staff bash in the Spring in Lincolnshire.