Shop Small Love Local

25/08/2022

If you are looking for stylish but practical and safe breastfeeding and teething jewellery then you have to check out Bennie Blooms.

Alice, mum and owner of Bennie Blooms thrives on creating and maintaining a brand that suits both mum and baby. She has curated the most unique and beautiful products for mums and your little ones. From breastfeeding and teething jewellery, precious personalised keepsakes, mamas essentials and toys, she has got you covered!

Alice tells Shop Small, Love Local the story behind her business in our latest issue, check it our at www.shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk

29/07/2022

This issue marks one year since the start of Shop Small, Love Local! Our very first issue launched in July 2021 and I can’t believe a year has passed already. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved with Shop Small, Love Local so far, everyone who has featured, read and supported us over this past year. We couldn’t do it without you!

So without further ado, what does Issue 12 have to offer? This month we meet Alice of Bennie Blooms, a woman on a mission to offer stylish, yet practical breastfeeding and teething necklaces (and other items) to mums up and down the country. Spotting a gap in the market after having her own children, Alice set about curating her own collection of less ‘musmsy’ looking jewellery and Bennie Blooms was born! She shares her story with Shop Small, Love Local.

We also hear Karen’s story of setting up an online gift shop from her home in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. A Wee Token offers a range of beautiful gifts sourced from local makers and artisans. Find out how Karen got started and where she wants to take her business in the future.

In honor of Yorkshire day on the 1st August we also bring you a selection of unmissable Yorkshire small businesses, from print makers to award winning juices, check them out!

On the business side of things we take a crash course in customer retention and of course there is a social media content planner for August.

If you are interested in the story behind Shop Small, Love Local has a read about my story, in an updated version to mark our first year.

Read the whole issue at www.shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk

Thank you for your continued support!

Until next time,
Rachel

21/07/2022

Timeless Toys is a family owned independent wooden and plastic-free toy shop situated along Portland Road in west Hove, Brighton & Hove.

The shops’s purpose is to offer the highest quality toys and brands you can trust, brands which adhere to the highest standards both environmentally and ethically, that won’t impact people or the planet negatively, who support people and the planet over profit – all in one shop.  

Owner Susan tells Shop Small, Love Local all about her mission and business journey, read it all here: https://shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk/timeless-toys-beautifully-handcrafted-boundless-play/

07/07/2022

Summer is here and when the kids are of off school it can be a challenge to keep them entertained! Well don’t worry, here are some great activities from small businesses to keep them busy all summer long!

Including...

Froggie wooden skittles, perfect for outdoor play on a sunny day, from

A two lane car race track you can use with the toy cars you have at home, attach the Speed Track to a window or door, roll it out and away you go! From

Screw Activity Boards for children to develop many skills including hand eye coordination, fine motor skills & gripping. From

Hand made story stones that help develop communication, storytelling skills and can aid with problem solving, from

Make sure you are beach and sandpit ready with your plastic free bucket and spade! From

Fun, educational cubes that keeps kids actively engaged during any playtime or activity session, from

Read more at www.shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk

01/07/2022

This month is all about summer fun, starting with a selection of fun activities from small businesses to keep your kids entertained all summer.

We also meet Susan, owner of Timeless Toys, a family owned independent wooden and plastic-free toy shop situated in Brighton & Hove. Susan is passionate about offering the highest quality toys and brands which adhere to the highest standards both environmentally and ethically.

Do you have news to share but are unsure about how to write a press release? Read our handy guide to doing just that and expand your business’ reach.

This month we also touch on how to create and use QR codes for your business. In addition, if you haven’t tried Canva’s smart mock up tool – here is a step by step guide to take you though the process.

Don’t miss the July 2022 social media content planner too.

Read it all at www.shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk

27/06/2022

Jacob’s Boutique is a vibrant business, providing customers with ethical and sustainable fashion, uniform and accessories. 

Owner and creator Rhiannon takes pride in designing and creating fun, unique and inclusive items for all ages and for all shapes and sizes.

Jacobs Boutique offers everything from Handmade leggings, shorts, dresses, bibs, blankets, Jumpers, Hoodies, Beanie Hats and more. There is something for everyone.

Jacobs Boutique offers a huge variety of exclusive fabric prints, sizes and items including accessories and vinyl printing. They work UK seamless pattern designers to create gorgeous designs which are bespoke and exclusive to JB!

Read all about Rhiannon’s story in Shop Small, Love Local, link in bio.

21/06/2022

Introducing a new alternative to Etsy - Crafter’s Market UK.

Crafter’s Market UK is a new marketplace for buying and selling crafts, artwork and designs in the UK. With low selling fees and no up-front
costs it is fast becoming one of the nations favourite place to sell
handmade goods.

You can set up your shop for free and only pay 5% commission fee +1.4%+20p payment processing fee per order, meaning you can set up shop with absolutely zero risk or commitment. Alternatively, you can pay £5.00 per month and pay just 1.4%+20p payment processing fee per order.

Founded in 2021 by David Pottrell, Holly Woodruff and her husband, Chris Woodruff, Crafter’s Market aims to introduce a breath of fresh air into the handmade marketplace.

Crafter’s Market UK has been designed and developed by crafters, for crafters and aims to create a community of like-minded makers who help
each other.

Find out more in the latest issue of Shop, Small Love Local: https://shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk/another-etsy-alternative-yep-but-hear-us-out/

07/06/2022

Bag Daddy creates changing bags and accessories with Dads in mind. The business was set up by five fathers, from a wide range of backgrounds, who decided to produce products that they didn’t or couldn’t see in the in the existing marketplace.

As serving soldiers, doctors, high-end outdoor activity manufacturers and product designers, with varying experiences and starts in life, they were intent on providing the highest quality products at reasonable prices to aid those bringing-up children.

Freddie from Bag Daddy shares the story of how these five fathers took their own ideas and perceptions to produce a selection of changing bags and accessories designed for new parents and beyond, read the full story at www.shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk

31/05/2022

Looking for the perfect Father's day gift...

Scents and Sense

With a range of self care gifts to choose from, how about the Beard & Moustache survival kit, containing beard oil, moustache wax and a handy folding comb all cunningly concealed in a metal to***co tin.

The Dorset Ginger Company

The Dorset Ginger company specialises in non alcoholic ginger drinks. Why not try their award-winning, non-alcoholic ginger drinks & Sicilian lemonade, all made in Dorset for the ginger drink lovers & foodies.

Bayside bakery

Does your Dad have a sweet tooth? Bayside Bakery creates postal gift boxes of 8 deliciously gooey award winning brownies, beautifully gift wrapped, with your personal message added and posted direct will bring a big smile.

Two Elevens

Two Elevens hand makes a range of beautifully crafted toiletry bags, how about a fund comic strip pattern or a moustache print?

Sirology

Sirology is a retail destination for the guys – clean shaven, bearded – hipster or dapper. There is a wide range of gifts to choose from, but for a lighthearted gift try a Whisky flavoured Lip Balm or an Iron Brew Candle.

Issies sweeties

You can’t go wrong with sweets! Tuck into Issie’s collection of fun themed Sweet Pouches, Sweetie Gift Boxes, Selection Boxes, Dairy-Free Sweets and Gluten-Free Sweets now!

House of clay

House of Clay creates unique clay keepsakes and gifts for all occasions. The Father’s Day collection comes in various colour options and the wording can be completely personalised to suit you and to make the perfect gift for Father’s day.

Read more and click to shop at www.shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk

27/05/2022

This issue is all about Father’s Day! If you are looking for gift ideas don’t miss our Father’s Day gift guide, featuring a range of great gifts to suit any dad.

In recognition of Father’s Day we also learn about Bag Daddy, a changing bag specifically designed and produced by dads for dads. Find out how the idea came to life and what makes a Bag Daddy so special.

This month we also hear about the story of Jacob’s Boutique and how Welsh mum Rhiannon built a clothing brand featuring fun, unique and inclusive items.

Don’t miss our next social media content calendar installment, focusing on content ideas for the month of June. Also, if you are interested in taking steps towards creating a sustainable business read out five tips on how to become more environmentally friendly.

Finally this month we hear about Crafter’s Market UK, a new marketplace for buying and selling crafts, artwork and designs in the UK. With with low selling fees and no up-front costs it is fast becoming one of the nations favourite place to sell handmade goods.

Read it all at www.shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk

Until next month!

Rachel

26/05/2022

Let's keep shopping small this summer, support our phenomenal small businesses and contribute to the local economy!

24/05/2022

Home Barn Lifestyle is a small, independent homeware and gift shop, with a passion for sustainability, located in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Owner Gail tells shop small, love local about the business. Read the full story at www.shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk

 

13/05/2022

is a family run independent business based in beautiful Norfolk. 

The company creates natural handcrafted products using essential oils.

Naomi shared the story behind Norfolk Remedies with Shop Small, Love Local...click the link in the bio to read!

13/05/2022

Looking for good vegan cheese? Check out the range from Nourish Good Food! In the latest issue of Shop Small, Love Local we meet Nourish's creator Anto.

Read her story about following her heart, moving to Northern Ireland during the pandemic and starting her business, click the link in our bio!

13/05/2022

Tahlia, Founder of Tahlia Paige, surface pattern designer and maker, tells Shop Small, Love Local the story behind her business and how hedgehogs became a central feature of her work in our latest issue.

“My products are unique because each one uses those fabrics I designed, inspired by the endangered wildlife in our woodlands"

"My range includes makeup bags, pouches, sleepmasks, tote bags, hair accessories, art prints and my reusable items. These have been quite popular as gifts especially, they’re a set of six reusable skincare pads, that can be used for taking off makeup, applying cleansers, or even removing a facemask. I usually sell them as giftsets with a washbag for keeping them safe in the washing machine, and a pouch for storing those essentials”.

Read the story using the link in the bio.

06/05/2022

We are well into spring now, the leaves are back on the trees, the nights are getting longer and cherry blossom season is here!

If you are looking for the perfect spring accessories that will carry you through into summer don’t miss our spring accessories feature. Five small businesses from different parts of the UK share their top picks for spring; from bright handbags to flower infused jewellery!

This month we meet the lovely Tahlia, founder of Tahlia Paige, surface pattern designer and maker. Tahlia shares the story behind her business and how hedgehogs became a central feature of her work.

If you are looking for interior inspiration, Gail from Home Barn Lifestyle shares how her love of home styling and rummaging around flea markets grew into a family run business based in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Gail’s passion for combining old and new products, with a focus on the planet, creates an eclectic style not to be missed.

Social media management continues to be a main theme, both on  and in my own business at the minute, to help with planning content I have created a simple guide to creating a social media plan that you may find useful. Don’t forget about the social media content planner too which continues throughout May.

Finally, many small business owners are venturing into the world of Amazon. Read our tips on how to rank well on Amazon and boost sales.

Read it all on www.shopsmalllovelocal.co.uk

05/05/2022

The number 13 may be associated with bad luck, but not for Rachel from ! Not only does the number 13 hold a special place in her heart, her print business which focuses on fun and colourful typographic prints, brings joy and motivation to all her customers.

Read the full story on Shop Small, Love Local.

04/05/2022

04/05/2022

25/08/2021