A GIFT GUIDE: NATURAL SELECTION
THE NATURAL SELECTION
We don’t have a ‘For Him / For Her’ approach to the Simple Shape collection (or to life in general really!) so we decided it would be more fun to organise our collection into approximate colour groups to help you with your gift shopping.
So, if you’re looking for handmade, crafted gifts that have ALL, without exception, been made in the UK and Ireland and that each support a designer, maker, small business or unique industry then this is the gift guide for you.
If alpaca wool throws, wooden boards, copper watering cans, walnut coffee scoops and jute twine…are your thing, see below. We can help here!
[AND, if you’re signed up to our newsletter delivery is ALWAYS free.]
This is for the cheese lovers. The striking ‘spalted’ grain of these Beech boards is actually caused by a fungus. Although the fungus ultimately damages the tree, it does make stunning grain markings. These boards are beautifully made and have a handy circular hole allowing you to hang the board when it’s not in use. No two boards are the same, but they are all equally dramatic looking.
Wood: Spalted Beech
Size: diameter: 26.5 cm
Notes: When cleaning do clean with soapy water, do not immerse the board or leave it to soak. Always dry off, and from time to time rub lightly with food safe oil for protection.
The striking ‘spalted’ grain of these Beech boards is actually caused by a fungus. Although the fungus ultimately damages the tree, it does make stunning grain markings. These boards a beautifully made and have a handy circular hole allows you to hang the board when it’s not in use, or you can stand a bowl in it and use if for nuts, grapes, crackers, whatever your cheese board needs really! No two boards are the same, but they are all equally dramatic looking.
Wood: Spalted Beech
Size: l: 45cm x w: 20cm
Notes: When cleaning do clean with soapy water, do not immerse the board or leave it to soak. Always dry off, and from time to time rub lightly with food safe oil for protection.
Our Rippled Sycamore boards are made by hand in Norfolk. They are made from a storm fallen tree that was ‘rescued’ from Halesworth in Suffolk. They make wonderful cheese boards, would look great with charcuterie, work perfectly as bread boards... Basically they’re an excellent all-round serving boards. Each one is different as the grain varies, which makes them unique too.
Wood: Sycamore
Size: l: 45cm x w: 20cm
Notes: When cleaning do clean with soapy water, do not immerse the board or leave it to soak. Always dry off, and from time to time rub lightly with food safe oil for protection.
Look at this grain! These wonderful serving boards are made from Holm Oak which gives the boards their distinctive grain. The Holm Oak is resistant to salt-spray so are often planted as windbreaks in coastal areas, however they can’t tolerate frost and suffer in hard winters. These special boards are made from a storm-fallen tree. They are dense and hard wearing. And utterly unique and special. Every board is different and each grain pattern varies from one board to the next.
Wood: Holm Oak
Size: l: 29.5cm x w:15.5cm
Notes: When cleaning do clean with soapy water, do not immerse the board or leave it to soak. Always dry off, and from time to time rub lightly with food safe oil for protection.
Utterly beautiful, super smooth coffee scoop. Hand carved from Sycamore and finished with food safe organic flax seed oil mixed with beeswax. Each scoop is slightly different to the next, the natural flaws in the wood are what give each scoops its character. This is THE gift for a coffee lover, if you know that person or if that’s you then you really need this. That’s it really, now, will it be sycamore or walnut?
Wood: sycamore
Size: l: 9cm w: 5-6cm d: 2-3cm [sizes are approximate and vary from scoop to scoop]
Notes: When cleaning do, wash quickly in soapy water, do not leave it to soak. Always dry off, and from time to time rub the scoop lightly with food safe oil for protection.
Working with arborists, with sawmill offcuts and with storm fallen woodland timber means that you never know exactly what you will get. Slow Made Goods, based in Norfolk, takes the very best of the woods available and these walnut scoops are carefully hand-carved, highly polished and finished with food safe organic flax seed oil mixed with beeswax. Each scoop is slightly different to the next, the natural flaws in the wood are what give each scoops its character. So the question is, will it be the dark walnut scoop or the soft sycamore scoop for your coffee ritual?
Wood: walnut
Size: l: 9cm w: 5-6cm d: 2-3cm [sizes are approximate and vary from scoop to scoop]
Notes: When cleaning do, wash quickly in soapy water, do not leave it to soak. Always dry off, and from time to time rub the scoop lightly with food safe oil for protection.
Elegant long handled oak spoons, ideal for coffee beans, grains, seeds… These make great gifts for those who are happiest in the kitchen.
Wood: Oak
Size: l: 17cm (handle 11cm, scoop 6cm) [sizes are approximate and vary a little from spoon to spoon]
Notes: When cleaning, do wash quickly in soapy water, do not leave it to soak. Always dry off, and from time to time rub the scoop lightly with food safe oil for protection.
Classic dinner candles. Perfect for making simple table settings look effortlessly stylish. Each dinner candle is hand ‘drawn’ - a traditional candle making technique that has been used on the St Eval family farm since the early days of kitchen-table candle making. These candles come in a box of 6 and each candle can burn for up to 10 hours.
Colour: Available in Ivory, Rose Quartz, Atlantic Green and Bedruthan Blue
Size: candle height, approx 20cm
Notes: 6 unscented candles per pack. The burn time, approx 10 hours.
Designed over 100 years ago this watering can has earned it’s description as a classic. The shape is strong and the balance, whether full or nearly empty, is perfect. This special watering can is made for solid copper and is assembled and finished by hand in the UK. It’s a treat for you, your plants and your home - this is one to be left out and admired. Now the only difficulty is which colour and finish…sage, cream, galvanised or copper…agghhhh!
Colour: Copper
Notes: h: 16cm x l: 35cm x w: 11.5cm and has a 1 litre capacity
We’re not advocating that you take to ‘running through the town’ (in your nightgown or otherwise) but this is a Wee Willie Winkie candle holder if ever there was one. This beauty is made of fine bone china which is the strongest of ceramics and the clever saucer catches any waxy drips preserving your surfaces and tablecloths. And of course, it is handcrafted here in the UK and the indigo rim is hand painted. It makes a great gift too as the packaging is great.
Notes: Fine Bone China with an indigo rim
Layering for clothes is a well-known thing, but it works just as well with interiors textiles too. And really, who wouldn’t want layers of soft blanket when the weather turns mean? Pile this over yourself and settle in for a cosy winter. This mohair blanket, woven in Ireland, with a cut fringe edge detail, it is wonderfully warm and effortlessly stylish. Available in three colours.
Material: 75% Mohair, 25% Wool
Colour: White
Size: 140 cm x 170 cm
Notes: dry clean only
Twines for gardening or gift wrapping, twines for kitchens or art projects, use your twine as you choose, but you do have to choose the colour. Luckily there is a colour for all needs! These clever twines have a starting point in the centre of the spool which means you’re much less likely to get into a tangle. And, they’re biodegradable and are made in Scotland, as they have been since 1922.
Colour: Green Twist
Notes: approx 110m length and the special central dispensing method means no tangling
Keep you your little house plants happy with this simple no-fuss contemporary cork planter, plant perfection for you green fingered homemakers.
Notes: water WILL mark the planter giving it a lovely patina (it will not damage the cork). However, if you don’t want the water marks, lift your little plants out and water them in the sink, allowing excess water to drain away before returning it.
Size Exterior: height 9 cm x diameter 11 cm / Interior : height 8 cm x diameter 9 cm
Even your teeny tiny plant babies can have a stylish home with this mini cork planter. It has a raised internal base so your plants won’t drop to the bottom! Also doubles up as an elegant pencil pot too.
Notes: water WILL mark the planter giving it a lovely patina (it will not damage the cork). However, if you don’t want the water marks, lift your little plants out and water them in the sink, allowing excess water to drain away before returning it.
Size Exterior: height 11 cm x diameter 7 cm / Interior : height 5.5 cm x diameter 6 cm
This is a versatile little design made in fine grain sustainable cork, so of course, it is super lightweight. It has neatly angled sides and a stepped-in foot which gives it a contemporary edge. Little house plants look cute as will your pens and pencils. Use it as you choose.
Notes: water WILL mark the planter giving it a lovely patina (it will not damage the cork). However, if you don’t want the water marks, lift your little plants out and water them in the sink, allowing excess water to drain away before returning it.
Size Exterior: height 10 cm x diameter 9.5 cm / Interior : height 8 cm x diameter 8.5 cm
This is a solid, classic bread board. Made from a single piece of oak, each board has an English leather handle attached and held in place by two tiny brass pins and the makers mark branded into the surface. This is a kitchen essential and a great gift.
Size: length 35cm x width 20cm
Notes: wash and dry immediately, do not leave to soak.
This is a ‘does the job and does it looking good’ sort of a product. A beautiful block of ash with a simple leather handle tacked in with lovely brass pins. I think this would make a great housewarming gift (it’s the kind of thing I’d love to receive!)
Size: length 20cm x width 12cm x height 4cm
Notes: wash by hand and dry, don’t leave to soak.
It is very difficult to make handblown glass. Fact. It’s a fight against heat and time, which is why these tumblers are so so special. Each one hand blown and ‘scribbled’ on with white glass is inevitably (wonderfully) slightly different to the next.
Size: approx h: 9cm x w: 8.5 (but they are all fractionally different)
Notes: Hand wash - whatever you do, do not put these beauties in the dishwasher!
The satchel is a bag for life. By sticking fiercely to a simple design and a classic shape, it’s made from the best quality leather, it’s carefully stitched by experienced craftsmen, it’s got strong buckles. Importantly it’s a size that works. You can fit in a notebook, a novel, a pencil case and a makeup bag, and there’s space in the front pocket for your phone and keys.
And now, all you need to do is make the difficult decision between black, tan and the bold canary yellow.
Notes: The makers name, Ox & Ram, is discretely stamped into the front plate. Leather will age with time, use a leather cleaner occasionally to ‘moisturise’ the leather and to improve water resistance. If you get caught in the rain, air-dry the bag at room temperature away from direct heat and sunlight.
Colour: Tan
Size: w: 28cm x h: 21cm x d": 6.5cm
Strap length: 110cm - 130cm
Simple but never plain. Feldspar Studio have designed a soap dish that will fit neatly into any bathroom. Made by hand in the UK from fine bone china, this soap dish has deep ridges ensuring that your soap won’t go soggy in a soap-suds puddle as the air can circulate more freely than usual. Fine hand-painted Cobalt lines on the rim and ridges give the dish a sketch-like appearance.
It is very hard to find simple handblown glass. But, hallelujah! These elegant glass cylinders threaded through with different numbers and thicknesses of white glass strands are exactly that. With a perfect thumb-sized indentation, it's comfortable to hold and easy to pour. Fill with milk, juice, water and wine. And flowers. They make beautiful vases. Also available in a larger size.
Colour: sparse white lines 'wiggle' through the clear glass
Size: height 15cm x diameter: 5.5cm. Volume: 275ml
Notes: this is handblown glass. Each piece varies slightly from the next (that, of course, is the beauty!) It doesn't like microwaves, hot liquids or dishwashers.
There's something friendly about these round boards! Whether your setting is formal or relaxed, super chic or rustic farmhouse, these boards will work. Use for charcuterie, cheeses, bread or try them as an alternative tray...just don't relegate them to the kitchen sidelines.
Size: diameter 20cm (handle 8.5cm)
Notes: wash and dry the boards after use. Do not leave to soak. Each Rosie Brewer board carries the maker's mark.
Beautiful as a centre piece. Wood adds warmth and style - so whether your setting is formal or relaxed, super chic or rustic farmhouse, these boards will work. Use for charcuterie, cheeses, bread or try them as an alternative tray...just don't relegate them to the kitchen sidelines.
Size: length 23cm (31.5 cm inc. handle)
Notes: wash and dry the boards after use. Do not leave to soak. Each Rosie Brewer board carries the maker's mark.
Twines for gardening or gift wrapping, twines for kitchens or art projects, use your twine as you choose, but you do have to choose the colour. Luckily there is a colour for all needs! These clever twines have a starting point in the centre of the spool which means you’re much less likely to get into a tangle. And, they’re biodegradable and are made in Scotland, as they have been since 1922.
Colour: Green Twine
Notes: approx 130m length
Made of raw finished oak this ten-section trivet is bold and beautiful. And with its simple leather loop for hanging, it's useful too. Make your hot pots stand proud.
Size: height: 35mm x diameter: 180mm
Notes: please do not immerse in water. Wipe clean and dry straight away.
Wooden Ash plates made by hand in Ireland. These plates are good in the kitchen, perfect for picnics and brilliant at BBQs. And of course, they don't chip when you drop them in the sink. Each plate is different with some being more grainy than others, they are all, without fail, lovely!
Available in two sizes: small and large.
Size: diameter 26 cm
Notes: wash and dry the plates after use. Do NOT leave to soak. These plates are individually turned by hand. Each one will vary slightly from the next as no two pieces of wood are the same.
Each one of these striking designs in this tea towel set is initially hand-painted before being printed onto cotton in the UK. One design shows the meandering line of the river and the other the flotsam, the river debris, that floats out towards the sea.
Size: 45cm x 70cm
Notes: The set includes one of each tea towel design. Wash at 40 degrees.
Designed over 100 years ago this watering can has earned it’s description as a classic. The shape is strong and the balance, whether full or nearly empty, is perfect. Each one made from powder-coated steel is still soldered by hand in the UK. It’s a treat for you and your plants. Now the only difficulty is which colour…sage, cream, galvanised steel or copper…agghhhh!
Colour: Cream
Notes: h: 16cm x l: 35cm x w: 11.5cm and has a 1 litre capacity
Each Ash segment that makes up this striking trivet is made carefully, by hand, and linked together. The result is a functional object that will keep your hot pots from damaging the table; a tactile object, each segment moves independently ever-so-slightly; and an extremely beautiful object. This will rest in the middle of your table and hold your dishes in style.
Size: height: 3.5cm x diameter 23.5 cm
Notes: please do not immerse in water. Wipe clean and dry straight away.
Raise your baking game. Literally. This is the most elegant cake stand I’ve found, and WOW! it makes a cake look incredible. It is made using elegant fine bone china (which, despite its deceptively fragile appearance, is actually the toughest ceramic). It has a wonderfully wobbly edge which is hand painted in cobalt blue. It comes boxed too so makes an excellent gift for a master baker but also means it can be safely stored in between bakes. (…proper pictures coming very soon, with cake, for now these snaps hopefully give an indication of the beautiful form.)
Notes: Fine Bone China with a cobalt blue rim
Size: h: 9.5 cm / w: 24 cm