artisan lane – a collection of lovingly crafted gifts by local and artisan producers

artisan lane is a small family business, based in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire. We select high quality gifts from local designers, small batch and artisan producers here in Britain – including Saffron Walden’s potter Claire Folkes Ceramics and glass gift designer Molten Wonky. These gifts are often handmade and hard to find, which we think makes them extra special. You can even see the artisan who designed or made your gift, all are featured on the artisan lane website.

Our range of modern curated gift box collections, all beautifully packed in luxury keepsake boxes, are ideal gifts for family, friends and colleagues.  There’s a box for every occasion and season, whether it’s a birthday, new home or thank you gift.

We make gifting effortless for you, by sending your selected gifts straight to your chosen recipient’s doorstep (or office). We’re also delighted to offer a selection of gift boxes and an exclusive range of smaller gift bag options in the Design Essentials shop.

We have a few fantastic ideas for Teacher and Dad gifts – don’t forget it’s Father’s Day on 17th June! OFFER AT DESIGN ESSENTIALS  – we are delighted to offer a FREE, Love You Dad, clay heart decoration (pictured below) when you purchase any artisan lane gift at Design Essentials. Available until 16th June, 2018 and while stocks last. Recommended gifts for Dads and Grandads in the artisan lane collection include: Afternoon Tea Collection, Tea for Two, Take Five or Gardeners Care collection.   Teacher Gifts  – give something different and meaningful this year whilst supporting local producers.  Checkout our recommended teacher gift selection. Teacher Comfy collection  (pictured) The ultimate luxury gift for your favourite teacher and includes our handmade soft pashmina and touching Teacher poem notebook Teacher Comfy collection Take Five Teacher collection Both practical and enjoyable this gift includes our handcrafted mug, artisan shortbread and touching Teacher poem notebook Take Five Teacher collection Teacher Pamper collection Features some wonderful award winning soothing skincare treats, beautifully fragranced candle and our Teacher poem notebook Teacher Pamper collection   We hope you find the gift you want at Design Essentials and thank you for supporting local and artisan producers. Rachel, owner at artisan lane gifts PS. Bespoke and mix & match options are also available. Just contact us with your requirements at artisanlanegifts

What inspires your work?

I’ve always believed in the power of plants to transform surroundings. I started working with plants in containers a long time ago, while I was renting a house. I was soon captivated by the design possibilities you’re presented by the constraints of working with such a small surface area. You can plant a container or window box with such an enormous range of styles. There are always the classic box balls which will never fail to look stylish. You can add a few low growing flowers like pansies around the base. Or you could start with a standard tree and under-plant around the trunk with salvias and grasses for a prairie effect. You can play with contrasts – I love for example a deep purple leaf contrasted with a green and white variegated grass.

I guess you could say that plants are my inspiration. Whenever I visit one of my nursery suppliers I go into a sort of trance while I look around and mentally design the layout. Once I’m back and planting it’s quick and easy, the plan is all there in my head.

You just need to know three fundamentals about the plants you’re choosing; they need to all like the same soil type and the same amount of light and water.

What has been the work that you are most proud of?

I’m always delighted to see my clients’ faces when they receive their planters, especially when they’ve ordered them already planted up. I’ve often had compliments along the lines of “Wow, you’ve totally exceeded my expectations!” It’s always given me so much pleasure to arrive back at my house and see my own planters, so I’m really proud to think that my work has spread that joy to other people.

This new range of personalised planters is completely unique to the market and they add such a smart touch to a front door step and such a fun and stylish touch to a wedding venue.

I’m just hoping that somewhere there’ll be a wedding anniversary NOT forgotten because there’s a planter in the garden to remind a couple of the date. That would be a moment to be proud of!

What is your most important artists’ tool? Is there something you can’t live without in your studio? 

Music. Without a doubt, every creative process requires music in my opinion.

 What’s the best and worst thing about being a designer?

Well, as a designer you’re really putting yourself out there, you’re telling the world that this is your opinion of good taste and good design. Of course this is subjective, so you’ll never please everyone!

Once in a former life as a textile designer, a client, from an extremely prestigious French design house, looked at a design I’d submitted, and said “Do you think this is nice?!” Crushing! But it didn’t matter too much, we’d worked together on collections for 13 years and I saw hundreds of the designs I did for him in shops on Bond Street and on real people.

Which brings me to the best thing about being a designer. It’s the pleasure of that moment when you see that someone you don’t know has picked your design, paid for it, and is using it. I think that’s what keeps all designers going back to their drawing board to make a new collection. There’s a compulsion to create.

Just to indulge me, your favourite Take That member? 

Take who? I’m more of an indie kid myself.

Favourite drink?

Good quality gin and tonic. A classic. It needs to be COLD. Keep the gin and the tonic in the fridge at all times. And use at least 4 ice cubes in each glass.

Happy planting  🙂

Chloë

Thanks to Chloe for chatting to us at Design Essentials, we are looking forward to welcoming her personalised planter designs at the store. Here’s a look at a few on our website.