I Do Handmade will be hosting a Handmade Village at The Christmas Ideal Home Show in London, from 27 November to 1 December 2024. 

We’re excited to introduce you to four fantastic small businesses who will be at the village to showcase their products. Let’s meet the creative minds behind these brands and get a taste of what they’ll be bringing to the show… 

Kami K: Crafting 100% Natural, Vegan Luxury Candles

Meet Kami, owner of Kami K who sells luxury scented candles infused with vegan, high-quality fragrances, and crafted with locally sourced ingredients for a sophisticated and eco-conscious experience.

Kami’s business started with a passion for creating high-quality, eco-friendly candles that combine luxurious scents with sustainable, locally sourced ingredients, offering a guilt-free indulgence for discerning customers.

We asked Kami what makes your brand stand out and what’s unique about your business? ‘I am a big believer of self-care and shopping local. I wanted to create a product that would use local produce (as much we possible), what is unique about Kami K candles is that it not only uses top quality materials but my candles are made as per order, therefore they are fresh – giving you the most of its fragrance. There is no compromise.

How do you recharge and stay creative? Kami takes any travelling opportunities she gets, keeps in touch with similar creators, eats out, visits art galleries. She also work in luxury hospitality so am surrounded by everything luxury which inspires her constantly.

What’s next for your business? Kami tells us “Having learned a lot about candle making, sourcing materials and the best material, I believe my business is ready to sign a contract with a store! I would love to see my candles in Selfridge’s or Harrods !

Come meet Kami at the Handmade Village during The Christmas Ideal Home Show on Sunday 1 December

Beatrice & Lilly: Gorgeous Home Fragrances 

Meet Beatrice & Lilly, an elegant brand offering handcrafted home fragrances and bath & body products. Louise, the owner shares, “Starting a business was never really a plan, I fell into it.” Now, she’s created a range of vegan-friendly, cruelty-free products with eco-conscious packaging.

What sets Beatrice & Lilly apart? Louise says, “My packaging. Not only do I design everything myself, but my brand is very clean, minimalist, luxury and elegant, just how I want to portray my brand.”  

When it comes to managing her time, Louise is all about lists. “I live my day-to-day life with ‘lists’, I have ‘to do lists’ for literally everything. So, every night I write down a to-do list for the next day and break it down into priority/must do, important, general. This keeps me on track throughout the day, otherwise I procrastinate a lot and get nothing done.” 

Her top tip for managing stress? “Learning to understand that everything doesn’t have to be done now! When life/work gets a little overwhelming, take a step back, re-evaluate and work in bite-size chunks.” 

Looking ahead, she’s aiming big: “Having a large number of retail stockists. I have been focusing on this for the last 6 months and I would love nothing more to see our products on the shelves of retailers like John Lewis, Selfridges and Harrods.” 

Come meet Louise at the Handmade Village during The Christmas Ideal Home Show on Friday 29 November and Saturday 30 November.

Hare and Moon Jewellery: Simple, Elegant Silver Jewellery 

Next, meet Sam from Hare and Moon Jewellery. Sam handcrafts simple, elegant silver jewellery inspired by nature. She believes jewellery should be worn and enjoyed, not hidden away. “I want to make simple, elegant silver jewellery that can be worn every day. Not something that sits in a jewellery box only to come out on special occasions,” Sam explains. 

Balancing her nursing career with jewellery-making, Sam sees her craft as a form of self-care. “My jewellery making is how I look after myself and my mental health,” she shares. Sam’s commitment to learning is evident in her recent completion of a silver metal clay diploma, showcasing her dedication to honing her craft. 

How does she stay motivated during tough times? Sam says, “I try not to put myself under too much pressure. I spend some time reflecting and thinking about why things happen the way they do but not dwell on it. I have some good support on social media of people who can help me stay focused and keep moving in a positive direction.” 

For Sam, the most rewarding part of being a small business owner is “being in charge of my own making and how I develop the business.” However, she admits that cashflow can be challenging: “I am not yet making a profit and everything I make gets ploughed straight back into the business, but some months it can be hard to find that cash to buy materials to make jewellery with.” 

Check out Sam’s creations at the Handmade Village during The Christmas Ideal Home Show on Saturday 30 November.

Making Waves Collective: Curated Art and Homeware 

Last but not least, we have Making Waves Collective, offering carefully curated, limited-edition art, homeware, and gifts. The owner and founder, Bella, started the business to solve a problem: high fees charged to artists by galleries and shops. “I created a space where artists keep 100% of their profit,” she explains.

This innovative approach has led to rapid growth since their launch in June 2024.

Bella’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? “Don’t wait for everything to be perfect, just go for it. Strive for progress, not perfection.” 

Her morning routine reflects the brand’s ethos: “I love slow mornings filled with mindfulness. I actively make sure before I start my working day, I take some time to be grateful for what I have, watch the sunrise (when there is one in Wales!) and I love a cold ocean dip!” 

When it comes to marketing, Bella swears by authenticity: “Honestly, word of mouth. It seems the least ‘trendy’ these days but talking to people, sharing the word and having real authentic conversations has seen us grow quicker than ever anticipated but that’s because people trust what we do!” 

Bella is also a big believer in continuous learning: “I make time in my diary to digest something every single week that is a development area. My favourite is signing up to newsletters from brands that inspire me and every week with a coffee I sit down and read through them.” 

Bella will be showcasing Making Waves Collective at the Handmade Village during The Christmas Ideal Home Show on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 November.

Don’t Miss Out! 

These are just four of the many amazing small businesses you’ll find at the Handmade Village during The Christmas Ideal Home Show. Get 20% off tickets to the show with this link and find us on the ground floor G323.

Come support these incredible entrepreneurs and find unique gifts for your loved ones (or yourself – we won’t tell!) – See you at the show?!