Behind those vibrant green front doors of our shop we stock a wonderful array of home goods created by small female run businesses, from glass and ceramics to paintings and pressed flowers. This wasn’t something I intentionally set out to do, but it just ended up that way - perhaps its only natural that female made products appeal to my ‘unapologetically feminine’ taste as its been previously aptly referred to.

Today, on International Women’s Day, I wanted to dedicate the first issue of our new journal to all the incredible women whose products we stock in our shop. I spoke to some of our female founders to find out how they started their business, what gets them excited and what’s coming up next.

I hope you will find this a lovely and inspiring read…

Alice Munteanu, *handpainted ceramics,* **Casa de Folklore**

Casa De Folklore began as a passion project rooted in my love for traditional crafts and cultural heritage. Growing up surrounded by diverse folk traditions, I was inspired to create a platform that celebrates and preserves these rich cultural expressions. I officially launched Casa De Folklore five years ago, driven by a desire to share the beauty of folk artistry with others.

One of my favourite aspects of running Casa De Folklore is the opportunity to connect with artisans from my homeland and showcase their incredible craftsmanship. I wear many hats in this business, but what I love most is seeing the joy our products bring to our customers.

What gets me excited is the prospect of discovering new artisans and uncovering hidden gems. I thrive on the diversity and creativity that each piece brings to our collection.

I have a special fondness for our hand-decorated easter eggs and ripple pottery pieces. Additionally, our multifunctional ecru jug holds a special place in my heart as it perfectly embodies the essence of a versatile staple for any home. Each of these items tells a unique story and reflects the rich cultural origins they are derived from.
Looking ahead, I'm excited to continue expanding our offerings and collaborating with even more talented artisans. I'm also exploring ways to further promote cultural exchange and appreciation through workshops and events. Casa De Folklore is constantly evolving, and I'm thrilled to see where the journey takes us next.

Beth Kendall, *pressed flower artist,* **Wilder&Wren**

When I began Wilder & Wren almost eight years ago, I was really just feeling my way as a new mum, at home with my first-born for those long swathes of time. I found the whole experience to be really creatively inspiring. For the first time I was no longer tethered to an identity outside of myself: my job. I was entirely present, and my attention to nature and the seasons; to flowers and plants; to whatever my immediate environment presented to me – I just connected with it wholeheartedly and went with that. I used my hands to create in a way I hadn’t in years (although I’d studied art and poetry at university). At around the time I’d intended to return to my job in public relations, I’d begun working, albeit on a tiny scale, on my own projects. Selling pressed flower art, cards and prints online and in stores and galleries locally, and growing a lovely, likeminded community on Instagram.
To connect with people who like what I do feels nice. It might be that I’ve created a new artwork, or launched a new print that resonates. I am also a lover of storytelling for my little brand, because everything I do is so personal. I guess what I share is a romanticised version of my real life…
Spotting that first primrose at the top of my garden is always a hopeful sign that the gentler months are coming. Winters here in West Dorset can feel relentlessly wet and dark, especially living here in a very old cottage at the foot of a valley. But the starkness of the seasons in the countryside are a constant reminder of the cyclical nature of living rurally. Honestly, there is nowhere better to be for me, when come July I’m driving past golden wheat fields, listening to country folk music. I just hold on to that all year and keep on making.
I’m really enjoying creating seasonal pieces, such as the handpainted ceramic baubles I made for Projektityyny before Christmas, and the handpainted eggs (filled with wildflower seeds) that I launched this Easter. They are truly a joy to make - and it’s lovely to be painting flowers in the months when I’m waiting for the real ones outside to emerge.
I have an exciting collab coming soon with a womenswear brand, and plan to do workshops and trade at some lovely venues here in Dorset this summer – I also hope to maybe create a workshop offering at AITTA, Projektityyny’s HQ later this year!ll

Petra Palumbo, *designer and founder of homewares brand* **Petra Palumbo**

I launched my homeware company in 2018 with my hand painted carafe and tumbler sets, I wanted to find a stylish alternative to plastic water bottles so it was this product that really kickstarted my brand. They kept selling out, I couldn’t paint them fast enough. I knew I was onto something and from there so I just expanded my collections from that moment onwards.
I love designing, creating and then realising the product. The designing is actually a very small part of the process though. I really enjoy finding a supplier and working with talented artisans across the globe. I’m a very organised person and solving problems comes naturally to me, therefore the logistics side of the business I find stimulating and exciting for the most part.
I particularly love our new tartan tiles! I’m planning on using them in a cupboard at home which I’ll turn into a bar.
Im looking forward to lots more exciting collections to launch, more wallpaper, tiles, lampshades and ceramic products. This is about growth but also trying to strike the balance between being a Mum and business owner. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Lisa Mehydene, *Homeware designer,curator and tastemaker,* *founder of* **Edit58**

My career background is in advertising – following graduation I worked in ad agencies in London, Dubai and Singapore (we lived overseas for 8 years). After our twins were born I realised that for the previous 10+ years I had spent my entire career climbing the ladder (reaching board level), but I actually didn’t enjoy it anymore, certainly not enough to be away from the children 5 days a week for long hours. Like many parents, I wanted to find a way to be around for my children more, but still have a career I loved, something for myself.
In 2014 we decided to move back to the UK and I was lucky enough to be in a position to think about starting my own business. Interiors have always been my passion and so in Jan 2015 I started to think about how I could bring all the items I had found and loved from my travels/ working overseas, to the UK. Back then the interiors landscape was VERY different and there were very few places to buy one-off, artisan-based products, especially online. I decided it was best to start with a small edit of homewares; baskets, blankets, cushions and rugs. This was the initial edit and now it’s grown to include Papier-mâché items, lampshades, Trugs/trays and more rattan items. But ultimately, we have stayed true to our original offering, and I think that is why our customer base have remained with us – they know we only stock items that we truly love and have in our own home.
I love the creative aspect of running edit58. I’m not an artist/weaver/ceramicist etc, but in running a homewares business I get to work closely with those that are and it’s such a privilege to be a part of the creative process. Edit58 is also very much about collaboration and I really enjoy joining forces with other brands and talented makers to create considered collections together.
We have a number of exciting new collaborations coming up, and we are expanding our range with Smock London too. What people often don’t realise about edit58 is how much of our business is private rug sourcing. We love to help client’s find their dream vintage rug and feel very lucky we are trusted to do so. We are looking forward to uncovering lots more Gems in the coming months!
I always enjoy shooting the products we create – after months of plotting and planning it’s a thrill to see the finished pieces having their moment! I also love imagining them in client’s homes, and even more so receiving pictures of our products in situ.
Our Jumbo Rattan Ripple Tray will always have a special place in my heart. I designed it to meet a desire I had for an oversized tray to sit upon our ottoman. I could never of imagined the response they would receive. I love knowing they are a part of so many people’s homes all around the world!
More recently, our smocked lampshade skirts in collaboration with Smock London are a real favourite. I have always adored embroidery, and so to be able to co-design a lampshade collection with beautiful hand smocking has been a highlight. I adore those Mini and Maxi skirts!

Alice Mary Lynch, textile artist, founder of Alice Mary Lynch

I am a textile artist, designer and illustrator based in Somerset. After initially training in fashion design and working as a designer in Paris for several years, in 2008, I found myself drawn to creating intricately beaded and embellished textile art pieces using vintage fabrics, trinkets and treasures. My characters are inspired by the circus, fables, and folklore, and are often depicted as human-animal forms.

I had children in my mid-twenties and found that working with textiles on a smaller scale merged well with motherhood. Tapping into my imagination during the small hours, as my children slept and all was quiet, proved to be quite a lifeline for me during those early years. Perhaps having small children allowed me to connect more with my inner child too. As the years have passed, I've added more painting to my days and have expanded into creating a range of hand-painted wooden decorations and wall puppets too.

I love it when inspiration pours in, fills me up, gives me butterflies in my stomach, and makes me forget about everything else. Sometimes, when I paint or sew, the ideas just keep flowing. That might not happen in a 9-5 office job and it doesn’t always happen when you work for yourself either, but when it does happen, it’s golden. And even though I'm in my own little world, I also love being able to listen to stories, music, conversations or the birdsong outside while I work. The world around me provides a soundtrack to my creativity.

Running my own business also provides a certain flexibility which I have appreciated while I raise my two daughters.

I find live theatre very exciting, the intricate beauty and craftsmanship within art, design and fashion, music, travel, human connection. Coincidences and magical moments in everyday life. Spring and Autumn. Vivid dreams that you can still see in your mind’s eye the next day. Customers who tell me how my work touched them. It means everything.

My favourite pieces to create are my Love on Parade and Jester Hare prints - I hope to launch more prints later this year.

I get quite attached to all my textile pieces, but I particularly loved my Monsieur Giraffe, my beaded squirrel gentleman fit for a country manor and a hare gentleman inspired by the regency era. All were made for Harrods, who I have collaborated with since 2018.

I also love the freshness of the wooden decorations which can bring humour, colour and charm into homes throughout the year.

I will be expanding my skills, potentially developing some jewellery pieces and bringing ceramic elements into my work too. I am always interested in the concept of precious amulets and charms that can bring joy and love to our lives, holding and carrying our stories forward through the generations. I also have a long-term goal to write and illustrate a story.

For now, I am working on Christmas 2024 textile and painted pieces which is always fun.

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