Two weeks ago, I finally got my chance to play shop, having harboured dreams of shopkeeping since I was little.
For four days, Land Tales took over the light and airy Victorian shop space that is Host of Leyton, for a seasonal pop up shop celebrating good things made by hand in the UK.
This first pop up was a chance to chat with people, share the range of beautiful products up close and in person, and find out what customers would like to see when I open the online store in 2024.
Up to this point, Land Tales had only existed in my head, so bringing it to life in three dimensions felt pretty special.
I wanted to create a space that engaged all the senses. It had to be warm and inviting, full of texture and foliage, have good music playing, and smell amazing (I love a good smelling shop!).
It did feel strange – although absolutely worth it - to pour so much effort and love into creating a pop up shop that only existed for four days. Taking it all down on the Sunday evening certainly felt bittersweet.
Thankfully, photographer Carmel King, who knows the space well, was there the day before opening to capture some lovely images of the shop. She also worked wonders with the minimal light on what was an extremely overcast day.
So before I start planning the next pop up and launch the online store (which will be a place to find sustainable gifts made in the UK, arriving in spring 2024) here’s a small selection of images and memories of the first ever Land Tales pop up shop.
I had a huge amount of fun bringing together this first range of objects for home and life, sourced from independent brands and makers all around the country.
Alongside handmade ceramic pieces from Pottery West, Clare Spindler, Florence Ceramics, Celia Wood and IRH Studio, and wooden tableware from Selwyn House, the shop featured a selection of other well-made things for the home, such as handmade utility brushes, honey-scented beeswax candles, preserves from Hackney's London Borough of Jam, and single variety apple juices from Townsend Farm in Herefordshire.
With the approaching winter season in mind, we also offered (and sold out of) wooden baubles from Selwyn House and hand-embossed decorations by Meg Fatharly. And the fireplace was decked with the most incredible everlasting wreath created by Borrowed Light Florals in neighbouring Walthamstow, who also brought a selection of dried flowers to fill baskets around the space.
Homework's Fire Candle created a cosy atmosphere in keeping with the season of bonfires, and our small range of skincare, bath and body products included some bags of Dook's mandarin and cedar bath salts that played their part in filling the room with seasonal scent.
I could go on for days about the full range of beautiful products and the brilliant brands and makers whose work we had in store, all made in small batches in the UK. Needless to say I'm very excited to be bringing the full range back to Host of Leyton in early 2024. I'll also be making a few thoughtful additions to the range, ready for the launch of the online store.
Until then, if you'd like to be first to hear the plans for 2024, I'd love for you to sign up to the Land Tales newsletter.
Before I sign off, a quick but heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the first outing for this new business. My husband and family rallied around to make sure I could give all my attention to the shop. The team at Host went above and beyond. Kind friends volunteered to be shop assistants. Lovely strangers popped their heads in to say good luck. And lots of you came in, had a browse, and went home with something special made by hand in the UK.
Can't wait to do more of this again, very soon!
Hannah x
All images (except the final two) are courtesy of Carmel King Photography
Beautiful photos from a very special place. Although it all looks so calm and calming, it obviously took huge energy, planning and attention to detail. You should be proud!