This autumn, I’ve been thinking about what it means to be an online shopkeeper.
Earlier this year when I was planning to launch Land Tales, I wondered if being online-only would feel like a bit of a compromise. I enjoy creating spaces that feel inviting, but bricks-and-mortar isn’t an option for Land Tales at the moment.
So the challenge was to make something that felt welcoming and warm, but on a screen.
Since launching online earlier this year, I've realised two things...
Earlier this year when I was planning to launch Land Tales, I wondered if being online-only would feel like a bit of a compromise. I enjoy creating spaces that feel inviting, but bricks-and-mortar isn’t an option for Land Tales at the moment.
So the challenge was to make something that felt welcoming and warm, but on a screen.
Since launching online earlier this year, I've realised two things...
Firstly, how much I enjoy the process of looking after the online shop from my home: unwrapping packages from makers, taking photos, rearranging goods on screen instead of on shop shelves, sending out weekly emails, wrapping up lovely packages and handwriting thank you notes to customers.
Secondly, I've realised how happy I am to be providing an online space for people who might not have easy access to a similar bricks-and-mortar shop.
I’ve sent parcels all around the UK, including small towns, villages and rural locations. I hope Land Tales will become a go-to place to find beautiful, well-made things regardless of where you live or how easily you can access physical shops.
However, if you'd like to shop in person and you can get to Leyton (East London), I'm happy to say that Land Tales will be back at Host of Leyton for a pop up shop from 10-15 December 2024, full of giftable home goods, decorations, cards and more.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’d love to take the shop outside of London for a week or two. If you know of an interesting space that might work anywhere in the UK, please do get in touch!
Preparing for winter
A steady flow of new goods have arrived this autumn, with seasonal decoration and gifting in mind, including:
Joyful handpainted ceramics made in Edinburgh by Celia Wood
A restock of Jess Elliott Dennison’s popular Midweek Recipes
Wooden winter baubles, hand-turned by Selwyn House in Northamptonshire
I also received a big new honey-scented box of British beeswax candles, which are made using a traditional hand-dipping method in Cumbria, ready to bring a golden glow to your home this winter.
Easy, thoughtful gifts
Land Tales is here to help you find beautiful and sustainably crafted gifts, all made in the UK by talented makers and small, independent brands. This will be the shop’s first Christmas, and the weeks ahead are looking busy in the best possible way.
If you need any help choosing something, you can find me at hello@landtales.co.uk and I’ll be happy to help.
Hannah x
