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Complimenting Habbio

We were very happy to supply our lamps to Habbio

We were very happy to supply our lamps to Habbio for the photoshoot for their new range of sofas. We have had a great relationship with Habbio’s parent company for a few years now and were only too happy to supply our products for them to use. In many ways they have the same ideals as us; using materials from the UK and thinking about their environmental impact at all times. We also love their simple design philosophy as well as the choice they offer. It’s always nice to work with other likeminded companies and ultimately people. This is a relationship we are proud to maintain.

From them..

Sustainability starts at the end.

Furniture can be most harmful to the environment at the end of it’s life. 90% of furniture sold in the UK ends up in landfill because it doesn’t last, or isn’t recyclable or biodegradable.

That’s why all Habbio furniture is 100% recyclable. And because we believe it’s our responsibility to make sure our products do no harm, we collect and recycle them for you when the time comes. We can even collect your non-Habbio sofa to make sure it avoids landfill too.

 

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Development of products and Etsy revamp news

Good Morning

Development of products and Etsy revamp news.

I just thought I would do a quick check in this morning. I hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy. We are trying our best to keep busy and are looking at aspects of the business that, for various reasons, have been low on the to do list.

I hoping to continue work on a few products that have been put on the back burner including my forever ongoing Overhead lamp. I’ve got some of the development work at a positive point but it feels like there is loads to go. I generally  think products end up much better when you take time to develop them. I tend to have a good few sessions on one and then leave it for a while. When I come back to them I can soon see what bits have worked and what was not good (I was too immersed in it at the time). So, we have a long way to go but hopefully we can creep nearer over the next few weeks. – I’ll keep you updated.

We’ve also been working on our Etsy shop over the last week. It was set up a couple of years ago but had not been our best form of outlet. We had a few sales through it recently so thought it would be worth a bit of time. We will be doing some exclusive promotion through Etsy very soon, so keep your eyes to the ground.

Cheers all

Mark

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Really happy to have new lamp shade colours and shapes.

Really happy to have new lamp shade colours and shapes.

We are really happy to have some new shade colours available as well as an overall new shade design. To add more options we have had a new shade shape made for our standard lamp. As with the current shade it is large but this one has a slight taper to it. The name for this shape/design is a French Drum and we feel it fit with our own designs very well indeed. We have also added to our colour range adding a new Yellow on linen with gold lining and a completely new colour of Aqua Blue with a copper lining which are both available in any of our shades. They have proved very popular. We will continue to introduce new colours as we seek to be ahead of the colour trends. Thanks to Jack Neville for the excellent shots

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Georgia Lloyd Photography

Thank you to Georgia – Georgia Lloyd Photography – for the photo session yesterday.
For a while now we have realised that, although we have some great shots of our product, we have been lacking shots of the process. We realised that we needed some professional shots of the workshop and me at work. We know that the appeal of the products is not just what it looks like but also the story behind it and how it is made. Obviously we are big on ‘made in the UK’, ‘Made locally’ and ‘sourcing our materials in an ethical way’ but we are not getting across the handmade side of the product and the ‘lovingly made’ approach. https://marklowe.co.uk/about/

Georgia was brilliant. We worked well together as I had made a list of the shots needed and she was also able to add her skill and knowledge to the style of shots taken. She took over 400 shots in total and will go away and edit these down to a manageable amount. She will also work on photoshop to edit the chosen one’s. So in the end we will have a really good set of photos we can use on the website and for all sorts of other promotional work.

Thanks again Georgia. We can’t wait to see the results.

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New contemporary lampshade colours for the autumn

We have chosen new shade colours and are trying a new shade shape this autumn.

New contemporary lampshade colours for the autumn

At mark lowe We regularly look  for the new colour trends of the season. Keeping our eyes out throughout the year. Looking online, in magazines and by visiting shows. Yellow with a gold lining has been a very popular choice. This autumn we are going for a slightly different yellow this time in linen (also a very popular fabric). As with the previous yellow this will be with a gold lining. We are also going for a turquoise with copper lining. This is an exciting new colour with the ever popular copper lining.

Of course we still have a large variety of coloured fabric cords to choose from. Choose the right one to compliment your new contemporary lampshade colours for the autumn

All these new colour combos along with regular one’s will be available for you to view at The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Deansgate, Manchester 10th -13th October.

We are looking forward to meeting you there.

Mustard yellow and turquois colour swatches
Colour swatches for the new autumn shades.

Yours Mark

 

 

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Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Header for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

A couple of weeks to go before we are part of the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester. I’ll post a few blogs building up to it. I’m using as much social media as possible to promote this show. This is not only for our business –Mark Lowe -but for all the great Designer Makers who will be there. These shows are a great opportunity for people to see ‘in person’ all of the designers-makers and to view, inspect and even touch their work. Many pieces will be available as well as commissions and orders being possible. For more details visit wwww.greatnorthernevents.co.uk Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester
wwww.greatnorthernevents.co.uk
Great Northern Events

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Handmade Oxford

We had a busy weekend at the end of June as part of the Handmade Oxford show. this is part of the Handmade Britain group who organised a few shows over the year and around the country.

We had a stand there and enjoyed meeting and talking to many people including customers as well as other stand holders.

It was a busy and well attended weekend with lovely weather.

I am sure we will be there again and at other show as well.

Mark

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New Product Launch – Edie Coat Rack

We’re really pleased to be launching our brand new Edie Coat Rack at this years Handmade Oxford show (see previous blog).
Based on the Edie coat stand the Coat Rack is wall mounted and, as with so many of our products, you can different options to suit your style and needs. These include; Wood, size (how many hooks) and a choice of coloured discs inset behind the hooks.
Soon to be available on this website, come and view them at the show – Handmade Oxford, Waterperry gardens Thursday 27th to Sunday Edie Coat Rack in AshEdie Coat Rack in Ash

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Customer review from Isle of Mull

Thank you to our customer from the Isle of Mull for your lovely review and for ordering a table lamp after receiving her Adjustable Standard Lamp. Photo of her lamp is above.

Please read her review below.

Dear Mark and Marianne,

We are pleased to tell you that our lamp arrived safe and sound on the Isle of Mull this morning and it is beautiful. Parcelforce has been a great option for us and to be within 48 hours at this time of year is a miracle. 

We found the website through Etsy initially, then following on Instagram. The workmanship looked perfect for our aesthetic but since we had not seen any of Mark’s work it was a leap of faith to place an online order. We didn’t have a moment’s worry after placing the order, communication was excellent, timescales and expectations managed. Excellent, professional customer service for a small company. Their choice of courier for us meant that our item arrived within 48 hours in perfect condition. This is no mean feat considering we live in the Hebrides, Scotland. Lastly, our lamp is beautiful and we are very happy to have it in our home. 

Alison