Gifted is a large gift and card shop based in the small country town of Thaxted, in Essex. Owner Kathy Starr shares what products are hitting the sweet spot with her customer base.
Everyday
General from Archivist
“Letterpress retro images that stand out.”
Everyday
Across The Board from Jessica Hogarth
“We worked with Jessica to design an illustration of Thaxted. We love it and it is by far and away our best selling card. We are planning more designs with her. I highly recommend the process – she has also made tea towels, bags, magnets and coasters. It has undoubtedly generated extra sales to visitors that we would have missed.”
Cute
Pop! and Sweet as Candy from Raspberry Blossom
“Pretty, girly and fun. Love the colours of these designs.”
Humour
Gin & Frolics from Rosie Made A Thing
“We don’t do rude cards nor many humour ranges but Rosie is great for us. They have people laughing out loud in the shop.”
Art
General from Orwell Press and Printmakers from Art Angels
“We have lots of local links to printmakers, Ravilious and Bawden in particular, so both of these are consistently good publishers for us.”
Contemporary
Jot from Think Of Me
“I love this simple, clean design-led range, it’s selling by the bucketload at the moment.”
Contemporary
Framed from Cinnamon Aitch
“We have actually only got a few of these left as they flew out. Clever designs with a cut-out window.”
Contemporary
Concertina from Stormy Knight
“We do well with lots of Stormy Knight’s cards, but the Concertina ones are worth mentioning as it’s something different. We weren’t sure how the concept would come across to our customers but the info on the packaging works just fine.”
Contemporary
Claire Picard from Cinnamon Aitch
“I think the unusual palette and retro feel help these sell so well.”
Handmade/Hand-Finished
General from Dilly & Pink
“These are our own cards that we design and print everything in-house. We keep the racks well stocked of best sellers and test new ranges too. Just trialing our new Bubbles range which will launch at PG Live.”
Children’s
Badge Cards from Paper Sole
“These are going great. The badges have a beautiful matt finish and who doesn’t love a birthday badge?”
Giftwrap
Across The Board from Artebene
“Artebene is our main supplier of all things wrapping. Recently we’re very pleased with the mini gift bags, which are ideal for jewellery.”
Ancillary
Pewter charms from Compton and Clark
“I’ve lost count of how many thousands of these we have sold – guardian angels, four leaf clovers, hearts – retailing under £2 and can be slipped into a card. We also do very well with the bags of five charms and bee pins.”
Ancillary
Hairband bracelets from Hot Tomato
“Hairbands that look pretty on your wrist. A fantastic pick up line for us.”
Top: Gifted in Thaxted supports small publishers and makers.
