An Introduction to... Daisy Blue Candles

My name is Lorraine Forsyth and for the last 20 years (cannot believe it has been that long!) I have worked as a Chartered Occupational Psychologist. My work centered mainly around recruitment and talent & management development and I loved my job very much. I worked for the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service for 7 years during this time and I can honestly say that they were the best years of my professional life as a psychologist. However, although I am a very organised and structured person, I felt more and more that there was a creative side to my personality that had been contained for too long. As my eldest child went to High School, I began to feel more discontented with my life and felt that I needed something to nourish and grow and develop for myself.

So Daisy Blue Candles was born in late October 2014 and it has been a whirlwind ever since. It was very much a ‘let’s just do this’ situation – I literally jumped in without thinking. That is my personality type though. I am one of those people who buys furniture from Ikea and immediately starts building without looking at the instructions. I need to fish them out of the bin 2 hours later when I eventually admit defeat! I have written some blogs on the website over the last 12 months about taking chances and following your dream. If I had really analysed the pros and cons and truly known how challenging it would be to make this business successful I probably wouldn’t have done it. But I jumped in all guns blazing and it’s been the best thing I could have done.

I still do consultancy work as a psychologist but the majority of my time is now hand making luxury candles and reed diffusers. I am often asked how the name Daisy Blue came about and my husband likes to take credit for it. We sat for many hours as a family sounding words and phrases together, seeing if anything felt right. I wanted Daisy in it somewhere because when I was pregnant with my second child I was sure it would be a girl and we were going to call her Daisy. However, my little boy appeared so no Daisy for me - at that time. My husband is a huge music fan and has thousands of old vinyl records. He listens to a lot of jazz and blues but the only jazz album I like is ‘Kind Of Blue’ by Miles Davis. So one night, during another brainstorming session, Jim put Daisy and Blue together and that was that.

The other thing that I am always asked is if I make the candles by myself which I do. People often seem surprised by this but I make them all individually and to order and that way I am able to guarantee the quality and standard of all of Daisy Blue’s products. Whether this changes or not in the future remains to be seen but at the moment everything is handmade.

I started with 3 scents in glass jars, then quickly added a fourth and some silver tins. I wanted to consolidate and see how they sold for a while but within 4 months, due to customer and stockist demands, the range had grown to 12 fragrances in the candles, and 4 for reed diffusers. I added another 2 at Christmas time 2015, but to be honest, the original fragrances actually were more popular with my customers. My design has always been classic and simple, a clear glass in a white gloss box or a silver tin. The label is black and white, with a hint of blue in the little flower to symbolise the brand. I wanted the product to fit seamlessly into any home and not clash with other décor. Very chic and timeless.

Daisy Blue products are now sold in 22 stockists across the country from Kent to Insch and we sell online through the Daisy Blue website and through facebook. In addition to our signature range, we will design bespoke candle labels for a client. Over the last 12 months we have designed unique labels for birthdays, weddings, thank you presents and wedding anniversaries. Customer service is our number one priority at Daisy Blue so whatever the customer wants, we will find a way to get it to them.

I also write a blog on the Daisy Blue website and try to post some new content and detail every 2 days. There is always something happening so it’s not that difficult to find something to write about. I have a passion for fashion and homewares so sometimes the posts are not always about candles! I hope by doing this that our customers and potential new customers will get to know me and feel more confident about buying some of the Daisy Blue products.

It has been a huge learning curve, not only about how to make good quality luxury candles but how to establish a viable business, social media, marketing and PR – the list is endless. The challenge is huge but completely worthwhile. It is exciting and terrifying all at the same time. If you would like to find out more about Daisy Blue you can:

For the next 2 weeks we have a special offer for all of our new ScotBloggers friends – 20% off all products purchased through the website with the code Daisy01.

Please get in touch if you want to design any of your own candle labels for a particular occasion, or want wedding favours made up to reflect your special day – whatever you want, we are here to deliver.

Many thanks for reading,
Lorraine xx

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An Introduction to... Emmeline Lingerie

Emmeline Lingerie came to life in the summer of 2015 with the aim of providing beautiful bespoke lingerie to both the bridal and consumer market. The idea was a response to the lack of high-end lingerie at a reasonable price not often or easily found on the high street.

Emma Skye Danet, a Fashion Business graduate and the founder of Emmeline Lingerie, aims to provide an alternative to the usual high street retailers and to create a unique brand that is accessible yet stands out. The brands concept focuses on putting the customer totally in charge as it specialises, but is certainly not limited to, bespoke and hand made lingerie.

When we say the customer is in charge we entirely mean it, they can choose from a range of vintage French lace, beautiful silks and trims sourced from our extensive research into the finest and most unique fabrics available on the market. As well as this, the customers need for a certain style and fit is considered so that all their desires are met. From this the perfect design is produced and the sewing machine started to produce their very own bespoke lingerie set. 

Over the past few weeks the team have been busy working hard in preparation for our partnership with the amazing Wear Eponymous, who represent high-end independent brands. We are delighted to be joining ranks with such an influential company in the Scottish fashion industry. To celebrate our launch both online and in Wear Eponymous’s flagship store, Princes Square, we will be designing and hand making a limited collection of ready to wear intimates in a range of styles and sizes. As well as this vouchers that are redeemable for our bespoke service will be available to purchase in store and online. As you can imagine we are extremely excited to be able to offer our customers a place to purchase our products, especially in such a central location and with a great retailer.

The future for Emmeline lingerie looks very bright and very busy. In the next few months we aim to expand the business whilst keeping our unique ethos and maintaining our relationship with existing customers and hopefully welcoming many more. With the summer months coming up keep an eye out on our instagram and facebook for some sneak peaks at our expansion into swimwear.

For purchases and enquiries please email emma@emmelinelingerie.com or visit our website at www.emmelinelingerie.com

Available to purchase in store at Wear Eponymous Princes Square from April 2016.

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An Introduction to... Girl Meets Brush

As part of our kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1226045252/share-the-love-with-girl-meets-brush) campaign a pledge for just one brush starts for as little as £2 & our new packages are from £25 to £60, with our full Brush Sets just £35, saving up to 50%.

Girl Meets Brush is owned and founded by Award Winning Celebrity Make-Up Artist Lynne Mills. The aim of Girl Meets Brush is to marry the art of using the correct make-up brushes to create the perfect look, whilst building confidence with make-up along the way.

Use our brushes to create any look, any style with any product. Our sets contain all the brushes you need & are a fantastic choice for make-up lovers to beginners & professionals alike.

5 Piece Contour Brush Set (With Domed Blending Sponge) - £54.99

6 Piece Smokey Eyes & Eyeliner Set - £44.99

Additionally we are bringing the world of online tutorials to life with our option to add bespoke one-to-one lessons to our brushes - just bring your new brushes as well as your own make-up bag!

All our brushes are hand crafted to the highest standard, made with soft luxe fibres which pick up pigment & blend make-up beautifully for a professional finish. They are also Vegan Friendly & Cruelty Free. 

This is a unique product and service concept within the beauty market. The core product is a 12 Piece Make-up Brush Set, each brush designed by Lynne to include all the essential tools for clients to do their make-up from start to finish. It also includes a guide on how to use the brushes in our ‘Illustrated Brush Guide’, which is included within the set. 

The Full Essential Sets also come with the option to include a Bespoke Make-Up Tutorial to learn how to use your make-up brushes. 

We are focusing on our online tutorials for the Kickstarter, however we also offer face to face lessons as well as masterclass group sessions as well.

By developing the option to include a one-to-one tutorial bespoke tutorial with our full 12 piece brush set, Girl Meets Brush adds the unique edge of working with you and your make up bag to maximise your application technique.

The introduction of our one-to-one online tutorials give everybody, regardless of location, access to our professional network of MUA's on personalised basis in the comfort of their own home. This gives you the opportunity to interact and tailor it to exactly what you would like to focus on. We're taking the new generation of online tutorials to the next level! It also makes our online packages available Worldwide.

The tutorials are bespoke and carried out by our network of 'Pro Expert' and independent Make-Up Artists. All the artists who are part of our network are highly skilled in their area, working within the industry for many years and bringing with them wealth of expertise and knowledge.

Our Lessons are also available as Group Masterclass Party Sessions, these are ideal for private bookings. These are on offer on the Kickstarter & can be booked from £25pp.

The sessions involve a full demo & lesson (usually the host will be the model for this), we'll run through a full lesson which is tailored to the group.

The package also includes a gift bag for everybody, which contains our 12 Piece Essential Make-Up Brush Set used throughout the lesson as well as our Brush & Make-up Tips Illustrated Guide & Face Charts.

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They are getting closer to being fully funded with just over a week (9 days) to go, so please support! Please check out their website, online shop as well as their kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1226045252/share-the-love-with-girl-meets-brush) page to show support to this great Scottish brand.

An Introduction too... Helen Ruth

Scottish scarf designer, Helen Ruth, returns this season with her A/W collection “Lore of the Land.” Ruth takes her inspiration from highland folklore and legends; drawing influence from pictish maidens, selkies, stone circles and deals with the devil. Steering clear of Chirstmas cheer, “Lore of the Land” has a more sombre tone towards Scottish fairy tales, with the fantastical and the bittersweet woven into the very threads of the designs. 

Combining tales of land and sea, Ruth has brought together some of her favourite local legends. From the selkies, the seal people who shed their skins to come on land, to the maiden who made a deal with the devil and got turned to stone, “Lore of the Land” is a deliciously dark collection of some of Scotland’s little known local legends.

Ruth said of the collection “''These are stories that come from the land and I want to invite the wearer of my scarves to create their own tales from my illustrations.'' 

Ruth was inspired by her friends folk songs. After hearing them, asking for the stories to be told in detail. Folklore originally passed via song, now can be passed via scarves. Fairytales are dying, these scarves are a new way of sharing the story etc etc

Depicting pictish folk adorned in brightly coloured illustrations, treacherous sisters, mixed with flourishes of the Scottish landscape, “Lore of the Land” is a culmination of local history and folklore. The entire collection itself is designed, printed and hand finished in Scotland, with all materials being sourced from British wool manufacturers. With prices starting from £115, Helen Ruth’s latest collection truly captures the fantastical with just the right touch of darkness.

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An Introduction To… We Are Rushworth

Victoria Rushworth studied at The Scottish College of Textiles, Heriot Watt University, Galashiels, graduating with a BSc (hons) in Textiles & Clothing. Victoria worked for various high street retailers and suppliers as a technologist/product developer. This involved working with factories in the Far East and Europe, troubleshooting production problems as well as ensuring quality and ethical production. After a career break watching her 3 children evolve while living in Paris for 4 years Victoria was inspired to create a clothing label for “Triers and Doers”. We Are Rushworth was born in 2012, it is an innovative, evolving clothing label, rooted in Scotland. The brand has a variety of unique ranges from artist designed tee shirts to locally produced knitted hats, scarves, headbands, tank tops and blankets. These are manufactured using luxurious pure lambswool, merino and cashmere fibres.







From childhood, her father worked around the globe in the textile industry and brought something home from every country “Afghan waistcoats were pretty exotic in the 1970’s”. This instilled a fascination with clothing and textiles which contributes to what inspires her today. Victoria is committed to using her experience to create unique high quality long lasting clothes and accessories. We Are Rushworth is doing its’ best to minimise the environmental impact of its’ products, producing knitwear here in Scotland and printing small quantities to order on 'earth positive' tee shirts. The designs are all taken from everyday experiences with her family and illustrations by friends, illustrators and family, including the animals.

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An Introduction to Wonky Woolies

Hello from us at Wonky Woolies! We’ve been designing and making award winning luxury knitted bobble hats by hand in Glasgow since 2012. As the nights draw in, we hear your ears whimpering for warmth and think you might be interested in our luxury knits in a variety of designs, styles and sizes, already popular with Bulmers and Herald Scotland to name but a few!

All of our bunnets are handmade to order in our Glasgow office by Team Wonky- Alison, Carol, Karen, Fiona, Lucie and Helen on our vintage knitting machines and linkers. We can create almost any combination of patterns and motifs on our hats in as crazy and wonked up colour ways your heart may desire. How about a Stag Hat as seen on Grant from Frightened Rabbit ?

Or a Snowflake Hat…

A Wonky Hat, both favourites of Pam from Flat Out Glasgow and Jade and Tara at The Style Rawr, could be your hat of choice?

We also have a contemporary style of Lace Hat which can be seen on ThankFifi.

Whichever hat is your cup of tea, be sure to have a gander at our online store. We’ve been working on a new website with Rair, to be launched soon. It will feature our brand new range of eclectic Scottish motifs as well as a cute and colourful kids range, making sure that wee lugs aren’t left out in the cold. Watch this space!

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Photos copyright Liam Dickson

An Introduction to Naromode

The duo behind the brand is Anna Thorn 25 & Iain MacDonald 28, both graduates of Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen & living in Glasgow working from their studio on Wellington Street. Naromode strongly focus on printed womenswear clothing, designing all their own fabrics, creating garments with a simple silhouette. By taking inspiration from stories they design their collections illustratively through their Textiles creations & clothing brand. Naromode also translates as ‘Narrative Fashion’ bringing the concept together. 

Naromode launched their first collection ‘The White Snake’, in September 2013. 

Their first collection offered an array of colour and vibrant prints for Spring Summer 2014, which will be available on their website this month. The second collection which will be available to buy direct in September will also be available on their website. The second collection is inspired by The Brothers Grimm tale ‘Little Snow White’. Created with the talents of Create 48, the lookbook tells the story of Little Snow White both through imagery & pages of the lookbook. Photography by Scottish photographer Cameron Henderson, modeled by Laurie Duffy (from superior model agency) and make up artistry by Caroline Mckeirnan. The snow white reflects on the dark take of the classic ‘Snow White’, which was originally written by the Grimm brothers, taking you on a darker more sinister journey until the end.
Featuring delicate patterns like feathers to represent the beginning of the story ‘When the snowflakes were falling like feathers from heaven, a queen sat sewing at her window’, against the stark black lines, representing the window frame, the contrast between light and dark make the story & the mirrored prints signifying the ‘Mirror Mirror on the wall’ concept. 

The lookbook can be downloaded at www.naromode.com

Lookbook - http://create48.comPhotography - www.cameronhenderson.co.uk
Model, Laurie Duffy - www.superiormodelmanagement.net
MUA – Caroline Mckeirnan

Fine Naromode on...

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An Introduction to Wear Eponymous

Fashion entrepreneurs challenge industry norms with the creation of forward thinking e-commerce clothing store, Wear Eponymous, due to launch on 1st February 2014.

Tired of working under the expectations of others, Scottish fashion photographer, Laura McKinnon, make-up artist, Elaine Burns and web designer Alan Armitage team up to present their own fashion e-commerce womanswear brand, Wear Eponymous. With a focus on individual style under the tagline, “be your own story”, the company proposes to provide consumers with the latest fashion, affordable luxury and bespoke designer pieces at high street prices. The Wear Eponymous online store will officially open to the public on 1st February 2014. 

The Wear Eponymous (W.E.) concept spanned from the working experiences of all three fashion entrepreneurs. Agitated by increasing pressures to work for free and a lack of support for underground design talent in the UK, Armitage, Burns and McKinnon formed the blueprint for a trustworthy marketing platform. W.E. Art Director and co-founder Laura McKinnon, said: “We want to create a place from which to promote this talent at a realistic price. We believe everybody deserves a little piece of luxury and it shouldn't cost an arm and a leg to have it.” This support mechanism will come in the form of designer diffusion lines exclusively sold via the Wear Eponymous webpage. 

Incorporated into this vision is the companies own ready-to-wear collection for S/S 2014. Targeted at young fashionable women aged 18-25; the Wear Eponymous collection is composed of key pieces including pastels, earthy tones and monochrome. The theme of the S/S collection was carefully selected to reflect the brand ethos and fit current trends. W.E. Creative Director and co-founder, Elaine Burns said: “The collection represents us as a brand; we want all aspects of the business to be black and white for our customers from the concept of affordable luxury to good morals.” 

Since December 2013, Wear Eponymous has rallied support via social media. The “Hype” campaign introduced the label to an online audience. Through posting sneak previews of the S/S collection and allowing customers to experience the quality of Wear Eponymous products through giveaway competitions, the team have made the first step in their quest to create what W.E. Technical Director and co-founder, Alan Armitage refers to as a “modern customer centric business.”

The company is currently looking to reach out to bloggers for up and coming press events and launches.Already popular amongst the Scottish market, the Wear Eponymous team have high hopes for the February launch. The chosen designer for the first diffusion line will not be announced until 18:00 on launch day.

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