Today marks the end of Just a Card week but it doesn’t mean I’ll stop supporting small independent businesses whenever I can.

Artist and designer, Sarah Hamilton was prompted to create the Just a Card campaign after noticing that a gallery had closed down. The gallery had commented ‘If everyone who’d complimented our beautiful gallery had bought ‘just a card’ we’d still be open’.

There’s now a team of people including my friend and Makelight founder Emily Quinton. I love that Emily is wearing One Purl Row mittens in her photo on the Just a Card Meet the Team page.

Today I’m sharing five small independent businesses I have supported recently.  They have all provided excellent personal service and I absolutely love their products.

Number 1:  Hello Party – Lou provides all the supplies needed for a perfect party.  I bought these pale pink balloons with rose gold glitter inside to make a garland for a recent family party.  They looked amazing with the rose gold ‘Love’ balloon.  Aside from running Hello Party Lou is also a graphic designer over at Design Angel.

Rose Gold Love Script Foil Balloon from Hello Party

Number 2: Favourite Dress – Sarah makes made to measure clothing in beautiful vintage fabrics.  You simply choose the fabric (Sarah has a fabric library for you to browse or you can source your own). You then send your measurements, discuss your precise requirements and Sarah works her tailoring magic to come up with your very own unique piece of clothing. I have bought several skirts and I love them!

Number 3: Sugar Plum Bakes – I ordered a selection of made to order biscuits from Vaani. I let Vaani know the type of colours and shapes I had in mind and the words I wanted on the biscuit.  They taste delicious.  Vaani makes all manner of beautiful cakes for weddings and special events – even one for an event attended by HRH Duchess of Cambridge!  I was in very good company!

Number 4: Grace and Flora – Kate creates silver nature inspired jewellery.   I recently purchased two silver pieces to wear on a silver chain.  Sometimes I wear both the fern leaf and delphinium flower together.  Sometimes I wear them separately. I have two silver chains of different lengths so I can change them to suit the outfit of the day.

Number 5: Willowberry – Jenni has worked in the beauty industry since 2004. She is passionate about the power of nature in skincare and uses only unrefined natural oils and butters. Jenni ensures that all ingredients are as natural as they can possibly be in all of her products.