Tales from the Cottage – Episode One
Hello, and welcome to the very first flutter of our new (and freshly polished) blog – Tales from the Cottage.
We’ve created this cosy nook of our website as a place for gentle storytelling and behind-the-scenes glimpses into life here at Wickwood Cottage. Think of it as pulling up a favourite chair, wrapping your hands around a warm brew, and stepping into a tale or two.
So, shall we begin? 🍄✨
Recently, we ventured away from the Cottage for something rather grand: our very first trade fayre at the NEC in Birmingham.
Now, that may not sound terribly slow-living at first glance… bustling crowds, towering displays, endless aisles of temptation. But, truth be told, it was brimming with delight — a treasure hunt of curiosities just waiting to be discovered.
With our budget tucked firmly into our pockets (like a sensible squirrel stashing acorns) and your wonderful requests still ringing in our ears, we set off. And oh, mushrooms… mushrooms and more mushrooms! You spoke, we listened. 🍄
After parking what felt like miles away (perhaps the faeries moved our car to keep us humble?), we enjoyed a gentle wander to the main hall — a walk that gave us time to breathe before stepping into the cavern of creativity that awaited.
Inside, the air shimmered with possibility. Stalls upon stalls, each one a little world of its own, called us closer. We had to reign in our enthusiasm (and our purse strings), for the temptation was everywhere, tugging at our whimsical hearts.
Our journey of treasures began with The English Soap Company — soaps we’ve used and loved for years, their scents carrying us home like familiar spells.
Orders placed… onward we trotted.
Next, we stumbled across Deep Books Ltd. Now, mindful and colouring books may sound quiet, but in their pages lie whole universes. And, not wanting to overlap with our witchy neighbours and friends, This Witchy Needs, we carefully chose a collection that felt perfectly Wickwood.
Orders placed… off we danced again.
Then came ABitQuackers (a name that made us smile before we’d even peeked at their shelves). Their figurines were like storybook characters come alive — moon-gazing hares, faeries perched on squirrels, and hedgehogs that could melt the iciest heart. We couldn’t resist.
Orders placed… onward, one more time.
Finally, with our budget whispering “steady now,” we reached Joe Davies. Established in 1919 and still brimming with charm, their team welcomed us with sandwiches, cake, and smiles. Decisions here were not easy — every shelf held a gift that seemed to wink at us. After a bit of dithering (and perhaps a second slice of cake), we made our final order.
And yet, one of the most heart warming moments came not from a purchase at all, but from a conversation.
A French gentleman named Gui (or William, as he translated with a twinkle) spoke with such passion about our ancient woodlands — the lungs of our land. His words tugged firmly at our hearts, and before long, we had signed Wickwood Cottage back into support of the Woodland Trust. From now on, we’ll be planting three trees every month. 🌱🌳 A small step, but one we hope will grow into a little forest of good.
And so, our very first trade fayre turned into a day of discovery, delight, and new beginnings. We left weary but happy, our minds whirring with plans, our bags brimming with treasures, and our hearts rooted in something far bigger than ourselves.
We can’t wait to share more as our orders arrive and take their places on the shelves of the Cottage.
Until then, thank you for sitting a while with us — it’s always nicer when you’re here.
With warmth and a sprinkling of cottage magic,
The Wickwood Cottage Team ✨