Welcoming Spring with Pencil & Accessories Cases - New for 2025
Want to go straight to them? Click here to see the range!
I absolutely love Spring, and I love launching new things in the Spring.
There’s something about the new season shoots, the days getting longer and brighter and, purely from a business perspective, it feels like the hibernation I seek after the busyness of the Christmas season has served it’s purpose and I’m recovered and ready to hit the year again.
Obviously, also from a business perspective, I can’t actually go into hibernation for 2 months of the year. But it is a naturally slower time of year for my business which allows me to focus and put in place the final bits for the Spring collection that has actually been in the works since the autumn before (if not sooner).
The Spring 2025 collection is a special one too as it sees the return of textiles to my range, and this time they tick ALL my boxes.
I have previously had textiles but my decision to stop was based on them not necessarily meeting all the criteria of sustainability that I ideally wanted – it wasn’t enough for me that they were just printed and made in the UK. And when added to higher minimum order volumes and how to hold the stock, it was a big outlay and risk that I didn’t want to carry in the business as we headed into a pandemic.
But this time things are different!
Because this time I’m working with a manufacturer to produce them who has placed sustainability at the fore of their business.
In fact the championing of sustainable practices that Amy does is inspiring. The way in which the items are made - by hand – ensures that there is minimal wastage in cutting out and only what is required is made, giving flexibility to respond to demand. Plus their sourcing of base materials, from working closely with the local printer on sustainable cotton to the threads and zips used, means that not only are the sustainable credentials kept a close eye on but quality is too.
And, yes I am biased, but the quality is fantastic and it’s no exaggeration to say everyone who has seen and held them so far has commented on it. In fact it’s because of the quality of their other products that we started talking in the first place. The fabric feels wonderful (both the printed exterior and the lining), the zip is sturdy but smooth to use and the stitching is largely invisible. And the vibrancy of the colours on the printing – chefs kiss.
Working with Britton Manufacturing has been a great experience. From the start it was clear I was working with someone who has the same values but also, fortunately, has the same upfront approach to business, collaboration and general conversation!
So what’s in the collection?
Overall there are 3 different products in the range, which each come in 9 (yes, 9!!) different patterns/colourways.
The key headlines are:
- They’re each 100% sustainable cotton, fully lined, and each zip has a leather pull.
- They’re handmade in Scotland, on fabric printed locally to them with my hand-drawn designs
- They’re all practical sizes because, frankly, if it’s not practical it doesn’t matter how pretty it is.
- They all have a decent gusset. The smallest is a flatter shape anyway, but the larger two have a square/flat bottom, meaning they can hold more without being stretched and that (depending on how you fill it) it can stand up too.
So let’s take a closer look:
First up is the Slim Pencil Case – you can get a small handful of pens/pencils in there, a little ruler or even some make-up essentials. It’s perfect for taking a few bits to a meeting with you, or for in your handbag so they’re not rolling around the bottom and hard to find.
The Standard Pencil Case is, well, a more standard size. As well as the stationery you’d expect, you could also get small scissors and a few rolls of washi in there if you’re a journaling person, use it for smaller bits of tech like your ear-plus/headphones, or some essential toiletries or medication that you might carry-around with you.
The biggest of the three is the Zip Pouch. All the above applies to this pouch too, with added height meaning you can get more in! I’d say this was more a multi-purpose pouch than a pencil case – it would definitely work as a makeup bag or a travelling toiletries bag. You could use it for key travel documents in your hand-luggage or small electricals/laptop peripherals too, and even some of your extra gym bits might fit too (think small chalk bottles, wrist straps, grippy gloves) And it would certainly help keep bigger bags/laptop cases etc a bit tidier.
Do I have a favourite pencil or accessory case?
Of course not – that would be like picking a favourite child!
BUT I would say since the samples arrived I’ve been using each of them and have found all three useful for different things. The standard pencil case, however, has probably been used the most as it has my main everyday pens, headphones, lip balm etc and lives in my laptop bag so it moves around with me from home to co-working to cafes etc. After all that the colours are still vibrant, the fabric is still soft and it still feels brand new.
The brand new pencil cases and accessories launch on 4th March 2025 – head to this page to see them for yourself!
Find out more information about my manufacturing partner Britton Scotland.
