Products of 2020
Small businesses are chameleon-like in the way they adapt to whatever situation is thrown at them. Being founded from a true passion empowers them with the ability to pivot whilst remaining true to their brand heart. 2020 saw a series of challenges for small businesses to adapt and react to and the Products of 2020 category celebrated those who have not just survived, but thrived!
These businesses captured the mood of a nation, bringing the various challenges of the year to life with creativity.
The Blushing Cook
Always baking for friends birthdays and weddings, Sammi began Blushing Cook with a mission to combine quality ingredients and delicious flavours with visually beautiful designs. Adapting to 2020 has meant her postal brownies have become a huge hit and she hopes to grow and expand her business to reach more people in the future.
The Clay Club
After seven years running his business, Jack was forced to pivot when the pandemic led to all his events being cancelled and sales disappearing! Going back to the drawing board and using all he’d learnt from running his ceramics business, Clay Club was born – the perfect activity to keep people busy inside and take their minds off what was going on in the world.
The Judges
Bryony Sheridan
Buying Manager, Liberty London
Liberty London is the ultimate emporium for creative product. Bryony heads up the buying team for the celebrated Home department.
Harriet Vine MBE and Rosie Wolfenden MBE
Co-Founders of Tatty Devine
Founded in 1999 in the heart of East London by Harriet and Rose, Tatty Devine has been synonymous with quirky creativity for over 20 years.
Finalists & Nominees
Below you will find all of the businesses nominated for the Newcomer Award including the finalists. Huge congratulations to all the nominees for this fantastic achievement.
Hobbs House Bakery
Through a collaboration with a local artist, each week featured a different poet who was celebrated as customers read, shared, contemplated and digested this unique artwork; a feast for all the senses.
Love Bee Baby
Handmade, family-run organic and environmentally friendly children’s wear brand. Specialising in beautifully printed clothing and accessories so little ones can learn and play comfortably.
Vinegar and Brown Paper
Ideas etched in glass.
Annual Store
The creation and curation of the best designs of the year from independent brands to their own brand products. A focus on design-led, eco-conscious products for the whole family.
Bon Tot
A modern kids’ store, always pushing for new ideas and seeking authenticity at every turn. They constantly look for the most creative way to tell their story.
Clarkes Closet
Empowering children of colour through their dolls, ensuring self-love and self-acceptance are represented wherever they turn.
Hattie McGill Embroidery
Badges that raise a smile and add bit of sparkle in a tough and confusing time for all. Hand embroidered in the traditional technique of goldwork with a contemporary twist.
Kemi Telford
Designing fabulous clothes that make women feel alive. Their bold and beautiful clothes empower women to take up their space
Lisa Macario
Creating treasured pieces, not fast fashion, by embroidering the words that empower you, that show the world who you are, what you love, that tell your story.
Lots of Lovely Art
Magical art boxes inspired by real artists and full of great materials. Lots of fun creative projects each month that bring a regular experience of art into children’s lives!
Mapology Guides
Illustrated self-help maps for life’s journey. Playful and thought-provoking, they are designed to educate, entertain, transform and help you build an emotional toolkit.
Marby and Elm
Bespoke letterpress cards based around risqué humour with a modern aesthetic. These uplifting and heartfelt cards help people feel connected and find some humour in the current situation.
Mean Mail
Good friends send cards, best friends send Mean Mail. Their lockdown card range was designed for the year that couldn’t get any weirder. 2020. WTF
Sheepers
Sheepers products are handmade by traditional Polish artisans and feature a traditional design that has passed through generations of the Skowronek family.
The Oak & Rope Company
“Lockdown Lessons Learnt” has given a new dimension to our traditional classics during the year when breadwinners have turned breadmakers and a good sense of humour has been a lifesaver.
The Printer’s Devil
Established in 2008, The Printer’s Devil is a Letterpress workshop based in East London, specialising in original hand-printed wood block prints and Japanese collaborations.
Twisted Twee
Peddling items of practical lunacy and spreading as much silliness as possible. Lockdown has been an opportunity to maintain daft optimistic glee in the face of global gloom.
Young Double
Clothes that say something about who we are, that we can all relate to and feel good wearing, no matter the age.
With thanks to our small business supporters
