If you would like us to print a short message to insert in the card for you, please make a note of this in the ‘special instructions for seller’ section at the check-out and we would be more than happy to do so on your behalf!
A little about East of India…
East of India was started by John Ayris and Anne Spratling in 1991. John had travelled extensively while Anne had studied fashion and textile design at Canterbury Art College.
While travelling through Asia in the early nineties they met a talented man, who had a beautiful wooden pig for sale, hand-carved from a tree he had grown himself. They bought the pig and several other pieces and took them home as gifts for friends and family. The gifts were so well received and demand for them so great, they decided to start a business introducing these beautiful handmade goods to the UK, and East of India was born. A small range of products was developed and with some financial help from the Prince’s Trust. Their first consignment was brought to the UK and distributed to local shops, many of whom are still customers today.
Today all of their products are designed with love and care at their studio in Folkestone UK and they still work closely with those original artisans. They now employ numerous other family members and friends to satisfy demand. With the support of their diverse customer base, which includes multiple retailers, mail order companies and small independent retailers, these artisans are still able to work together as family groups and earn a living using traditional skills passed down through the generations. Their skills give East of India products a distinctive, unique quality and they now have customers all over the UK, Europe and right here in Australia!
The East of India team in Folkestone has also grown and evolved. Many of the staff have been with them since the early days and they respond with energy and enthusiasm to the ever-changing requirements of a small business.
East of India takes seriously its corporate responsibility on environmental issues. For a number of years they have been involved with a tree planting project in Indonesia. Wood used in today’s products was a seedling planted not more than 10 years ago. Each tree harvested is replaced with another, which in turn will be ready to use a further 10 years from now.
STANDARD SHIPPING TO AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL CITIES $15.95* (small parcels up to 3kg).
