Birthday Celebrations!

The excitement is building at Ochre And Ocre HQ, as we approach our 2nd Birthday next week! We launched the website two years ago in pessimistic times, the recession was looming, the press were critical, but we were optimistic, wet behind the ears, and ready for a new challenge. Fortunately we survived - and having learnt a huge amount in two years we are looking forward to our third year of trading.

In the past year we have added over 32 new lines, with our lovely new British Collection, exclusively designed for Ochre And Ocre by Lindsey Joyce. Our new brochure is printed and awaiting despatch in September, a huge thank you to Rachel Spivey for some beautiful photography. We have also added some more gifts and hampers, all with that chic Ochre and Ocre twist - making it easy to find a Gift solution.

Not content to rest on our laurels work is already underway for new additions to our range next Spring. Samples are being finalised and photoshoots planned.

We have over 20 shows this Autumn, including attending the huge Spirit of Christmas in London for the first time. We will post the dates and locations nearer the time for our Autumn shows.

You can now also buy Ochre And Ocre at a select range of lovely independents, including the gorgeous homewares shop Tinsmiths in Ledbury, the green Herb Farmacy in Hay, Kettles in Dunkeld, and GreenDays in Crieff.

So if you would like to join us in a toast, please raise your glass to

" Ochre And Ocre, Year Three...the adventure continues!"

Getting in a pickle with Delia

Those of you who follow my blog will know that we recently moved to the Malverns. A beautiful setting with lovely views - yes the house needs quite a lot of work, but as I said the views are stunning, and provide an easy distraction when trying to do any accounts.

We also inherited when we moved here a small orchard and vegetable plot - and it suddenly seems to be going into overdrive producing damsoms, plums, sloes, apples, courgettes......you get the gist.
Now I hate waste, so I decided to do my Good Life bit and make some chutneys, pickles and even ketchup. So over the weekend our kitchen has been a hive of activity of chopping, blending, stirring and bottling. As ever Delia has been the oracle, with her sound advice on sterilising, checking consistencies, and do's and don'ts.
We are now the proud owners of 6 large jars of pickled onions, 8 jars of Green Tomato chutney, 6 jars Courgette chutney, 6 jars Plum chutney, and waiting to be bottled the Plum ketchup. So I must apologise in advance to all my friends and family, as your Christmas presents will not be hard to guess! Just keeping my fingers crossed that they are ok when they emerge from their Black box in 3 months time.