Press Releases

Creating Christmas Traditions With Aspen & Brown - 27 Aug 2009

Inspired by the simple Christmases of our childhood, Aspen & Brown (www.aspenandbrown.com) has put together a unique Christmas Collection that will bring festive style to your home whilst creating special family traditions that can be passed down from generation to generation. Simple things like decorating our homes, trimming the tree, hanging up stockings and leaving out treats for Santa are the moments that we will treasure forever.

Natural crafts and mediums, such as patchwork, embroidery, papier mache, wood carving, stamping, driftwood, dried fruit etc, all feature. Many items are hand-made in the UK and are exclusive to Aspen & Brown. Some can even be personalised for that extra special touch.

The collection includes beautiful advent calendar ideas, personalised mince pie plates for Santa, tin reindeers, snowflakes and punched NOEL buckets, aromatic dried orange, cinnamon and pumpino garlands, wreaths and candle rings, hand-made and personalised stockings and driftwood decorations, wooden NOEL and PEACE letters, exquisite mercurised baubles, Swedish style fabric decorations embellished with embroidery, ribbons, buttons and knitwear, cream mugs and jugs featuring a festive snowflake design, along with a whole range of gift wrapping and gift ideas for the whole family.

For a one-stop-shop of original, extra special and often exclusive Christmas decorations and gifts, visit Aspen & Brown, www.aspenandbrown.com.

For further information, samples or images please contact: Melissa Shaw Aspen & Brown Press Office 0800 033 6116 press@aspenandbrown.com www.aspenandbrown.com

Aspen &: Gifts for Every Mother this Mother's Day - 25 Feb 2009

After taking care of everyone else, mums deserve a little pampering too, especially on Mother’s Day. At Aspen & Brown we have gifts for every type of mother; the home-maker, gardener, jewellery lover etc.

The Home Maker

Wonderful treats for the home include a gorgeous ‘Mummy’ glass, rose scented candle (£13.95); a beautiful ‘Mummy’ gift box containing rose body milk, a vegetable soap, face cloth and small sponge (£16.95); a pearl heart, linen cushion (£16.95) and matching picture (£14.95); linen hearts embroidered with initials or a name (£17.50); willow twig hearts (from £9.95); a ‘Household Organiser’ (£17.95); and an assortment of delicate tea light and candle holders (from £3.50).

The Gardener

For mothers with green fingers, Aspen & Brown has a selection of cream and green enamel ware including string-in-a-tin, trugs, buckets and planters (from £8.95), stylish cream and zinc bird houses (£16.50); delicate, coloured glass bulb/bud vases (£4.95); a hand-made ‘In the garden’ wooden sign (£7.95); and, to get organised for the season, a ‘My Garden Journal ‘(£16.95).

The Jewellery Lover

No mother can resist jewellery. Aspen & Brown has a stunning selection of sterling silver necklaces, bracelets, bangles and earrings featuring beautiful semi-precious stone hearts (amethyst, rose quartz and smoked quartz), freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals (from £28.50).

The complete Mother’s Day collection and other gifts and home accessories can be viewed at www.aspenandbrown.com or call 0845 371 1171 for a mail order catalogue.

For press images, product loans or further information, please contact: Melissa Shaw Press Office Aspen & Brown Tel: 0845 371 1171 Email: press@aspenandbrown.com

The Aspen & Brown 'Shop of Delight' at Covent Garden Piazza - 26 Nov 2008

For an authentic Christmas experience, why not visit the Covent Garden Piazza this year and the Aspen & Brown 'Shop of Delight'.

As part of the piazza's programme of Christmas festivities and events, Aspen & Brown has been chosen to host the flagship 'Shop of Delight' from Monday 1st to Sunday 7th December.

The shop will be selling Aspen & Brown's beautiful Christmas collection, including exquisite wreaths, delicate glass decorations, embroidered garlands, charming wooden decorations and Nordic inspired cushions.

There will also be a number of craft demonstrations where renowned stylist, Catherine Woram, will be showing visitors how to make original crackers, wreaths, napkins and table decorations.

Andy Keen, co-founder of Aspen & Brown, said:

"We are thrilled to have been chosen to host the Christmas 'Shop of Delight' and be part of this exciting event. Around 3,750,000 Londoners and tourists visit Covent Garden each month so it is a very exciting opportunity for us."

The Covent Garden Shop of Delight is located at 26 The Market, Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 8HD. Opening hours are:

Monday 11am - 7pm
Tuesday 11am - 7pm
Wednesday 11am - 7pm
Thursday 11am - 8pm
Friday 11am - 8pm
Saturday 11am - 8pm
Sunday 12pm - 6pm

The Christmas Delight campaign also includes a futuristic LED light display and live music.

The Aspen & Brown Christmas collection is available at www.aspenandbrown.com or for a mail order catalogue call 0845 371 1171.

For further information on the Shop of Delight, please call Aspen & Brown on 0845 371 1171.

For further press information, images or product loans, please contact: Melissa Shaw Aspen & Brown Tel: 0845 371 1171 Email: press@aspenandbrown.com

Christmas at Home with Aspen & Brown - 07 Jul 2008

Inspired by the simple Christmases of our childhood, Aspen & Brown has put together a unique Christmas collection that will bring festive style to your home whilst creating special family traditions.

Natural crafts and mediums, such as patchwork, quilting, knitting, embroidery, cross stitch, pottery and carved wood, all feature. Many items are hand-made and exclusive to Aspen & Brown.

To create special festive traditions there are a selection of hand-made and personalised Christmas stockings and Santa's sacks (from £16.50), hand-painted ceramic plates for Santa (£21.95) and embroidered fabric and wooden advent calendars (from £18.95).

For the home there is an exquisite silver leaf and pearl wreath (£23.95) and a flamboyant peacock wreath (£24.95); delicate glass birds and sweetie decorations (from £11.95); deep red embroidered garlands and hearts (from £4.95); charming wooden icicles, robins, doves and reindeers (from £7.50/18); hand carved 'NOEL' letters gilded in gold and silver leaf or painted white (from £26.95); and Nordic style, cross stitch reindeer cushions (from £4.95).

The Aspen & Brown Christmas collection is available at www.aspenandbrown.com or for a mail order catalogue call 0845 371 1171.

For further press information, images or product loans, please contact: Melissa Shaw Aspen & Brown Tel: 0870 011 0511 Email: press@aspenandbrown.com

Aspen & Brown: New Season, New Arrivals, New Catalogue - 07 May 2008

With Summer just around the corner, Aspen & Brown has launched its new catalogue full of exciting new personalised gifts and home accessories.

The Personalised Collection is all hand-made made by skilled craftspeople in the UK and the majority of items are made exclusively for Aspen & Brown. Highlights this season include exquisite cushions featuring soldiers, boats, patchwork and Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies; luxurious silk hearts and cushions; charming wooden boats, doves and room signs; fine bone china mugs, bowls, plates and moneyboxes; funky wall canvases, etc. All of these items can be embroidered or printed with monograms, names, dates and messages.

New arrivals in the Babies & Kids Collection include soft organic baby clothing sets; a selection of imprint frames to ensure you capture your child’s hand or footprint forever; adorable little bunny and car shoes; and sturdy wooden keepsake boxes.

Seasonal highlights in the Home & Garden Collection include beautiful yet practical wicker storage baskets; large citronella cube candles decorated with butterflies and dragonflies; stunning, chunky rope doorstops; and smart, enamel post boxes.

The complete collection can be viewed at www.aspenandbrown.com or call 0845 371 1171 for a mail order catalogue.

For press images, product loans, interviews or further information, please contact:

Melissa Shaw Press Office, Aspen & Brown Tel: 0870 011 0511 Email: press@aspenandbrown.com

Creating Festive Traditions with Aspen & Brown - 09 Jul 2007

Christmas is steeped in traditions but it is our own unique family ones, passed down from generation to generation, which are the most special of all. Simple things like decorating our homes, trimming the tree, hanging up stockings and leaving out treats for Santa are the moments that we will treasure forever.

With this in mind, Aspen & Brown has put together a collection of original, extra special and often exclusive, Christmas ideas to help you create your own traditions. Most items are hand-made and decorated one-off pieces and many can be personalized. Natural crafts and mediums - patchwork, quilting, knitting, embroidery, carved wood, punched metal and natural willow - all feature.

The personalised collection includes hadn-made ‘Shaker style’ stockings, perfect for all ages; patchwork stockings and Santa's sacks; and cosy knitted stockings featuring an authentic Nordic design. All are embroidered or knitted with a name.

Highlights of the new stock Christmas collections include a beautiful wooden advent calendar with 24 individual drawers; a ‘folk art’ inspired linen frieze embroidered with trees, hearts and doves; a flamboyant peacock wreath; a deep red embroidered table runner; and fun reindeer cushions. Decorations range from delicate glass drops and frosted icicles, decorated glass baubles and exquisite coloured, glass birds through to charming wooden stars, icicles, trees, robins and reindeers, fabric hearts embroidered with NOEL and jingle bell baubles.

The complete Aspen & Brown Christmas collection can be viewed at www.aspenandbrown.com or for a mail order catalogue call 0845 371 1171.

For further press information, images or product loans, please contact: Melissa Shaw, Press Office Aspen & Brown Tel: 0870 011 0511 Email: press@aspenandbrown.com

Asoen & Brown Unveils Home & Garden Collection - 01 May 2007

Aspen & Brown, the company that specialises in exquisite, hand-made personalised gifts, has unveiled an enchanting ‘Home & Garden’ Collection.

Ranging from decorative ironware to delicate glassware, smart storage to vintage enamelware, the collection promises to add dramatic touches to the home. Starting from as little as £2.95, highlights include delicate glass tea light holders hand painted with flowers; carved, white washed wooden doves; intricate birch wreaths made by hand; elaborate botanical wall sconces; and hand-made linen hearts embroidered with a name or initial.

The complete collection is available from www.aspenandbrown.com or call 0845 371 1171 for a mail order catalogue.

Aspen & Brown is named as finalist in National Business Award - 05 Sep 2006

Blossoming new business, Aspen & Brown, has been unveiled as one of four finalists in the national Startups Awards 2006 in the ‘Retailer of the Year’ category, handing it the chance to win the £5,000 top prize.

The short listing judges were impressed by Aspen & Brown’s concept and potential, placing the business among a handful of lucky finalists plucked from hundreds of entries.

Aspen & Brown is a website (www.aspenandbrown.com) and mail order catalogue that specialises in stylish personalised gifts, many of which are hand-made and very individual. Items can be personalised with monograms, names, dates and messages. The company, based in Harpenden, was set up in 2004 by a husband and wife team who gave up city careers.

The Startups Awards, organised by Crimson Business’ Startups.co.uk, comprises of 15 categories, each showcasing the best new businesses in the UK. The overall winner will walk away with a £5,000 cheque.

Endorsed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and underlining its commitment to identifying and rewarding the UK’s best new businesses, the third annual Startups Awards is organised in conjunction with NatWest.

The winners will be unveiled at a prestigious awards ceremony in London on Friday 20 October.

Andy Keen, Co-Founder of Aspen & Brown comments: “We are thrilled to be a finalist and very much look forward to the event in October. It’s great that all our dedication and hard work has been recognised by Startups.co.uk, and we’re delighted to be in with a chance of not only winning the category but also the much-coveted ‘NatWest Startups Business of the Year’ prize.”

This year’s judging panel consists of some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs, including Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind up radio, Sahar Hashemi of Coffee Republic and Adrian Chiles from Working Lunch.

The judges look at a wide range of criteria; in particular, business success either by increase in sales and unit volume, market research and identification of customer focus, organisational and team building effectiveness, strategic planning, overcoming obstacles and barriers to success, visionary leadership and social and community responsibility.

Additional sponsors include Blackberry, BT Plc, Sage, Viking, Bartercard, Brother and National Business Register PLC.

Aspen & Brown 2006 Business Award Winner - 26 May 2006

After only 18 months of trading, Aspen & Brown has won a prestigious business award. Organised by Hertfordshire Business Link, part of a national organisation, Aspen & Brown won the ‘Rising Stars Business Award for Creative Marketing'.

The awards are organised by Business Link to recognise the achievements of businesses across the county. The winners were announced at an inaugural awards dinner on the 11th May.

Aspen & Brown, an internet and mail order company, specialises in hand-made and personalised home accessories and gifts. The company was founded by Andy Keen, a former Global Financial Controller at Standard and Poor’s in New York, and Melissa Shaw, a former Board Director of Camron PR, the UK's leading interiors, design and lifestyle public relations agency.

John Collier, Chief Executive of Business Link Hertfordshire, who presented the awards, said: “It was very impressive to see how many companies had entered the awards. I know that running a new business is extremely time consuming – so even to find the time to put an entry together is an achievement in itself. It was a difficult task to pick the finalists as there was a huge range of entries showing a tremendous level of commitment and dedication.”

He explained: “The judging process was very thorough: in each of the categories a panel of business advisers, scored the application forms against a set of criteria relelvant to that category. An adviser then visited the each of the four highest scoring businesses in each category and then the sponsors chose the winners based on the application, support materials such as company accounts and brochures and feedback from the visit. I was delighted to announce the seven winners at the ceremony: they should feel really proud of their achievements – and I wish them every success in their business ventures over the coming years. They deserve recognition for all their hard work and I am sure that their businesses will continue to flourish and grow."

New Year, New Name! - 03 Jan 2006q

Anthropology has brought forward a rebranding and expansion programme. The company, which specialises in hand-made and personalised gifts is now called Aspen & Brown. The new url is www.aspenandbrown.com. In addition, it is launching a range of home and garden accessories.

Andy Keen, Director, explained, "After a year of very successful trading, we realised that the Anthropology name and url was problematic for our customers. In addition, we are expanding into other market sectors and wanted to avoid any confusion that may have arisen with a similarly named company. We feel it is timely to combine these activities and kick off the new year with a new name and extended portfolio of products".

The new Aspen & Brown home and garden collection can be seen on the website from 1st February 2006. The Spring/Summer catalogue will also be available from this date.

Anthropology: Finalist in Regional Business Award - 31 Mar 2005

After only five months of trading, Anthropology has been short-listed as a finalist in the Hertfordshire ‘Rising Stars’ Business Awards this month and attended an inaugural ‘Rising Stars’ awards dinner.

The awards are organised by Business Link to recognise the achievements of new businesses across the county. With nearly 120 entries in total, Anthropology was a finalist in the ‘Best Business Partnership’ Award.

Anthropology, an internet and mail order company, specialises in hand-made and personalised home accessories and gifts. The company was founded by Andy Keen, a former Global Financial Controller at Standard and Poor’s in New York, and Melissa Shaw, a former Board Director of Camron PR, the UK's leading interiors, design and lifestyle public relations agency.

John Collier, Director of Business Services at Business Link, said:

“I was delighted to see how many companies entered the awards. It was an incredibly difficult job to pick the finalists as all of them showed a tremendous level of commitment and dedication to get their businesses off the ground. The judging process was vigorous.”

Andy Keen of Anthropology said:

“We are delighted to have our partnership and achievements recognised so early on. To win a regional award within six months of trading is a huge accolade.”

Anthropology: Background Information - 01 Oct 2004

Our Mission

The website, www.anthropologygifts.com was launched with a mission to ‘make gift giving - whatever the occasion - a special and memorable event’ instead of the chore it seems to have become.

Whilst appreciating that the gift market is burgeoning with suppliers, the founders believe that they have identified a true gap in the giftware market; for a range of design-led, quality products that can be personalised with monograms, names, dates and messages, and encompasses all sectors of the market - babies, children and adults - and all occasions.

The Online Store and Mail Order Offer

The personalised collection, along with a carefully selected range of quality and innovative stock items, is sold on a fully functional, e-commerce online store. The site has been built for Anthropology using dynamic html and includes a number of exciting and innovative functions that make purchasing bespoke and personalised gifts as quick and as easy as doing so in a conventional shop.

A smaller, core selection of products will be available through a mail order catalogue from early November.

Departments

The collection is divided into four recipient departments, 'For Babies & Kids', 'For Her', 'For Him' and 'For the Happy Couple', and has gifts for all occasions, including Welcome Baby/Christening, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversary, Thank you, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day.

The Bespoke and Personalised Collection

Bespoke gifts and items that can be personalised include beautiful hand-made pictures, hand-made photo albums and keespsake boxes, wooden photograph frames and peg hooks, cushions, bags, knitted and fleece blankets, hot water bottle covers, pyjamas, bathrobes, teddies, a range of sterling silverware and even Christmas baubles!

Stock Gifts

There is also a range of beautiful stock items, many of which are from small suppliers to provide a degree of exclusivity and uniqueness. These include 100% natural bath and skincare products for mummy and baby; children’s cushions and teddies that incorporate music boxes or soft night lights; quality wooden toys; oriental embroidered silk boxes; Jacob Jensen clocks; wedding products; and a range of stylish gift baskets and boxes.

A Fresh, Inspiring and Innovative Range

Anthropology is committed to keeping the range fresh, inspiring and innovative. Products are purchased according to how consumers purchase; by events and not seasons and, without the constraints of seasonal buying, and with the spontaneity of internet retailing, products can be added to the range continually.

Melissa Shaw, co-founder of Anthropology said, "We all buy so many gifts each year and I think the majority are mass produced and uninspiring. We wanted to put together a collection of beautiful products that included hand-made pieces at affordable prices and gifts that would be really special to the recipient and treasured forever, real 'gifts for life'".

"There are a few companies offering personalised products as a small part of their range but they tend to focus on one particular area of the market, usually babies. Anthropology covers all sectors and all occasions."

Andy Keen, co-founder of the company said: "We have very exciting and structured plans for the company’s growth, including further product lines, innovative marketing initiatives, further functionality on the site, and a plan of exciting and innovative services for our customers."

Anthropology: Celebreating Quality, Craftsmanship and Indiciduality - 01 Oct 2004

This week sees the launch of ‘Anthropology’, an exciting new website and mail order catalogue full of inspirational gift ideas that celebrate quality, craftsmanship and individuality. The collection features many pieces that are hand-made and can be personalised ranging from vibrant, wool cushions and soft, knitted blankets through to exquisite pictures and luxurious photo albums and keepsake boxes.

Strongly opposed to the plethora of mass-produced, disposable gifts currently offered on the high street and, with a belief that there is a desire for hand-crafted items, the founders of Anthropology have spent the last year searching for unique and exclusive gift ideas. The result is ‘Anthropology’, a collection of ‘gifts for life’.

The personalised collection starts from as little as £14 for a hand-painted, wooden peg hook. Highlights include cushions featuring a child’s name; mouth-blown and hand-decorated glass Christmas baubles that can be personalised with a name and a message; beautiful ‘heirloom’ cot blankets knitted with a name and date of birth; soft and comforting fleecy hot water bottles featuring a pocket with a name embroidered on it and a teddy inside; hand-made cream keepsake boxes and photograph albums that can be personalised to celebrate a special event; hand-painted photograph frames; luxurious 100% cotton children’s dressing gowns and beautiful French chambray pyjamas that can be embroidered with names; and a range of quality silverware for all occasions that can be engraved. A range of design-led, quality stock items are also available.

The founders have invested in a bespoke e-commerce website that has been designed to make shopping for gifts easy and enjoyable. Furthermore, the site uses dynamic html to make ordering and purchasing personalised gifts as simple and as quick as it would be in a conventional shop.

Melissa Shaw, co-founder of Anthropology said “We wanted to put together a collection of beautiful and unique products that included hand-made pieces and quality personalised gifts, at affordable prices; gifts that are really special and will be treasured forever.”

The complete collection is available at www.anthropologygifts.com. For a mail order catalogue that features a selection of the range, or for general enquiries, telephone 0870 011 0511 or email info@anthropologygifts.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: We also have a selection of home accessories and gifts for forthcoming occasions:

Christmas

• Hand-made personalised stockings
• Personalised glass baubles
• A range of Christmas decorations for the home
• Patchwork stockings and sacks
• Wooden nativity scene
• Wooden advent calendar