Nest - Handmade Lake District, Cumbria

A very warm welcome to my latest retail partner, Nest Cumbria. Let me introduce you to this colourful corner of Cumbria, and the people that make it so special. Filled with handcrafted, small batch, local makers, Nest offers a warm, welcoming and unique shopping experience which I think is the perfect fit for my candles.

Inside Nest

Nest is a collective of talented Cumbria artists and makers with a passion to share their thoughtfully, handcrafted, nature inspired creations. Here you will find pieces that tell stories, are made with care and that special dash of magic that comes when people make what they genuinely love – this love and joy literally beams out of the eclectic shop. From ceramics to textiles, artwork to flowers, there is something to suit everyone whether its for your home or as a unique gift.

Meet Team Nest

Cazz Nash Ceramics – Maximalist ceramics with a story

Inspired by nature, layers of colour, organic patterns and rich natural textures make Cazz’s ceramics bold and beautiful - the ideal collectable pieces for any ceramics junkie and lovers of maximalist design. Her ceramic pumpkins and trees have a special place on my own coffee table ( now nicknamed the Cazz Nash coffee table).

My Cazz Nash collection

Each of Cazz’s creations is a tribute to the beauty she finds in nature, heavily influenced by her love for Beekeeping and the flora and fauna that grows around them. A fusion of under glazing, screen printing, collage, and gold lustre, Cazz works with porcelain and stoneware clays to bring to life nature in ceramic form.

Liz Jones Studio – Printmaker & textile designer

Inspired by the rural environment much of Liz’s work features iconic symbols of the British countryside. All of Liz’s work begins life using the lino cut method, which progresses into hand painted limited editions, original lino prints or screen printed on to fabrics to create soft furnishings and lighting.

Inspired by nature, Liz has a very distinctive, colourful style that brings the charm of the countryside and its colour palette into the home, decorating walls with bold prints and adding softness with stylish textiles.

Rebecca & Scott Masterton – The Pretty Wildflower Company

From the nearby hills of Dumfries & Galloway, Rebecca & Scott grow cut flowers on their farm. Known for their ethical floristry process, they sow, grow, dry, and then create natural dried flower bouquets, buttonholes, wreaths and arrangements for weddings, gifts, and seasonal decorations.

Inspired by their own wedding while trying to source local suppliers, organic (if possible), they released this was not an option for flowers. Gap spotted, ideas sown ( and lots of demanding work later), the flower farm was born. Their passion for protecting and regenerating the local wildlife and landscape means they work with organic, sustainable methods coordinated with the seasons and in alignment with nature.

Charlotte Gurran - Artist

I am the proud owner of one of Charlotte’s pieces which graces my sitting room wall and brings so much joy to my home. Charlotte embraces nature into her abstract works with colour, shape and texture, layering in moments and movement with the natural data she collects when studying a scene for commission.

Crummock Water by Charlotte Gurran

Charlottes work expresses the present moment experienced in nature; one which is felt at the time it was created, bringing a sense of mindfulness into the homes of those who share their spaces with her work. Not only does this make Charlotte’s work unique but it tethers the viewers to that special moment in time when the artwork was created, bringing a unique meaning to each piece which is so deeply connected to nature.

Emma Boyes Paper Creations

Cumbrian paper-cut artist Emma is a master of transformation - taking a humble blank sheet of paper, adding her inspiration, and turning it into a beautiful work of art. Inspired by nature, Emma’s work captures the beauty and magic of the natural world through intricate and delicate layers of paper which brings each piece to life.

Emma’s work has been exhibited all over the UK and now she has a permanent home at Nest.

It’s a family affair

Nest may be a collective of talented artists, but it is also a family affair. Founding Directors Chris Phillips ( aka Mr Liz Jones), Paul Thorburn ( aka Mr Cazz Nash) support the creative team, and you will often find Chris with a welcoming smile instore at Nest ( albeit not always juggling lampshades).

Chris Phillips aka Mr Liz Jones

Paul Thorburn aka Mr Cazz Nash

Sharing the love

Alongside the regular collective, Nest generously opens its space to support other local makers and artists on a seasonal rotation. This means there is always something new and unique on offer and shines a spotlight on creative talent from Cumbria and the surrounding local area.

This festive season team Nest welcomes back artist Lindsay Oliphant. Lindsay’s work captures the beauty of the Lake District using alcohol inks resulting in fluid, abstract reflections of the Lakeland landscapes she loves. Lindsay is back with a stunning collection of hand painted baubles, luxurious wrapping papers, and Christmas cards.

Lindsay Oliphant Hand-painted bauble

Also making a welcome return to Nest is glass artist Kristina from Contours Fused Glass. Kristina’s icy stars, frosty robins, and twinkling trees are described by Nest as “pure sparkly joy in glass form” and I couldn’t agree more! Each piece is individually cut, layered, and fused -meaning they are truly one-of-a-kind creations.

Contours fused glass decoration

Discover Nest and all of their talented local makers and artists at Rheged. Rheged is the North Lakes premier destination for independent shopping, with a wonderful gallery, cinema, café, creative working spaces along with a programme of interesting events and learning experiences for all ages. It is one of my favourite places to visit.

The cafe at Rheged

To learn more about Nest, follow along on Instagram – it is one of the happiest, most joyful feeds you can add to your scrolling.

Hope you have enjoyed a la'al snoop around Nest, add it to your "must visit" list winter and enjoy shopping independent, handamde and local - why not pop a candle or two into your basket while you are there too.

With love from the Fells

Sharon x