The BLACK MAKERS & CREATIVES edit

As part of my promise to source and stock more objects from black-owned businesses, I've spent the week researching and what a joy it has been to find so many black makers and businesses. This is the part of having this little store I love the most, tracking down makers, making connections and bringing new objects to you to enjoy in your homes. 

Rather than keep these wonderful businesses to myself, I want to share them with you. Some I have followed for a while, but many are new to me, and some you'll find represented in my store soon. 

I hope you enjoy this list as much as I do, and please do share other black-owned businesses and makers you think I need to know about.

Here's the edit...

Grain & Knot ~ @grainandknot

Sophie makes the most incredible wooden spoons, brushes and vases in her home studio in London. Her objects are beautifully unique, each with a rawness to them that gives such character.

Our Lovely Goods ~ @ourlovelygoods 

An Object Story favourite (new items coming to the store soon!), Ebi & Emmanuel are a wife and husband duo living in Edinburgh. They hand make candles, fragrance mists and skincare amongst other items using only the most natural ingredients. 

Sacko ~ @shopsacko

The sweetest little garments for children, hand-dyed with natural dyes by Nana. Using different pigments and techniques she turns the most simple clothing into wonderfully unique pieces. With sustainability at the heart of her business, many of the items on her curated site are second hand, with the dying process providing a new lease of life to the garments. 

Liv & Dom ~ @livanddom

Identical twins Liv and Dom are ceramicists and illustrators, together using their sisterly bond they create sculptures, jewellery and prints celebrating the female form. Their candlesticks are on my personal wish list - they're glorious!  

Port West ~ @port.west

Co-founded by Khalifa and Shaun, Port West has combined their skill of design with their love paper products to create an elegant notebook. The notebooks are manufactured in the UK, using recycled papers from British and Italian mills. They are functional, beautiful and sustainable. 

The People Shop ~ @thepeopleshop

Allison and Christian are the wife and husband team behind this award-winning bricks and mortar lifestyle store in Birmingham. Christian designs and makes the women's clothing collections, while Allison heads up the buying and styling - together their collective skills have created 'People'. 

Naked Clay Ceramics ~ @nakedclayceramics

'Simple to look at, lovely to hold' is how ceramicist Carla Sealey describes her objects. Carla's ceramics are made using a hand-building technique and the pieces are fired with no glaze on the outside so the feel of the natural, fired clay can be appreciated. 

Sancho's ~ @wowsancho

Founded by Kalkidan and Vidmantos, Sando's is a bricks and mortar store in Exeter specialising in ethical and sustainable fashion, accessories and gifts. Their collections are simple and elegant drawing upon the colours of nature and on many of their items, they offer a 'transparent' pricing structure, where you can choose what you pay with a clear idea on where your money goes. 

Tanaka soaps ~ @tanaka.soaps

Leonara started Tanaka as a niche hobby, but her love for soaps was infectious and her hobby has turned into an indie business producing natural, handmade soaps. Tanaka soaps are handcrafted using the power of plants to benefit and improve skin health. Leonara's soaps will be coming to Object Story soooon! 

Liha ~ @lihabeauty

Founded by Liha and Abi, Liha Beauty creates products that like them, are a mixture of natural African roots and quintessential British attitude. All their products are vegan, and the gorgeous bottles you'll be proud to keep on your bathroom shelf.  

Neoma Design ~ @neoma_design

Dolores is a self-taught handbag designer, with a workshop and store in Brighton selling beautifully made to order leather bags and accessories for both men and women.  

Narloa ~ @narloa

Narola makes natural, therapeutic skincare products using the power of botanicals and aromatherapy. Their products are formulated using the best quality ingredients with no synthetics, just ingredients rooted in nature.

Sammi Maria Jewellery ~ @sammimaria

Ethically crafted jewellery inspired by Sammi's city living and travelling ~ described as 'laid-back luxe with a touch of nostalgia'. Sammi has sustainability at the heart of her business, with all items made to order.