Buying British- is it worth it?

At UmmPixies® we are Made in Britain® accredited.  That accreditation means you can be confident that everything is not only designed in Britain (provided you don't count the occasional idea sketch I make on holiday) but made here too.

Unlike many others I have specifically chosen to keep all production in Britain working with small independent manufacturers - so you're not just supporting my small business but theirs too.

When you choose a British-made product, your purchase can help support the people and businesses involved in making products here in the UK.

Keeping skills and craftsmanship alive

Britain has a long history of textile manufacturing and craftsmanship, but skills don't survive simply because we have a history of making things.

They survive when there is demand for them.

Supporting British-made products helps create opportunities for manufacturers and skilled workers to continue developing their expertise. It also gives younger generations a reason to consider careers in making, production and design.

For small brands like mine, working with experienced British manufacturers can also mean building long-term relationships that help preserve specialist knowledge.

That's important because once a manufacturing skill or capability disappears, it can be very difficult to bring it back.

A smaller journey from maker to customer

Where a product is made can also be part of a bigger conversation about how products travel.

Buying British isn't automatically the same as buying sustainably – there are many factors involved in the environmental impact of a product, including its materials, manufacturing process, packaging and how far different components travel.

But choosing locally produced products can be one part of making more considered purchasing decisions.

At UmmPixies, I am continually looking at the materials and packaging that I use and how I can make better choices.

UmmPixies postal packaging is also Made in Britain® and biodegradable and I'm committed to reducing unnecessary packaging and choosing recycled or recyclable options.

Responsible design isn't about being perfect. It's about continually looking for opportunities to do things better.

Choosing products with a story

Perhaps the biggest reason to buy British-made is that it encourages us to think a little more about what we're buying.

Who designed it?

Where was it made?

What materials were used?

Will I still want it in a year's time?

Is it something I'll actually use?

Those questions can help us move away from buying things simply because they're cheap or convenient and towards choosing products that have a purpose.

And when it comes to gifts, that story becomes part of the present.

Discover colourful British design for your home and gifting at UmmPixies – where we believe in elevating the everyday.