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Behind every handmade business is a story most people never see.

The confidence battles.
The pricing struggles.
The self-doubt.
The resilience it takes to keep showing up.

When I visited Florence & Flowers, I thought we would be talking about dried flowers.

Instead, we ended up talking about gratitude, creativity, social media, confidence, pricing handmade products, and what it really takes to build a small business in today's world.

Carly shares her journey honestly — from creating wedding flowers on maternity leave to building a thriving dried flower business, while navigating family life, rising costs, and the challenges that many small business owners face behind the scenes.

This isn't just a story about flowers.

It's a story about courage.

🌿 Discover Florence & Flowers:
https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/store/florence-and-flowers/

🛍️ Discover more independent makers:
Ingenious Gifts

Subscribe for more honest conversations with the makers behind Britain's handmade businesses.

00:00 Introduction
01:00 How Florence & Flowers Began
05:13 Building a Business Organically
06:34 Confidence & Being Seen
10:20 Gratitude, Mindset & Resilience
16:24 Working Hard On Yourself
19:19 Sustainability & Dried Flowers
23:39 Crafting, Mindfulness & Wellbeing
27:05 The Rainbow Wreath Story
28:24 The Reality of Handmade Pricing
39:13 Social Media & Authenticity
47:51 Why Stories Matter
54:35 Social Media Pressure & Comparison
58:00 Final Thoughts

#SmallBusiness #HandmadeBusiness #FlorenceAndFlowers #MadeByLive #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessOwner #DriedFlowers #MakerStory #HandmadeUK #CreativeBusiness

59:00

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I Don't Think I'm Brave Enough to Charge What I Should | Florence & Flowers

Ingenious Gifts 31 May 2026 12:01

There’s a side to running a small business that most people never see.

In this episode of Made By Live, we visit Blue Stiggy — where every notebook is typed on a 1970s typewriter, in a solar-powered studio in Lincolnshire.

But this isn’t just about how the products are made…

It’s about the moments behind the scenes:
– The fear that comes with growth
– The struggle with pricing your work
– The quiet days no one talks about
– And the courage it takes to keep going

Michaela shares her journey honestly — from where it all started, to what it really takes to build something meaningful.

If you’re a maker, creative, or small business owner… this one will hit home.

🎥 In this episode:

00:00 Intro
01:00 The philosophy behind Blue Stiggy
05:30 How writing became part of the process
10:45 The origin story
18:20 Fear & growth as a small business
28:10 The pricing struggle
38:40 The creative process
47:00 Materials & sustainability

🔗 Explore Blue Stiggy

👉 Shop the collection: https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/store/blue-stiggy/
👉 Visit the maker page: https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/blue-stiggy-personalised-notebooks-with-meaning

🚀 Want to be featured?

We don’t just list products - we tell stories.

👉 Apply to be featured on Made By Live:
https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/made-by-live/

🎥 About Ingenious Gifts

Ingenious Gifts is a curated marketplace helping handmade businesses get seen — through story-led video, real-world discovery screens, and meaningful exposure beyond the algorithm.

59:07

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The Side of Running a Small Business No One Talks About | Blue Stiggy

Ingenious Gifts 24 April 2026 14:59

31:28

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The Loneliness of Running a Small Business | A Maker’s Honest Story

Ingenious Gifts 25 February 2026 09:58

This video shares the story behind a handmade beaded floral bouquet kit, designed for adults who love slow, mindful creativity.

In this episode, Claire takes us behind the scenes of her creative journey and introduces her DIY beaded flower kit, showing what’s included inside the box, how the flowers are made, and how the finished bouquet comes together.

You’ll also see clips from her beaded flower workshop, where people come together to create, slow down, and enjoy the process — whether they’re complete beginners or experienced crafters.

✨ In this video:

- What’s inside a beaded floral bouquet kit
- Workshop footage and creative process
-Why craft kits for adults can be calming and meaningful

This kit is ideal if you’re looking for:
- a relaxing craft for adults
- a creative gift idea
- a mindful hobby you can do at home
- a hands-on workshop experience

👉 Workshop details and kit links:
https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/product/diy-beaded-flower-bouquet-kit-with-mini-glass-vase-create-your-own-handmade-glass-bead-blooms/

https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/product/beaded-ball-cactus-craft-kit-with-mini-terracotta-pot/

This episode is part of Made By Live - a series sharing the stories behind independent makers and the products they create.

4:37

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Crafts for Anxiety | Mindful Beaded Flower Kit & Creative Workshop

Ingenious Gifts 10 February 2026 19:34

Kristy is the maker behind Soy Wax Village - a handmade candle and home fragrance business built from resilience, creativity, and belief.

After being diagnosed with a brain tumour and undergoing multiple surgeries, Kristy was forced to step away from her career as a sports therapist. Recovery brought uncertainty, setbacks, and moments of deep self-doubt - but it also opened the door to something new.

What began as a simple act of making a candle at home became a turning point.

In this episode of Made By Live, Kristy shares her journey from diagnosis to building a meaningful business - one that not only brings comfort to customers through scent, but also gives back, with every order supporting The Brain Tumour Charity.

This is a story about:

- Rebuilding confidence after illness
- Using creativity as a form of recovery
- Learning to believe that what you make is good enough
- Finding purpose through handmade business
- The power of community and recognition

Kristy’s candles are hand-poured using natural soy wax, thoughtfully sourced materials, and carefully chosen fragrances designed to evoke memory, calm, and comfort. For many customers, her products have become part of their healing, reflection, and everyday rituals.

This episode is for:

- Makers struggling with self-doubt or imposter syndrome
- Creatives rebuilding after illness or life changes
- Anyone who believes handmade has the power to heal

🕯️ Explore Soy Wax Village

👉 Shop Kristy’s handmade candles and home fragrance
https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/store/soywaxvillage/

🎥 About Made By Live

Made By Live is a story-led series by Ingenious Gifts, created to help independent makers be seen, heard, and believed in - through film, storytelling, and thoughtful commerce.

🔔 Subscribe for more maker stories

If you believe creativity can change lives, consider subscribing for future episodes.

7:37

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From Brain Tumour to Business: Kristy’s Story of Resilience, Belief & Soy Wax Village

Ingenious Gifts 28 January 2026 14:38

A handmade safety pin bracelet, designed as a small reminder of self-care.

Find it here:
https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/product/safety-pin-macrame-bracelet-a-reminder-of-self-care-available-in-5-colours/

0:16

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Making a Difference: Her bracelets are designed to offer a small reminder of self-care.

Ingenious Gifts 13 December 2025 22:49

Her jewellery helped her go from shy… to seen.
Full episode now live.
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUe_j1LKua8

0:16

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From Shy to Seen - Her Jewellery Story #handmade #handmadejewellery #makerstory #smallbusinessuk

Ingenious Gifts 11 December 2025 22:33

✨ The Story Behind These Joyful Earrings ✨

In today’s episode of Made By Live, we meet the talent behind July Studio Creations — a maker whose work is dainty, joyful, and beautifully detailed.
These handmade polymer clay wreath earrings are more than just festive jewellery… they’re a symbol of creativity, patience, and the joy of making something meaningful by hand.

Each pair is crafted individually, shaped with care, and finished with tiny joyful details that make them truly one-of-a-kind.
If you're looking for a thoughtful, handmade gift — this might be the one. 💛

🛍️ Shop the Featured Jewellery

👉 Wreath Earrings by July Studio Creations
https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/product/christmas-wreath-dangles-christmas-themed-earrings/

Shop this episode here: https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/store/july-studio-creations/

🌿 About the Maker

July Studio Creations
Instagram: @julystudiocreations

💛 What is Made By Live?

Made By Live is a storytelling series from Ingenious Gifts that shines a spotlight on incredible independent makers.
Every episode tells the story behind the product - handmade, heartfelt, and thoughtfully crafted in the UK.

If you love discovering small businesses with beautiful stories, hit subscribe ❤️

📌 Follow Us

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ingeniousgifts
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@ingeniousgifts
Website: https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk

2:59

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The Story Behind These Joyful Handmade Earrings | Made By Live

Ingenious Gifts 11 December 2025 12:09

A hidden-message sterling silver Morse code necklace - a thoughtful gift for someone hard to buy for.
Shop here → https://ingeniousgifts.co.uk/product/i-love-you-sterling-silver-morse-code-necklace/

0:16

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Buying for a hard-to-buy person?#giftideas#handmadegifts#christmasgifting#personalisedgift

Ingenious Gifts 10 December 2025 20:31

Supporting small UK businesses and The Brain Tumour Charity

With every product sold, not only are you supporting a small independent business, but we make a valuable donation to The Brain Tumour Charity to help support their vital work.

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BTAM Raffle 2025

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Ingenious Gifts

Welcome to Ingenious Gifts, an online marketplace where you can find unique handmade gifts by creative and talented smile makers. You can find beautifully crafted gifts whether it’s for that special person in your life or a little treat for yourself.

£1000+

Raised for The Brain Tumour Charity

16+

Unique UK artisans & creatives

1400+

One-of-a-kind handmade items

Ingenious Gifts is a UK company with heart

Supporting independent and ethical businesses

Not only do we support local, independent and ethical businesses, but every plan we offer helps raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity: a cause that’s incredibly close to our hearts.

Read Our Story

Currently Supporting 23 Small Independent Businesses

Meet Suzanne Marther

Suzanne Marie Paperie

I create colourful and joyful plantable greetings cards and playful artwork that bring joy to everyday life and are kind to the planet.

Visit Suzanne Marther 's Shop

Meet Lucy Nicholson

Lucy Maggie Designs

Lucy Maggie Designs is an independent business based in Liverpool, UK, specialising in colourful greeting cards, stationery and giftware with a playful edge.

Visit Lucy Nicholson 's Shop

Meet Anne-Michelle

Anne-Michelle Jewellery

It really means something to say you chose Handmade. I make pieces with my own two hands and place them lovingly into yours. The simple way, the valued way.

Visit Anne-Michelle 's Shop

Father's Day Cards

For the king of the grill, the Dad's that rock.

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Mother's Day Cards

Beautifully handmade Mother's Day cards.

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Real crafty people

Our sellers are carefully selected and passionate about creating amazing handmade products.

Loving handmade

We are passionate about handmade products, the work and love that goes into each and every special gift is what makes handmade so unique.

Making a difference

For every product we sell, we are supporting The Brain Tumour Charity.

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Ingenious Gifts

Ingenious Gifts is a UK company with heart

Currently Supporting 23 Small Independent Businesses

Meet Suzanne Marther

Meet Lucy Nicholson

Meet Anne-Michelle

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Real crafty people

Loving handmade

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