We all at Celtic Sheepskin hope you had a wonderful Christmas that was full of food, fun, family and friends and that you received everything you wished for. Christmas may be over, but boy is there still plenty left to celebrate!
At this time of year I imagine that many of you would welcome the opportunity to save some pennies after a busy few weeks full of social events and gift-buying. So I am very pleased to let you know (although you might have had a ‘heads-up’ if you subscribe to our email newsletter) that our January sale is now underway after the launch on Boxing Day.
This is our biggest ever sale with many of our most popular products now reduced by up to 50% - that’s certainly not to be sniffed at! As this week is quite often a busy one with the festivities and socialising continuing, I thought I would save you some time by highlighting some of my top finds from the sale…
Made in Great Britain from Blue-faced Leicester wool in its original undyed colour, the Slip
Stitch Bodywarmer goes with everything! I particularly like wearing it with the Henley Slouch; the colours really complement each other.
This is an absolute steal for such a gorgeous jumper! The Wide Neck Dolman is a simple shape which looks fab with jeans or a skirt.
Another of our Bluefaced Leicester pieces, the Stylised Fisherman’s Jumper will keep you warm for many winters to come. The cable trend is set to continue well into next autumn so I would recommend stocking up now.
One of my favourite pieces from our AW11 collection, the Cocoon Cape is unique and gorgeous. It is a brilliantly light yet cosy extra layer which makes a pleasant change from a cardigan.
Make sure to order these quickly as once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Let us know which bargains you have bagged on Facebook or Twitter – we’d love to hear from you.
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Walking in to the factory this morning, you would have thought you had walked in to Santa’s grotto by mistake! Many of the staff decided to make the most of the festive mood by accessorising their outfits with some Christmas touches and I think they all look fabulous.
Here are our lovely checkers (who monitor the quality of all the footwear made on site here in Newquay), from left to right Tina, Becci, Elaine, Anna and Naomi…
Becci quipped that as the reindeer on her headband had lost his eyes, she had no idea (“no eye deer”) what was going on!*Groan* - surely that’s a joke straight out of a Christmas cracker :)
Moving in to the sewing room I couldn’t help but smile as I saw that many of the team had dressed up in complete festive style. Here’s Lesley showing off her customised boots…
Here’s Debbie the elf with three Santas, Jenna, Pat and Jo, all looking the part...
Over in the cutting room, Ian was sporting a “bah humbug” hat but still looked festive and Colin embraced the chance to dress up with a fetching red hat (he was also wearing some matching underwear but I didn’t think that photo would be appropriate!).
Here in the press office, we’re feeling the Christmas spirit too. Rather than dressing up though, I thought I would have some fun creating a Christmas message for you, our lovely blog readers, to enjoy. So with the help of JibJab.com here it is…
CLICK HERE
(the message will open in a new window)
Hope you liked it (it made me giggle just making it)! The featured 'elves' were Lauren (Graphic Designer), Tracy (Garment Technologist), Charlotte (HR Manager), me - Stella (Marketing Assistant) and of course Alfie the dog (or should that be Elf-ie!)
Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and here’s to 2012!
Stella Clark
Only 5 more sleeps to go! Are you excited? Here at Celtic HQ you can feel the cheer in the air: there are Christmas songs on the radio, bumper boxes of chocolates in the offices and quite a few of the factory staff are wearing festive hats! We have just chosen our food choices for our post-Christmas staff celebration too which has added to the mood (and gives us something to look forward to in January!).
This time of year is always wonderfully busy for us as you, our customers, stock up on warm winter woollies and gifts galore. Our order lines ring constantly and the orders fly in thick and fast. As well as our loyal local customers, we are proud to say that our customers are spread far and wide across the globe. It’s amazing to believe that from our very humble beginnings back in the 1970s we have grown to be an internationally-known company selling to customers all around the world.
Out of curiosity I have been speaking to the ‘elves’ in our warehouse to find out more about the far-flung places that he will be taking his sleigh on Christmas eve (let’s hope that his reindeer get plenty of carrots to keep them going!);
Just across the channel from us, I have been told that our customers in France are particularly fond of our scarves and other knitted accessories. In a country with so many pavement cafes, I imagine that the cosy warmth of cashmere or lambswool accessories provides a brilliant finishing layer to help battle the elements during an al fresco coffee break…
Continuing the journey across the continent and towards Russia, it is no surprise that our sheepskin hats are very popular there, our ‘elves’ told me. In a country where temperatures dip to below -20oC on a regular basis, a sheepskin hat will go some way to protecting against the harsh winter…
Santa and his reindeer will then be on their way to deliver our infamous sheepskin boots to our customers in Japan where they are popular all year round. From the more simple Classic style to our crazy Himalayan Boots, they fly off the shelves across the globe and Japan is no exception perhaps due to the country’s love of Great British products (our boots are of course handcrafted in Cornwall so they tick this box in a big way!)…
Of course our products are bought by customers in hundreds of other countries as well and as I can’t mention them all in one post so we would love to hear from you about where you’re from and how Celtic Sheepskin features in your wardrobe. You can get in touch via Facebook or Twitter.
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I can’t quite believe I’m saying this already but we are only 10 days away from Christmas day! With this in mind, I thought I would begin today by reminding you that orders need to be placed by 22nd December to ensure your goods reach you in time so don’t delay!
I was talking to the lovely ladies in our factory shop yesterday who commented on how busy it has been over the last few weeks with many customers coming in search of presents for their nearest and dearest (and also for themselves in many cases!). As our shop staff are very much on the pulse when it comes to giving advice to customers, I thought I would ask their thoughts on great gift ideas for you, our avid blog readers. So in case you’re still in a quandary about what to buy someone special this Christmas, here are a few of their suggestions…
Jo, our Factory Shop Supervisor, picked out her favourite item, the Donegal Snood (in Oatmeal) which she says would make the perfect gift for a female friend or relative. Jo loves the cosy and snuggly feel of this snood and said that it feels luxurious to wear without having a luxury price tag. The chunky cable stitch is also very much on trend this season.
Next up, Gemma, one of our Shop Assistants, picked out the gorgeous Pocket Bag as her perfect present idea. Gemma particularly likes the number of pockets which she feels make this a really practical every-day bag and said that this would be an ideal present for her mum or sister (so she could borrow it off them she said – I like her style!).
Last but not least, Natalie, another of our lovely shop assistants couldn’t quite make up her mind so chose two different styles of socks. She said that the wide range of socks that we offer suit the different personalities of her friends so they would all make ideal gifts. Natalie chose the cream Over-the-Knee socks because they look fab worn pulled up with a skirt or slouched down for a more relaxed look and this style comes in a wide range of colours to complement any outfit. Natalie also chose the rose Ladies Boot Socks because she likes the way they look compared with some other boot socks on the market which tend to come in dark, dreary colours. Natalie commented that these are bright and cheery and perfect for friends who like long walks and warm feet!
I hope that these ideas have given you some food for thought. To make life even easier, all of the items chosen are currently in stock.
To see the rest of our Christmas Gift Shop please click here. Let us know what gifts you’re buying this Christmas on Facebook or Twitter.
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I am feeling a little bit smug today because I managed to finish my Christmas shopping at the weekend after fighting through the streets of Truro on a mission to buy everything in as short a time as possible (not least because my other half came with me to ‘help’ and his tolerance for busy shops is even smaller than mine!).
Having breathed a big sigh of relief knowing that my presents are wrapped and my cards are written and posted I can now focus on enjoying the lead-up to Christmas day and the exciting plans I have coming up (which to be completely honest mainly involve eating copious amounts of yummy food and ‘sampling’ mulled wine!). Even more importantly, I can now shop with myself in mind and update my Christmas wardrobe.
For me, the outfit that requires the most consideration is the one for Christmas day. This year I will be spending the day itself with my fiancé’s family on their Dartmoor hill farm and the weather there can be a bit unpredictable to say the least (last year my car had to be towed out of the snow with a tractor!) so I need to plan ahead for warmth, comfort and style. What better way to do this than in Celtic Sheepskin! I imagine that I will spend part of the day walking across the moor so a pair of warm boots and some knitted accessories will keep the chill away.
I share an office with Lauren (our Graphic Designer) who is responsible for, among other things, putting together our email newsletters and keeping the website looking fresh and inviting. With festive music on in the background and Christmas firmly on our minds, Lauren has decided on her Christmas Day outfit too. Lauren’s will be starting the day with a family tradition of going for a swim in the sea (in just a swimming costume – brrrr, rather you than me!) so she will no doubt be looking forward to putting on something warm and cosy to spend the rest of the day in.
Complete with the backdrop of a white Christmas, here we are in our intended outfits (Lauren on the left and me, Stella, on the right; click on the image to view a larger version)…
Lauren is wearing the Henley Slouch with a Slip Stitch Bodywarmer, accessorised with a black Cashmere Beret, Cashmere Wristwarmers and a Pointelle Snood. Her boots are Celt Knee Boots.
Lauren will be cooking Christmas dinner for her family so the layers of this outfit are a perfect choice as she can easily remove the Slip Stitch Bodywarmer as the kitchen heats up.
For my Christmas day outfit I have chosen a Cable Slouch Dress in Sapphire with a Lambswool Scarf (Natural MacKeller) and a merino Cable Beanie together with matching Cable Armwarmers (light grey). My boots are Popper Boots (calf height in Spice).
This is an ideal ensemble which will shield me well from the moorland breeze! I will also take a pair of Yaktrax Pro with me just in case. These are fantastic as they can be worn over most shoes to give them extra grip on snow or ice...
What do you think of our Christmas Day outfits? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook or Twitter.
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With only 17 days to go until Christmas day, I’m sure that most of you will have bought quite a few gifts by now. How much thought have you put in to the presents that you have chosen for your nearest and dearest?
Badly-chosen Christmas presents are the subject of many a joke at this time of year but while, of course, it is true that it is the thought that counts when it comes to gifts, wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that the lovingly-chosen gift is something that you really, really want?
Hopefully we can help! To make it easier for your loved ones to buy you the perfect present, you can create your very own wish list on the Celtic Sheepskin website. This is really simple and takes only 3 easy steps;
1. Add the product/s you would like to the wish list by selecting the link next to the product details...
2. Register your details (if you haven’t already) to save your wish list...
3. Drop an unsubtle hint by emailing your list to your family and friends!
Rather than a “unique” hand-knitted hat, scarf and mittens set from Granny, I thought you might like to see a few suggestions of knitted accessories sets, Celtic style. Will any of these be on your wish list?
Cosy and warm for everyday wear, this gorgeous set features a beanie, scarf and gloves. The Oatmeal shade is really versatile; you will want to wear this set with everything.
This set which includes a beret, scarf and wristwarmers comes in two shades; Ecru and Soft Grey. Hand-knitted by Andrea Dunne, a Brighton-based textile designer, you will love the super-soft quality of these accessories.
If you receive this set in your stocking you must have been a very good girl! The beret comes in other shades as well as grey if you like to mix and match (click here to see them all) or you can coordinate with the Lacy-cuffed Gloves and Corsage Scarf. The Corsage Scarf is simply stunning and being cashmere the whole set feels so cosy that you won’t want to take it off. Worth every penny and sure to bring smiles all round!
For more gift ideas please visit our Christmas Gift Shop.
Which items are on your wish list? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter – we would love to hear from you.
On Sunday I was one of 670 to take part in the Plymouth Santa Fun Run along with a few friends, raising money for Children’s Hospice South West and Diabetes UK by running 4km dressed in (very warm) Santa costumes and some “Hawaiian” accessories to make us stand out. It was a brilliant event which really put us in a festive mood, especially with the treat of a mince pie at the end!
After changing in to something less conspicuous and more appropriate for shopping we took the opportunity to visit the nearby shopping centre. I couldn’t believe how busy it was! With less than 3 weeks until Christmas day, people were present- buying en masse and there were queues everywhere. I have decided that I much prefer online shopping; the novelty of spending money in the peace and quiet of my own home while wearing my cosiest pyjamas and slippers won’t ever wear off!
It seems that I’m not alone: Last Monday (28th November) was predicted to be one of the busiest online shopping days this year. According to news reports, with memories of the disruption caused by the snow over the same period last year, this year we are ordering presents in plenty of time for Christmas day – how organised!
This has of course had a knock-on effect in our warehouse and the Celtic ‘elves’ are busier than ever, picking, packing and posting your Christmas goodies…
I predict that over the next couple of weeks it is going to get even busier so I have spoken to our ‘elves’ to find out which products from our Christmas catalogue are selling particularly quickly so that you don’t miss out…
These come in three different colours to style as you please. One of these decorative scarves would add a pretty finishing touch to a Christmas party outfit or a light extra layer during the day. I love the Gold shade – very festive!
This is proving to be a very popular style and I think it’s perfect for lounging around or dressing up with smart jeans and heels for a smart/casual daytime look. The dainty buttons look gorgeous. This is one of my favourite pieces in the catalogue, along with...
Arguably one of the best presents a girl can receive for Christmas (make that anytime!). Our Chelsea Bag has been flying off the shelves since the launch of the Christmas catalogue and having seen one taking pride of place on display in our factory shop it’s easy to see why…
This is such a stylish bag yet it’s also wonderfully practical with plenty of room for all your essentials. I have been told that the orders are coming in thick and fast so I would advise ordering soon.
To view the entire Christmas collection, please click here. Remember that the last date for guaranteed delivery (mainland UK) for Christmas is Thursday 22nd December –don’t miss out!
After mentioning the glut of Christmas gift guides that I was sifting through last week, the excitement has continued this week as we have spotted ourselves (well, our products!) in the gift guides of a number of national publications. While I will leave it to you to seek out the exact location of our products within each publication I thought I would give you a “heads up” as quite often we find that featured products fly off the shelves and we certainly wouldn’t want you to miss out!
In the papers…
Little girls (and big girls too!) love our Sheepskin Purses as featured in The Daily Telegraph; they are a perfect size for carrying the bare essentials. These are hand-made on site here in our Newquay factory and come in a range of colours.
Our Gum Boots have been featured in The Independent’s Christmas Gift Guide under the heading “Green Fingers”. As well as gardening, these are brilliant for looking stylish while keeping your feet dry as they are completely waterproof. While the tall version has already sold out (I said they would be popular!) you can still get the Short Gum Boots which are great for country walks or nipping in to town on a wet day.
In the magazines…
I received an email last week from a journalist advising me that the Flat Out Bear had been temporarily ‘kidnapped’ because she loved it so much (it wasn’t the Vogue journalist I hasten to add)! The bear makes a wonderful baby gift for Christmas and feels so soft and comforting – they are clearly popular with “big kids” too!
A pair of Lounger Moccasins will be a welcome gift for any lady in the family. They appeared in Red Magazine under the Cocoon heading which was described as “chic home treats for everyone” and we definitely think that this description channels the feel of the Lounger Moccasins perfectly.
Essentials Magazine featured our Lambswool Scarf in Natural MacKeller. These scarves are soft and light; perfect for a winter shopping trip.
Finally, to go with your Lambswool Scarf, how about a pair of Toscana Earmuffs as featured in Period Homes & Interiors? Your ears will thank you!
If you spot Celtic Sheepskin anywhere else, please do let us know. We always like to hear from you. Feel free to email us or get in touch via Facebook or Twitter.
