No one could miss all the rainbows in the windows and the efforts of Captain Tom during lockdown. Wild Things Gifts made a contribution with a special suncatcher that helps raise money for charity. Jules Vahrman tells the company’s story of lockdown…
‘The beginning of lockdown seems like a magical time now. The roads were empty, the weather was clear every day, and the team at Wild Things felt fortunate to be down in the South West. Everyone in the team was furloughed but morale was high, mainly because we are a creative lot, with interests ranging from pyrography to wood carving, sewing to illustration and jewellery making.
‘UK orders fell off a cliff but, after a while, customers with web shops started to order. Wild Things are fortunate enough to export (mainly to the USA and Europe) so our homeworkers were able to carry on producing with only a skeleton staff at HQ. Vicky was kept very busy picking and packing the increasing UK orders, and every evening relaxed by walking around Exeter. No one could miss all the rainbows in the windows and the efforts of Captain Tom. It was obvious that Wild Things should make a contribution. So the new ‘Thank You’ rainbow suncatcher was born, with a proportion of the proceeds going to charity.
‘Now orders are picking up again and, with the flexible furlough scheme, the whole team is back, albeit only one day a week or so each. Wild Things hold large component stocks as virtually everything we sell is designed and made by ourselves here in the UK, so stock levels are not a problem.
‘Over the past year we have dramatically improved the Wild Things Website making it even easier for our customers to control their accounts. It’s now possible to place orders, see previous orders, check outstanding invoices and make payments all at the click of a button. We will be publishing a supplement showcasing these in September.’
