The shop that smells like autumn.— Susan Cottrell
Clove & Amber candle, stoneware mug, beeswax tapers. Packed and posted same day. Through October 31.
Susan Cottrell spent twelve years as a buyer for a regional homeware chain before opening Amber Bluebird in 2017. She grew up in a house where her mother kept a proper linen cupboard and her father repaired furniture...
Every item on the shelves went through Susan's kitchen table first. If it didn't earn a spot in her own home, it didn't earn a spot in the shop.
Most of what we carry comes from makers who produce in runs of 50 or fewer. When something sells out, it's often gone for a season. We think that's a feature, not a bug.
We wrap everything in kraft paper and washi tape, tied with a sprig of dried lavender or rosemary depending on the season. It takes an extra two minutes and people notice.
We've put together a lot of gift boxes over the years. Some were for people we knew well, some…
There are a lot of candles out there. A genuinely alarming number, if you spend any time on the…
Every autumn, small shops like ours go through a significant restock. New makers, new colourways,…
“I came in for a birthday present and left with three things for myself. The wrapping alone was worth the trip.
Margot T. · Regular customer
“Susan helped me put together a gift box for a colleague who is impossible to buy for. She asked the right questions and got it exactly right.
Daniel F. · Corporate gifting customer
“The stoneware mug I bought two years ago is still my favourite thing in the kitchen. I've since bought four more as gifts.
Rosie K. · Online customer
A few words from clients. Every project is different, and so are outcomes.
This is a snapshot of what's in the shop this season. Stock changes regularly and some things sell out without warning. If you see something you love, it's worth not waiting. We update the online shop every Tuesday morning.
Poured in small batches by a maker in the countryside outside town, this 220g soy candle burns for around 45 hours. The scent opens with clove bud and settles into warm amber and a faint cedar base. The vessel is a recycled glass tumbler with a matte sand finish.
Hand-thrown on a wheel by a ceramicist who fires in a wood kiln twice a year. The ash glaze produces a slightly different surface on every piece, ranging from pale grey to a warm buff. Holds 300ml. Dishwasher safe, though we'd recommend hand-washing to keep the glaze looking its best.
Woven from stonewashed Belgian linen and block-printed by hand using a botanical motif that changes each season. This autumn's print is a sprig of rosehip on an oat ground. Gets softer with every wash. Sold individually or as a pair.
Answer three questions and we'll point you toward the right corner of the shop. No email required, no hard sell.
Yes, every order comes wrapped in kraft paper with washi tape and a dried botanical sprig. If you're sending it as a gift, add a note at checkout and we'll write it by hand on a small card. There's no extra charge for any of this.
UK orders placed before 1pm on weekdays go out the same day and usually arrive within two to three working days. We do ship internationally, though lead times vary. Email us before ordering if you're outside the UK and we'll give you an honest estimate.