FAQ
When is your next shop update?
I am going on maternity leave in March 2024. The February update will be my last before I go and the shop will close on 7th March at 5pm GMT. I am planning to return to work part time in January 2025.
Generally the shop is updated on the 1st day of every other month at 8pm (this will likely restart in March 2025). I recommend signing up for my email list so you don’t miss out - I send out a password for the preview gallery 24 hours before the update (the gallery is only available to subscribers) and a reminder when the shop goes live.
The date of the next update is also kept updated in the banner at the top of the website and in my Instagram bio.
How should I care for my vase?
I recommend washing by hand with hot soapy water. A bottle brush is helpful for cleaning inside vases with small openings. Keeping your vases clean will help your flowers last longer.
Are your vases watertight?
My vases are made from stoneware clay, which should be watertight after being fired. To be sure, I test each piece (I have done this since the April 2023 update). I would still recommend putting a barrier underneath if you are placing them on a precious and/or markable surface, in case of drips while topping the water up, condensation, etc. I use coasters or cork mats (I like these ones from IKEA).
Do you accept commissions, custom orders or wholesale orders?
Thank you for your interest. At the moment I can’t take on any commissions due to maternity leave but I would be delighted to discuss your project in January 2025 when I return to work.
Where can I buy these types of flowers?
Buying locally grown flowers is a brilliant idea. If you live in the UK, I really recommend looking at the Flowers from the Farm website - you can search for local growers and find out how to buy their flowers direct. There are more than 1,000 members - if I search there are currently 19 growers in a 20 mile radius of my home (51 within 40 miles!). Some members are also florists you can hire for weddings, events, etc.
I’d like to learn more about growing flowers, where should I start?
The most important thing is to give it a go!
I don’t have a big collection of flower books but the two I have probably learnt most from are A Year Full of Flowers by Sarah Raven and From Seed to Bloom by Milli Proust.
I recommend using Instagram as a way to learn, document what you’re growing, find new of varieties of flowers and generally be part of a community. Zoe and Lizzie, linked in the answer below, are great for learning more about growing flowers and also sell seeds, etc.
I love the flower podcast Let’s grow, girls with Sarah and Nicole for tips and varieties. Shannon’s Diary of a Lady Gardener podcast also has a mixture of gardening guests including quite a few cut flower growers.
& finally I’ve learnt a lot from watching Gardener’s World!
Where do you buy your seeds and plants from?
I try to say which flowers I’ve used in an arrangement and where I got any seeds/bare roots/plants.
Some of my favourite online sources:
Chiltern Seeds - they have so many varieties! I also like their vegetable seeds.
Alma | Proust - such beautiful packets and some really lovely varieties.
Zoe Woodward Gardening (previously Swan Cottage) - make sure to check out Zoe’s Instagram for the grow-a-long and the handbooks she writes. There are several shop updates a year around the time you need to plant that particular variety.
The Rose Press Garden - Lizzie sells seasonally appropriate seeds, tubers, bulbs, etc., and also has a monthly subscription box. Lots of helpful information on her Instagram as well, particularly if you’re new to gardening and not sure where to begin.
David Austin Roses - my favourite place to buy roses. You can also get them in many garden centres. Really recommend visiting their gardens near Birmingham in summer - it’s so good to see the roses in person.
I’d like to try pottery, what do you recommend?
Pottery is amazing, definitely give it a go! I would recommend finding a local class to try it out. Some classes might focus more on handbuilding, sculpture or throwing, so find out which it is if you have a specific type of pottery in mind - or go for one with a mix, so you can work out what you enjoy!
If you’re local to Cambridge then I recommend the classes at my old community studio, led by Tarragon Smith - you can see more details here. I recommend signing up for the mailing list and then approaching getting a spot like getting highly competitive tickets - be there a minute or two before and refresh as the minute ticks to the hour. They usually sell out within the first few minutes.
There are also lots of video tutorials out there. In particular I have found Florian Gadsby’s videos on YouTube and Instagram helpful - they are also beautifully made.
I have a question about shipping, packaging or the returns policy
Please visit the shipping page for more information. Thank you.
If your question hasn’t been answered then please do get in contact - my email is emma@emmahiltonceramics.co.uk or you can message me on Instagram.