Evesham Journal Online - Friday 6th August 2010

Gift shop wins picture perfect prize

The Three Little Pigs gift shop in Pershore has won a special illustration of the shop by well known artist, Ginny Scadeng.

Owner, Fiona Abbott entered a competition through the networking site Twitter to win a unique illustration of their business, and was over the moon when she found out she had won.

Fiona said: "Ginny has been working on the artwork for a number of weeks and we are so pleased with the finished piece. We will be gladly using the illustration whenever we can, on advertising and so on, and we are even considering having postcards produced.

"If you look closely you will notice the illustration features a certain border collie. Noah whom you may remember, was crowned Pershore Plum Festival Poet Laureatte in 2008. Noah comes to work most days and is popular with many customers so it only seemed right that he should be included."

Pershore Journal - Thursday June 24 2010

Embroidery Day

Textile artist Jo Dewar is holding a machine embroidery workshop at Three Little Pigs, 68 High Street, Pershore, on Sunday July 4. The workshop is intended to be a day for learning new and creative ways to machine embroider in an inspiring and relaxed atmosphere. Visitors will be encouraged to experiment with colours, materials and techniques and to develop their own style before creating their own masterpieces. For details, call 01386 555210.

Worcestershire Living - June 2010

Daddy's delights - Product Feature

This garden tool bag is great for carrying tools around the garden, a perfect gift for green-fingered dads. Available from Three Little Pigs, 68 High Street, Pershore.

Worcestershire Living - April 2010

Spring Fever - Product Feature

A novel way to help pull off your boots and keep the house clean from muddy footprints after a morning walking in the garden. Available from Three Little Pigs, 68 High Street, Pershore.

Worcestershire Living - March 2010

Love You, Mum - Product Feature

Treat her like a lady with this beautiful knitted wire necklace from local artist, Jo Dewar. Available from Three Little Pigs, 68 High Street, Pershore.

Worcestershire Living - November 2009

Gorgeous Gifts - Product Feature

This delightful Serenite range from Bath House includes luxurious hand-wrapped soaps and exquisite salt sachets. Feminine, romantic and sophisticated, capturing a moment of pure escape, with scents of white tea and rose, over subtle hints of crushed thyme and musk. Available from Three Little Pigs, 68 High Street, Pershore.

Evesham Observer - Wednesday September 30th 2009

Huge thank you to all who raised more than a cup for Macmillan

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported any of the many Coffee Mornings that took place on Friday September 25 in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

When I decided to participate I would never have imagined the support the event would have, not to mention how much fun it could be. I (Three Little Pigs, High Street, Pershore) teamed up with Sean (Quintessence, High Street, Pershore) and held our Coffee Morning between 10am and 2pm.

We raised a total of £272.47 in an incredibly sociable atmosphere surrounded by such kind and generous people. It seems there is no better way to raise money than to sit drinking coffee and eating cake! Special thanks must go to local business Allen Gears who made a considerable donation.

It was a very enjoyable day but on a serious note we must not forget the good cause the money is going to. Macmillan Cancer Support plays an important role in the lives of cancer sufferers and their families.

It is thought the Macmillan Coffee Mornings across the country will raise something in the region of £8 million. If you ate cake in aid of Macmillan... thank you!

Fiona Abbott, Three Little Pigs, Pershore.

Evesham Observer - Wednesday September 23rd 2009

Do your bit on charity record breaking day

Residents are being urged to put their face on a cuppa in support of this year's Macmillan Coffee Morning.

Fiona Abbott, who runs Three Little Pigs and Sean Cribben of Quintessence, both on Pershore High Street, are offering people the chance to draw a caricature of themself or a friend on a mug in return for a £2 donation to Macmillan Cancer Support. There will be a prize for the best design.

The duo are taking part in the day itself which takes place on Friday (September 25). There will be tea, coffee, homemade cakes, food tastings, cheeses, olives and much more while everyone who attends will be entered into a prize draw to win a £7,000 John Lewis shopping spree.

A host of other events are being held around the Vale on the day. They include Crowthers Accountants in The Courtyard off Pershore High Street which is inviting people to enjoy a cake and a cuppa between10am and noon.

Mayor of Pershore Chris Parsons and  mayoress Janet are holding a coffee morning at the town hall between 10am and 2pm with refreshments donated by the new Asda store. There will also be a cake stall and a raffle.

Mark Wainwright, store manager of Asda Pershore, said: "We are delighted to be providing the refreshments for the World's Biggest Coffee Morning. Having a coffee morning is also a fantastic way of bringing the local community together and we look forward to seeing everyone there."

Coun Andy Dyke, chairman of Wychavon District Council, is also holding a coffee morning in the foyer of Pershore Civic Centre between 10am and noon with tea or coffee and a slice of cake on offer for just £1.

Business First React and the Travel Centre in Port Street, Evesham are also among those taking part from 10.30am.

It is estimated the charity needs £8million this year to support its essential work.

For a full list of coffee mornings in the Evesham and Pershore area visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee.

Worcestershire Living - September 2009

Give me a hug-gie

Three Little Pigs has introduced some fabulous little dolls from a new artist to its range of unusual gifts.

Huggie Dolls are beautifully handmade and all unique. Jersey-based artist Justine explained: "The Huggie Dolls were created from a desire to send love in a physical, tangible way. The Huggie Dolls are unique and no one is ever the same, a doll to be cherished and make you smile.

"I love individuality and anything sentimental and quirky. The Huggie Doll was designed for my mum so that I could send her a hug across the water in the UK.

"As a child I was blessed to have creative parents who could design and make things. My mother was a huge inspiration to me as she made me clothes and dolls and basically anything a little girl wanted."

Available from Three Little Pigs, High Street, Pershore.

Worcestershire Living - September 2009

Wedding Gifts - Product Feature

Give your bridesmaids a special gift with one of these gorgeous and unique handmade hearts which they can hang up and remember your special day forever.

Worcestershire Living - July 2009

Rural inspiration

An exhibition of Sophia Binney's pottery goes on display at Three Little Pigs in Pershore this month.

Influenced by English and French slipware pottery, Sophia makes functional, colour fully decorated and affordable tableware including bowls, jugs, mugs, oven dishes, teapots, planters and very original Garden Bells.

Born in Germany, where she also studied ceramics, she now lives and works in Worcestershire and finds inspiration for the decoration of her pots throughout its beautiful countryside.

Sophia likes to see her pots used every day. Picture the sceen, a beautifully painted dish on the garden table one warm summer's evening garnished with salads and strawberries or to be used for a warming winter feast. Her pots will certainly bring a little country life to your table. Pots are all oven and dishwasher proof, which means they are highly practical as well as displaying great artisic flair.

Her work can be seen from July 13 - August 1. Three Little Pigs, High Street, Pershore.

Worcestershire Living - May 2009

All you need is love

Local artist Jenny Burt will be exhibiting a collection of her handcrafted decorative hangings, brooches and accessories at Three Little Pigs this month.

After qualifying as a fine furniture maker and interior designer, Jenny decided to follow her passion for interior accessories, producing hangings and decorations that would brighten any interior or garden room.

Jenny uses recycled fabrics and reclaimed wood for most of her pieces which means that each piece is individual and each range is limited.  Jenny's quirky, lighthearted apporach to interiors is refreshing.  She is constantly developing ideas and is happy to take on commissions too.

The work can be seen at Three Little Pigs from May 11 - 30.

Worcestershire Now - May 2009

Gifts with presence

Sometimes it can be hard to find the perfect present that is a little bit different. Recently I discovered a gem of a gift shop, conveniently located along Pershore’s High Street, where the customer unquestionably comes first. If you can’t think of what gift to buy, Three Little Pigs will do their utmost to help and advise you.

Fiona Abbott opened Three Little Pigs - a name that brings an instant smile to my face - in October 2007. The shop’s interior is painted a soft, relaxing green and there is a pleasing mix of furniture and shelves that are artistically displayed with unique gifts. From unusual gardening presents to jewellery, local art, and beautiful cards and wrapping paper. They also stock a divine range of UK made toiletries with one particular collection inspired by the beautiful gardens at Kew. One of my favourite gifts, and one exclusive to Three Little Pigs, is a ‘photographic shoot’ gift package by local photographer, Rachel Adkins.

Fiona believes in buying British and investing in local people. She stocks an eclectic mix of work from local artists; Lorna Prudden’s fired glass wall hangings; Jo Dewar’s intricate wire-woven jewellery; and Sarah Roberts’ beautiful print work among many others. Alice Palace, a local illustrator, has designed a range of quirky greetings cards which are proving very popular. Every few months Fiona likes to create a focus on one particular artist. This month, for three weeks, she is showcasing the work of local artist Jenny Burt whose collection will include a colourful range of decorative pieces made from recycled wood and fabrics.

Three Little Pigs offer a personal shopping service, unrivalled in Pershore, and available to individuals buying for friends and family and also for companies buying for employees or organising promotional events. Just give them details of who you’re buying for and your budget and they will select the perfect gifts, beautifully wrapped and delivered (free within a 15 mile radius) to your home or office. Fiona takes great pride in offering this service and appreciates the responsibility handed to her and the importance of getting it right! Recently a local company was “delighted” by the beautiful gift selection she chose for its employees.

If you are at a loss where to take friends for an evening with a difference, Three Little Pigs shopping evenings are a must. For six or more friends, family or work colleagues you can book an evening when the shop will open just for you. Browse the gifts at your leisure over a free glass of chilled wine, a recipe for a really sociable and enjoyable evening.

Three Little Pigs also has an established online shop. Visit www.threelittlepigs.eu to view the collection of gifts available. The website itself is a great source of information where you can find out more details about the services they offer and also sign up for the e-newsletter to keep up-to-date with new product ranges, special offers and forthcoming exhibitions. For a limited time only, you will receive a free ‘thank you’ gift when you sign up to receive the e-newsletter.

Three Little Pigs joins a thriving small community of independent retailers close by, namely the local butchers, florist, delicatessen and lingerie shop.

Fiona never takes her customers for granted and even has a customer loyalty card. If you have young children in tow there is a fun activity to keep them occupied – find the three hidden pigs in her shop! It’s these and other personal touches that make you want to come back again and again – and, in today’s market, that takes a real gift.

Worcestershire Living - April 2009

Gardening Gifts - Product Feature

Bees are a gardener's best friend, so encourage them to come and make their home in your garden with this lovely bee house from Three Little Pigs and you'll be doing your bit for the environment, too.

Evesham Observer - Wednesday March 25th 2009

Times are tough for our traders but amidst the doom and gloom there are some glimmers of hope...

Some businesses are reporting steady sales or even increases and there are signs of an upturn in the housing market.  But all traders agree the future success of Evesham, Pershore, Broadway and the Cotswolds rests in the hands of local people backing their local companies.

Three Little Pigs on High Street in Pershore opened in October 2007 and sells a range of gifts and other items including silver jewellery, cards, gift wrapping, garden accessories, canvases and glassware made by local artists.  In November, December and January trade was up on the previous year and business also increased in the run up to this Valentine's Day.

Owner, Fiona Abbott said while trading conditions were tough the emphasis on selling a unique range of products, with many sourced from the UK and the local area, as well as the loyal support of customers was helping.

"We're just taking each week as it comes," she said.  "I think people realise now if you don't support your local traders they will disappear.  We are finding people are showing a keener interest in where the products are sourced with the interest in locally made crafts having noticeably increased."

Lapstone, a shopping complex near Chipping Campden, sells outdoor furniture, a fantastic collection of ladies' accessories, exquisite interior ideas and inspired presents for every occasion as well as a variety of garden sculptures and other garden accessories.  There is also a beauty spa, cafe and hairdressers.  Owner, Simon Hudson said while they had not escaped the impact of the downturn, trade remained strong.

Martin Aspinall owns Cotswold Collections, Cotswold Trading, Rikki Tikki and Landmark all based in Broadway.  He said trade at two of his businesses had increased but added the next 12 months would be extremely challenging and the key for every business would be the support of local people.

"We have a strong and loyal customer base but having said that the business continues to work extremely hard to attract customers.  Looking at the next 12 months we will be lucky to get away unscathed but we hope local people will support their quality independent businesses and avoid their local village and town centres turning into retail wastelands," he said.  "Quality independent businesses provide a rich diversity of product not commonly seen in the one dimensional high streets that exist all around this country."

The housing market is also showing signs of recovery with Estate Agents reporting an upturn in viewings as well as sales.  Jon James, of Gusterson Palmer, said March had been their best month for sales in almost a year.  "There's a growing realisation a lot of prices have become quite affordable and people understand while they will get less for their own homes, they can get the one they want to buy for less," he said.

With Summer on its way businesses are also hoping to take advantage of the weak pound to attract overseas tourists as well as some of the five million people expected to holiday in the UK this year.

Which? Holiday magazine has named the Cotswolds as one of the top ten destinations in the UK and with a packed festival programme in Evesham and Pershore this summer including the Blossom Trail, Asparagus Festival and Plum Fayre there is plenty to bring day trippers and holiday makers flocking to towns and villages in the area.

Worcestershire Living - March 2009

Follow the rainbow

A rainbow of colours is coming to Pershore's Three Little Pigs gift shop and gallery this March with a vibrant collection of hand made glassware created and fired a few hundred yards away by contemporary glass designer Claudia Wiegand.

Claudia has enjoyed working with light, colour and texture for over ten years and her passion and energy show in every piece of glass art she makes.  Her collections range from sparkling jewellery to decorative home and tableware, individual abstarct wall panels, interior projects and corporate art.

She has taken part in high profile exhibitions in Worcestershire, Birmingham and London, became a supplier to the National Trust in 2007 and now works from home based studio in Pershore where she holds private viewings and designs commissioned pieces for domestic and commercial customers.

"Glass is a facinating medium," she says, "which offers so many so many challenges and possibilites.  I love designing bespoke pieces for my clients, knowing they will add that something exclusive and totally unique to their interior.  I love exploring new ideas and techniques, and after hours spent cutting glass shapes and building layers of colour and texture, opening the kiln is always a surprise which I find so exciting and inspiring."

Claudia will be exhibiting at Three Little Pigs from March 9 - 30.  For more information, visit www.claudiawiegand.com and www.threelittlepigs.eu.

Worcestershire Living - March 2009

Mothers' Day Gift Guide - Product Feature

For the Mum who enjoys her garden there are lots of great gift ideas at Three Little Pigs.  When she wants a little bit of peace and quiet, nothing can be more restful than looking out of the window and watching the birds but the birds need a home.  These wooden houses with a copper roof are a gorgeous addition to any garden.

Worcestershire Living - February 2009

Valentine's Gift Guide - Product Feature

Three Little PIgs has a whole collection of Valentine's gifts to suit all pockets.  We love these little coloured wire brooches made by local artist Jo Dewar, which are simple and stylish.  There is also a range of heart mobiles by the same artist.

Your Home - February 2009

Hallway Ideas - Product Feature

Our snail shaped cast iron boot scraper was featured in this national interiors magazine.  Alison Lovett, the features writer, appreciated the humour of the snail boot brush that has been one of our best sellers since we opened.  It featured alongside other interesting ideas to brighten up and organize cluttered and uninviting hallways.  The latest edition of this magazine can be viewed online at www.yhmag.co.uk

Evesham Journal Website - Sunday October 5th 2008

Local shop to celebrate success with exhibitions

The Three Little Pigs jewellery and gift shop, in Pershore, is celebrating its first birthday this week and to mark the occassion will feature two exhibitions by local artists.  The shop, located at 68 High Street, is hosting one of the exhibitions this month and one in November.  From October 10 until October 31 a Wire and Textile Art exhibition will feature items by Jo Dewar, while from October 31 until November 21, there will be an exhibition featuring Contemporary Glass Art by Lorna Prudden.  For more information call 01386 555210.

Evesham Observer - Wednesday April 23rd 2008

Little Pigs build on success on the net

A Pershore shop which opened six months ago is celebrating the launch of its website following its great success.

Three Little Pigs, based on the High Street, set out to lead the way in creating an alternative way to shop that encourages customers to buy British.

Wherever possible the selection of cards and gifts the shop has to offer are sourced within the UK and from smaller companies instead of larger importers.

Now after a busy six months, with Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mothering Sunday keeping them on their toes, they have decided to launch an online shop and the response they have received has been incredibly positive.

And to celebrate the six month anniversary they are offering free postage and packaging on all online orders placed in April 2008.

Owner Fiona Abbott said:  "Pershore has always been blessed with loyal customers but the website will hopefully mean people visiting who are not local can continue to shop with us."

For more information on Three Little Pigs call 01386 555210.

Evesham Journal - Thursday April 10th 2008

Town shop celebrates

A Pershore shop has launched its website and is offering free delivery throughout April.  Three Little Pigs on the High Street is celebrating six months in business and is now offering a small selection of its products on its website, www.threelittlepigs.eu.  This includes cards, gifts, garden accessories, wrapping paper and jewellery.  Shop owner Fiona Abbott said she was pleased with how the last six months have gone.  "I've had a really good response from a lot of people who were glad to see something fresh and new to the town," she said.  "I have had a lot of support from other traders too, which is really nice."

Worcestershire Now - February 2008

Refreshing and inspiring with a hint of tradition

Pershore is fast becoming a mecca for the discerning shopper who prefers to browse and buy at a quieter pace, but where you’ll find style, quality and choice combined with old fashioned customer service.

Three Little Pigs, is no exception. The shop itself, situated in bustling High Street, is pristinely bright and fresh but exudes interest and curiosity as modernity and retro fuse harmoniously, to offer a wealth of both aesthetically pleasing and practical gifts for every occasion and pocket. The shop’s unique offering includes hand-made cards, toiletries, decorative glassware, furnishings and rustic garden and architectural accessories, to name but a few. Three Little Pigs’ proprietor Fiona Abbott says: “It’s important to me that the majority of items for sale are produced in the UK, if not locally, as more consumers embrace ethical concepts such as buying gifts that are made from recycled or reclaimed materials, supporting both environmental and economic sustainability.”

Local glass maker Lorna Prudden’s beautifully crafted plates and ornaments are on sale in Three Little Pigs. As Lorna’s work has now become widely acclaimed Fiona commented: “I’m really proud to have show-cased Lorna’s work before she gained the phenomenal artistic recognition she has now. I’m keen to give other local emerging artists the same opportunity.”

Fiona has devised some innovative ideas to make shopping more convenient and flexible. Corporate and Personal Shopping Evenings are available for those who choose to shop in a relaxed and informal atmosphere whilst sipping a glass of wine. For younger visitors there’s an entertaining challenge to find the ‘three little pigs’ hiding in the shop, which is great fun.

Three Little Pigs’ staff will even do your shopping for you if you provide a list, a few details of those you are buying for, ideas and budget. With so much choice as well as Gift Vouchers starting from denominations as little as £5 up to £50, plus a free wrapping service, what more could you ask for?

The Evesham Observer - Wednesday October 17th 2007

Little pigs are flying high

A new business venture in Pershore has made a fairytale start to trading.

Three Little Pigs, based on the High Street, officially opened on Saturday October 6th and its owner wants to lead the way in creating an alternative way to shop that encourages customers to buy British.

Owner Fiona Abbott said wherever possible the selection of cards and gifts the shop had to offer would be sourced within the UK and from smaller companies instead of larger importers.  The store will also support local artists such as Lorna  Prudden who specialises in making glass fired pieces.

"We recognise the importance of using suppliers based in the country and also supporting local artists," she said.

"If we are not careful we will lose these people.  Customers appreciate the individual, personal touch and would much prefer to shop on a high street full of the small independant shops that Pershore has to offer."