It's hard to believe that its been a year since the beautiful Sycamore Gap Tree was illegally felled.
As a way to celebrate the tree, the lovely crew at The Sill, which is just along the road from the Gap, has just opened a gorgeous exhibition of the tree. 

They commissioned artist Charlie Whinney, who along with the Creative Communities team have created 4 different art pieces tracking the four season of the Tree.  The exhibit includes a large section of the tree which just invites you to touch it, maybe give it a hug, or at least a reassuring pat.

This is the first phase of the overall exhibition and it invites feedback from the Community, which in turn, will shape the second and final phase of the exhibition at a later date (by Easter 25) at The Sill.

On a more positive note the tree is showing signs of regeneration, a sign of hope for the future.

I can't wait to be there over the next 3 months when I take my sit mats and picnics rugs there, to take part in shopping weekends on the run up to Christmas.

Happy Perching!

Ruth

The first photoshoot for the Perch Range

Yes, Happy Birthday to us we are 6 years old this month.  
It's been quite a ride, I've met some brilliant people along the way who have helped me on my path and I will ever be indebted to them for their help.
Thank you to my brilliant customers who have bought from the range it means sooo much and I wouldn't still be in business without you.
Thank you also to the shops across the UK which stock the Perch Range, reaching customers in places I can't be.
In 6 years I have handmade thousands of products that have made their way around the world.  From the Highlands to New Zealand via the UAE.  It keeps me busy.
I am very proud to have had the Perch range in a variety of publications: Country Walking, Walk, Trail and Indie (The Independent Newspaper online guide). 
Been voted the Best Budget Dog Bed 2024 in the Indi.  Featured as the only sit mat the Trail magazines Good Gear Guide 2023.  
One of the first achievements was being Shortlisted for Gift of the Year 2019.
Not bad for a beginner.

I started this business because I couldn't find anything on the market like it.  Since designing and producing those first prototypes there have been many more on the market.  Etsy in particular is a hot bed for blatant inferior copy cats, even copying the name, unbelievable!   Once a product is out there if its good they will copy, you've just got to take it as a complement. 
That's one of the lessons, along with a thousand other I have learnt along the way.
I love coming up with ideas for products and solving sewing puzzles. There are a few ideas in the pipeline and who knows there may be additional products to add to the family soon.
The Perch range has changed a lot over the past 6 years but one thing stays the same.  They were made to protect from damp, dirt and dust when sitting on a damp rock or beach and they still do.
So here's to the next 6 years and protecting more bottoms across the globe.

CHEERS!
​
Ruth

We are delighted and honoured to be voted the Best Budget Dog Bed 2024 by The Independent newspaper.
This means so much to a small independent business.
Each Pet Perch is handmade to order.  The Muddy Paw version shown sold out in minutes but there are 3 gorgeous fleece fabrics to choose from. 
This completely washable portable bed is easy to roll up and take with you on your next adventure.
Find your perfect Pet Perch in our online shop.

We are so excited to introduce out New Highland Cow Pocket Perch range.   
Choose from divine Douglas, fun Fred, gorgeous Hamish, heavenly Heather, happy Hazel and rebel Rowan. 
They are all fab and fully house trained.
Which one will you choose?  

Happy Perching

Ruth



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Because we love the world we Perch in, here at Jacwicks we strive to be as sustainable as we can.  We are so excited to announce the use of corn in our new Pixy Perch Sleeves.
From producers Favini, this incredible eco friendly product is just perfect for our sleeves and will be rolled out across the range as we renew the packaging.
By working with print designers Robson Print, a local producer in the North, they know Jacwicks business values and strive to find innovative sustainable ways to produce their products.  Its a perfect partnership and this is a great product.  
 
The Crush Story: 
Corn is one of the most imported cereals in the world and is widely cultivated both in tropical and temperate regions. The indigenous people of Mexico cultivated it about 10,000 years ago and thanks to Christopher Columbus, corn arrived in Europe. During the first decades of the sixteenth century it spread from the Iberian Peninsula across Southern France into Northern Italy and the Balkans.
Amongst all the agricultural crops, corn is the one that more than any other has been able to adapt to different agronomic environments and it is for this reason that it represents an irreplaceable source for direct use as well as for industrial processing.
To tell the story of corn and its by-product used in the production of Crush Corn paper, we start in the fields. From the corn plants, once sown, irrigated and cultivated, the cobs are harvested in the summer period and they are then dried and shelled.
The grain is separated from the corncob. This by-product is generated by the shelling process and is reused in different ways.
In the production chain of corn, the corncob is a by-product that has interesting features for its reuse in different areas: for energy use, as a raw material for animal fodder and for industrial uses; as a base for the production of absorption granules for friction finishing and sandblasting; as pet litter and a substrate for horticulture, it is also used in cosmetics for absorbing perfumes and essences.
Favini intervenes at this point, using the residues from corncob and elevating them from a waste material into a valuable raw material for the production of high quality ecological papers following the principles of circular economy.
Crush Corn has been created as the first paper to be made with by-products taken from the agri-industrial processing of corn using it to substitute up to 15% of tree cellulose.
To find out more please visit the Favini website

The Pixy Perch is our smallest Perch which is suitable for the smaller bottoms and still provides protection from dirt damp and dusty perching places.

Until next time Happy Perching!

Ruth
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After a fantastic review in May appearing in Trail magazine's Gear Guide 2023, we were soooo excited when our gorgeous Pet Perch appeared in the Independents 13 Best Dog Bed 2023 guide.  

We came away with 4 stars out of 5 and was 5th in the lineup. Not bad for a small independent business. 
They say:  
Our furry testers tried it at a local pub and much preferred the familiar scent and warmth of a bed they’d already slept on to the stone floor.   
And that’s the reason why they exist. It’s so gratifying that the tester really got the purpose right and they do exactly what they are made for. Providing comfort to your furry friend when you're out and about. 
When I started this business, I had no idea where it would take me and to appear in two national publications with rave reviews is beyond my wildest dreams. 
Perseverance pays off! 
You can find your Pet Perch here with four designs to choose from. 
Happy Perching! 
Ruth 

We've done it again another rave review, this time in Trail Magazine's Gear Guide 2023.  Having tested the Pocket Perch over a number of years the Trail review team describe the Pocket Perch as: Warm, soft, highly packable and utterly puncture-proof.  
I couldn't agree more.
As a small business it's wonderful to receive such praise for our premium product.
That's a hat trick over the years we have had rave reviews from Country Walking (twice), Walk (Ramblers magazine) and now Trail, Gear Guide 2023.
Now you don't just need to take our word for it they all agreed, a Pocket Perch is the perfect sit mat that fits in your Pocket and protects from even the wettest spots on your next walk. With over 20 designs to choose from which one will you pick?
Happy Perching
Ruth

John Craven thrilled with his Pocket Perch!
August 15-18 saw Jacwicks Designs at BBC Countryfile Live at Castle Howard. 
WOW what a show!
There was so much to see and do 4 days just didn't seem enough.  
The highlight for me was to meet national treasure and stalwart of Countryfile, John Craven.  I presented him with a Pocket Perch to take with him on filming assignments out in the cold wet countryside.  John was so delighted with the Perch, he went on the main stage at the event to tell the Countryfile Live audience how he would now be able to keep his bottom dry when out and about!
Thank you to all the Jacwicks customers, and attendees who just stopped for a chat, it was lovely to speak to you.
Looking forward to next year, see you there!

Here at Jacwicks HQ we are delighted and thrilled to receive a glowing review from Country Walking Magazine which declares the Pocket perch a classy product!

Up against two competitors in the sit mat market the Pocket Perch came out on top.  The Pocket Perch is loved by the tester for its versatility for being able to be used out and about and in the home. Use it out and about on a walk, or during the week at work or home to enjoy an alfresco lunch.  

The Pocket Perch is larger than its competitors but also rolls up very quickly to pop back in a bag or pocket, or attach to a strap on belts or bags.  The tester also points out the Pocket Perches unique feature of being able to roll either way so if the waterproof side gets damp you can roll it on the inside so your bag or pocket stays dry.

But dont just take my word for it read the full review below and shop the Pocket Perch range by clicking here

Delighted to announce the Pocket Perch has been included in the Spring Issue of Country Walking magazine!
It's a great fit with the product, as I use mine when out and about taking part in the Country Walking magazine's, Walk 1000 Mile Challenge. 
I still have a long way to go with my mileage, completed  67 miles so far, I just have to work out how to sew and walk at the same time.
Happy walking!
Ruth

Welcome to my inaugural blog!
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​I’m passionate about the countryside and believe there’s nothing better for your well being than to pop on a pair of walking shoes and get outside.  Here in the North East, I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by the beautiful Durham Dales and Northumberland countryside.  There’s always somewhere to stroll and something to see, whatever the weather.

Walking is best done with friends there’s nothing like a good walk and a natter, the time flies by and it surprising how far you can go and not realise. Whenever I can, I walk with a friends or with groups.  Strolls with Poles is the Nordic Walking group, which I attribute to starting this whole venture off.  We were out walking on an early spring day and stopped for lunch.  The only place to sit was a damp fallen tree, one thing was guaranteed, a damp bum!  I really wished I had something to sit on to protect me from the damp, was lightweight, easy to carry and attractive.  

Fast forward several months, prototypes, endless questioning friends and family and the Pocket Perch was launched!  Followed quickly by the rest of the Perch range.  The sizing of the Pocket Perch is based on the size of an average sofa cushion, therefore large enough to perch your bum on. 

From this first design the rest of the range evolved with the Pixy Perch designed for children, the Poly Perch for two people or one person and their lunch, or bag, dog, child, laptop, you get the drift.  Then the Picnic Perch is for those alfresco lunches, large enough to lay out a delicious spread and have lots of people to enjoy it.  

Why not mix and match to suit your needs.

Use the handy Carabiner clip to attach your chosen Perch to a bag, rucksack, trouser belt loop, or whatever you like, for ease of carrying.

I hope you enjoy the range and have a great time outdoors where ever you may be.

Thank you for reading!

Happy walking, don’t forget to pack a Perch!

Ruth