Parable Designs

BROCHURE

2011-09-16T16:09:00.002+01:00

On a hot sticky day in August, we found ourselves leaving the coastal area of Devon and venturing into the depths of central London for a photoshoot.

Armed with many of our beautiful products, we were greeted by the lovely Manuela Hamilford of Hamilford Design and the wonderful photographer, Mark Luscombe-Whyte (www.markluscombewhyte.com).

The many hours of running up and down stairs with candles and lamps in humid temperatures were well worth it as the results of the day are stunning.

We used the images to produce a wonderful new brochure with thanks to Jonathan Alder of Alder and Alder and our fantastic brand consultant, Claire Sawford.

You can view our brochure here.
http://www.parabledesigns.co.uk/userfiles/file/Parable%20Brochure%20September%202011.pdf

What did you win?

2011-05-05T14:01:00.000+01:00

"What did you win?", is the question we've been asked several times since we were selected by Theo Paphitis on Sunday 1st May to be one of this Twitter SBS (Small Business Sunday) winners.

Well, there's not a prize as such and we didn't have to enter a competition. You just tweet @TheoPaphitis on Sundays between 5pm and 7:30pm, mentioning #SBS and he picks his favourite six and retweets them.

Now, whether Mr Paphitis actually sits there every Sunday night himself and sifts through approximately 500 tweets, I don't know. And how are the winners chosen? Does he look for something specific or different, or is it a random selection?

Each week, we've tweeted a variation on the theme, trying to see if something might grab his attention. Below is a small selection of our tweets:

Unique British handmade candles and lamps derived from a collection of 2000 wallpaper printing rollers

We rescued 2000 wallpaper printing rollers and produce replica handmade candles and lamps in Devon

Beautiful, British and unique, handmade candles and lamps, perfect for Easter and the Royal Wedding

Would love to have you RT our website details for our beautiful handmade luxury candles and lamps

However, the winning tweet was a real statement and far more positive, so maybe that's what did it:

Please RT us for the most beautiful candles in the world handmade in Devon

The real prize, of course, is exposure, which, large or small, is very welcome. Isn't this what the likes of Twitter and Facebook are supposed to be good for? Our followers did increase after the win on Twitter.

All we can say is, we were very excited when @ParableDesigns was retweeted by @TheoPaphitis on Sunday evening and it made the many past Sundays (clock watching to ensure we didn't miss the time slot and then staring at Twitter after Mr Paphitis tweets to say he's just about to retweet his favourite six) all worthwhile!

Thank you, Theo!

PARABLE LIGHTING

2011-03-07T17:30:00.004Z

Yes, yes, we know we've been promising to finalise the development of our lighting products for absolutely ages and okay, we're still not quite there but we think you'll agree, it will be worth the wait. Just see the images below and make up your own minds!

The true entrepreneurs of Parable

2011-03-07T17:20:00.001Z

We were recently interviewed for AIGA, the professional association for design, by Steven Heller, the author, co-author, and editor of more than 100 books on design. Mr Heller was an art director for the New York Times for more than 33 years and is currently co-chair of the MFA Designer as Author Department at the School of Visual Arts.

To read the interview, please click this link:

http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/the-true-entrepreneurs-of-parable

2010-11-15T00:52:00.002Z

Here is a gallery of our small size candles in beautiful wallpaper designs

Luxury handmade candles

Luxury candles

Exquisite candles

Beautiful patterned candles

British handmade candles

Handmade Candles

Valentine's Day Candles

Gorgeous candles

Exquisite candles

Wedding candles

Christmas Candles to Die For

2010-11-15T00:46:00.001Z

For that extra special Christmas candle, it just has to be a Parable candle.

With stunning designs and colours to choose from and great value for money considering the size of these candles, these are the ultimate candles for your home.

Or why not buy one of Parable's new smaller candles for that special gift? Designs include Helston, Penzance, Clovelly and Tintagel and come in beautiful mulberrys, figs and purples.

Website Reviews - Do you tick all the boxes? Case Study - Parable Designs - by Patricia Davidson

2010-08-13T14:53:00.001+01:00

http://www.glamoursleuth.com/2010/08/website-reviews-do-you-tick-all-boxes.html

New size candles

2010-08-11T17:37:00.002+01:00

Many people have asked if we will be making smaller candles....well now we have!

The first in this new size is called Tintagel. It's a beautifully intricate Victorian Trellis design and we love it!

It is available in some wonderful solid colours and also with the design hand-painted. Below is a picture of our existing size next to this new size candle. As a pair, they make a really stunning statement.

Calling these Daddy and Baby candles means we will also be introducing a middle size.....Mummy!

For more details of all our luxury candles, please visit our website - http://www.parabledesigns.co.uk

Photography

2010-08-11T17:24:00.000+01:00

We always like to see pictures of our new candle designs and colourways but were a bit fed up with the usual white cut out shots.

So, we decided to make the most of the lovely weather and took some candles outside.

Using our new camera, the sunlight, a reflector and a bit of creativity, we did the best we could and although not professional photographers, we are quite pleased with our results.

We've used some of these on our new look website and feel it really brightens it up.

Let us know what you think - http://www.parabledesigns.co.uk

Website tips

2010-08-11T17:03:00.002+01:00

We recently had our website reviewed and it was very interesting to receive the feedback.

At first, I was bit taken aback by the volume of changes recommended but I read it through several times, whilst checking them against the actual site and really started to see the point of the comments made.

It's so easy when you know your own products to assume your visitors will see it the same way as you do. That is obviously not the case!

We have now implemented many of these changes and the positive comments we're receiving is reward enough for us.

There are more changes to make and we'll be making those as we go along but please take a look at our website - http://www.parabledesigns.co.uk - and let us know what you think. We are always interested in your views, good or bad. A critique is a marvellous thing!

SUMMER GINGHAM CANDLES

2010-06-19T22:23:00.000+01:00

Parable has just launched its new Gingham candles, perfect for those summer evenings.

Currently available in white and cream, with a choice of painted finishes, these candles will suit both the traditional and modern tastes.

Check out our website for these and many other designs to choose from.

The detail on our candles is in relief, not printed, making them very difficult to produce but very special to own.

GIFT VOUCHERS

2010-06-19T22:19:00.000+01:00

Parable are now offering gift vouchers for those that want to purchase a candle for a special present but are unsure which of our wonderful designs and colours to choose.

If you'd like the gift vouchers sent direct to another person, we'll even write a message to go with it. Just let us know what you'd like us to write when you place your order and we'll do the rest.

Gift vouchers start at £25 and there is no delivery charge when you purchase them from our website.

Perfect for that wedding, anniversary or birthday gift or maybe you just want to buy a present for that special person.

The Aridi Series

2010-06-19T22:13:00.000+01:00

Parable's first ever collaboration is with Saycast and Marwan Aridi, a Lebanese-American artist of world renowned acclaim. Mr Aridi provided us with two designs for two new candles in our range: Arabesque and Calligraphy.

We are honoured that Mr Aridi thinks our candles are a worthy medium to display his stunning designs and very proud of the intricate and exquisite candles we've produced from them.

Using our in-house techniques means we are able to produce beautiful designs in relief. The designs are not printed on our candles, making them extremely difficult to make and very special to own.

VOGUE GONE ROGUE: the demise of craftmanship in the luxury sector - aka why your real louis vuitton bag is practically a fake

2010-04-07T15:40:00.001+01:00

VOGUE GONE ROGUE: the demise of craftmanship in the luxury sector - aka why your real louis vuitton bag is practically a fake

You can look but you can't touch!

2010-03-28T18:51:00.001+01:00

More and more of us are buying products online and not seeing our purchases in the flesh until they are delivered. This can result in plain satisfaction, deep disappointment or real pleasure!

Our candles are such tactile objects that when people do see them, they feel compelled to touch. They realise they are looking at detail in relief and that isn't something we see everyday, unless it's on a woodcarving, cut glass or something similar. From young children to the elderly, people want to touch our candles as they realise they are not looking at the printed designs we are all used to seeing.

Although we say, you can look but you can't touch, it's only because you literally can't when you visit our website. We'd much prefer it if you could. What we need is something like a Scratch and Sniff website. An online shop with a Touch and Feel option. Now that would be a great asset. Until that is possible, you will have to just take our word for it when we say you will not be disappointed when you receive your Parable candle!

Introduction to Parable Designs

2010-03-05T22:58:00.002Z

Parable is an emerging British company, making hand-crafted quality products derived from a unique collection of vintage wallpaper printing rollers.

These amazing original works of art were designed as a means to an end: to print wallpaper. However, the quality of workmanship necessary to make these special artefacts is so wonderful, we felt it was a travesty they were never meant to be seen.

So, to change that, we spent many years developing techniques that now enable us to faithfully replicate the wallpaper printing rollers and produce them in new forms for your home and garden. Our finished products are seamless and three-dimensional in relief, making them extremely difficult to produce but very special to own. Our products are not mass-produced but are made either individually or in small batches in Devon, England.

We are extremely proud to launch with our stunning candles. Full height replicas of the rollers (approximately 58cm high), are made in limited numbers, but we also produce them in approximate third heights (22cm high). In beautiful solid colours or hand-painted in wonderful finishes, including with iridescent and interference paints, we believe these are the most beautiful candles in the world!

We have also photographed close-up detail of the original wallpaper printing roller elements and had these photos printed to make postcards. Framed individually or as a collage, these make great pictures for your wall. Alternatively, there is space on the back for your message to send to a friend. The pack of 10 cards (2 each of 5 designs) show the wood grain, dried printing ink and curvature of the rollers. Unusual subjects but very appealing. If you'd like just a small part of the Parable story to begin with, our postcards are for you!

We have many more products in development including lamps, mirrors, prints and other accessories. Register or subscribe to our site news on our website to keep up to date with our news and be the first to own a new Parable product.

We have also introduced Parable Art. Having developed our dedicated moulding techniques, we decided to use it to replicate other artefacts. Our Totem Pole lamps and candles are the first in our new range. Kids absolutely adore the colour changing lantern, operated by remote control, and we're told that when they have one in their bedroom, they are so keen to go to bed at night that these are now also a great hit with the parents! Actually, adults and children alike are mesmerised by the lamps.

We offer a bespoke service for anyone that has a special request so please feel free to contact us, even if just to request a colour you'd like your candle painted to match your decor.

You can find us at http://www.parabledesigns.co.uk/

We look forward to hearing what you think. Comments and suggestions on our site are greatly appreciated!

Thank you for reading our blog,
Amanda & Nigel.

Parable candles feature in Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's new book

2010-03-05T12:50:00.031Z

Today saw the release of a new book, 'Decorating with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen' (Quadrille Publishing).

Parable is extremely proud to announce they have three of their luxury candles pictured in the book.

In his chapter, 'Ultra violet', Laurence has placed two of our candles on his shelves. He chose Overture and Symphony No1 designs in black, with a hand-painted silver finish. In his chapter, 'From lowly to lovely', he has used our Symphony No1 design in white, with a rich gold hand-painted finish.

"Although there's nothing as romantic as candlelight, I'm often disappointed that candles couldn't look better when unlit.....But then came Parable - with what can only be described as Candle Fine Art. Voluptuous on the eye lit or unlit. Parable make candles that are at home in the world's sexiest rooms". Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Kirstie Allsopp makes her own Parable candle

2010-03-05T11:37:00.011Z

Parable was delighted when asked to appear on Kirstie's Homemade Christmas, shown on our screens in December 2009.

Kirstie Allsopp visited Parable Designs in Devon, to make her own xmas table candle, and to marvel at the unique collection of vintage wallpaper printing rollers that the candles derive from.

Behind the scenes, Kirstie also had a sneak preview at the stunning lamps that Parable are developing, that should be available in Spring 2010.

The programme gave Parable the awareness they lacked. Customers asked, 'why haven't we heard of you before?'.

Since then, Parable has begun to build up a loyal customer base, with some customers coming back several times for more candles, to give as birthday, wedding and valentine presents. One was even bought to propose to..............and she said yes!! New customers are buying because they've seen candles in other homes.

Let's hope this is the start of Parable's luxury British made products, adorning rooms around the country, if not the world!