Somerset Holsteins are Inspiration for Latest Baby Products
Two enterprising mums from Somerset have this month launched new baby towels and bibs inspired by a dairy herd. Friends Helen Wooldridge and Helen Bristol, who both run baby product companies Cuddledry and Skibz, decided it was time for babies to get funky with cowprint. Taking diversification to a new level, they copied their designs straight from the milkers at Helen Bristol’s Charlton Musgrove farm.
For their latest products, the pair took to the fields armed with sketchbooks, and quite literally plotted out their designs from the cows in front of them. Then they passed these on to their designers, who used them to create the patterns they have used on their new products. The Cuddlemoo from Cuddledry is a gorgeously soft hooded towel for toddlers, and the Cowprint Skibz is a top quality, super absorbent bib for dribbly babies and tots.
Both rural mums run their businesses from home to fit in with their busy lifestyles. They became friends when Helen Wooldridge moved to the area and they realised their businesses were very similar. They have since shared tips, ideas and contacts as well as play dates with their young children (five in all between them, who range in age from two to eleven), and helped each other develop new ideas.
Helen Bristol and her husband Andrew live at Greenlands Farm in Charlton Musgrove, Somerset, and have a 230 strong dairy herd. Helen B comments, "Helen and I were chatting about the designs for our latest products and looking for pattern inspiration. We commented that cow print seems to be popping up all over the place and before we knew it we were walking around the field, pens in hand, jotting down our very own version! My kids love the fact that there is a Skibz bib and Cuddledry towel based on their cows."
Helen Wooldridge adds, "Being based in this wonderful, rural area of the country is really important to both of us, so it is great that our latest designs are inspired by living here. We think the funky designs will be a hit with those from farming areas and city dwellers alike." The Cuddlemoo toddler towel has a built in hood and is designed to be worn by the little one - they literally wrap the generous sized towel around them and charge about until they are dry! It is made from gorgeous organic cotton and eco friendly bamboo fibre - a silky soft fabric that is 60% more absorbent than pure cotton and has a natural antibacterial quality. It also has a unique two-layered system to keep your child warm and you dry. The Cuddlemoo has a cow print design in fawn and ecru white - and comes complete with cow horns on the hood! It costs £29.99. It is available from www.cuddledry.com or by calling the order line on 01823 323363.
The Skibz bib is designed to look more like an item of clothing as opposed to a bib enabling Skibz to be worn throughout the day as a fashion accessory. It resembles a scarf, hence the name Skibz - half scarf and half bib. Skibz are made from tightly woven 100% cotton with a dual backed lining to maximize efficient absorbency. Each Skibz is finished to a high quality with traditional rolled seams. Skibz have a simple quick fastening allowing a comfortable fit from newborn to 3 years plus. The range consists of 10 designs to cater for all tastes; from traditional ginghams, funky retro prints through to delicate florals and of course the cow print! For further information on Skibz or to order visit www.skibz.co.uk.
Article by Abby Richardson
www.westpress.co.uk