This is Hannah. She joined the AARVEN team earlier this year, and this week she has been doing one of our favourite jobs: opening boxes!
After months of delays caused by shipping disruption through the Middle East, our Jaipur delivery has finally arrived — and it's a big one. The Margate store is currently more cardboard than floor space, and we are absolutely fine with that.
A quick note on the wait
We won't dwell on it, but we do want to acknowledge it. The disruption to shipping routes through the Middle East hit small independent brands like ours hard — stock that should have arrived in spring took months longer than expected, and some of our most popular pieces have been out of stock for longer than any of us would have liked. Thank you, genuinely, to every customer who waited on a pre-order and to our stockists who held on. Your patience meant everything.
Now — here's what's back, and what's new.
The paper light shades are back in stock
Folded by hand from FSC-certified recycled paper by Mohit and his team in their socially accredited workshop in Jaipur, our paper light shades are one of those pieces that look even better in a room than they do in a photograph. Easy to install in under five minutes our light shades transform any room effortlessly. Every size and colourway is back in stock now with some new designs just around the corner (once we've photographed them!).
The paper decorations are back too
All 12 designs — from the hand screen-printed illustrated colourways to the bold two-tone baubles — are back. Made by the same Jaipur workshop as the light shades, from handmade recycled cotton (tree-free!) paper, and all fold flat into their own storage envelope so they're just as easy to put away as they are to put up. Beautiful for summer parties, lovely at Christmas, and everything in between.
Introducing three new greetings cards — designed and linocut by Amy
Something new this delivery. We're very pleased to introduce three greetings cards designed by our founder, Amy — linocut by hand and then screen-printed onto recycled cotton paper, each one square at 145mm and coming with a matching printed envelope. Blank inside, for whatever you want to say.
Love Birds — a red print on pink. The kind of card that works perfectly for anyone in need of a little love.
Koi — a green print on blue. Koi carp have been a symbol of longevity, perseverance and good fortune across Japanese and Chinese cultures for centuries. This one is Amy's own take on that tradition — printed in jade deep green on a calming blue card, it's quietly beautiful.
Happy Birthday — an orange print on pale yellow, using the sun mask motif that runs through AARVEN's wider design language. Bold, warm and unlike anything you'll find in a standard card shop.
All three are available now in the Margate store and will be online very soon...
