An Introduction to Howard and Me – Hobby to Passion.

I’m Andrea, the creator and founder of Just Luv It. You’ll already have guessed that I love beautiful gifts and homeware that are one-of-a-kind, good to the planet, and with a story to tell. So it’s only right that I share my story too, and a little bit about why I Just Luv what I do…

Let’s go back to the beginning: I grew up in the city but quickly fell in love with the countryside and the outdoors. It’s where I’m always happiest, out in the fresh air, surrounded by the beauty of our natural environment – but especially when I’m on horseback. I enjoyed all sorts of sport as I grew up, and anything that took me outdoors, but I particularly adored horses, riding, and caring for them. I started riding at eight years old, and I worked with horses for a couple of years after leaving school. I was a keen eventer until I retired from it in 2013. I’m more of an owner than a competitor now, and have a horse at events, but I do still ride and compete at dressage – in fact, I won a national dressage championship in 2023.

When the equestrian eventing stopped, I didn’t give up sports altogether; at the age of 48, I took up distance running. I ran first marathon in Loch Ness in 2019, and in 2021 completed the London Marathan something on my bucket list, and I’m very proud to have raised over £7k for a blood cancer charity with the support I’ve received. I like to give something back and support local charities and food banks recently donating to the British Legion.

I work as a senior manager for a large national organisation, and have been with the company for many years. But like many people, lockdown changed my perspective and I started Just Luv it initially as a hobby which has turned into a bit of an obsession.

Initially I thought about doing something around equestrian products, but I discovered a company whose ethos struck such a chord with me: the Recycled Candle Company. They exist to keep waste candle products out of landfill, and creating beautiful new products from them instead. Their practices and values inspired me to investigate other options for gifting on the same lines – beautiful products from businesses that do things ethically in the same way.

I knew that was where my true passion would lie, and when I decided to start Just Luv It, it had to tick all the boxes. It had to be a business that supports makers and communities: not sweatshop owners. A business that only buys sustainable, Earth-kind products: not more swathes of plastic to choke our environment. A business that offers pieces I would love to receive as a gift, and display proudly in my home. And this is the Just Luv It that I’ve built.

But it would not be here at all without my husband, Howard – he’s a vital part of the team! He’s by my side at every market and every pop-up, he helps me with the stock and has supported me from the beginning. Howards from Leeds, and he’s an engineer. Neither of us has a background in sales but Just Luv It has brought out the natural salesman in him. He especially loves our recycled garden birds and robins for sale, which he refers to as “spuggie’s ” (I think it’s a northern term!) – he loves to promote.

Howard makes sure there are always plenty of Spuggies in stock! He also takes care of our new website which we are both very proud of and spends hours uploading photos and new stock to it. Its very much a Team Burdett effort!

Come and meet us at one of our future events – we’ve always got something in the calendar. We’d love to meet you and show you how beautiful the Just Luv It products are – and the difference the sales make to the people who made them.

Howard with his favourite Spuggies and Duckie & Friends handmade from recycled wire I think he is quackers but I Just Luv him!!