Box of the Month: Norfolk Melting Pot thrilled with their brand new Advent Calendar

Although packaging must provide the best protection for products, it’s important to appreciate how creative and exciting it can be. Customers love receiving their goods in brilliant packaging and at ASC Direct we know one of the most rewarding jobs we do is to design wonderful packaging concepts our customers love.

Recently we were approached by Helen McCombie-Armstrong, Founder of Norfolk Melting Pot who specialise in handmade, vegan-friendly candles and wax melts. After building the business over a number of years, Helen approached us to help her develop an advent calendar for her products as a brilliant way for her customers to enjoy her range in the run up to Christmas.

The Client: Norfolk Melting Pot

Helen actually has a successful business operating a glamping site. She explained, “We previously had a successful mobile bell tent and hot tub business, when a local farmer got in touch to see if we were interested in setting up in a more permanent location. This took us to the next level and we were able to establish our glamping site, now with five yurts.”

However Helen needed a creative outlet, which started with a gift. “Someone bought me a candle making kit and I loved it - it really became a passion for me.” Helen did it as a hobby for a long time. “For the glamping business, I am responsible for payroll, HR and marketing so the candle-making was just for me. When I needed a bit of downtime, I could melt some wax and make a new candle.”

Helen was keen to perfect the art of candle-making. “I did a lot of research into the way to get the best results and the different types of wax available. I use coconut wax, it’s user friendly and you can add more fragrance for a stronger scent. I did a lot of trials! It was important to me the products were the best on the market – completely vegan and eco-friendly.”

As Helen’s interest grew, so did the business, with Helen eventually setting up an ecommerce website and selling her candles and wax melts online.

Recently Helen was keen to introduce a new way to experience a wide range of her products. “There are lots of brilliant advent calendars on the market – I love getting one! – so I was considering how we could use one. Once I was ready with the products, I needed help with creating the box itself.”

The Challenge:

Helen hadn’t produced an advent calendar before, so needed help. “I actually spoke to a number of box suppliers about the requirements and Jan at ASC Direct was one of the first to come back to me. I knew what I wanted it to look like but wasn’t sure how to actually design the box for manufacture. Jan was really helpful with suggestions and drawings to help me understand what was possible. I had been concerned the design of the box would be quite challenging but actually with Jan’s help it was really straightforward.”

Helen needed the advent calendar box to look fantastic and be fully sustainable to match the company’s ethos. “Advent calendars are often gifts so it was essential it would arrive in pristine condition. It was also important to use recycled cardboard.”

Additionally Helen wanted the packaging to be cost-effective and be made in the UK.

The Solution:

At ASC Direct, we love a creative challenge! The team understood Helen’s requirements straightaway. Advent calendars may sound tricky to create but are actually an extension of the intricate die-cutting and shaping that we do everyday to help our customers achieve the effect they need.

Helen continues, “Jan was hugely helpful and knew exactly what I was looking for. He sent a plain example of an advent calendar and when it came, it was exactly the right size, which was brilliant. This meant I could design the print and then send it to Jan to make sure it would work during manufacture.”

The finished product was made entirely of corrugated cardboard in the UK and was a cost-effective option for the requirement. Printed samples were also supplied so Helen could see the quality and options for the essential creative aspect of the boxes.

The final designs were approved, printed and despatched to Helen.

The Result:

Helen is thrilled with the finished result and the whole experience. “Jan and the team were really quick at responding. I spoke to quite a few companies and ASC Direct were one the fastest to respond. They understood my brief, provided helpful suggestions and samples and all of my requested changes were completed quickly.”

“The boxes are perfect, exactly what I had originally visualised. Once I had received them and added my products, I put them straight on the website!”

Helen McCombie-Armstrong, Founder, Norfolk Melting Pot

Good service is really important, “When you are running your own business, and I’m running two, you want to be able to rely on your suppliers to take on a job and do it really well. ASC made the whole process straightforward and the end result is brilliant.”

As Norfolk Melting Pot goes from strength to strength, so the team at ASC Direct will continue to support them with high quality packaging that fits their products and meets their brief. It’s brilliant when our customers are happy with their packaging, and we know it’s contributing to their success.