Laila Ansbergs (left in picture) started Lili of the Valley in 2004 and it has grown since then to be a well respected and much loved company in the UK crafting world.
Laila grew up in Yorkshire and has always loved nature and all things beautiful and magical and spent much of her childhood playing in the fields next to her home. She's also half Latvian and the Latvians certainly have a whimsical side too hence the inspiration for Uguns the Dragon!
She has always been arty although she never considered a career until she wanted to set up her own business. "The office lifestyle doesn't really suit me. I'm a free spirit and wanted to work for myself and when people were complimenting me on pictures and designs I drew for pleasure I decided to give it a go.
Laila studied Sociology at University which is where she met her best friend and now business partner Lisa Barnes. Lisa worked for a number of years in Charity Fundraising and PR and has enjoyed using her experience to help raise awareness of Lili of the Valley as well as help with the day to day running of the business. " It's usually pretty hectic, says Lisa, but it's great to work with Laila as we get on so well, and her designs are so adorable it's not hard to get enthusiastic about them! It's good fun meeting people at exhibitions too."
