Business Spotlight: Driftwood Designs

Driftwood Designs, based in Aberystwyth, Cardiff, and Aberaeron, was founded in 2012 by friends Lizzie Spikes and Becky Barratt. Driftwood Designs has grown from a simple art collaboration into a thriving business celebrating Welsh culture and craftsmanship. Their designs, rooted in Welsh heritage, resonate with customers locally and globally.

In 2024, they joined the GlobalWelsh for Business membership programme to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs both locally, nationally and globally and further promote their range of products with Welsh language and heritage at their heart. We caught up with owner Becky Barratt to talk about the journey of Driftwood Designs.

How did  Driftwood Designs start…

Driftwood Designs was founded after Lizzie gave me one of her original artworks as a housewarming gift. With my business experience, we began collaborating to sell Lizzie’s art, starting with market stalls. We opened our first shop in Aberystwyth in 2017, and later expanded to Cardiff in 2019. Despite challenges like the pandemic, we secured a spot in the Royal Arcade, helping to grow our business.

I manage the business side of Driftwood Designs, developing new products with Lizzie and making sure her artwork is showcased in the best possible way. We create homewares, cards, and prints, making Lizzie’s art accessible in everyday items like mackerel-themed oven gloves and colourful heart lampshades. 

What makes Driftwood Designs unique?

What makes us unique is a combination of our values, how we work, and how closely connected we are to what we create. We’re proud to print nearly all our products in Wales, if not the UK, giving us control over quality, sustainability, and pricing. That traceability means we can tell customers exactly where something was made and who made it, whether it’s our cards printed in Wales or fine art prints produced at the National Library of Wales.

We’re also committed to creating a happy, supportive work environment. We pay a living wage, not just the minimum, and offer extras like weekly personal training sessions in the shop to help everyone stay connected and feel good. While we’re focused on running a sustainable business, people - our team, our makers, and our customers - are always at the heart of what we do. Lizzie’s artwork really connects with people, and we’re proud to share that in a way that feels personal, local, and meaningful.

How important is it to celebrate Wales and Welsh culture through your designs?

Celebrating Welsh culture is at the heart of what we do, it’s more than important, it’s foundational. Although I’m a Welsh learner and not a first-language speaker, Lizzie is fluent, and we’ve both always had a deep connection to the language and its cultural significance.

When we started Driftwood Designs, we assumed the coastal and cottage themes would lead the way, but it was actually the Welsh language designs that truly resonated with people. Seeing that connection grow so naturally has been really special. Lizzie’s ability to translate Welsh songs and phrases into visual art gives the language a fresh, everyday presence. What began as something we felt strongly about personally has become the cornerstone of our business, something we’re incredibly proud of.

Why did you join GlobalWelsh, and how can we support your journey?

I joined GlobalWelsh on a friend’s recommendation and was immediately drawn to the idea of connecting with other business owners around the world who share a passion for Wales and the Welsh language. I find hearing other people's stories and business journeys really inspiring, it's something I naturally gravitate towards. There’s so much to learn from others who are building something with heart, and being part of a community that celebrates and shares Welsh culture globally feels like a perfect fit.

What is the future like for Driftwood Designs?

The future is really exciting for Driftwood Designs. We hope one day to move onto the high street in Aberystwyth to reflect our commitment to supporting local, independent businesses - we’ve always championed others and want to lead by example. 

On the creative side, Lizzie has designed what we believe is the first watch featuring fully written Welsh language numbers, which we’re launching this year. It’s a small but meaningful step in continuing to celebrate Welsh culture through design.

DRIFTWOOD DESIGNS ARE OFFERING A 25% DISCOUNT OFF EVERYTHING BETWEEN 2ND AND 5TH MAY WHEN YOU QUOTE ‘SPRING25’ >>

CONNECT WITH DRIFTWOOD DESIGNS VIA GLOBALWELSH >>