Phil Rao is the maker behind Phil Rao Studio Two

What’s the story behind your brand?

In 2010, after 27 years in the telecoms industry, I decided to take a break and find something different to do. My wife Lindsay has a company making wedding stationery and Scottish tablet wedding favours (sixpennyblue.com) and as she got busier and busier I inevitably got more involved and eventually took over the tablet making completely. I had already started making some gifts from salvaged Scotch whisky casks as a hobby. When these proved to be quite popular and started selling well, I found myself employed more or less full-time once again and Phil Rao Studio Two was born.

What do you make?

I have a range of personalised Scottish tablet wedding favour options available as well as single bags of hearts or squares and sharing squares with messages.

I often have special editions available for events such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. There are also several Scotch whisky cask stave gifts available including tealight holders, whisky glass holders and bottle openers.

How do you make them?

All my Scottish tablet is made to order to a three-generation-old family recipe, freshly made just prior to posting/delivery to ensure it is at its absolute best for a client’s wedding or special event.

All the cask stave products are also made to order and given an intense five-stage sanding process which reveals the beautiful oak grain that has been hidden for many years. A light oil then protects the wood and enhances the grain still further.

What sets you apart from other makers?

Everything is made to order. Although I make huge volumes of tablet each week, it is still hand-made in small batches to ensure the traditional taste and appearance is retained. My products are made with love and care and attention to detail that is second to none.

What are your most popular products?

The most popular products right now are Valentine’s Day tablet hearts and sharing squares with “I LOVE YOU” stamped into the tablet! Across the year the most popular products are small tablet hearts either loose in personalised bags or boxes for wedding favours.

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PhilRao