Hello new business cards!

I first designed myself some business cards back in my final year of Uni, and although at the time I was very happy with them, I decided recently it was definitely time for a new design. For a start, my old business cards don't display my logo, which means that they aren't consistent with my website, or the banner on my blog, or the cute little stickers I use when packaging items from my shop. Also, I think my style has developed considerably since leaving Uni, and I wanted my business cards to reflect my current work, rather than work I created years ago.

These are some of the designs I contemplated using;

But (with a little bit of help from some of you guys on Twitter..!), I finally decided that this was my favourite design;

Annnnd look what arrived in the post this morning! BOOM. 

They have arrived justtt in time to take along to my very first craft fair this weekend! I will be selling Christmas cards, and lots of other illustrated goodies - perfect as Christmas presents, or just a little treat for yourself. If you live in, or around, Dorset then please come and have a peek - I'll even let you have a business card! The Christmas bizarre is taking place on Saturday 1st December in the Portman Hall in Shillingstone (near Blandford Forum), and is open 11am - 2.30pm. I've even heard a rumour than a certain red-suited white-bearded man will be making an appearance in the afternoon, so it's perfect for your little ones too!  I'd love to see you there. ♥

The Green Door Bookshop.

You may have seen my post a few months back where I mentioned the work I had been creating for Caroline. I posted some of my initial designs for the branding of her new website. As I mentioned, the name of her website has changed since those early designs, and is now called The Green Door Bookshop. The website launched recently; it is an online bookshop selling gorgeous children's books, - books that are different, unique and quirky. These include titles from small publishing houses, and some self-published books too - including my illustrated picture book I'm A Little Bit Scared Of...

Below you can see some of the development of the branding/logo of the website, resulting in the final logo at the bottom which is visible on the website, plus bookmarks etc - exciting!

Initial header design.

Various logo designs.

Final logo design.

In situ.

If you haven't already, I would definitely recommend popping over and having a little look around - whether you have little ones to buy Christmas presents for, or just love beautiful illustrations, you are certain to find a book you will adore.

Update.

Massive apologies for the lack of posts on my blog over the past few months. I realise it has been somewhat neglected recently, so I felt I should post a little update. 

After months of searching for a part-time job, I very recently secured one in a little bookshop in the town where I live; the highlight of my first day involved sorting through all their children's picture books. Imagine me, sitting on the floor, totally surrounded by beautifully illustrated picture books; it was a dream! I think I will really enjoy working there. In addition to this, all their picture books are crazily cheap, so I imagine my first months wages may be spent on a new bookcase!

In terms of illustration work, things have been a little quiet of late; I have been caught up in the process of first selling, and now buying, a house! Very exciting, but ridiculously time-consuming. Once we are all moved in, and I have taken over the spare bedroom as my new studio, I will be back to work! However, a few months ago I began creating some work for the lovely Caroline, who asked if I could design the branding - logo, headers, banners - for a new website she is creating. The name of the website has been changed since I created these initial designs, so I thought I'd post them for you all to see. As you can tell, they were a great excuse for me to play around with creating hand-drawn typography, which is pretty much one of my favourite activities in the whole world.

I will leave the final designs for you to see for yourself once the website goes live. If anyone is interested in commissioning me to create any banners or logos or hand-drawn typography for any purpose, please feel free to contact me - my email address is listed over on the right.

On a final note, although I imagine this is the last thing you want to read about in the first few weeks of September, I noticed that my local post office has begun to sell Christmas cards already. This prompted me to list my illustrated Christmas cards, including my Bah Humbug anti-Christmas card perfect for any scrooges amongst you, in my shop; they're all ready for those of you who don't like to leave things to the last minute December rush. Check them out here.

Head Up Logo.

Development of logo designs for an eating disorder project.