Balancing Act

This year marks a milestone for Rachel Hare and Belly Button Designs as she celebrates the 25th anniversary of the business she started from her bedroom, with big plans for the company moving forward. its 25th anniversary there are events planned to celebrate the milestone and new developments to be launched. “2019 has been a great year for us and we’re very excited for 2020,” says Rachel. “This is a landmark year which sees us celebrate our 25th anniversary for providing designled greeting cards, which now extends into a growing range of giftware that greatly opens up our offering to customers. We have a big stand booked for Spring Fair and will have branding to celebrate the anniversary.” With three arms to the evergrowing organisation, Rachel is never short of things to do or people vying for her attention. “It’s kind of balancing the creative side with running the business. I’m the Creative Director but also the principal of the business, so

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n 1994, as a university graduate of the arts with some experience as a professional artist, Rachel Hare had the idea to make hand painted cards and sell them in a friend’s shop in Manchester. Surprised by the popularity and success of that initial set, Belly Button Designs was formed with the help and support of the Princes Trust. Now in 2020, the business has evolved to encompass greeting cards, giftware and three retail stores and as the company marks

I’m involved in everything. Then I balance this with my home life and three children.” With so many things to juggle, you could wonder if some aspects of the business take precedence over others, or if she has a favourite, but this isn’t the case. “Yes, there are three sides to the business so there is always something to work on,” Rachel explains. “Not that one side is any more important but they are just different to each other. Belly Button Designs is all about the cards and that creativity and that will continue.” Spring Fair will see Belly Button Designs launch new lines and products across their cards, stationery and giftware. Brand new lines have been added to Number78, Elle and Luxe card ranges. After the success of the

Belly Button Designs is all about the cards and that creativity and that will continue

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Wild Things range, a new children’s card and stationery collection has been developed called Wildlings. Plus, a new contemporary sentiments range called Electric Dreams is set to be showcased. This fresh range with its uplifting captions capitalises on Belly Button Designs’ environmental focus and is printed on 100% recycled board and accompanied with an envelope made from recycled coffee cups. While creating design-led greeting cards and giftware that centred around style and luxury has been at the core of the business from the start, Rachel and her team are determined to make high-quality products with heart and integrity that still take social and environmental impacts into consideration. Belly Button’s products only use FSC® certified paper and boards, biodegradable glitter and compostable bags in their aim to become plastic-free. All of the greeting card products are designed, made and hand-finished in the UK as well.

20 www.greetingstoday.co.uk Cover Story Belly Button 2.indd 1

18/12/2019 11:37