Gypsy chic e zine 11 editor lorraine stylianou

the magazine dedicated to greeting card publishing and entrepreneurship

Gypsy Chic

magazine Issue 11 - 2016

G GEARIN UP TO

2017

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

6 WAYS to

FIND YOUR WHY

MERRY

CHRISTMAS! HOLIDAY INSPIRATION

g, Andy Cordina ri n la m ru D to ol h iews with S INSIDE!!! Interv the Old Post Road of es on J sh ri T d n of Bettie Confetti a

BOOK NOOK

CONTENTS P.4

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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INTERVIEW WITH... SHOLTO DRUMLANRIG

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ARE YOU HEARING VOICES?

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INTERVIEW WITH... ANDY CORDINA OF BETTIE CONFETTI

11 ENVELOPE ART

P.12

12 GEARING UP TO 2017

14 INTERVIEW WITH... TRISH JONES OF THE OLD POST ROAD 17 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS 18 6 WAYS TO FIND YOUR WHY 19 ARE YOU A PROCESS DRIVEN CARD PUBLISHER? 20 SPRING TRIBUTE 21 THE CARD WALK IN SPRING 2017 22 HOLIDAY INSPIRATION 23 BOOK NOOK

P.8 P.14 2

LETTER

from the Editor

A

nd so this is Christmas…

Another Year over!

So what have you done?

(Celine Dion crooning away in the background as I type.)

Everyone has looked so busy all year on social media – photographing pictures of their large custom and export orders, standing in their booths at tradefairs, or celebrating wins at Award shows. I hope you have had a great run up to this point in the year, and have at least a few days rest planned over the holidays. I try not to overdramatize Christmas, preferring to keep it a simple family affair. I still can’t resist a Christmas tree, some coloured lights, and crackers. I’ve lined up a few carol services too. What creatures of habit are we!

Living in the boonies this year, it has not been as easy for me to visit all the UK tradefairs, but I plan to make Dublin’s Showcase Ireland in January. If any of you are planning to go, let me know. A trip South is always fun.

So here we are – Issue 11, packed full of interviews, tips, and thoughts. Each edition is a labour of love which, if it were not for my contributors a much slimmer version to

boot. It is my pleasure to present Sholto Dumlanrig, an amazing surface pattern designer, with Liberty as one of his clients, prolific artist Trish Jones of the Old Post Road whose gorgeous artwork lights up my Instagram feed most days, and the humourous Andy Cordina –marketer extraordinaire, who makes me laugh out loud with her funny sarcastic humour. Life coach Pauline Harley has kindly written her 6 ways to find your why (something we all need reminding of now and again) – her content particularly valuable as we start a New Year, and scribble down our New Year’s Resolutions.

I’ve included ideas for some holiday inspiration in terms of suggested reading, themes I anticipate will dominate the design field, and include one of my new ranges that I haven’t yet managed to complete.

As much as I’d love to wish you all a very sozzled Christmas, I know you will all be far too busy to have time for alcohol. So without further ado, MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. I hope you have fun!

Lorraine www.lorrainestylianou.com

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Interview with .....

Sholto Drumlanrig

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1. YOUR DESIGN CREDENTIALS – WORKING FOR PRESTIGIOUS RETAIL STORES, FASHION HOUSES, AND FAMOUS POTTERY MANUFACTURERS – ARE IMPRESSIVE AND YOUR PATTERNS JUST OOZE COLOUR. WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER A LOVE OF SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN AND TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COLLEGE DAYS AND EARLY CAREER. lll I have always enjoyed drawing and painting from an early age but it was when I did a degree at Staffordshire University that I first realised that I wanted to become a textile designer. I had actually got a place to study graphics at the college but the course was structured in a way that during your first month you were asked to try a couple of other disciplines before settling down. One of my choices was textile design and for me it was like a light bulb moment. Having tried it I immediately changed direction and joined the Surface pattern course.

I loved everything about it, the sheer creativity, colourfulness and exuberance of print design. I am just as enthusiastic and excited by it now as I was then when I jumped ship from graphics to the textile design back in the early 90’s.

2) I would ensure that I know what the company is like and would do research to understand their market and aesthetic.

That way I am prepared if I am asked what I think about the company and about potential creative ideas and directions they might take 3) Quite often companies want to know what inspires you and also what other brands you like. Again I think this through in advance as this demonstrates my understanding of the world in which they work as well as my aesthetic taste.

I also try and see as many exhibitions about art and design as I can, as I believe it’s important to know what is going on culturally and it feeds my design and creativity, showing the interviewer that I am connected to the world around me.

4) I prepare questions to ask in the interview - which can range from details of the role for which I am applying, or how they see the creative output of the company evolving. Finally I think through the way I will talk about my work and have a mental note on the key things I want to say.

F

2. GIVE US YOUR TOP 4 TIPS ON PUTTING A PORTFOLIO TOGETHER FOR THE LIKES OF LIBERTY AND HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH A COMPANY YOU HAVEN’T WORKED WITH BEFORE? 1) When putting together a portfolio I consider what the company are looking for in a designer and select work that is appropriate to their product i.e for Liberty, small florals and paisleys. I would also include other work that demonstrates the breadth of my creativity and that shows versatility. It’s valuable for people to see themselves in your work but also that you are capable of offering other things too.

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CAN YOU SHARE WHAT A TYPICAL BRIEF INCLUDES, SAY FOR DESIGNS ON CERAMICS OR OTHER HOMEWARE PRODUCTS: lll Briefs can be so varied and range from very conceptual ideas to the very literal. When I worked for Diane von Fursenberg it was very creative and she used to develop collections based around stories and themes. One of them I remember was the idea of a young couple going on a honeymoon journey through Europe and we developed prints based around the themes of travel, glamorous hotels and site seeing.

Alternatively while I was developing prints for the Royal Collection (which runs the retail division of the Royal Palaces), I did research within Buckingham Palace, taking photos of inspirational artwork and objects that I then developed into new prints for their range of textile and gift products.

While I was working for the ceramic and industrial tableware designers Queensberry Hunt they gave me more of a broad brief, wanting prints based around Japanese inspired aesthetics. I particularly enjoy this kind of brief as there is so much freedom and I like the the challenge of taking a style and developing its language and influences into new designs.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR PROCESS OF PUTTING A DESIGN TOGETHER IN TERMS OF RESEARCH, TIME DEDICATED TO SKETCHING AND COLOURING ETC l l l When I get a brief the first thing I do is gather as much visual reference as I can. I have a large collection of books about textile design and a library of photos that I have taken over the years of things like plants, architecture and anything I find inspiring. I normally spend a lot of time looking through these and flagging anything that has an interesting image or an idea that is relevant to what I am working on. I am also a huge fan of Pinterest and can spend hours looking and pinning things that I find visually exciting.

Once this is all done I then sift through the imagery and start to narrow things down to get a sense of the direction that I want to go in. I then begin to sketch with all the visual inspiration around me and begin to form ideas and designs in my sketch book.

This takes time and I refine and re-work things quite a lot, but once I have a designs and motifs the way I want them, I will scan them into photoshop and work from there, changing scales of objects, turning and manipulating elements and ultimately creating repeats. Finally when a design is finished I work on the colour and gradually finesse the design until I am happy that it meets the brief.

DID YOU EVER IMAGINE YOUR PATTERNS ON THE DUST JACKETS OF BOOKS OR MEN’S SHIRTS? l ll No but I like the serendipity of pattern design. There are just so many areas it covers and it takes you in unexpected directions.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE BRAND DRUMLANRIG IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS – ANY PLANS TO LAUNCH YOUR OWN EXCLUSIVE RANGES/PRODUCTS? l l l I am currently developing a range of cushions and tote bags using a series of original designs that I have developed, that I am hoping to launch in about a months time.

SHOLTO DRUMLANRIG

W: http://sholtodrumlanrig.com/ E: sholto.drumlanrig@googlemail.com

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ARE YOU HEARING VOICES? W

e’re all eager to see who has written to us at this time of year as cards start to drop through our letter boxes. Most of the time we have a fair idea who a card is from – the handwriting, the return address, or the franks on the postage stamps tend to give it away.

We anticipate a chuckle, a loving sentiment, or a piece of news from the person we are thinking of.

Before email, the circular Xmas letter was common, a strange proclamation of a family’s affairs over the year tucked inside a Christmas card. Usually typed on a manual typewriter, and then photocopied multiple times, this phenomenon was incredibly boring. It told us about little Johnny’s year at school, Grandad’s stint in hospital, and the family’s recent house move to Dudley. Nobody gave a fig – but it was a way of keeping in touch with the most minimal of effort.

A thoughtful, handwritten greeting card has a way of making you feel close to the sender, albeit momentarily, and you can often hear the sender’s voice, their wry

sense of humour. As a sender of greetings cards, our greatest concern should be sounding predictable.

There’s nothing worse than receiving cards from people whose thoughtless scrawl is written in the same way each year. I had a few Aunts – bless them – who did this, unaware of their lack of inspiration. Every Christmas, I got a twee card with a robin on it from an Aunt, signed “Regards Ena” or “Best wishes, Mabel”. There was more chance of Hell freezing over than there was of my ever finding a nice crisp tenner inside.

So when you send off your holiday cards this year, have a think about what it will say to the recipients. Include an extra special message, a photo, a joke, or a drawing for extra effect.

The card you send is your brand – a nonverbal expression of yourself. Whilst we can’t please all of the people all of the time, a little bit of effort will go a long way.

Make your message music to their ears.

You might even get a call on Christmas day thanking you for your generosity of spirit!

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STAMP PHOTOS: ROYAL MAIL

Interview with .....

Andy Cordina

of Bettie Confetti

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hot glue gun) kind of made for the perfect recipe for Bettie.

I’m yet to go to any trade shows - I’m still working full time in Marketing so I use what time I do have filling orders from Etsy and my brand website. The thought of a trade show scares the life out of me!

1. TELL US HOW IT ALL STARTED FOR YOU IN GREETING CARDS. DID YOU WORK IN A CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT BEFORE LAUNCHING YOUR BRAND? AND WHAT TRADESHOWS, IF RELEVANT, HAVE YOU ATTENDED SO FAR? lll I started Bettie just after I got Married a few years ago. I spent hours hand crafting all sorts of bits and pieces when we got married including hand punched confetti made out of vintage comic books. A friend of ours said to me at the wedding that I should look into making it into a business so I started making confetti. After quickly realising that the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze, I looked into how I could make a little side business as a creative outlet and it all took off from there.

I’ve always been fairly creative and have worked in Marketing my entire career - mainly in Brand teams, or as I like to call it, the colouring in department. That, coupled with being fairly crafty (I love a

2. YOU’VE CHOSEN AN ECO-FRIENDLY CARD STYLE CLEARLY PRINTING ON RECYCLED KRAFT CARD STOCK AND HAND EMBELLISHING SOME. WILL YOU BE INTRODUCING OTHER COLOURS IN TO YOUR CARD OFFERING TO REFLECT YOUR CONFETTI BACKGROUNDS, OR IS STAYING BUFF (IN TERMS OF THE CARD COLOUR) INTENTIONAL? l l l I think for the moment Bettie will mainly be in the buff…. never thought I’d say that… For me, it’s really important to create a cohesive collection that people would see and recognise as being part of a range. The buff makes my product stand out, gives it a bit more of an original look F

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and feel and has the added bonus of being responsibly sourced and printed.

3. YOU’RE CLEARLY VERY SAVVY AT PR, HAVING APPEARED ON THE HUFFINGTON POST, MASHABLE, BUZZFEED AND TIME. DO YOU MARKET YOUR BRAND YOURSELF OR DO YOU HIRE HELP? lll I do all the Marketing and Branding myself, but I’m lucky that I’ve been working the last ten years in Marketing. I also did a Masters in Digital Marketing a few years ago which has helped lots - I knew all that time spent with my head in textbooks would pay off one day, I just didn’t know it would be with my own business.

4. GIVE US YOUR TOP 4 TIPS ON GETTING NOTICED IN THE INDUSTRY. 1. Be yourself. It sounds like such trivial advice, but it’ll get you much further than trying to be something you’re not.

Everyone out there is human. Just be the best version of your human that you can be.

2. Don’t be afraid to offend people. Not everyone is going to love what you do.

Accept that early on and you’ll be able to tune out the haters.

3. Be good to your customers. Answer their questions quickly, get their orders sent out on time and apologise when you f**k up.

4. Be consistent with you brand. Figure out how you want to look and how you want your brand to be conveyed and keep those values at the core of what you do.

living in the UK, where people so utterly polite (often to their detriment) sarcasm is something that comes in handy A LOT. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have to really think about what I write and design.

People often don’t get my humour so I need to tone it down a bit sometimes.

6. WHAT’S NEXT FOR BETTI CONFETTI – THINK THE NEXT 24 MONTHS. NEW PRODUCTS? LICENSING PERHAPS? l l l I’ve literally just put the finishing touches on my website, so from here on out, I’m looking to get my shit together and leave my full time job in the next few months. I want to work with more local independent retailers in the UK and hopefully just watch Bettie go from strength to strength.!

5. SARCASTIC HUMOUR SELLS. DOES SARCASM COME NATURALLY OR DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WRITE? lll I just imagined the response you would have gotten asking my friends and family that questions. Yes indeed, sarcasm does come naturally to me. As an Australian

BETTE CONFETTI

Web: bettieconfetti.com Email: andy@bettieconfetti.com Etsy: bettieconfetti.etsy.com

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#Envelope Art l Social media is chockfull of examples of artists filming themselves sketching and doodling. Two of the best know designers who post their art in motion are Helen Dardik and Carolyn Gavin who use time lapse videos to show the evolution of their designs. Helen customizes all the envelopes she dispatches orders in, using black Sharpie pens, while Carolyn sticks mainly to watercolour.

They inspired me to try one of my own. Time consuming, yet effective, we sometimes have to go the extra mile and make our snail mail standout.

Certainly a great PR exercise if you are a skilled letterist or calligrapher.

With over 12,000 posts on Instagram, there is no shortage of inspiration.

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GEARING UP TO L

ooking back at the last months of 2016, I have to admit I let things slip a bit.

Too busy juggling end of year taxes, children’s mock exams, and the other 101 things families get up to rather than growing the business significantly.

But I stay hopeful that I can gear things up as January approaches. For those of us with no sales agents, selling is a real challenge. The task has to be diarized and a concerted effort made to get out and speak to new prospects.

As with all sales interactions, you have to appeal to the customer’s emotions in order to clinch an order. Buyers love “New” so having a few new designs to show them on your tablet as you walk into the store is vital.

There are occasions when shop owners simply never give you a decision. If we are serious about growing our business in 2017, I think it is high time to cross these chaps off our list for now. I wouldn’t go so far as to destroy the contact details completely but it is crucial we concentrate our efforts on people who have bought from us before and may simply need a nudge, or new prospects who can make quick decisions rather than stringing us along for months.

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Even whilst writing this article, I whizzed off an email to a stockist of mine to see if they would like some location specific Christmas cards. If you have that sort of relationship with buyers what is there to lose?

I’m also developing new product lines – and will reveal these very soon.

CONTINUE USING FREE PR Keep plugging away at Instagram – put your hashtags in foreign languages too – heard of Google translate? I get lots of followers in Europe who appreciate my using #fugl (I knew that Norwegian degree of mine would come in handy) #oiseau (boy – did that French O’ level pay off)

#gato #blomster when commenting on my flower, bird or cat themed posts.

We are all multilingual now  Greetings Today, Progressive Greetings Magazine, “Stationery Trends” and Gypsy Chic will all afford you some free PR too.

Get emailing!

1) tracey@lemapublishing. co.uk 2) galea@max-publishing. co.uk 3) frontdesk@greatamerican publish.com and direct your email to Sarah Schwartz 4) lorraine@lorraine stylianou.com

SHARING CONTENT My E-zine is a true passion of mine. It’s a collaborative venture that gets me and my peers connecting. In a competitive space like ours, the days of being one-dimensional are long gone. We’ve got to be networking, marketing, and selling at all levels. We should be telling our story on Youtube, via podcast, the written word, and direct marketing, as well as attending local markets with our products.

EDUCATE EDUCATE EDUCATE

stationery, and surface pattern.

Only a diehard greeting card aficionado would stay up till 2.30am in the morning to listen to a webinar that was broadcast at 7pm Central Standard Time in the US. But I’ve already picked up some great money saving tips, PR hints and resource links. Resealable cellos are a new one on me but apparently very popular Stateside. The US market appreciates a real snarky sense of humour too – I’m going to have to pluck up some courage to publish some snide, cynical designs this Spring.

Take courses, retrain, learn.

Having joined a design course run from the US this week, I’ve already connected with graphic designers around the world in our closed FB group who all have a love of greeting cards,

https://www.udemy.com is a fantastic learning platform and run specials all year long.

Just sign up for their emails, and you will pick up courses for $5 in no time.

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NETWORKING Make your network your networth in 2017 – connect with buyers, Licensees, distributors and influencers on LinkedIn, and approach some Corporate clients in your area.

So what’s your next realm in 2017? Wishing you the best of luck whatever you’ve planned.

Interview with .....

Trish Jones

of the Old Post Road

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1. TELL US HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN PAINTING, AND WHAT YOUR TYPICAL DAY CONSISTS OF? lll I started painting in 2007, shortly after the economic recession began and my engineering consulting business ground to a halt. I decided I could either clean the house or find something I could enjoy doing while my kids were in school! My kids were school-aged at that time. Most days I begin painting shortly after my youngest leaves for High School in the mornings. I tend to paint throughout the day, with errands scattered in for a break or two. I’ve noticed that my day goes better if I pray and read my Bible, first. I recently moved an easel into the family room, so I can create while my husband watches television in the evenings. Before I go to bed, I make sure my art list for the following day is ready so that I am able to begin working on the necessary items, first.

approached stores or art licensing companies, but need to make that step.

Marketing takes confidence, and I’ve noticed in speaking with other artists that confidence is not always readily available when you are placing your items in the public spotlight for others to critique!

My most effective means of marketing is currently Instagram and local store sales.

2. HOW ACTIVELY DO YOU MARKET YOUR ART. PLEASE SHARE WHAT THAT INVOLVES. WHICH PLATFORM ON SOCIAL MEDIA GIVES GREATEST RESULTS, IF YOU KNOW? lll It is fairly simple to throw a picture onto Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, which are my preferred methods of marketing. I am an aesthetic person, anyway, so a quick picture with a description is just my speed. When I first began painting and selling on Etsy, I realized I needed a blog to forward more people to my Etsy site. The blogging worked as I had hoped, but after blogging a while, I ran out of time to keep the site up to date! My blog currently gets attention about one time per month. I have my art in local stores where the owner has contacted me and asked me to sell in their store(s). I have not yet

3. YOU PAINT LOTS OF FLOWERS, PLANTS, KITCHEN WARE, AND SOME LANDSCAPES. YOUR PALETTE IS SUBTLE WITH PALE BLUES, GREENS, PEACH AND CORAL HUES DOMINATING. DO YOU PRODUCE GREETING CARDS FROM YOUR ART, AND IS YOUR WORK LICENSED ANYWHERE? l l l My work is not licensed at this time.

I have a local company that produces notecards for me, however, notecards are the only items that I have printed. I am often encouraged by others to find a licensing company where I can have some of my art printed on notepads, cards, etc., but have not taken the time to research and find the right licensing company for F my particular style.

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4. CAN YOU TELL WHO YOUR IDEAL CUSTOMER IS OR DOES IT VARY? DO YOU PAINT WHAT YOU WANT TO PAINT OR IS THE SUBJECT MATTER OF YOUR PAINTINGS MARKET LED. lll My typical customers tend to be women ranging in age from 25 to 65.

I’ve noticed that most of the purchasers of my art are comfortable in their decorating and art choices and do not need guidance in their art selection. I have several “regular” buyers who tend to be either younger than 40 years old or older than 50. As far as my subject matter, I typically only paint what I want to paint. It is not easy to create a piece that is not what you are “feeling” at the time. Creativity is crucial and simply “filling orders” is not fulfilling. I am sometimes challenged by friends to create something that is out of my realm, and have learned to embrace those opportunities to grow in my abilities.

Some of my more popular paintings have occurred from a request that would not have been in my mind, otherwise. I want my art to be unique, so I try to avoid any of the latest trends in art.

6. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THE TRISH JONES BRAND TO HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE NEXT 24 MONTHS? l l l Thank you for asking this. I needed to take the time to reflect on a plan for the next year and your question presented that opportunity. I am getting “braver” about sharing my artistic abilities.

Increasing my level of confidence will be crucial in my future marketing success.

In summation, my dream is to be seen as a unique artist with a recognizable style.

I am able to pick out many other artists’ works in a gallery grouping and would be honored to be an artist that others instantly recognize. I would ideally love to have some of my pieces reproduced on giftware or dishes or calendars, but am planning to begin researching that process once I get my youngest into college. I have three kids – they are currently 23, 20, and 17. They are my priority. Once the third begins college in the Fall of 2017, I will have more time to devote to my marketing strategy for my art. Or, at least I HOPE to have more time – it doesn’t always work that way, does it?!

5. HOW DOES LIVING IN GEORGIA IMPACT YOUR ART – AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE. lll I have always lived in the Deep South. I’ve lived in Georgia for most of my life. I love to travel but truly relish the culture and land in the South. Many of my subjects are uniquely southern or rural, including magnolia, hydrangeas, camellias, pinecones, barns, peaches, zinnias, and small churches. The cotton fields, little white churches, and flowers of the South are part of me and part of my art.

TRISH JONES

Etsy: http://theoldpostroad.etsy.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/theoldpostroad Instagram: http://instagram.com/theoldpostroad

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S ’ R A E Y W E N NS O I T U L O RES

SS A P M Y G 1. BUY AST F M I L S 2. JOIN SALES E R O M E 3. MAK LAN P Z I B E T 4. UPDA AYERS P N O N 5. CHASE BSITE E W P M A 6. REV GES N A R D R W CA E N T R A T 7. S A DAY G N I T N I A 8. DO A P LAN P G N I T E MARK Y M H S I 9. FIN IST L G O L B GUEST P U W A 10. DR

6 WAYS TO FIND YOUR WHY

BY PAULINE HARLEY

M

any people ask me, Pauline, what’s your why at this stage now I don’t have to think about it I have it firmly embedded in my mindset, it has guided me to my chosen career as a personal development coach.

It is something that keeps me focused and lets me dream big, live bravely and take chances.

My “why” makes me ask questions to seek help and find solutions to any problems I may face in my business. It is my biggest motivator and allows me to keep moving forward even on the difficult days when I feel like “why” am I doing this! I go back to my “why” it has made me resilient, every set back every “No” they no longer knock my confidence they just keep pushing me closer to where I want to be.

So how do we find our “why” and make it work for us, here are some questions to ask ourselves, reveal it and use it to enable us to pursue our professional and personal goals in life.

1. What are you doing when

you feel truly fulfilled?

I love what I do and live 2. What do you value in life? what I love.

3. Why is it important to you?

4. What is your greatest Here’s a chart you can print strength? off and use to help you on 5. What would you attempt if your way. you knew you couldn’t fail?

6. How do you measure your success?

Knowing your purpose and finding your “why” will empower you to take on board challenges that will grow you mentally and physically. It will inspire you to keep stretching that little bit more each time.

So what’s my “why”? Well I was stuck for years rusting away, and it led to chronic health issues, and lack of confidence. I failed to thrive and reach my full potential.

I now help to get “unstuck” and live their lives knowing their true potential is realised and with a sense of purpose so they can live fulfilled and in harmony with what they value most in life.

Make your dream a reality and work for you, great things do happen when you have your “why”.

For any more advice on pursuing goals or coaching, please feel free to contact me at Website: www.challengeuchangeu.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/challengeuchangeu Twitter: @paulineharley1 Based in Dublin, Ireland.

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ARE YOU A PROCESS DRIVEN CARD PUBLISHER? l When you want to keep your business on track a simple GANTT CHART is invaluable. Don’t let this dry business concept put you off. I’ve adapted one to show you what a greeting card/ design business could include highlighting the inputs and outputs you need to get results. This is by no way comprehensive.

My Growth plan is 17 pages long but I’m trying to make things visual here.

Key areas of a business have to be managed for success and to ensure growth. A Gantt chart will include all the things you plan to do in terms of sales, marketing, staff, operations and finance.

I hope you find it useful.

The bit you have to do is TAKE ACTION 

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Spring Tribute

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y new 5 x 7 inch range (a work in progress) celebrates Spring with lots of new designs to follow.

I was inspired by beautiful horticultural shows that remind me of the joys of Spring and Summer.

The beginning of a new year can be bleak and I wanted to breath a little colour and mirth into the proceedings. As the days lengthen in the New Year I hope our transition out of this dark, frosty season into a brighter warmer one will be swift. To place an order, email lorraine@lorrainestylianou.com

ORDER FORM

SPRING TRIBUTE CARD RANGE ÂŁ6 for 6 cards

CODE CHE1

Flowers in a pink vase

CHE2

Purple vase

CHE3

Home Sweet Home

CHE4

Warm thoughts

AMOUNT

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TOTAL

THE CARD WALK S

in Spring 2017

tationery trends, as we all know, are heavily influenced by the catwalk. One of the most dominant trends in 2017 will still be foliage, and pot plants. The theme of the Urban Jungle can be seen on everything from Hermes ties, dresses, and handbags. Illustrators have been sharing their cacti collections left right and centre on Instagram, and Amazon has a number of plant themed books in their top sellers. Etsy is full of handfelted and letter pressed cactus designs. I’m looking forward to seeing lots of

“green” cards of a different nature in Dublin in January at Showcase Ireland.

Animal print is also a dominant theme with 2017 seeing a move to strong African print patterns.

We’ve seen African batik and wax print fabrics for a few years but the ethnic trend has moved away from the softer global nomad look of tie tied fabrics to very bold geometric patterns from Ghana and Nigeria. When l was last in Liverpool Street in October, the back streets were full of African fabric shops stacked to the rafters with colourful reams of hand and block printed cotton. Just wish I could have brought some home.

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HOLIDAY Inspiration

S

coffed too many mince pies, and drank too much mulled wine already? Give yourself a break by taking a glance at some of the brilliant design magazines on line that focus on stationery, design, surface pattern, art and crafts.

They’ll help fire you up for 2017. So get with the programme! All available on Issuu.com HERE IS A LIST OF MY FAVOURITES:

Upper Case Stationery Guide Te Neues Spring 2017 Bic stationery Art Papel, Portfolio Group Design Crumbs Moyo Art Buyer Katha Magazine Surface Pattern Design Guide Artists & Illustrators

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THE BOOK NOOK 500 SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING TIPS

BY ANDREW MCCARTHY l Needing some light biz reading

networking, using great pictures and

over Christmas? Credit has to

video to gain followers.

be given to Social Bee NI for recommending 500 social media

The author promises free updates

marketing tips by Andrew McCarthy.

FOREVER once purchased. Now that can’t be bad!

Updated in November 2016 the book gives some useful hints and

Currently priced at £3.48 for

tips on increasing your social media

the Kindle edition.

following and engagement. Covering

https://www.amazon.co.uk/500-

all the main social media platforms, it

Social-Media-Marketing-Tips-

covers material such as the power of

ebook/dp/B007L50HE6

THERE IS NO GOOD CARD FOR THIS...

BY EMILY McDOWELL l OK – Not out yet but something

difficult situations. It gets around

you could definitely add to your

the formality and charade that a

New Year’s Wish List

lot of cards don’t manage to and help keep expressions real.

This forthcoming book by Emily McDowell will help inspire all card

Definitely worth a read to

publishers, and copywriters to

learn more about how we word

express emotions when words fail

things when people we care

us. There are times when we don’t

about are suffering.

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23

A window on the world of a greeting card publisher

Gypsy Chic magazine