Brands’ awareness

A husband and wife team from Colwyn Bay who launched their own greetings card company are celebrating expansion plans

anything like this before, but because our range was quite niche it immediately captured people’s imaginations and things really took off.

“When Covid took hold in the UK our sales went through the roof. We tailored a lot of merchandise around lockdown, creating jokey bespoke cards and gifts including mugs, pens, and balloons, which brought some light relief at a time when people really needed it. I even wrote a little lockdown-related ditty for one card, and we ended up selling more than 25,000 of them. The response was phenomenal.”

Creative vision

“From there we started to grow and diversify into content marketing and digital advertising – and we have big plans for when we move into the new building. It’s a case of watch this space!”

‘PLAY – The Movie!’, Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham. Until 23rd September. The vision of artist Rachael Clerke, who was commissioned by the gallery, Tŷ Pawb will be transformed into an evolving film set, where children will work alongside artists, playworkers and filmmakers to explore play in Wrexham – including how and where do we play now, and how and where do we want to play in the future? Participating artists include Ella Jones, Harold O eh, Noemi Santos, Sarah Ryder, Jamila Walker and Rhi Moxon, working with Penny Wilson of Assemble Play and 73 Degrees Films.

‘We All Share The Same Sky’ by Helen Booth, Oriel Davies, Newtown. Until 4th October. Abstract artist Helen Booth was born in Burton on Trent and works in West Wales. She studied at Wimbledon School of Art, graduating in Fine Art Painting. A residency supported

Lima

Lima was launched by Carly and James Brands in 2015 and got off to a flying start. Based in Colwyn Bay – the couple named the venture after their LL postcode – their range of quirky gifts and cards quickly gained popularity and began selling the world over.

The Brexit referendum that same year took its toll on the fledgling company, notably sales in Europe, but over lockdown it bounced back again, achieving a “significant rise” in turnover. The business now sells more than 550,000 items annually and employs up to 10 full-time and part-time staff.

As the Brands prepare to move to new, larger premises in the seaside town, with a fresh selection of product ideas, they shared their plans for the future with Shire.

Light relief

Carly has years of experience in marketing, entertainment and digital media and said their end-to-end approach has worked well since day one, though they are now also collaborating with established partners to scale up and grow further.

“We work with local companies and sell a lot of our items and cards direct, but also via major online platforms like Etsy and Amazon,” she said. “When we launched it was a leap of faith as we had never done

Novelty candles manufactured and distributed by Lima Lima are among the items they are looking to introduce in the coming months.

“What was a big step for us both, starting our own company after years in paid employment, has ended up being the best thing we ever did,” said James. “Carly and I have so many ideas and are always thinking big. We are excited to relocate and to see how we can take Lima Lima to even greater heights.” www.limalima.co.uk by Wales Arts International at the Hafnarborg Arts and Culture Centre in Iceland has greatly informed her practice. Winner of Swansea’s BEEP Painting Biennial, this is her first major solo show of new work.

Artes Mundi, Mostyn, Llandudno. Until 20th October.

Artes Mundi is the flagship international visual arts organisation for Wales, based in Cardi . Established in 2002, it is committed to working with artists whose work engages with social reality and lived experience. The Artes Mundi exhibition and prize takes place biennially, and to mark this 20th anniversary, the AM10 exhibition will for the first time be presented across Wales at five nationwide venues, including Oriel Davies Gallery in Newtown and Mostyn, Llandudno, providing even greater opportunities for national and international audiences to experience the show.

The AM10 exhibition will comprise significant solo presentations of new and existing work by seven of the world’s most important international contemporary artists.