design crumbs magazine
Special Feature: too wordy
features:
Too Wordy {beautiful handlettered prints and greeting cards} Introduction to Belle and the Moon Cath Kidston Design Spotlight Country Cottage Moodboard How to Inject Colour by Victoria Eggs
Showcases
Holly and Teddy Lisa Kirkbride
design crumbs magazine
EDITION 5 SPRING 2016
Interviews:
Claire Leigh of Two Ducks Mary-May at Suffolk Textiles
Articles:
Packaging Tips by Charlotte Briscoe Why You Need to Host an Event by Bec Waterfield Miss Mint’s Blogging Services Travel Photography Hints Learn More About...LinkedIn
DESIGN CRUMBS MAGAZINE: BROUGHT TO YOU BY WHITE SPACE CREATIVE DESIGN
contents
features 5-6
too wordy
8
designer spotlight - cath kidston
17-18
how to inject colour by victoria eggs
19-20
country cottage - moodboard
articles 1-2
white space creative design news
3-4
introduction to belle and the moon
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packaging tips from charlotte briscoe interiors
12
why you need to host an event by bec waterfield
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miss mint’s blogging services by anna hamilton
15-16
travel photography hints by hannah mather
21-22
no-sew sewing feature by charlotte briscoe
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belle and the moon: brand styling project
23
learn more about...linkedin
showcases 11
holly and teddy
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lisa kirkbride
interviews
9-10
claire leigh from two ducks
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mary may at suffolk textiles
design crumbs magazine
EDITOR OF DESIGN CRUMBS MAGAZINE Charlotte Bevan Owner of white space creative design In 2011, I set up my graphic and web design business in order to help make my clients’ ideas come to life. And, with the aid of my lovely assistant, one rascal Miniature Schnauzer named Rosie {above!}, I feel I am really making a difference. It’s such an amazing feeling to be able to be a small part of helping a business start up or to increase their brand awareness and/or online presence. I also design digital illustrations which feature on greeting card, stationery and gift collections - available from my Etsy shop: belleandthemoon.co.uk {my new venture!}. With both of these aspects of my business progessing well, I thought it was about time I did something to help other designers, makers and small-business owners... Hence the creation of Design Crumbs Magazine! The purpose of the magazine is to provide a platform to raise awareness of others in the design industry. So, from graphics to homeware, baking to mixed media, interiors to embroidery, you’ll be sure to find something of interest to you! Please feel free to email if you’d like to feature - or if you have any feedback, suggestions or comments.
regular contributors
ANNA HAMILTON OWNER OF TILLY MINT’S EMPORIUM AND MISS MINT’S BLOGGING SERVICES Classically trained, as a 2011 graduate from the Manchester School of Art and with a strong passion for Embroidery, I am hugely passionate about conserving traditional techniques passed down from generations. These are combined with conceptual, contemporary themes to progress techniques for future generations.
VICTORIA EGGS OWNER OF VICTORIA EGGS Hi, my name is Victoria Eggs (yep, that’s my real name!) and I design and manufacture premium quality homeware, gifts and stationery which are inspired and made in Britain. British Made is at the very heart of the business and is the fundamental drive. Our customers tell us they’re happy to buy British and we’re proud to keep it that way.
guest contributors
CHARLOTTE BRISCOE OWNER OF CHARLOTTE BRISCOE INTERIORS
BEC WATERFIELD OWNER OF FUNKY SUNFLOWER EVENTS
HANNAH MATHER TRAVELER AND AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER!
Specialising in handmade curtains, roman blinds, home accessories and gifts, I have always had a passion for beautiful fabrics. I predominately use the stunning Violet Olivia range of linens, finished with precision. All items are made to order, with customisations accommodated willingly! Read on in the magazine for some hints on packaging!
I own and run Funky Sunflower Events, which is an award winning venue dressing and event management company based on the Wirral and covering the North of England, North Wales and the Isle of Man. We provide a fresh approach to event management, offering a truly bespoke service based on your needs not your budget. Please check out: funkysunflower.com.
Having recently returned from a three-month trip to Australia and New Zealand, I have answered your questions and shared some tips of how to improve your travel photography. Keep reading for some conventional and usual tricks! If you’d like to take a look at my Instagram account, please visit: instagram.com/hannahlm1604.
design crumbs magazine
news
white space creative design news by charlotte bevan {editor of design crumbs and owner of white space creative design}
website build
along with a designated area for About information, testimonials and a Google map. Beneath this sits a carousel with useful logos and links - then my favourite part, the footer which is shown on each page. Sectioned into four, the first displays a linked Wirral Mind logo, then a carousel image gallery of the cottages, a neat contact form and then contact details. Features of note within the website include the individual cottage pages, each of which contain an exterior image with a sidebar displaying important information {sleeping numbers and costs} and accordians featuring inclusive and optional extras. A gallery is located under the ‘Cottages’ page and shows the beautiful accommodation in all seasons!
For a few months now, I’ve been working with the CEO of Wirral Mind in order to create a website for their luxury self-catering accommodation, Carrog Mill Cottages.
Check it out: carrogmillcottages.co.uk.
graphic design
Located within a relaxing and peaceful environment in the North Wales countryside, these beautiful cottages provide a true sense of wellness and tranquility - perfect for funfilled family holidays, long relaxing weekends, get-togethers for groups of friends and even corporate events and team building weekends. So, the website theme is simple but professional! The boxed layout creates a fresh and clean, maintaining the brief for use of white space {hooray!}. The Home page features a slider displaying interior and exterior images of the cottages, four animated sections with excerpts, image and titles of the cottages available for rent,
design crumbs magazine
Along with the new website for Carrog Mill Cottages came a brand new logo! The brief was to incorporate some aspect of the history of the cottages, contrasting with a
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news
contemporary look and using a duck egg colour palette. My kind of brief! I created three different concepts and this was the design selected by the Board. In addition to the logo, I put together a style guide to ensure all future communications are consistent in order to build the brand.
I used the theme of polaroids in order to display the beautiful images, which I will carry through for further promotional materials. *** I have been working with Vigo IT Solutions since I went freelance in 2011. The coowner, Kurt, has been a huge help with my business; from passing work my way to help, encouragement and support. Kurt’s vision for his company’s visual identity is very design-led. He came up with the idea of utilising a ‘building blocks’ theme for future design collateral. The first instance he wanted to use this was for a roller banner so I incorporated these shades-of-red squares, juxtaposed with circles containing icons for the start of his new design elements!
I am currently working with the CEO on the marketing strategy and how I can help to implement the design, social media and content marketing set out. In the meantime, I was asked to design some information sheets to distribute at a high profile event she attended and spoke at. I loved pulling together the images and content to create a base concept for future designs.
For more information about the services white space creative design offers, please visit the website: whitespacecreativedesign.co.uk. Alternatively, if get in touch by emailing: hello@whitespacecreativedesign.co.uk.
design crumbs magazine
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news
belle and the moon
by charlotte bevan {editor of design crumbs and owner of white space creative design}
pret
brand styty ling
professional
website design
In order to explain my new {ad}venture, Belle and the Moon, I wrote and distributed this press release... {It was weird to write in the third person!} On 1 February 2016, Charlotte Bevan launched a new venture specialising in pretty and affordable brand styling and website design. Named after her grandmother, Charlotte’s new project, Belle and the Moon, focuses on providing design services to small businesses in the creative marketplace. With five years in the graphic and web design industry, Charlotte saw an opportunity to concentrate on assisting creative start ups and small companies: “It’s why I became a self-employed designer to begin with! I love helping sole traders reflect their vision and communicate their message through design.” She added: “From ready-made logos to full branding and website packages, my aim is to help style each small business’ visual identity so it looks polished and professional, with a sprinkle of the owner’s personality.” I will continue to undertake corporate and charity graphic and web design work under white space creative design. Belle and the Moon will focus on sole traders in the creative marketplace.
design crumbs magazine
Belle and the Moon’s own website went live on 1 February, which is a visual representation of Charlotte’s ethos of fresh, delicate and clean design. For more information about the inspiration behind the brand, services offered and projects undertaken, please head to: belleandthemoon.co.uk. With a renewed interest in photography, Charlotte has built her new business Instagram account to showcase client work, ready-made logos and gift collections. If you’d like to follow, please visit: instagram.com/ belleandthemoon.
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You may be wondering where the name came from! In short… my grandmother. My Nan was called Mary Isabella… She didn’t like the name Mary or Isabella so everyone called her Belle! My Nan Belle {my mum’s mum} was extremely gentle, kind and uncomplicated. Not only do I strive to be like that in my life – but also in design. I want to create serene, warm-hearted and considerate brand styling and website design that creates a lasting impression.
The use of this subtle colour palette; tactile laces, rose petals and porcelain juxtaposed with the clean lines of shells, Cape Cod house clapboards and robins’ eggs combine I love nothing more than to create and develop my branding identity and visual represent my business ethos: of sensitive, gentle and brands and websites in order to capture the feminine design. This is my personality and essence of small creative businessses. character and this is what I wanted to be My personal sense of style and love of reflected in my styling. interior design informs my work as a designer, especially with my Belle and the Moon brand identity. My work is inspired by clean, fresh and stylish quintessential New England living. I love the white-washed clapboard and rustic driftwood, pastel blue and duck egg colours of the sea and soft textures of linens and crisp cottons that all emcompass coastal style. I am a brand stylist and website designer {and have been for five years!}, working from my home studio in Wirral, North West England.
I have certainly allowed my time in Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket to influence artwork and styled photography shots, which can be seen throughout my website and my social media feeds. The style guide, shown above right, illustrates my love for pastel duck egg shades, along with delicate rose pinks and crips whites – which go extremely well together. And the three moodboards further highlight this, along with developing the look and feel of my brand – pretty, delicate, fresh and clean.
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I would absolutely love the opportunity to work with you; I’d love to be able to capture the essence of your business and mirror what makes your company special by creating a logo, collateral and website which makes your tummy have butterflies every time you see it!
for more information: belleandthemoon.co.uk 4
special feature
too wordy
beautiful and contemporary hand lettered prints and greetings cards designed for the stationery lover
Beautiful and contemporary personalised prints uniquely and individually designed for you! A product of Maeve’s love of all things creative, Too Wordy was established in 2013 during the planning of her own wedding. With a background in illustration and design, Maeve started out designing and making cards and framed gifts for friends and family and before she knew it, she was getting orders – ‘wordy’ got around!! Two years down the line, Maeve has since expanded into all aspects of design {including greeting cards, prints and wedding stationery},
design crumbs magazine
given her website a complete makeover and offer her products and services to customers and clients worldwide. Based in her cozy, little home studio in West Kirby on the Wirral, Too Wordy is still growing (lots more products to come!!) and she loves every minute of it. Whether Maeve is designing a collection of gorgeously lush wedding stationery, rebranding a business, creating a hand lettered commission for a creative client or making up framed prints for the arrival of a new baby – each little project is unique in its own right. Maeve’s passion for design and slightly
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special feature
worrying obsession for stationery has grown over the years and the opportunity to design for others is a dream come true! Her vision from the very beginning was not only to offer something a little different but
Love and marriage, bouncing new baby, words of wisdom, your favourite lyric - Too Wordy knows no bounds! Themes, colour schemes, quirky requests and specific dimensions can all be tied in to create a perfectly bespoke design - just for you and yours. Check out the website here.
design crumbs magazine
also to create products that can’t be found anywhere else. Each piece is lovingly hand made to ensure her customers and clients receive their very own unique service with a personal touch!
toowordy.co.uk
f facebook.com/toowordy instagram.com/toowordy 07920 462230 howdy@toowordy.co.uk
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ARTICLE
charlotte briscoe interiors: tips for packaging handmade products
Providing a bespoke service, specialising in curtains, roman blinds, soft furnishings and gifts, all of Charlotte Briscoe Interiors’ products are handmade and hand sewn. Here, Charlotte offers an insight, along with some tips, into owning and running an independent interiors business.
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Differentiate yourself from the massproduced market by adding personal touches.
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Be creative. Thoughtful and environmentally friendly packaging doesn’t need to cost the earth.
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Think about how you want the buyer to feel when they receive their item – a good start is to say ‘thank you’.
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Encourage feedback. If you’re doing something right (or wrong) it’s always good to know.
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Carry your signature style through to your packaging to create a more memorable brand.
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If you’re selling online, encourage buyers back to your online shop by offering discounts or showing them other products they may not have seen.
Package your product carefully. Marking your package ‘Handle With Care’ doesn’t always mean it’s going to be handled with care!
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Consider the weight and size of your package – inflated postage costs can put some buyers off.
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Take the opportunity to tell buyers about yourself, your brand and what makes your products special.
your mark on your item so in years to 10 Leave come buyers will still know who made the item, or where it’s from.
Take a look at Charlotte’s beautiful products by visiting: facebook.com/Charlotte-Briscoe-Interiors-545672648801138/?fref=ts instagram.com/charlottebriscoeinteriorsshop
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feature
design spotlight: cath kidston
cathkidston.com Cath Kidston looks back at her English country and childrenswear. childhood with great nostalgia, particularly as Not all smooth sailing, Cath states these are it remains a souce of inspiration of colours, lessons she learnt along the way: prints and fabrics. stay true to your idea learn to say no The start of her love of vintage fabrics came don’t confuse a distraction for an opportunity from one of her first jobs in London, working trust your gut for an antique fabric dealer. From here, Cath was offered an opportunity to work with Nicky don’t be afraid to ask for help stay focused Haslam {founder of London-based interior design firm, NH Design Inc} and so began her As the time of writing, there are 59 Cath training in interior design. Kidston stores and concessions in the UK and Citing her ‘eureka moment’ as discovering her Ireland and 54 across Spain, Japan, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Taiwan Hong Kong and China. signature design concept of Modern Vintage {combining old and new}, she opened a small Get in touch: store near Holland Park and Notting Hill and Telephone: 08450 262 440 began producing her own cushion overs and Email: orderenquiries@cathkidston.com cotton bags, expanding to full collections in accessories, homeware, laundry, womenswear Website: cathkidston.com
cathkidston.com
design crumbs magazine
cathkidston.com
cathkidston.com
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interview
claire leigh owner of two ducks
If you are looking for a special gift; maybe something a little different, you’ll find a beautiful collection of unique gifts, homeware and fashion from some of Britain’s best makers at Two Ducks, the boutique shop in the heart of St. John’s Village in Woking. With a passion for British design, this is the focus of Claire’s gift collection.
WHICH THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRI B E YOUR ORGANI S ATI O N? Passionate, caring, innovative
who or what inspires you? I have been very lucky with the
female bosses I’ve had throughout my career who have been high-achieving, driven and successful women - all of whom have inspired me in different ways. My first boss went on to become the PR Director at Microsoft UK and taught me if you work hard, you can achieve great things! My husband inspires me because he has all the qualities I aspire to - he’s patient, caring, a bit of an academic genius (unlike me!) and absolutely supportive of what I do.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT NOT WORKING FOR who is your favourite designer? Oooo, that’s a tough one because I love so ANYONE ELSE? many British designers. The speed at which I can make decisions and the satisfaction that the rewards are a direct result of things you’ve done.
I think my favourites are probably Hannah Nunn and her paper cut lamps, Anna Perring and her beautiful porcelain tea-lights and I love Sue Lacey’s throws and scarves at Twig.
WHY DID YOU GO INTO BUSINESS - WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I’ve wanted to have my own gift shop for over IF YOU WERE TO GIVE YOUR JUST-STARTING-IN10 years because I love finding unique and beautiful items that people might never have BUSI N ESS SELF SOME ADVI C E, WHAT WOULD I T BE? seen before. I think a large part of it would be to keep Before I had the shop I used to just buy bits for friends or for the house but I always hoped that one day I would be able to bring these items to a wider audience. I love researching and I love shopping and I love meeting and looking after customers - so my job is perfect for me! I also love the creative side of doing window and shop displays and do a lot of research on Pinterest to keep the shop looking interesting!
design crumbs magazine
believing in myself and not to give up no matter how tough it gets. Also not to think about things too much for too long, just crack on. Be prepared to work hard and be allconsumed, but in a good way!
what’s your creative process? I always start with research. Gathering ideas
from different media (Facebook, Twitter, Google, Country Living Magazine, trade shows and other shops).
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I consolidate my thoughts, share them with someone else, refine them and then launch them. I am quite impulsive and always learn quickly from any mistakes!
WHAT DO YOU FEEL MOST SMUG ABOUT? Having my own gift shop full of beautiful British stock, two years from launching the idea on Twitter with no savings to speak of! And the shop is three times the size of the shop I pictured myself having!
Treat your suppliers well, fairly and pay them on time - they will repay you with flexibility and helpfulness. Be passionate about your products and they will sell themselves but be prepared to say no to those whose products do not fit with your brand. Two Duck’s is located at St John’s village, Woking, Surrey GU21 7SE and is open: Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HINTS OR TIPS ON HOW TO ENTER YOUR DESI G N FI E LD? Retail is a hard business - so you need to be
two-ducks.co.uk
prepared to work long hours, be resilient, be innovative to get yourself noticed.
You need to have a good eye for products and be aware of pricing and what your customers are prepared to pay for things. Always ask your customers for feedback and always be helpful, polite and go out of your way to help - people are parting with their hard earned money, they deserve good service!
design crumbs magazine
clairetwoducks@gmail.com 07912 613604
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showcase
holly and teddy
beautiful handcrafted weaves and dreamcatchers
Based in Widnes, North West England, Holly of Following this, Holly set up her Etsy shop in May 2015 and has already received 93 orders Holly and Teddy creates beautiful handmade weave wall hangings and dreamcatchers in the through Etsy alone {at the time of writing}. most gorgeous colours! With her enterprise not even a year old, we have no doubt Holly’s business will go from Whether you like pastels, neutrals or slightly brighter shades, you can be sure Holly has just strength to strength! the palette for you! The company is named after Holly herself and her baby son Teddy. Self-taught, Holly began weaving when she wanted to create a weave wall hanging for her own bedroom! Having designed one for herself and shared on Instagram, soon the custom orders came flooding in.
design crumbs magazine
f facebook.com/hollyandteddy instagram.com/hollyandteddyweave hollymariafarrow@hotmail.co.uk
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article
WHY YOU NEED TO HOST AN EVENT by bec waterfield, owner of funky sunflower events
partnership launch and BTCC sponsorship opportunity event for Thorney Motorsport, Rob Hedley and Zenith Online in Liverpool When you think of an event, you probably think of something big that involves large budgets and manpower. Think again! Events don’t have to be huge…or expensive…but they do need to be included in your marketing strategy.
products, and see the face behind the business. If you’re a restaurant owner, then you could look at running a VIP taster evening when you launch a new menu – just pick some of your most loyal brand ambassadors and invite them along for a treat. If you’re a kitchen fitter, then how about There is something that makes events marketing an open evening to show off your designs at different from other form of marketing. your showroom? If you’re an accountant, you could organise a mini conference where you According to Karen Hartline, event manager bring together others in, and around, your field of Mashable, “There’s something different to discuss the latest trends and technology and about meeting face-to-face and having a position yourself as the expert. conversation that’s not delayed or happening through Facebook messages or limited to 140 So, in a world that’s now dominated by content characters”. marketing and customer engagement, there’s really nothing more beneficial! Think about it for a minute - you’ll be surrounded by potential customers in a And don’t worry if you don’t have the time, confined area. It provides the perfect place knowledge or desire to plan and execute to mingle with customers and, in return, they something exciting, there are plenty of event can ask questions and get an immediate management companies around who can help response. You can market to them directly and you deliver the perfect event leaving you to because they’re at your event, you know they’ll enjoy it. be receptive. You can’t do this with other traditional marketing tools such as TV, radio, Funky Sunflower Events is an event print media, can you? management, styling and concierge company working across the UK from their base in It gives you the opportunity to establish a Oxton. You can pop in and have a chat at 52 relationship with customers on a more personal Christchurch Road, Oxton, CH43 5SF or call 0151 level. They get to see, touch, smell, or taste your 559 0752. Check out: funkysunflower.com.
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showcase
lisa kirkbride
freelance designer and illustrator Lisa is a freelance designer and illustrator living in sunny Whitley Bay with her husband and 11 year old daughter Lily. She moved to the North East from Yorkshire to study a degree in Graphic Design at the University of Northumbria (many moons ago) and loved the area so much she stayed. Living by the coast is a great inspiration to her and feels nothing clears the head more than walks along the beach with her family.
Lisa is a book lover, doodler, lino cutting stationery addict and she have an unhealthy obsession for art materials (she’s particularly fond of sharpie pens!) and an avid collector of letterpress type. Lisa loves to cook for family and friends and bakes with her daughter and because of this, she runs! For the last six years she have competed in the Great North Run and she’ll be back in 2016 too.
She’s also a member of Finch and Foxglove Art She loves creating art, both traditionally and digitally and is inspired by bold design, vintage Collective, at Surtex, New York in May 2016. colour palettes and pattern. She admires the work of Marimekko and artists such as Helen lisakirkbride.com Dardik, Charley Harper and Lisa De John. Her illustrations are created mainly in vector but f facebook.com/LisaKirkbrideDesigns she also like to combine traditional media with digital finishing.
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article
MISS MINT’s BLOGGING SERVICES
by anna hamilton, freelance blogger and copywriter
Writing a blog is the best way to keep your website updated with fresh content, perfect for feeding hungry search engines with optimised content and relevant keywords. A frequent blogging schedule will help you to establish and develop a strong foundation for your online business. It gives search engines manageable chunks of valuable information about your business, one post at a time – just the way Google likes it! BUT, the use of a blog post can run deeper than search rankings; it’s a means for you to create a personality for your brand. It gives your customers confidence that you are an expert within your field and provides you with an opportunity to showcase exciting updates about your company. I know that this all sounds marvellous, but I can hear you all shouting at your screens ‘I don’t have time for that!!!!’ Having your eyes on your accounts, keeping your clients happy and giving great service are just a few plates that every business has spinning all at once. I know that staring at a blank screen can be somewhat unnerving; all the fantastic ideas that you almost had steaming out of your ears seem to evaporate once you sit down to write. So what can I do for you?... At Miss Mint’s Blog Writing Services, I write compelling, engaging
design crumbs magazine
content that creates a tone of voice for your company; I create online articles which represent your business values. I work closely with you to reach your target audience, striving to understand your company and work with you to help you achieve your digital marketing goals! We’re living in an ever-evolving digital world and with most of the globe connected through a mobile devices, we literally have the world at our fingertips. Companies across the globe are marketing through social media and blog pages, reaching customers and clients in an informal and casual format. I will help your business meet its full potential... As a professional copywriter and social media expert, I help small businesses establish profiles and develop platforms and I have an extensive content writing portfolio, which includes copy for artists, makers and designers. Whether your company is need of refreshing blog posts, compelling press releases or someone to help boost your social media page, I can help. I pride myself on a fun, vibrant and informal writing style – which ultimately keeps readers interested. For more information, please visit my website: missmintsbloggingservices.com.
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recipe
travel photography by hannah mather, amateur photographer!
whi c h camera do you use? what do you li k e to take photographs of? The camera I use for most of my photographs is a When looking at what to take photos of, it’s Panasonic Lumix with a Leica lens. I’ve had that camera for a while now butI I still love it, as the photos always come out great. It took me a while to remember all the different settings but I got there in the end! Some photos I with my iPhone, mostly so I can send them to my dad when I’m away - but they still came out really well!
doWhenyouusing use Instagram, filters? I sometimes use filters
just a matter of what I find an interesting image or stunning view - and if you’re in an amazing country, great images are easy to come by, if you’re looking! Sometimes I’ll take a photo purely to remember a particular day and memory so it won’t mean much to anyone else. I’m a complete beginner but absolutely love it. My Instagram account is a place for me to share my photographs taken while I’m away or on days out. If you’re new to photography, it’s a great way to start out and obtain feedback, compliments or criticism!
if I think it improves the photo by enhancing the colour or defining the image - they have some great filters so just play around. I try not to in most cases though! I prefer the photo to appear Please feel free to check it out: instagram.com/ realistic and not overly altered. hannahlm1604.
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hints and tips!
BE PATIENT
FOCUS ON YOUR SUBJECT
Often, watching and waiting is key when taking a great photograph of a particular subject, for example, an animal or group of people. Perhaps waiting a little while until movement occurs will enable you to capture the a great photograph.
Think about the purpose of your photograph why do you want to take it? If you concentrate on the subject and compose the elements around it, you could take a really interesting image. Make the subject the sharpest aspect to hold the viewer’s attention. Also vital is to ensure there are no competing elements which overwhelm the subject, including colour, shape or size.
STAY WITHIN RANGE OF THE FLASH
THE RULE OF THIRDS
This is extremely important otherwise shadows An oldie but a goodie! If the grid doesn’t will appear, perhaps where you don’t want automatically appear, try to imagine two them! Cameras typically have a range of 1m vertical and two horizontal lines through your and 5m for the flash. viewfinder. Try to place the point of interest wherever the lines meet. Make sure that the subject is in focus (as it may not autofocus if USE YOUR PHONE the point of interest is not in the centre). Don’t be a camera snob! Set your phone’s resolution to the highest setting, shoot in the CHANGE YOUR VIEWPOINT brightest light you can and use the vilume buttons to take yhe photograph {rather than the screen button} and you might be surprised Your eye-line might not necessarily be the best view to take your photograph - taking a with the results! Getting to grips with using image from above or below may change the your phone to take pictures could be hugely look entirely, giving the viewer a completely beneficial to you because, most likely, you’ll always have your phone with you - but you may different perspective. It will also give your collection a wider variety. not always have your SLR or compact!
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FEATURE
How to Inject Colour...
by victoria eggs, creating British-inspired homeware and gifts
...into your home!
warmth and a breath of fresh air to a room.
We all know that feeling. It is time to ‘spring clean’ and brighten up your home, but you have no idea where to start, nor the budget for a complete interior make-over job.
Not only this, they can provide an interesting focal point and draw from other colourful objects in the room.
We, therefore, turned to British designer VictoriaEggs.com to work out a way to beat this conundrum!
You may have plain walls but that doesn’t mean to say that you can’t have colourful accessories.
We have one word and one word only for you: colour. We have come up with four handy tips on how to use colour throughout the home to lift the mood. We call it the colour osmosis effect. Believe us when we tell you that a brilliant burgundy, vibrant yellow, florescent pink or even VictoriaEggs.com Ice-cream Delight cushion cobalt blue item will definitely bring a little light {above} is the perfect example of this. It combines a playful, nostalgic design with and vibrancy to your life as spring arrives. pastel tones and immediately brings a touch So join us in getting inventive, and don’t worry of the seaside and summer into your house! What more could you ask for?! all of these are quick, purse friendly and very effective! 1. The cushion and textile hack 2. Kitchen make-over The best and easiest way to start is with Next, it’s the turn of the kitchen. textiles and cushion. Our living rooms can often look a little limp, so finding a statement cushion with a bright pattern or print can instantaneously bring
design crumbs magazine
These spaces can often feel cluttered and full of mismatched crockery that takes over your surface space.
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FEATURE
So, we have found a solution that combines practicality, fun AND colour. It’s super easy grab a colourful oven mitt and turn it upside down, tie a ribbon around the top section and secure it tightly. Now you have the perfect utensil holder! We think this is such a simple way of making sure that you can organise your space whilst also bringing colour into it.
A screen-print in the bedroom can bring a funky urban twist to the room and bring some personality into an area. If you’re a city dweller, why not choose some iconic images of the place that you call home? The world is your oyster and there are so many options out there waiting to be discovered, so grab afriend or family member and get hunting! 4. The haven hallway Now for our final tip, we are focusing on a space that is often overlooked and that we think actually is the gateway to your home: your hallway.
Why not give this inauspicious place a new Or why not use your mismatched crockery to your lease of life by choosing a real statement advantage and choose a whole load of different wallpaper that will blow your guests away as soon as they enter the door. coloured mugs, coasters and tea towels. Call us greedy but this is the epitome of having your cake and eating it too! 3. The screen print hint Using screen prints and paintings is a failsafe trick when it comes to injecting colour into your home. Choose big and bold prints to hang on the walls and don’t be scared of putting them in rooms that you traditionally feel should be more calm and muted.
VictoriaEggs.com Airfix London wallpaper {above} is just that and combines everything you love about London with a graphic style. You’ll be in great company with this wallpaper as it was featured on BBC One’s DIY SOS on 17 February 2016! victoriaeggs.com info@victoriaeggs.com
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feature
moodboard - country cottage by charlotte bevan
Moodboards are an essential tool for any interior designer or stylist’s toolkit. Over the coming months’ editions, we will feature design style themes and identify what’s on trend. Colours, of course, play a vital part - as well as textures, prints and patterns.
charlotte briscoe interiors One of my favourite ever design themes - and so many different options to work with! This particular moodboard centres on English Country Cottage; combining pastel shades with light florals. The Country Cottage look can be achieved, relatively simply, in most rooms of your home. Obviously, if you live in a cottage with an inglenook fireplace, beams and wooden floors, it would be a lot easier! However, by just decorating and adding pretty accessories, this gorgeous style can be all yours! Let’s start with colours. Warm neutral tones like beiges and greiges can be integrated with very subtle pastel shades {primarily pinks} to
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create your Country Cottage charm. However, you can also change it up if you were to, for example, decorate your kitchen. Then creams and duck egg blue or light sage green can certainly be the base of your scheme. Also within your kitchen, why not place a floral teapot and old-fashioned three-tiered cake stand on your kitchen table or work surface? As above, the use of baskets and metal hooks can help create your practical and cute cottage look. French dressers, armoires and little shakerstyle shelving units look wonderful displaying your accessories like tea light holders, pretty china and candles.
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Chalk paint can play a huge part in the creation of this theme; upcycling chairs and stand-alone items of furniture can be great projects to work on and fit perfectly within your cottage style. Try not to simply slap the paint on{!}, you want to distress slightly so there’s a grain effect that’s just so pleasing!
modern vintage room you can be proud of!
Moving onto living rooms and bedrooms, layering cushions and patchwork throws in pastel ditsy prints and narrow stripes give the cosy feeling, whilst maintaining the fresh and light feel.
Fresh flowers are a wonderful addition to any cottage room. Placed simply in an enamel jug, these displays have such an effect and allow your home to smell beautifully fresh and fragrant!
Curtains, blinds and lampshades can be purchased {or made if you’re so inclined!} in order to really pull your look together. The clashing of soft muted pastel tones and gentle patterns in your furnishings can create a
Material roses can also work extremely well - small arrangements, garlands or wreaths can be dotted about so even if you can’t keep real bouquets alive for long, you’ll always have flowers in your home!
Bunting is always a lovely idea to pep up a simple room; giving it a playful and fun appeal. The use of mason or jam jars can play up the contemporary aspect of your theme; adding ditsy print fabric or lace if you wish.
FLORALS As discussed, florals play a huge part in getting this look. Whether they are real or silk roses, floral framed prints or illustrated notebooks dotted around, each have their place in this theme!
make a wish
writer’s own photograph: belle and the moon greeting card
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writer’s own photograph: sass and belle floral heart wreath
writer’s own photograph: belle and the moon notebook
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no sew sewing feature by charlotte briscoe of charlotte briscoe interiors
pretty hanging heart
We might be exaggerating ever so slightly with the ‘no sew’ here but there’s certainly very little sewing involved in this project.. but that would have been a very long article title!
Equipment you’ll need: * Fabric * Stuffing * Needle
* Thread * Pins * Scissors Step FIVE:
Step eight:
Thread the needle and double knot the end.
When you reach the top add the ribbon between the fabric, secure the ribbon with three stitches.
Step SIX:
Step one: Cut two squares 2cm larger than the required heart.
* Pinking shears (optional) * Ribbon * Pencil and rubber
Begin to sew around the edge keeping the distance even, go through from the front and then from the back.
Step two: Put the wrong sides of the fabric together.
STEP NINE:
Step THREE: Pin the fabric together. Step FOUR: With a pencil lightly draw a heart shape using a template or freehand.
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Step SEVEN: When you reach the top add the ribbon between the fabric, secure the ribbon with three stitches.
Continue with the stitching, where there is a 5cm gap knot, carefully insert the stuffing. STEP TEN: Finish the stitching to close the 5cm hole
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STEP ELEVEN: Carefully use the rubber to rub out the pencil marks.
belle and the moon: charlotte briscoe interiors brand styling project
by charlotte bevan, owner of belle and the moon Charlotte {my name twin!} approached me on Instagram to ask if I would design her logo. STEP TWELVE: Pinking shear around the edge approx. 1/2cm. If you don’t have pinking shears you can use the edge of a normal pair of scissors to scruff the edges of the fabric. Take care around the ribbon so not to cut it.
Her business is creating handmade pieces such as blinds, curtains and soft furnishings, as well as gift products like make up bags. The colours, patterns and fabrics Charlotte uses are beautiful – and each piece is finished beautifully. Charlotte requested her logo have a classy look, something professional and not too busy {but not too minimal either!} – and the colour palette was to be pastel, muted tones. Ideal brief, anyone?! Music to my ears! I provided Charlotte with three options and she selected my favourite! With two variations to the selected design in a subtle rose pink, we’ve got everything covered! I can’t wait to work with Charlotte again in the future as I believe together, we could really develop her brand into something really special. If you’d like me to help you with your new logo, branding or business stationery, please don’t hesitate to contact me here at Belle and the Moon: hello@belleandthemoon.co.uk.
Your hanging heart is now ready for decoration.
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social media series
learn more about... linkedin
by charlotte bevan {editor of design crumbs and owner of white space creative design} As of January 2016, there were 332 million members of LinkedIn.
hints and tips
It is the most popular social media network for professionals and is the third most popular overall, in terms of unique monthly visitors behind only Facebook and Twitter.
Customise your public profile URL By removing the crazy numbers at the end of your profile URL, your LinkedIn profile is easier to share and looks more professional. Learn how to do it here.
There are two new users per second - this is an incredible growth for a network that was established in 2003. LinkedIn is currently used in over 200 countries and territories and it’s available in 20 languages. Core users are between 30 and 49 {31% of users} and 50% of users have gained their Bachelor’s or Graduate degree, with 76% of users citing networking as their main reason for using LinkedIn. This is a social network prime for making professional connections and turning these into sales.
Add a background cover image to personalise LinkedIn has jumped on the ‘cover image’ bandwagon... Simply click ‘Profile’ and ‘Edit Profile’ to add a piece of artwork or photography to your profile. This is a way of building your brand on LinkedIn and personalising your profile. Use SEO in your profile As with website content, you can use your profile content to integrated specific keywords that you want to be searched for. Customise your profile content blocks You are able to add, rearrange and remove sections of your profile in order to personalise it. In edit mode, hover your mouse the doubleended arrow and drag and drop. This makes your profile look more interesting and different from other users. Get your skills endorsed The ‘Endorsements’ feature enables your connections to endorse you for the skills you have listed {and you can do the same for them}. This gives credibility to your skills. Engage! As with all other social media networks, it’s great to interact with your connections, commenting on their news or work anniversaries. Not only will they appreciate it but their other contacts may see your comment!
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interview
mary-may at suffolk textiles
Mary-May at Suffolk Textiles is a small business creating natural fibre products inspired by the local Suffolk landscape for you and your home. Specialising in handmade textiles, the designs are developed within Mary-May’s studio, created using a hand-operated knitting machine and hand-finished before being air-dried.
WHICH THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRI B E YOUR ORGANI S ATI O N? Busy, contemporary, natural fibres
WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS? I nearly always have my
sketchbook or ipad, and always my phone (for the camera) with me, but if I’m caught without one, then I’ve been known to use a receipt or serviette! I then redraw it several times over and even leave it for a while, but it is never far from my minds eye and continually changing shape, form and colour. Before making it to my trusty knitting machine and even then the samples are continually tweaked before I am happy and will knit my final piece.
I S YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLI S HMENT? WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT NOT WORKING FOR WHAT So far it would be getting my degree and having the courage to start my business. There are ANYONE ELSE? always doubts when starting out but I’ve had I have the freedom to explore and go off at such lovely compliments about my work. tangents. I also love being able to keep my own hours, which can be quite long if I’ve got a design running round in my head (my apologies to my long suffering partner!).
IF YOU WERE TO GIVE YOUR JUST-STARTING-INBUSI N ESS SELF SOME ADVI C E, WHAT WOULD I T BE? I think a large part of it would be to WHY DID YOU GO INTO BUSINESS - WHAT DO YOU Gosh! keep my self belief that I can do this, followed LOVE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? by telling myself that there will be a lot of what I have always wanted to work for myself and never seems to be neverending hard work, when I decided to study for my degree within and to not give up no matter how much in the Design, it wasn’t a difficult decision to try earn beginning I will just be plodding along! money from it. Knitting wasn’t my original choice but I found that I liked the very 3D form it can take and marymayatsuffolktextiles.bigcartel.com winning first prize in the prestigious Bradford Textile Society Cloth-Worker’s Foundation marymay@suffolktextiles.com Award gave me a lot of confidence and made me think YES!! I might just be able to do this! 07779 424161 I absolutely love designing my patterns, choosing the colours and working it all out! f facebook.com/marymayatsuffolktextiles And having something physical at the end of it, which is saleable.
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