PG Live Newbies

PG Live Newbies

Once upon a time...

Everybody has a story to tell, and the greeting card industry is well blessed with some real humdingers of how the plot of life has brought people into this trade.

With next month’s Progressive Greetings Live (June 7-8, at London’s Business Design Centre) seeing a whole array of publishers making their debut at the show in the Springboard area, PG was all ears to hear chapter and verse from some of these PG Live newbies.

Inset: PG Live is all set to be a right riveting ‘read’!

Oliver Stockley, founder and creator of Oliver Stockley

Your plotline: “My career in greeting cards emerged out of really difficult circumstances. Back in 2015, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that left me stuck at home and unable to work. One of the few things I was able to do without becoming more unwell was draw - so I drew, and drew, and drew. Given my illness, I could only draw bitesized things, and wanted to draw subjects that made me happy. So, I drew bunnies, cats and dogs. Adorable, smiley, happy animals.

A few years later, when I was well enough to start working again, I thought to myself: I love drawing, and I’ve always loved giving handmade greeting cards to those I care about. So, I put my designs on cards, started selling them, and haven’t looked back since.

The greeting card industry is such a joyful, collaborative place, and I’m so happy to be a part of it. PG Live is a celebration of all of that, so I can’t wait to be there and meet more of the amazing people who make the industry the special place that it is.”

Why cards? “I want to create objects that make people smile. Cards are perfect for that: they’re a small slice of joy, gifted from one person to another. They represent the connection between those two people. That’s so special, and something you just don’t get with any other product.”

Your PG Live page turning

launches: “I’ll be exhibiting a small but mighty collection of adorable animal cards that I’ve been refining for several years now. Each of my card designs starts with a detailed fine line pen drawing, lending them a fine art quality. They’re printed on beautifully textured board and coupled with a premium recycled envelope, giving them a luxury feel at an attractive price point. I’m so excited to share them at the show.” The happy ending: “I hope to make some wonderful new connections. Having previously been based in Canada, I’m very new to the UK greeting card community, and am so excited to be taking part in a show that’s such a central part of the events calendar here.” l Oliver Stockley can be found in the Springboard section of PG Live on Stand 812

Above right: A trio of Oliver Stockley everyday designs. Far right: Some festive dressing up, Oliver Stockley style. Right: An adverse situation prompted Oliver to progress his creative talents into greeting cards.

PG Live Newbies

Klara Hawkins, founder and creator of Klara Hawkins

Your plotline: “I fell into the greeting card industry after graduating from my illustration degree. Someone from Tigerprint [a division of Hallmark developing and supplying M&S with cards and other products] had sent a fax to Uni (yes, we’re talking in the days before the world wide web!) saying they did cards, stationery etc and were looking for freelancers. I had no idea who they were at the time but secured an interview and was invited to start freelancing there. A few months later I was lucky enough to be offered a full-time job. I loved it there so much I stayed for over 15 years. After working in-house for so long I didn’t really know what ‘my style’ was so upon starting my freelance career I just kept drawing and drawing. Eventually my own style started to emerge and with it came a whole new wave of commissions and followers. I’ve worked across all continents and illustrated children‘s books, packaging, wallpaper, homewares, toys and children’s clothing, but I have always loved designing cards. However, I’ve never been a confident person so becoming a card publisher was a faraway dream. Dreams are there to be realised though and I recognised that if I didn’t go for it, I would be forever frustrated with myself and never know what could have been. Lockdown gave me enough time to realise my own ranges which were taken on by a few online platforms, such as Moonpig and Card Factory. This gave me the boost I needed to push it further, develop more ranges and now, here I am, ready to officially launch at PG Live!”

Why cards? “I’ve always loved greeting cards. I know how important cards are and what a difference they can really make to someone’s day. Greeting cards are so humble - just a piece of card with nice words and a nice picture can make such a difference to how someone is feeling. It’s so simple but can mean so much and become something that is treasured. I just love that. The thought that one of my cards might brighten someone’s day and make them smile is amazing and really motivates me. The greetings industry is a wonderful sector to be a part of and I’m truly grateful for what I do.” Your PG Live page turning launches: “I’m bringing nine ranges to the show, which include Christmas relations, blank cards, kids’ cards, children’s age and much more. Also, I’m officially launching my pattern birthday and sentiment cards which are already proving to be really popular. People seem to like my illustration style and making someone smile through my work really means the world to me.” The happy ending: “I am both excited and nervous for PG Live. This show marks the beginning of a new journey for me which I’m very much looking forward to. Can’t wait to meet people and make new connections. Lots of orders would be super lovely too so keeping everything crossed for that!” l Klara Hawkins can be found in the Springboard section of PG Live on Stand 764

Above left: Klara Hawkins wearing a sweatshirt bearing one of her designs. Above right: The diverse styling of Klara Hawkins. Left: Klara’s work has been licensed by Lilipinso for wall decore.

Left: Simple stylised design from Peony & Pangolin. Above: A commitment to sustainability and upcycling is part of Peony & Pangolin’s mission.

Dani Cooper and Lisa Barrett, co-founders of Peony & Pangolin

Your plotline: “After meeting at the nursery gates in 2013 we soon realised we were kindred spirits and became great friends. Fast forward a couple of years and we started working together in Hullaballoo [Dani’s bijou giftshop, in Mayfield, East Sussex].

Sharing a passion for all things paper, and an appreciation for the little things in life, we decided to create our own eco-friendly greeting cards of simple designs that are fresh and positive, with a playful pop of colour.

Our ‘quirky’ name came about after many brainstorming sessions over too many frothy coffees. One half of it originates from our joint love of gorgeous peony flowers. It’s a pretty looking word in itself and we feel this beautiful flower perfectly reflects the classic simplicity in our designs, along with our pastel colour palette. Then to the ‘Pangolin’ part…we toyed with many words that would roll with ‘Peony’ and were particularly drawn to ‘Pangolin’ as we loved the idea of helping to raise awareness for this sadly endangered and little-known species. The more we learned about these armoured balls of cuteness the more we felt the name would be a perfect fit, giving a nod to the quirkier elements and cooler, earthy tones in our designs. Having come from retail, it's quite a different experience being on the other side of the track, and

PG Live Newbies

certainly a steep learning curve, but we love it and feel lucky to be part of such a friendly and supportive industry.”

Why cards? “In an ever-increasing digital world what we love about greeting cards is taking the time to choose the perfect card for someone, then putting pen to paper for the personal touch. Receiving a card full of love has meant more than ever over the past few years.

Looking through our own treasured things, we realise how many cards we’ve kept over the years, which now feel extra special as they transport us to significant moments and the people who wrote them.”

Your PG Live page turning launches: “Alongside our varied collections which include kids, Zodiac and a range to personalise, we’re also very excited to be launching our new eco initiative - P&P Planet. This concept aims to extend the lifecycle of each card, particularly through encouraging recipients to send it on, using a nifty postcard template that is printed on the inside of each card!

P&P Planet brings together several key elements for us, combining a focus on being eco-friendly, adding value for the customer and reminding people how meaningful a greeting card can be.”

The happy ending: “Having loved attending PG Live as a retailer, we are so looking forward to being there as an exhibitor. After having initially signed up to attend PG Live back in 2020 the delay has given us some time and opportunity to establish a loyal customer base, which we hope to build on at PG Live. It's quite a different experience to being a retailer, but we feel lucky to be part of such a friendly and supportive industry and we’re very much looking forward to meeting retailers and fellow publishers face to face! We have also heard that the drinks party is legendary!” l Peony & Pangolin can be found in the Springboard section of PG Live on Stand 716

Above left: Peony and Pangolin’s Lisa and Dani. Above: Some of the children’s card designs from Peony & Pangolin.

Archie Archer, founder and creator of Sea Glass by Archie

Your plotline: “Since I was 18 years old, I have only ever worked for myself, which has seen over 30 years of one business morphing organically into the next, all ostensibly with an artistic flavour. I had wanted to go to Kingston or Farnham Art College, but my extraordinarily gifted genius of a father maintained: “Art is a hobby”. OK maybe he was right in some respects, but I’ve always craved to pursue my own creative path and over the last six years I’ve built and sold four different businesses. After 23 years of living in the big smoke, I moved to the Kent coast to live the life I wanted most…to be a minimalistic bohemian soul and so discovered beach combing. Friends constantly tease my relentless collection, “For heaven’s sake you are a magpie” they exclaim, but I always said it would lead to something, and super gluing sea glass to cards was to be that next chapter.

Since starting Sea Glass by Archie, I have sold 30,000 cards, each one featuring a found piece of sea tumbled glass.

I do not describe Sea Glass by Archie as a business, in my mind it is a lifestyle hobby. I am mindful of my experiences with past businesses, not to grow them at breakneck speed as they then plateau, I get bored and I am then onto the next project.

Sea Glass by Archie has given me a way to monetise my life at the beach, enabling me to be outside and just living my best life with my Labrador doggie Bolt.

I drive a 30-mile round trip to a secret beach where Bolt and I will spend six or seven hours three or four times a week collecting glass, which is effectively Victorian rubbish as there was a Victorian glass factory on the site.

Each piece of glass has true magic as it has been rolled around in the sea for 100 years and this means no card is the same. My designs at present largely reflect an outdoors lifestyle, featuring birds, bees, fish and beach huts. My cards are printed at home, in the bow of my boat, using Epson Eco printers. I hand-finish and package (with coloured envelopes from Enveco) all the cards myself so from start to finish they are all made individually by me… though always with the support and encouragement of Bolt!” l Sea Glass by Archie can be found in the Springboard section of PG Live on Stand 786

Above left: Archie Archer with Bolt. Above: Every Sea Glass by Archie card includes a piece of glass that has been found and hand-affixed by Archie herself.