Tuesday 28 January 2014

Jubilations and Celebrations!

Introducing 'Jubilations' a bright new range from Red Berry Hill.






Celebrating male and female milestone ages from 18 to 70 the big bold numbers are illustrated with quirky patterns and collage. The range comprises of 16 designs, 150mm square, printed on a lightly textured board and cello wrapped with a brown kraft envelope.






They will be launched at Spring Fair International next week. Hall 4 Stand 4K24.

If you are interested in stocking this new range, please email Nicole on info@redberryhill.co.uk for more information.

Friday 24 January 2014

Spring Fair Preparations

Preparations are going well for Spring Fair and for once I am ahead of schedule, although now worried I have forgotten something important! It is the first time I have done Spring Fair so I am excited to see how it differs from Top Drawer and PG Live that I did last year. It is a longer show (5 days) so hopefully I will meet plenty of new suppliers.

I decided to do a small scaled mock up of the stand so I can see exactly what it will look like and help me when I am there. I did one last year and it was really helpful when I got to the show to follow.


The brochures also arrived today so I feel like it is all finally coming together!



Spring Fair is at the NEC, Birmingham and is Europe's definitive gift trade fair. It starts on Sunday 2nd February until Thursday 6th February. There is still time to register for free ticket here.

Red Berry Hill will be in Hall 4 Stand 4K24 and I will post a full report of the show when I return.

Friday 10 January 2014

2014 Wish List

A few days ago I was looking back at my posts from January last year when I remembered that I created a list of goals for the year. This was the list.

1. Exhibit at Top Drawer
2. Get my ranges into retailers
3. Get agents
4. Raise my profile (Press etc)
5. Design Occasions/Ages
6. Exhibit at PG Live (May)
7. Submit entries to the Henries
8. Design new Everyday ranges
9. Attend the Ladder Club (Sept)
10. Design Christmas ranges


I was pleased that I have achieved most of the list and I have certainly learned a lot (mainly through a few mistakes) and gained a lot of knowledge about the industry.

The trade fairs were my biggest learning curve. If I am honest when I set out to do Top Drawer I was filled with all sorts of romantic ideas that everything would go right and how things would take off but I have to say it was hard and you have to keep at it and promote your company again and again to get the results.

One of the biggest advantages last year was that I got an agent it certainly took a lot of the stress of out 'selling' my cards. I also gained a lot of knowledge through talking to other publishers who were more than happy to give me the advice I need.

So with all that in mind I have decided do do another wish list for this year

1. Exhibit at Spring Fair and PG Live
2. Increase sales
3. Get more agents
4. Look into export opportunities 
5. More press coverage
6. New Male range
7. New Art range
8. New Occasion range
9. New designs to existing ranges
10. Studio re-vamp


This year I want to concentrate more on designs and maybe look at a different style for an summer art range I am keen to produce.

Better get on then!

Wednesday 8 January 2014

2013 Highlights

Well 2013 was certainly a busy year

January - My very first trade show, Top Drawer in London, where I launched new ranges Metro and Marigold


 



February - I had an unusual exhibition in a phone box!


Was featured in the local press


Cards on display in a local bookshop



May -  Another trade show, PG Live,  where I launched the "mad about…" range




June - A local show at the Ely Flower Festival for four days




September - I took on my first agent in the South East 

October - I sent my first export order to Hong Kong

November - I was back in Ely Cathedral for the Christmas Craft Fair



And now for 2014.