Action Medical Research Christmas Card

Back in February I got a call from Lynn Tait who asked me if I would like to be one of the artists for the Action Medical Research Charity Christmas Cards this year. Of course I jumped at the chance to be involved. 

So I have joined up with 11 other artists all Ladder Club members from around the country to produce a range of Christmas cards where the beneficiary charity, Action Medical Research, receives all of the money. 

Lynn asked us all to design a particular subject and I was asked to do a cycling theme. Here is my card

The cards were formally launched at Progressive Greetings Live in London on 13 May and will be available to buy on the Action Medical Research website later in the year. Designers, printers and even envelope makers have all collaborated and donated their services for free. Last year’s range of ‘real deal’ cards raised £13,000 for the children’s charity.

Image by www.eddiemacdonald.co.uk

Image by Action Medical Research

The ‘real deal’ cards are the brainchild of Lynn Tait. Lynn, a gallery owner in Leigh on Sea, has owned a greeting card business for more than 20 years. A long-standing supporter of the children’s charity, Lynn again this year invited 12 Ladder Club attendees to design and donate an exclusive piece of artwork for the venture. The Ladder Club seminars are crash-courses in greeting card publishing run on a not-for-profit basis by Lynn.

Sherwood Press, The Imaging Centre, Enveco and G F Smith have all agreed to donate their services for free to produce the cards.  

Money raised will help fund medical research into conditions affecting babies and children. Medical research can save and change children’s lives. Yet surprisingly, medical research into conditions that devastate children’s lives is poorly funded.  Action Medical Research is currently supporting work around stillbirth, epilepsy, meningitis, cerebral palsy and brain cancer, as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.

There is even a celebrity endorsement! Davina McCall is one of Action Medical Research's most steadfast supporters and here she is with a selection of the cards.

Image by Action Medical Research

PG Live 2014

I cannot believe it has been a year since I did PG Live. Back for a second year I was ready on time and was pretty calm during the set up (except for the driving in London!)

Once again I produced a mock up before I went so once we got there it was just a case of following the plan and my husband quickly had all the shelves up and the stand was ready for the start of the show, thank you Richard!

It was an early start on the Tuesday and when I got to my stand unfortunately some of the signs had fallen and got damaged but once up again you could not notice but it was such a shame.

It was a busy first day and I took a few orders, some of which were from repeat customers which was really nice to know the cards are selling well. I also met several brand new customers plus some export interest which is always exciting and had a photo call for an exciting Christmas card project I have been involved in (more about that in another post)

The new range 'Top dog' got good feedback with a few of the designs being added to the orders.

I also got to meet some Minions (secretly very excited!)

The second day was another photo call for all Ladder Club Members, this is such a great group started by Lynn Tait and helps fellow publishers on their road to success.

Photo by www.eddiemacdonald.co.uk

The rest of the day seemed to go by pretty quick, again I met some lovely new customers and got a lot of positive comments. Then before you knew it we were packing up to go home.

I had some great neighbours too Libby McMullin, I Drew This, Come for a dream, Your Life Tile and Wolf Whistle who were a pleasure to be around. It is such a lovely industry to be a part of.

All in all the show was a success for Red Berry Hill new stockists and some exciting opportunities!

Last but not least I must also give a big thank you to the tea/coffee lady who visited us very half an hour she was so helpful, always had a smile and remembered what you ordered, definitely the star of the show!

It's been a while

Wow where has the time gone. It has been three months since Spring Fair and this weekend I am preparing to exhibit and the next trade show PG Live at the Design Centre in Islington, London which starts on Tues 13th May until Weds 14th May. It is the second time I have exhibited at this show so I know what to expect, in fact I am all packed, ready to go and feel quite calm which is a little worrying!

All ready for PG Live

I have been very busy in the studio over the last three months getting together a new range to launch at the show. I can't say too much about it at the moment but here is a sneak peek at what is to come.

©Red Berry Hill

I will be back in the next few days to report on the setting up and thoughts on PG Live plus a post about the launch of the new range.