MSN Interview.

On July 19th I took the trip to London to the Microsoft Headquarters for the next leg of the Prince's Trust Tomorrow campaign.

Microsoft, Cardinal Place, London.

Here I met the team behind MSN and the Lifestyle section of the website who had organised a special web chat and interview with my mentor Kelly Hoppen. Firstly, Kelly and I were interviewed about the Tomorrow campaign and our involvement in the fundraising project.

It was really exciting to be at the venue and to see behind the scenes of a huge organisation. The interview went really well and Kelly and I were able to talk about the products we are creating to raise funds for the Trust and I discussed the importance of mentoring in business.
The interview will go out on MSN Her shortly!

Behind the scenes Kelly and I have been designing home interior products to raise funds for the Prince's Trust. The products will be sold exclusively through Kelly's show on the QVC shopping channel. It's all at the sample stage now and we are hoping for the products to be launched sometime in November in time for Christmas. It's really exciting! Watch this space...

New products.

Just a little time to update you with what's NEW at Fay's Studio.

Firstly 'Fun of the Fair', 12 designs covering everyday occasions, inspired by the fun of traditional games and rides found at the fair.

'Love Games' a pocket-sized twist on the Valentine's Day card inspired by retro games.

The NEW 'British Bird Collection' delicately hand illustrated range printed on to textured board, matched with recycled envelopes.

'Lullaby' the New Baby Card collection.

I have also added Wedding Day and Civil Ceremony cards to the website.

For further price information and for any other questions please email me at mail@faysstudio.com.

Fay x

Card Couture

I am always delighted to receive orders for my cards and to hear the stories behind the card retailer. Very often I find very keen greeting card collectors and connoisseurs are at the heart of the business like Bridget Jukes the owner of my new online stockist, Card Couture.

Card Couture is a beautiful contemporary website with a gorgeous hand-picked collection of luxury cards and stationery just right for card-lovers trying to find something special that they cannot find on their high street.

'Glamorous' by Fay's Studio available at Card Couture.

Bridget has served 24 years in the Army, and coming to the end of her career she has turned her hand to e-tailing.

Bridget Jukes owner of Card Couture

Having lived in York for two years, Bridget would finish work and pop into a shop on her way home to enjoy the coffee and cake, but admits she was a sucker for the cards that they sold in the shop and found them hard to resist. When Bridget moved away, she found it difficult to find the types of luxury cards she was used to in York, and that's how Card Couture was born!

CC: "I wanted to make it easy for those with little time, to find gorgeous cards! Our website does that!"  

'Thank You With Flowers' by Fay's Studio available at Card Couture.

CC: "I love colourful, contemporary and original designs! I want to try and bring back traditional card sending so that people put pen to paper and personalise their cards with a message from the heart." 

'Bridesmaid' by Fay's Studio available at Card Couture.

Bridget runs the business with her fiance Dave...

CC: "We can't wait for Card Couture to grow and for others to enjoy the cards that we have to offer." 

'Campervan' by Fay's Studio available at Card Couture.

The website also has some other useful features, such as a function to store your favourites, recommendations of the month, best sellers, new product features, and a page for special offers.The website is also really easy to navigate which means it is a pleasure to use.

You can also find Card Couture on Facebook and Twitter, so follow along to be the first to see new designs, promotions and competitions. Also sign up for their newsletter which will regularly feature Card Couture suppliers and the inspiration behind the designs. Please show your support for Bridget in her new venture.

Fay x

Microsoft.

As though my nerves could take much more, next week I will be making my way to London to meet up with the Prince's Trust and Kelly Hoppen at the Microsoft headquarters.

Microsoft, Victoria.

As part of the Prince's Trust Tomorrow campaign, MSN Her is hosting a live webchat with Kelly.
Later I will join Kelly in an interview where we will discuss our businesses, the Prince's Trust and all the work and product design we have been doing for the very special Tomorrow campaign! 

This is such an exciting and amazing opportunity, I am so lucky to be involved!

If you haven't heard of the Prince's Trust's national Tomorrow campaign yet, here is the video shot at the launch with all 5 business mentors and their mentees.

You can also read more about it and see more photos from the day on page 14-15 of the Prince's Trust digital magazine.

The interview with MSN will go out on their website a few weeks later, so I will let you know as soon as it is available to watch. It's great that MSN have taken such an interest, as the aim is to promote the campaign as far and wide as possible.

You can get involved on Twitter @PrincesTrust #PTtomorrow and Facebook.

Fay x

Young Business of the Year Award!

I am so delighted announce that Fay's Studio is now an Award Winning business. I am so thrilled!

Last night, the glitzy Stroud Life Business Awards took place at The Old Lodge in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire. The ceremony brought together businesses from across Gloucestershire, to enjoy an evening of champagne and fine dining. My Mum aka trade show partner came along to support me at the event, and as it was also her Birthday, it was an extra special celebration.

I was already over the moon to have been announced as a finalist in two of the award categories, 'Young Business of the Year' and 'Business Person of the Year'.

The rain did not stop last night, in fact by the end of the evening it was soaking up through the thick matted flooring, so we were all glad to be under a huge marquee in the grounds of the Old Lodge.

Winner of 'Young Business of the Year'!

We all took our seats and each found a book which listed all of the categories and the finalists. Mum and I were in good company sharing a table with RDS Technology Ltd winners of 'The Diamond Jubilee Business of the Year' Award. Our table was right at the back, so we were all convinced that we weren't going to be winning an award, and we joked about the very long walk to the stage if we did.

After a lovely meal the announcements commenced. The evening was hosted by Jason Chare, Editor of Stroud Life Newspaper and sports broadcaster and journalist Jill Douglas. Local celeb Eddie the Eagle was also a special guest in the audience!

When the 'Young Business of the Year' category came up, I was nail-bitingly nervous, and not expecting to hear my business name called, I was shocked when Jill Douglas announced 'Fay's Studio'!!

The adrenaline rush took over as I took the long walk to the stage to lots of applause and many in the crowd congratulated me on the way which was really nice. I had my photo taken with Nicole Archer from Agenda Magazine, sponsors of the category.

Being presented with my Award (photo courtesy of Stroud Life)

The Award is really stunning, cut and engraved in a diamond shape. I am so proud of it, and it's going to take centre stage in my Studio. It's the first time I have won an award for the business, and it is wonderful to receive recognition for all of the work that has gone in to making the business what it is today. It's even more special in the Diamond Jubilee Year and all the memories I have from what has been an amazing 12 months!

 

I was also presented with a certificate for being a finalist in the 'Business Person of the Year' category, the winners were two very worthy and excited ladies who own BarBar Nursery in three sites across Gloucestershire.

All of the winners were invited back to the stage for one final group photo. Mum captured me in this photo.

And here we are enjoying the celebrations later in the evening, full of excitement and happiness!

What a wonderful evening! Huge thanks go to the organisers for putting on such a fun event and congratulations to all of the other finalists and winners!

Now to find a place to put my shiny Award!!

Fay x

British Bird Collection

If you have been following me on twitter, you will know that I have become a bit of a twitcher lately. I have been studying British birds in their natural habitat. So, a collection of bird illustrations seemed like a good idea.

I strived to put together a really delicate and well-drawn range with lots of attention to detail, using a technique called pointillism. I pressed I don't know how many dots onto the paper to create my designs, I guess there are thousands. It has taken me weeks to complete the initial drawings, to add the subtle dusky palette, and to select the board and envelopes for the collection. So thank you for being patient if you have been waiting to see the finished designs.

BB01 - Nuthatch

BB02 - Thistles

BB03 - Hummingbird

BB04 - Lotus Pods

BB05 - Blue Tit

BB06 - Buttercup

BB07 - Dandelions

BB08 - Elderberry

BB09 - Goldfinch

BB10 - Reed Warbler

Here is an example of how the back of the card compliments the design. The finish is so important!

BB09 - Goldfinch (card layout)

Each card measures 145mm x 145mm and comes wrapped in a biodegradable bag with a matching envelope. The board used is a version of the high quality board I source from GF Smith papers. It is 300gsm, pearl in colour and is embossed with a 'stucco' finish, which gives it the look and feel of a heavy watercolour paper.

I chose something extra special for this range, as I wanted the cards to have the delicacy of an etching. I altered my original black ink drawings into a warmer brown hue to give them 'shelf appeal' and finished each design with a soft and dusky palette.

If you would like further information about the range, please get in touch (mail@faysstudio.com).

Fay x

The Lullaby Collection

I've been very busy behind the scenes, creating 'The Lullaby Collection'. 

New Baby cards have been missing from my ranges so I have introduced 7 new designs which cover baby girl, boy, new Granddaughter and Grandson.

LU03 - New Baby

LU01 - Baby Boy

LU02 - Baby Girl

LU06 - Boy

LU05 - Grandson

LU07 - Girl

LU04 - Granddaughter

I have been paying a lot more attention the look of the back of the cards too. It really will add an extra dimension to the cards, a part that doesn't seem all that important but can make a real difference to the final finish. Here is an example of one of the card layouts.

LU03 - New Baby (Card layout)

All cards measure 145mm x 145mm and come wrapped in a biodegradable bag with a matching envelope. The white board used is high quality and FSC certified. For details of the trade prices, please get in touch. (mail@faysstudio.com)

Fay x