Say hello to ...
Laura Sherratt, from Laura Sherratt Designs
Laura Sherratt Designs was started in December 2008. I have always loved all things patterned, decorative and embellished from a very young age and enjoyed drawing and designing for a diverse range of products throughout school and university. Whilst studying Surface Pattern design at University I began to specialise in designing for small scale objects. Convening passions onto paper, using buttons, ribbon, crystals, line drawing, collage and material, winning prizes for Industry set product briefs. It wasn’t until sometime after university that I decided to set up my own business. I had a desperate lust to design for industry but loved my home in the Staffordshire Moorlands and with very few opportunities near my countryside home I took the plunge. Laura Sherratt Designs began in my parents conservatory but has expanded somewhat since it began as we have now moved into a brand new countryside Barn Studio and expanded our family of employees.
Describe your typical working day ...
My working day has altered recently as I became a Mummy last year! I now spend most of my time working from home, which I love as it allows me to balance family life with doing a job that I am completely passionate about. I am still in touch with the studio all day everyday via phone, email or visits but working from home allows me to really put my time into designing, which is after all the most important job for me to do! I love being creative and it is what the business is built on. My typical day is always very mixed, always working through my to do lists! These can involve planning trade fairs, creating the blog posts, twitter & facebook updates, adding new cards to the website, marketing the company, designing and generally running the business with lots of help from my fabulous studio manager Sally, who allows me the time to design as much as possible.
What is the best thing about your job?
I really love my job, planning my own time is fantastic. I love being creative everyday. I get such a buzz out of seeing the business develop, with something new happening everyday.
Do you use any specialist techniques or equipment to create your products?
I love to experiment with line drawing and collage, combining these with the use of Photoshop and Indesign. We have the cards carefully printed using either Digital or Litho print methods. We are also proud to say that our beautiful, heavy weight board is sourced from the Lake District UK. We are renown for the handmade nature of our cards with all of the design being embellished in someway.
Your products …
What is your personal favourite product in your collection?
I personally love our small cards, my favourite cards being those which are embellished with buttons. I have lots of favourite cards but I do love our latest collection of Special Age Birthday cards called ‘Stitch in time’.
What are the most popular products in your range?
Our cards sell well across the board, we have a few fabulous sellers! Its very hard to say which are most popular but I would say that the ‘Grand Gestures’ occasion cards still do well for me, although our recently launched ‘Favourite things’ birthday cards are sold out already as we print more!
What are you working on at the moment?
I am working on so many projects at the moment. I am working on Mother’s day & Easter for 2014 and after this I intend to look at creating a wedding range.
What do you have planned for 2013?
I would love to begin looking at designing for other products, taking some of our most popular designs on to stationery products. I also have our stand booked for Autumn fair, so I look forward to appearing on the stand with lots of new cards.
Your inspiration …
What inspires your products?
Everything and anything can unexpectedly inspire my next range of cards. Everything from a shopping trip in the city, to the local cupcake café, a trip to the haberdashery, I love to see object displayed in interesting compositions, looking at how colour compliment each other.
What other card and gift designers do you admire?
I admire many other designers, a couple of local designers that really stand out for me are Emma Bridgewater & Jan Constantine, both have created British companies and set up business from my home of Staffordshire, they who share the same philosophy as me, to create beautiful, unique products of a high quality, made in the UK.
What current or upcoming trend are you're coveting?
Loving the current trend towards buying British, buying local. Customers want to know the story behind a product and I think this is fantastic for British businesses.
Quick questions ...
I loved Roald Dahl books whilst growing up and I still do, partly because of the fantastic stories but also due to the wonderfully energetic illustrations.
What is your favourite film?
I am not terribly into films, as I can’t sit for too long! Me and my husband do like the new 3D films though, Avatar was amazing.
What is your favourite album / band or song? All 3 if you want!
I really like Michael Buble, Rihanna & Robbie Williams.
What is your favourite card or gift brand?
I love Abigail Mill cards, her embroidery is beautiful.
What is your favourite website or blog?
I do love this blog! Favourite website has to be www.notonthehighstreet.com, great place to find unique products from small creative businesses, including our cards!
What can't you live without?
My Family. In terms of work, my Apple Mac.
What's your guilty pleasure?
I have many; beautiful stationery, Cath Kidston bags, gel nail colours, buttons, milkshakes & cupcakes to name but a few!
Thank you Laura! Visit the Laura Sherratt Designs website.
